Not all coaches or swimmers like drills, nor should they.  Coaches should coach the way they want to, and if a drill is in the mix, then do it correctly.

Why do it:
A drill should make you MORE aware of a specific point in your stroke.  If you’re not feeling that specific point, you’re probably not doing it right, or aren’t thinking enough about it.

How to do it:
1 - Take this drill for instance… double kick breaststroke.  If your head isn’t in line, if your arms and legs are loose, if you’re NOT trying to get as much out of each sequence and feel what it’s really like to RIDE between the strokes… then you’re not doing it right.
2 - All drills will have specifics to help you, this specific drill tries to teach your correct head position, correctly body line, correct timing as the hands sweep out and the chin lifts for the breath, correct draw of the legs without too much tuck.  Take each part and focus on it independently. 

How to do it really well (the fine points):
Well this entire thing is about a fine point isn’t it?  If your coach uses drills, and if you’re being asked to perform a drill, make sure you know the specific point you need to be thinking about, or indeed… Why Drill?  Just start swimming, and focus while you’re doing that instead.

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All Strokes - Why Drill?