By Terry Heggy

Coaches from all over the country attended the USMS National Coaches Clinic (NCC) held in Las Vegas in October, 2022. The 125 attendees came in with diverse backgrounds, from those who recently began coaching all the way to coaches with 40+ years of experience. Organized by the USMS Coaches Committee and supported by USMS professional staff, the clinic offered updates on the latest swim science, tips on creating workouts and leveraging drills, and tons of advice on how to run a team, motivate swimmers, and lead athletes to achieving their health and performance goals.

Olympic Champion and beloved swimming broadcaster Rowdy Gaines shared inspirational tales of his experiences in the pool and behind the mic, including examples of how his coaches helped him perform his best when the gold medal was on the line. He also shared his enthusiasm for Masters swimming and the joy he gets not only from watching the best athletes, but also from seeing athletes of every age thrive from the benefits of swimming.

Physical Therapist from the Strive Swim Science Center Dean Hutchinson taught an informative session on how to identify and correct swimming stroke flaws, and emphasized the importance of stretching (including massage and focused rolling), as well as strengthening the oft-neglected back and abdominal muscles with superman arches, planks, and dumbbell flys.

Cyndi Gallagher, who was Head Coach at UCLA for 31 years, noted that achievement is built upon a foundation of character, and that coaches must set an example of reliability and trustworthiness. The questions she constantly asks herself is “Would I want to be coached by ME today?” Her favorite dryland exercise is stretchband pulldowns on an unstable platform (e.g. BOSU).