[Link to Dave Denniston's original article - Mona Lisa Workouts That Make Smiley Faces](https://blog.goswim.tv/post/mona-lisa-workouts-that-make-smiley-faces-iu4pq)

[Link to Andrew's website](https://www.coachandrewsheaff.com)

[Link to Andrew's Slide Presentation](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1KwStQb3qvwoyC2Q3qH5ZOOrJhi0I3pLS/edit?usp=share_link\&ouid=113422434596215305870\&rtpof=true\&sd=true)

**Skill Demands in Practice Design**

Glenn and Andrew discussed the importance of incorporating specific skill demands into every length of practice rather than making them optional suggestions. They agreed that coaches should design workouts to ensure skill requirements are achievable under pressure, with Andrew emphasizing the need to balance physiological pressure with the swimmer's readiness. Glenn concluded by transitioning the discussion to an interactive Q\&A session where attendees could ask questions about workout design.

**Swimming Skill Development Strategies**

Andrew discussed challenges in developing swimming skills and emphasized making learning inevitable by creating situations where success is more likely. He highlighted the importance of integrating skill development with training to challenge swimmers under pressure and ensure changes transfer to actual swimming. Andrew provided examples of specific drills and sets that force attention on skills while allowing for feedback and effective coaching, balancing targeted drills with regular swimming to capitalize on their respective strengths.

**Skill Development in Swimming Training**

Andrew presented a comprehensive framework for incorporating skill development into swimming training sets, emphasizing the importance of alternating between focused skill work and regular swimming to maintain engagement and transfer skills to actual competition. He outlined various tools coaches can use including stroke counts, drills, training aids, resistance equipment, and hand postures to challenge swimmers and help them develop specific skills. The discussion included practical examples of how to design sets with clear skill goals and how to adjust the difficulty level based on individual swimmers' capabilities, with Glenn and Barbara sharing positive experiences using similar approaches with their teams.


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Aug. 11, 2026 - Designing Sets That Build Skills