Logo
    MARKETPLACECOLLEGEFEATURESPRICINGBLOGLOGIN

Lessons

Browse through our thousands of Lessons to gain a deeper understanding of swimming. Use our search bar located above or, if you're new to the site, use the Guided View to help narrow down the Lessons presented to you. If you use the Guided View, you’ll also be able to add your Expertise Level as an additional filter.

Mar. 12, 2024 - How to Coach Backstroke After Teaching the Basics

Mar. 12, 2024 - How to Coach Backstroke After Teaching the Basics

How to Coach Backstroke After Teaching the Basics After you’ve done the hard work of TEACHING backstroke from scratch…after they’ve mastered the basics of being horizontal on the back, having a productive flutter kick, and being comfortable with backstroke arm action…how do you take your swimmers to the next level? This week we explore the key focus points for backstroke. If you learn to look for these things in your swimmers, and work on teaching these key concepts, you can turn your swimmers into backstrokers. Monday Better Backstroke Concepts: 10 And 2 Hand Entry The most common technique flaw in backstroke is “over-reaching.” Swimmers often aren’t aware that they need to make a correction, so it’s up the coach to teach a “10 and 2” hand entry. Here’s how. <https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3044-10-and-2-hand-entry> :00 - great visual of how it’s supposed to look :06 - never forget the overall balanced line :17 - knowing how to film :31 - from under you may feel some resistance in this position :51 - hyperextended elbows :55 - make adjustments based on physiology Tuesday Better Backstroke Concepts: Thumb Out Pinky In Teach your swimmers not just the HOW of “thumb out, pinky in” but also the WHY. <https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3045-thumb-out-pinky-in> :05 - Pinky slices in :14 - why I’d change this straight arm initiation :16 - better pull :17 - old school teaching :20 - proper hand exit :17 - show the hand having to turn over :20 - show the hand finishing and having a direct path out :23 - pinky in puts the body into a good position to initiate the catch :24 - thumb out simplifies the process :35 - thumb out with rotation :37 - relaxed exit with the thumb leading :39 - such an easy teaching point - accentuate the thumb :52 - get the athlete to focus on a definitive turn of the hand halfway through the recovery :53 - HA! Even with the focus… :55 - pinky slice :57 - need to work on this side - over-reach as well :59 - fine on the right side 1:01 - face palm 1:03 - pinky in first 1:05 - pinky in first 1:07 - uh oh - sometimes when it’s too soft, the hesitation of rotation can cause issues Wednesday Better Backstroke Concepts: Where to Look Where a swimmer’s eyes are looking can have a huge impact on backstroke bodyline and power.  Ideal is to train the eyes on the ceiling directly above the feet. <https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3046-where-to-look>  :06 - very stable - slight head tilt :08 - loo for the orientation of the waterline and face - pretty flat :10 - great shoulder rotation :13 - very stable head - eyes looking up and slightly back :14 - timing the breath :17 - eyes looking back slightly over the body :21 - clear image of the head slightly back :21 - watch the nose for the next few seconds - protected :24.9 - timing the breath on the initiation of the recovery of the right shoulder :31 - less tilt but still a slight chin tuck :32 - precarious position - but think about water flow and velocity :33 - not as much rotation so more shoulder disruption :35 - breath timing at the beginning of the recovery :36 - by the time the water splashes over, the mouth is closed again :40 - water going into the mouth :43 - mouth open for a breath :43 - watch how he expels it :47 - can see the chin tuck angle :52 - eyes looking slightly back Thursday Better Backstroke Concepts: Stable Head (Cup on Forehead) Watch any elite backstroker and one of the first things you notice is that their head remains stable and rock solid. Here’s the classic – and fun – way to imprint this key skill. <https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3047-cup-on-forehead>  :04 - hand down by your side - gentle slow kick :09 - focus on stability :17 - how much water in the cup? :30 - initiate rotation of the shoulders :33 - I do consider it “cheating” a bit when the hand sculls for stabilization :40 - To challenge more, rotate only with the core, not the hands :46 - extend one of the arms :51 - start taking slow - stable strokes :56 - finding the right weight 1:01 - don’t push off too hard 1:02 - start swimming full stroke back 1:20 - how fast can you go - get a heavier cup Katie <https://youtu.be/16tGOwlwy7E?si=q4238PvQ3yMJohJY> Friday Better Backstroke Concepts: Bent-Arm Pull (Backstroke Scull) Beginning backstrokers tend to pull with a straight arm. Watch for this as a coach, and try to teach a bent-arm pull as soon as possible in the learning process. Here’s a great drill for helping swimmers get a feel for the backstroke bent-arm pull. <https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3049-backstroke-scull>  :04 - look at the arm in the catch position - EVF :06 - turn the face down :10 - rotated - head stable - arm in catch position :13.26 - THE position :30 - getting the arm into position :35 - only the bottom part of the arm moves :38 - the position we want Saturday Better Backstroke Concepts: Rotation (Connect Hip and Hand) In freestyle and backstroke, always fight the urge to swim flat – and with just with the arms. Here’s how to link the hands and hips for a more powerful and “coordinated” backstroke. <https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3054-connect-hips-and-hand>  :04 - hand down hip down :05 - hand down hip down :08 - directly into the catch :09 - straight line from one shoulder to the other :15 - when in power, a straight line from one shoulder to the other :19 - hand down hip down :22 - when the entry is too soft, or too slow… it’s flat then he rotates :26 - better to this side :38 - watch the hand entry and the entire body - shoulders - torso - hips rotate together :39 - stays on her side to initiate the recovery and the catch - line from shoulder to shoulder :41 - This is what we’re trying to avoid in most swimmers - elbow behind the shoulderline :46 - slow on left side :48 - better on right side :48 .7 - great on power phase :50 - with less rotation - arm is straighter Sunday Better Backstroke Concepts: Constant Kick (Flow the Kick) The backstroke kick should be constant and gentle, narrow and flowing. Aim for a 6-beat kick that helps the body rotate from one hip to the other. <https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3059-flow-the-kick>  :02 - constant kick with slow turnover :16 - focusing on a narrow, soft, constant kick :24 - keeping the toes pointed and legs long :31 - not a lot of bend in the knee :37 - look at the maximum bend :44 - kick through the rotation Bonus <https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3053-freestyle-scull-for-backstroke> Haufler Backstroke: Backstroke Focus Points <https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1300-backstroke-focus-points> For Bent-Arm Pull and Rotation: Better Backstroke Concepts: Single-Arm Backstroke <https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3051-single-arm-backstroke>

Feb 7, 2023 - Great Finishes Zoom

Feb 7, 2023 - Great Finishes Zoom

At some point in your career, chances are good that you’ll win or lose a race by 1/100th of a second. Our focus this week is helping you come out on the happy end of that, by having great finishes in every stroke. Three-time Olympian Kara Lynn Joyce gets us started.  Zoom Chat at the bottom of this list. Some great links in there. Monday <https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/662-get-your-hand-on-the-wall> :17 - Head down :22 - eyes down :39 - diving well :45 - watch the stability of the head :55 - the touch - head never moved Rotated - extended - balanced :59 - shock absorber 1:03 - looking up 1:10 - looking up 1:12 - hand on gutter 1:24 - hand on gutter 1:29 - reach across to look at the clock 1:48 - practice slow 1:52 - practice slow 2:04 - practice slow - no breathing 2:09 - direct touch 2:21 - add speed 2:33 - add speed 2:46 - increase the kick 2:56 - be able to finish with either hand Consistent practice 3:27 - watch the wave Tue:  https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2163-freestyle-finishes :04 - eyes down - rotated - extended :20 - what is your knowledge level while passing under the flags :27 - start practicing finishes outside of the flags :35 - no breathing inside the flags :43 - fully extended :48 - shock absorber :54 - practice consistency 1:01 - eyes down 1:10 - taking a peak in the shallow pool 1:18 - taking a peak Wed: <https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2165-finish-finish-stick> :07 - Eyes up :17 - Eyes down :43 - Position the stick at the point of contact Switch to the previous video and show the sticks under the flags - :57 1:00 - full association of when he’ll touch 1:05 - still looking at the stick after the finish 1:12 - perfect timing 1:24 - great finish Thu:  <https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/880-step-1-the-approach> :10 - Eyes down all the way in :14 - Hands slightly higher because it’s a turn :20 - Head stays down :24 - Head down and slightly under :38 - Start adjusting at the flags :45 - shortens a stroke :56 - Eyes down again 1:20 - bad finish and approach 1:26 - building association with the bottom 1:28 - practice what you see 1:33 - practice what you see Fri:  <https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/988-breaststroke-the-last-stroke> :14 - Swimmers hands directing downward on each stroke :19 - hands below parallel to the surface :44 - hands still downward :54 - the last stroke 1:12 - reaching forward 1:22 - thinking of the finish on each stroke 1:29 - parallel to the surface Sat: <https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1299-teaching-the-backstroke-finish> :10 - on land :16 - glue arm :25 - help understand the position :32 - practice with both arms :44 - kick in glue :59 - kick in glue position to the wall 1:03 - practice w both arms 1:10 - put a rope 15 ft passed the flags 1:18 - count strokes passed the wall until you hit the flags 1:22 - minus 1 or 2 strokes swim back to the wall 1:34 - practice mid-pool finishes 1:52 - mid pool finish to glue arm 1:56 - start with other arm 2:12 - teaching the submerge 2:16 - blow bubbles 2:21 - tilt the head back 2:28 - looking at the wall upside down 2:29 - DQ currently - leave the leg up 2:47 - mid-pool with submerge Sun: <https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2669-high-lunge> :43 - touching the floor :50 - runners lunge :59 - good posture 1:14 - reach 1:19 - torso over hips 1:43 - low lunge Bonus: <https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2166-conveyor-belt> -------------------------------------- Zoom Chat 10:59:00 From Kathy Eaton to Everyone: Good afternoon! 10:59:00 From O Thomas Johnson to Everyone: Is it just me but I cant hear anything 10:59:14 From O Thomas Johnson to Everyone: oops now I can 11:02:01 From Coach Dan to Everyone: Simman.nu writer and a former National head coach were going to do a few podcasts and now they are near 250 episodes (in Swedish) 11:02:13 From Coach Dan to Everyone: you never know where it is going to take you 11:02:31 From Coach Dan to Everyone: The underwater from the ASU meet? 11:09:06 From Coach Dan to Everyone: At what point do you reach vs take another stroke (any recommendation)? When your hand is about x inches away you take another stroke (know it depends on the speed as well)? 11:09:22 From barbara hummel to Everyone: notice that her pull finishes at the exact moment her fingertips touch. 11:09:42 From barbara hummel to Everyone: exceptional timing of your energy and force 11:15:05 From Brad German to Everyone: Go Blue!! 11:15:35 From William Park ChPC to Glenn Mills(Direct Message): Go Blue sorry I’m late 11:17:29 From Coach Dan to Everyone: Strarting by sending this video to you Barbara.50 Free final 2000 Olympics (even a World Record holder can have a bad finish), see 6min 2 seconds. https://youtu.be/pr8HgymclQo 11:20:05 From William Park ChPC to Glenn Mills(Direct Message): So I’m big meets there are no flags so you look for your 5 meter mark and don’t breath 11:20:09 From barbara hummel to Everyone: Don that’s amazing. A Kellogg’s variety pack of finishes 11:20:20 From barbara hummel to Everyone: Sorry. Dan. Spellcheck! 11:20:29 From John McGowan to Everyone: We use hockey pucks instead of sticks 11:20:59 From John McGowan to Everyone: West Virginia 11:21:00 From William Park ChPC to Glenn Mills(Direct Message): Go Blue 11:23:00 From William Park ChPC to Glenn Mills(Direct Message): Coaching Para you need great tappers 11:27:05 From Coach Dan to Glenn Mills(Direct Message): Newer pools might have a marker on the bottom for 15m which you can learn to use as a marker to do any needed adjustment in stroke length or tempo. 11:33:21 From Coach Dan to Everyone: Swimming from the wall and rope is 30' from the wall? 11:34:58 From William Park ChPC to Glenn Mills(Direct Message): Big difference flow gutters to real wall 11:37:29 From Monty Krieger to Everyone: PLZ STATE THE RULE 11:43:13 From William Park ChPC to Glenn Mills(Direct Message): Ya that’s a go blue 11:43:18 From Coach Dan to Everyone: 6.02 11:43:46 From Coach Dan to Everyone: Lane 6 (no cap and regular speedo style suit) is Popov who set the world record about 8-10 weeks earlier 11:44:17 From Coach Dan to Everyone: That is Popov 11:44:27 From Gregg Thurlbeck to Everyone: The wording of the rule SW 6.3 - Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the race. It is permissible for the swimmer to be completely submerged during the turn, and for a distance of not more than 15 metres after the start and each turn. By that point the head must have broken the surface. 11:44:34 From Coach Dan to Everyone: yesw 11:44:40 From helen naylor to Everyone: yes 11:44:43 From Beth Baker to Everyone: At my HS pool it is really deep at both ends so kids don’t get out of the way as quickly/well b/c they can’t stand. Really problematic for kids at end to be able to work on finishes. 11:45:33 From Coach Dan to Everyone: Bad finish guy 11:45:35 From William Park ChPC to Glenn Mills(Direct Message): Go Blue 11:47:58 From William Park ChPC to Glenn Mills(Direct Message): You could room with Vic 11:49:03 From Coach Dan to Everyone: He came to Bolles when he was 15/16 11:49:19 From Kathy Eaton to Everyone: Ya!! Summer!! 11:50:01 From Jay Chambers to Everyone: Katie Hoff's finish in the 400 in London...it's not just the 50 where the finish is important 11:50:13 From Coach Dan to Everyone: https://youtu.be/DNKrQBGdYW0?t=77 100 fly 2008 11:52:22 From Brian Lindsay to Glenn Mills(Direct Message): Bingo Glenn! How many finishes are there in a practice? 11:55:25 From Coach Dan to Everyone: 2008 Katie 400 free with 10 sec to go in the race <https://youtu.be/BwUhrm7RlKU?t=374> 11:56:30 From helen naylor to Everyone: he does that the whole race! 11:58:45 From John McGowan to Everyone: 3 Michael Phelps 2008 Olympic 100m Butterfly Final <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urbvFAAwM2M> 4 The Underwater Finish of the 2008 Olympic 100m Butterfly Final <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S98QMbe4LUE> 12:00:05 From John McGowan to Everyone: He stopped kicking also 12:00:12 From William Park ChPC to Glenn Mills(Direct Message): You think finish before last turn 12:01:09 From Coach Dan to Everyone: Do we know how many 1/1000 of a second the difference it was between the 2 in that 100 fly? 12:02:12 From William Park ChPC to Glenn Mills(Direct Message): We haven’t used1000thsince 1967 pan and Winnipeg 12:03:47 From William Park ChPC to Glenn Mills(Direct Message): Go Blue 12:04:12 From William Park ChPC to Glenn Mills(Direct Message): Thank you BillPark go blue 12:05:30 From helen naylor to Everyone: No, you still cannot be submerged at the finish 12:05:52 From William Park ChPC to Glenn Mills(Direct Message): Fina is now world aquatics 12:06:45 From John McGowan to Everyone: I believe .07 inches 12:06:45 From Camy Gitwenty to Everyone: Thank you, bye 12:06:59 From Monty Krieger to Glenn Mills(Direct Message): Did you use a mirror for your research? 12:07:05 From Jay Chambers to Everyone: Thank you Glenn and Barbara 12:07:11 From Brad German to Glenn Mills(Direct Message): Thank you! 12:07:15 From Corinne Machoud Nivon to Everyone: Thank you 12:07:17 From Kimberly Goodell to Everyone: This was great thanks! 12:07:18 From Brian Lindsay to Glenn Mills(Direct Message): Thanks Glenn!

15 - DC Talks - The Finish of the Stroke

15 - DC Talks - The Finish of the Stroke

So the next thing we're going to talk about is the finish of the poll very, very important for sprinters. So let's pull up the video. And we will just let that get started. I guess I should add it, there we go, that helps. So David, when thinking of a complete stroke from front to back, how important is the push to the finish? For me, the push to the finish is kind of it's the conclusion to the stroke. So, and I think of it like almost like a little boost, like a little, little propeller at the back back end of the stroke, and kind of helps me launch myself and get my arm into the recovery phase, faster, stronger. Having that back, having that back pressure to have myself throw back around, my just makes it more efficient and faster. As I go into the next stroke, it's important for me, because at the end of the day, I'm just trying to be as fast as possible. And if I can push myself forward just that little bit more by pushing my arm through that stroke at the finish. It really it's just contribute, it's only contributing positively towards the overall part of the overall stroke that I have. It's definitely not the most important part. But it definitely is just a small, easy thing to do and easy factor that just contributes to a faster and more efficient stroke. Now the finish is going to contribute to the recovery, the finish is going to contribute to the speed of the recovery, and what do you what is the most important part of getting to the recovery? For me, it's it, I've been doing it for so long at this point, that is just kind of muscle memory. So I'm trying to break it down in my brain right now. But for me, really, the most important part of getting the recovery is just getting to it, I can find myself going really slow and really sloppy when my hands aren't pushing all the way through the stroke. And I'm just, I'm not, I'm kind of being I'm almost choppy, I'm not one, one unit that's kind of together. And that that tends to have to do with me getting into my recovery, because I'm lagging in that recovery phase, it's just not happening as quickly as it should. And the rest of my stroke kick body is just, it's kind of falling behind, because I'm not in that cadence and rhythm. Getting to that as important because I like to be kind of I think of myself like a well oiled machine. And if I don't have oil, if I'm not moving all in one cohesive unit, and kind of running all together and to being choppy parts, I'm going to be more efficient, stronger, faster, if I'm together, as opposed to kind of holding off and lagging a little bit on that recovery. I mean, the important, obviously, is just trying to be as quick as possible, especially with freestyle sprint, getting to that recovering to the next stroke. So I can get that pool and be as fast as possible. So, I mean, I don't want to get myself caught on that recovery, like at all, because at the end of the day, it's just going to negatively impact the rest of my stroke, and I'm just going to be disconnected. uncoordinated, it's, you know, at the end, it's just something that I think about now, so along those lines, would you say you try to accelerate the hand through the finish of the stroke so that it flies into the recovery a little bit better? Oh, for sure. I've been working with Michael Berek at NC State, kind of on the whole, like power distribution through my stroke, we've been working. Obviously, you want 100% to be in your stroke all the time. But we've kind of been working on like a, almost like a varied power output throughout the stroke. Like if you at the top my stroke, it's a little bit less than the bill, but Bubba build 200% At the back of that stroke, almost starting at like, say 40%. And building all the way to 100 as I go throughout that entire stroke to get myself that launch forward. Yeah, and it's just it's important to launch myself through that stroke and get myself going forward as much as possible and that kind of flick of the wrist into the hand and that recovery is kind of how I end that push and that that stroke. Yeah, I like this part right here because you can really see the it's almost like the wrist leading the way forward right there. So you're finishing and then but the hand comes out a little bit sliced, so it's a little bit it's going to come out really fast. Do you do any special drills that help you focus on the finish? One big thing is power ketchup, it's literally catch up but just focusing on the power underneath the water is strong in as much of a pull as you can donate the water and launching yourself as far forward in that catch up stroke. That's something that I'm doing here at NC State. I did it literally eaten was it is today, Wednesday, I did it yesterday. It's a big part of the stroke, because not not not only my building strengthened burns through that stroke, but I'm kind of coordinating myself to focus on that, that push you can see right there, at the end of the stroke power catch up. Again, just like normal ketchup was a great way to do that. And, again, you know, I see the hand slicing a little bit, do you think about that? Or is that just something that just happens as a byproduct of getting back out front, I'll be honest, it's just kind of what happens. There's one thing that I do think about, and when I'm done with that stroke, if I've got a super tight wrist, like I'm locked out here, and I'm not necessarily on my cameras over here, I'm not necessarily as loose, I can get really, really tight in my wrist. I don't know what's wrong with my wrist, I stretch them constantly, but my wrist can get really tight. And really, it can become really painful. So if you look at the stroke there, as I'm coming out, my hand almost in wrist almost completely relaxes as I'm coming back around. That may be what you are seeing with a slice out. But for me, that's almost like a recovery method. As I'm coming in for that entry, that next stroke, my hand tightens up, my wrist tightens up. So I've got that nice clean entry. But it's that like, from the end of the stroke around that that is kind of where I'm relaxing my wrists a little bit to preserve that little bit of energy that will contribute to the back end of my race. Great. All right. Thank you very much.

Nov. 10, 2022 - Backstroke Finishes / Starts Zoom

Nov. 10, 2022 - Backstroke Finishes / Starts Zoom

Monday - <https://www.goswim.tv/app/lessons/633fb611efb683328357d10b> :14 - glue arm :32 - posture :44 - kick on back in glue position :52 - to the wall in the glue position Practice both arms 1:18 - measure 15’ from flags to a rope in mid-pool 1:20 - use that number minus 1-2 strokes to get count 1:34 - practice mid-pool finishes 1:43 - start with both arms at side and initiates 1st recovery with right arm 1:53 - repeat starting with left arm 2:12 - submerge the face on the last stroke 2:16 - blowing bubbles 2:23 - follow the last recovery back with the head 2:29 - looking upside down 2:34 - blow bubbles Tuesday - <https://www.goswim.tv/app/lessons/633fb611efb683328357d70b> :13 - using flutter to kick into the wall :20 - dolphin up :29 - sighting over top of the head :38 - too far :43 - kicking in :46 - floating in but foot is still high 1:04 - throw over the top and lunge Wednesday - <https://www.goswim.tv/app/lessons/633fb611efb683328357d383> :07 - throw and look :08 - dolphin up on finish - (feet under) :16 - sighting and setting up the dolphin :24 - feet up :31 - pre-rule change :43 - head throws back first :47 - aim :55 - could be legal Thursday <https://www.goswim.tv/app/lessons/633fb611efb683328357d9de> Narrow dolphins :08 - much more shallow throw to the finish :12 - narrow dolphins :37 - shallow throw Friday - <https://www.goswim.tv/app/lessons/633fb611efb683328357d13f> :17 - start on land getting the feeling :58 - using the same feeling in the water 1:03 - using body positioning for the feel 1:13 - blow bubbles 1:34 - feet high 1:51 - stay relaxed 1:59 - feet shoulder width 2:05 - staggered feet 2:37 - catapult take your mark 2:59 - keep the legs straight 3:11 - put the energy on the palms ready to push 3:15 - arms push 3:20 - traditional start 3:25 - eyes look at the handle 3:37 - more of a crunched position 3:42 - Japanese start 3:56 - slight flex of the arms 4:18 - have a target to get over 4:23 - touch the noodle to the back 4:29 - get over the noodle 4:45 - great arch 5:23 - great leg kick up 5:30 - trying to get the entire body out of the water 6:01 - pike drill Saturday - <https://www.goswim.tv/app/lessons/633fb611efb683328357d0fd> :11 - kick the feet up :26 - get comfortable :40 - staggered feet :57 - traditional start scrunched 1:16 - raise the hips 1:26 - first thing that moves is the head 1:28 - throw the arms 1:52 - big arch to get through one hole 1:55 - body follows through 2:14 - kicking the feet up  2:44 - wrap the toes to learn Watch the super clean entry Sunday - <https://www.goswim.tv/app/lessons/633fb611efb683328357d153> :12 - releases first :42 - entire body out head and back straight :43 - slight push :44 - head does not throw back :45 - body is more horizontal - not up :47 - feet slide in :59 - entire body out 1:03 - body horizontal 1:20 - piercing the water Whole body follows through Bonus -  <https://www.goswim.tv/app/lessons/633fb611efb683328357d951> :18 - watch the line :35 - legs horizontal to the surface :36 - Greg Louganis entry

Skills for Open Water - Finishes

Skills for Open Water - Finishes

There are two types of finishes in open water. One is a beach finish where you have to run out... ...and the other is an in-water finish. Usually you’ll have a platform you have to reach up and touch. The constant for both of these finishes is to make sure you know where the finish is and that you hold your line and swim the shortest distance possible. For a beach finish, you also need to know when you can start to dolphin dive...and when you can stand up and run. Always scope out the finish in advance -- either the day before the race or during warmups. Know what you’re looking for --maybe balloons or a platform or some kind of an arch -- and then look for something behind it. This could be a building or a tower or an unusual tree. Get a picture in your mind of how the finish and the landmark will look when you’re out in the water several hundred meters away. And then on race day...make sure you swim or run straight into the finish. Swim the shortest distance possible. You can also ride the waves into the finish. Open-water swimming is all about taking advantage of drafting and other conditions, so if there are waves coming in – USE THEM. You can be in 3rd, 4th, or 5th place as you come to the finish…and if you can catch a wave you can pass everybody. Riding the waves takes some practice, but you basically want to take a breath and sneak a look back. Then get into a tight streamline just in front of the wave and hold your streamline as the wave carries you in. Then you can pop up and start running up to the beach to the finish.