**Summer-League Basics:  Finishes in All Four Strokes**

Few things are more agonizing for a coach or swim parent than to see a swimmer lose their race because of a poor finish.  Yet – in practice – few things receive less attention than finishes.

Just like starts, turns, and stroke technique, great finishes can be taught.  Tune in this week to find out how.

**Monday**

**Freestyle Finishes**

The race isn't over until you touch the wall. Let's practice that!

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2163-freestyle-finishes>

**Tuesday**

**Freestyle Finishes – Sticks at the Flags**

A great finish starts before you even get to the flags. We love using sticks on the bottom to build awareness of where the flags are...and how to use them to your advantage.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2164-finishes-flag-ticks>

**Wednesday**

**Freestyle Finishes – Finish Stick**

Here's how we use a stick on the bottom of the pool to help swimmers learn optimum body position at the finish. It works kind of like magic.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2165-finish-finish-stick>

**Thursday**

**Kara Lynn Joyce – Get Your Hand on the Wall**

Kara Lynn Joyce: "In a close race, everything comes down to who can get their hand on the wall first, so this is something I work on every day."

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/662-get-your-hand-on-the-wall>

**Friday**

**Steve Haufler – Teaching the Backstroke Finish**

Backstroke finishes are the toughest to teach and to execute. Of course, Steve Haufler has some ideas.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1299-teaching-the-backstroke-finish>

**Saturday**

**Dave Denniston – The Approach**

The technique for a great butterfly or breaststroke finish is similar to the "approach technique" for a great fly or breast turn (demo'd by Dave Denniston). Adjusting your stroke from the flags to the wall is key. The big difference is that you'll touch beneath the surface with the fingertips.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/880-step-1-the-approach>

**Sunday**

**Breaststroke Drill – The Last Stroke**

This young swimmer is practicing his breaststroke technique...while also learning correct body position for the butterfly and breaststroke finish.

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/988-breaststroke-the-last-stroke>

**Swimming Camp Self-Monitoring Success**

Glenn shared his experience at a swimming camp, where he observed an exceptional group of 40 children who demonstrated strong self-monitoring skills and made significant progress in their swimming techniques. He emphasized the importance of teaching simple, actionable concepts that swimmers can apply independently, such as monitoring stroke distance, breakout point, and tempo. Glenn also highlighted a particular success with a young breaststroke swimmer who improved her technique by reducing her stroke count, resulting in faster times. He expressed excitement about the rest of the camp and his approach to teaching swimmers to focus on long-term improvement rather than immediate results.

**Swimming Technique and Pool Safety**

Glenn discussed the importance of teaching swimmers to adjust their technique based on different pool conditions, such as varying angles, peripheral vision, and the presence of rounded corners. He emphasized the need for swimmers to focus on specific points, like the bottom of the cross at the end of the pool, to maintain proper head position. Glenn also highlighted the significance of using flags for all four strokes, adjusting tempo and distance per cycle, and practicing fully extended strokes through repeated drills. He concluded by warning about the dangers of loose flags for young swimmers, who might otherwise risk hitting the wall painfully.

**Swimmer Finish Techniques Demonstration**

Glenn demonstrated techniques for teaching swimmers to improve their finishes, focusing on head position and using PVC pipe markers to help swimmers maintain proper form without looking up. He explained how to create and position the markers, emphasizing the importance of flat edges to prevent movement in the water. Glenn also showed how to use the markers to help swimmers develop an instinctual understanding of where the wall is, allowing them to extend their arms and touch the wall without lifting their heads.

**Swimming Pool Teaching Markers Plan**

Glenn discussed plans for marking a swimming pool to help young swimmers improve their technique. He explained the placement of markers at the 15-meter mark and the 5-yard mark, emphasizing their use for teaching proper push-offs and stroke counts. Glenn also shared a personal story about a coin he created to inspire swimmers, which features the message "Send it forward" and an image of Dave Denniston, a Paralympic swimmer. He plans to use these markers at an upcoming swimming camp to help swimmers develop better finishes.

**Swimming Technique for 50 Free Finish**

Glenn discussed the importance of technique in swimming, particularly focusing on the 50 free finish. He emphasized the need for a precise fingertip touch on the touchpad, as a flat hand could expand the surface area and potentially activate the pad incorrectly. Glenn also highlighted the challenges faced by swimmers, such as adjusting to different pool depths and reorienting their vision, which can affect their ability to finish effectively. He noted that Carolyn and Jack were working on these techniques and shared a video of a swimmer practicing in a deep pool, illustrating the complexities involved in perfecting the finish.

**Swimming Goggle Design and Performance**

Glenn discussed the importance of proper goggle design and head alignment in swimming, emphasizing how Swedish goggles with minimal gaskets allow swimmers to maintain better peripheral vision without lifting their heads. He explained that even small differences in head position and hand finishing can significantly impact performance, potentially determining Olympic team selection. Glenn also mentioned working on starts and turns with his team and shared a humorous anecdote about making dive sticks for practice.

**Swimming Techniques and Lane Etiquette**

Glenn discussed swimming techniques and lane etiquette with the group. He emphasized the importance of proper finishing techniques, including keeping the hand straight and parallel to the surface, and avoiding delays at the touchpad. Glenn also stressed the need to teach lane etiquette early on, as it helps swimmers stay focused and out of each other's way. He noted that it takes about a week for swimmers to get used to lane etiquette once it is properly taught.

**Swimming Techniques and Safety**

Glenn discussed swimming techniques, focusing on proper finishing positions and turns. He emphasized the importance of teaching swimmers to reach back for the wall while maintaining a good head position, and highlighted the need for coaches to pay attention to ensure safety. Glenn also explained recent rule changes that allow for more underwater kicking in backstroke, noting that while this may not be the fastest technique, it is safer for young swimmers.

**Swimming Techniques and Pool Strategies**

Glenn discussed swimming techniques, focusing on the importance of keeping eyes down during turns and finishes to avoid lifting the head unnecessarily. He shared a story about working with Navy athletes to understand and navigate a unique bulkhead design, emphasizing the advantage of knowing pool layouts and markings. Glenn also highlighted a drill for breaststroke swimmers to improve their technique by focusing on each stroke as if it were the final one, resulting in more consistent and powerful strokes throughout the race.

**Swimming Techniques and Session Updates**

Glenn shared his approach to teaching swimming, emphasizing simplicity and proper stroke techniques. Barbara and Mike discussed the importance of teaching children to finish strokes with precision, using analogies and games to reinforce proper technique. Glenn announced a break in his regular sessions due to upcoming travel plans, and mentioned he would resume with a focus on the open turn sequence in the coming weeks.


Sign In to watch video

June 17, 2025 - Summer League - FINISHES!