Tim's Tips
Our own FINIS coaching guru, Tim Elson, gives his advice about FINIS equipment, workouts, swimming news, and life in and out of the pool.
July 10, 2009
After spending the last few days at the World Championship Trials in Indianapolis, I simply have to talk about our new tech suit. The
AMPHIBIAN truly is an engineering marvel for swimmers. Unlike
other tech suits that have no science behind them, the “AMP” suit has some very extensive technology built in. We worked with some
of the best swimmers & coaches in the world to create a suit to enhance the athlete’s aquatic signature.
We released the AMP at trials this past week and the reaction was fantastic:
- Thanks for creating a suit that is not only fast, but technically fast. I can really feel the water better.
- The AMP gives me another balance point to focus on. I am in the race all the way through to the end.
- The compression is perfect with a a nice tight fit in the chest. Probably the best part is the strips you have around the legs and hips.
- I dropped 0.5 seconds in my 50 free using the AMP. This suit rocks!
-Coach Tim
Helpful Links:
Past Tips:
July 10, 2009
This week we had a sit-down with coaching great Vern Gambetta. Gambetta is an athletic development coach with Gambetta Training Systems. Known
as the pioneer in functional training, Gambetta worked closely with FINIS to introduce the CIRCUIT
TRAINER audible workout timer.
Gambetta has worked with top athletes all across the world to improve their performance through specialized circuit training. In particular he has
worked with Monica Seles, the New York Mets, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls, Brisbane Broncos (Australia) & the New England Institute of Sport.
- Click Here to download the Q & A we had with Gambetta.
-Coach Tim
Helpful Links:
June 3, 2009
This week's tips actually come from all of you! The following are my top 5 favorite technique tips to help you improve your stroke
(and enjoyment) in the water. These tips were taken from the SWIM PERFECTLY
contest in our Project SWIM section:
- I've slowed downed to control my stroke and posture in the water to allow an even stroke on each arm versus always pulling more with my right arm when swimming.
I'm not trying to muscle my way through the water as before.
- Adam Umperovitch - Lafayette, IN
One arm fly with my opposite arm at my side looking forward. It really strengthens your FLY! I love using the FINIS Snorkel when dolphin kicking. It helps me concentrate on my kick.
Also, dolphin kick on the back with Zoomers really works the abs.... I do 200's like this.
Constant pacing yields better results than starting fast and progressively fading.
- Jennifer Kyff - Yonkers, NY
Head position is vital, especially in ensuring an efficient freestyle. Make sure that the water cuts your head just above your forehead, on top
of your head. For most people that would be just above the hairline. Please note that this can render ineffective in individuals with receding
hairlines and in null and void in bald individuals.
- Nic Muhl - Cape Town, South Africa
I have focused more on technique in the last year or two by doing more drill work during warm-up.
By getting back to the basics, my speed and endurance has improved and I am able to swim as fast as I did a few years ago.
- Steve Newman - Mamaroneck, NY
Make Friends. It is amazing how generous swimmers are. I have had everyone on my team make suggestions to improve technique, from the college
swimmer to the person who learned the drill only a month ago. Some days, the only way to get out of bed is to remember that your friends will be at the pool too.
- Barbara Lundstrom - Tucson, AZ
Be sure to check out the Project SWIM section for new contests and prizes!
-Coach Tim
Helpful Links:
MAY 22, 2009
ALOHA from Hawaii!! Even while on my vacation, I still managed to make the time to post another coaching tip this week. Just shows my true
dedication to swimming (but I also wanted to make all of you jealous as I enjoy blue oceans and 80 degree weather). This week’s tip is on the
ALIGNMENT KICKBOARD..
We all have those days where streamlining off the walls just seems to be non-existent. No matter how many reminders, the
flying 'superman' pose consistently appears off each turn. The alignment kickboard helps solve this problem naturally, without the use of
duct-tape around the hands.
- Slide each hand through the stabilizing hand strap on the Alignment Kickboard, positioning one hand on top of the other.
- Put your arms over your head and squeeze your ears with your biceps.
- You are now in perfect streamline!
With your newly found streamline, start an easy flutter kick through the water. The Alignment Kickboard should rest just a few inches below the surface
of the water, allowing you to kick in perfect alignment. No more up-hill kicking where you are grabbing the sides of your board. Who wants to swim
their race up-hill?
When it is time to breathe, simply press the board down even further in the water and lift your head straight up. Or simply use a
SWIMMER'S SNORKEL to allow you to focus on your kick, streamline,
and perfect technique.
The Alignment Kickboard can be used for all your kicking sets for all your strokes. It can also be used for side kicking drills with one arm out in
front. The best part is that because you are now kicking in the right body alignment, all the shoulder stress of a normal kickboard is removed!
PS. The Alignment Kickboard also serves as a great body-surfing board. These waves in Hawaii rock!
-Coach Tim
Helpful Links:
MAY 13, 2009
May 13, 2009
You guessed it, another popular PODCAST by yours truly! So far the feedback that I have received about these short audio segments has been great,
so I decided to do another one this week on the SWIMMER’S SNORKEL. Now I truly
believe that the snorkel is the BEST tool on the market for helping a swimmer of any ability swim better. Listen below to learn why…
PODCAST – FINIS Swimmer’s Snorkel with Tim Elson
Click the PLAY button above to hear the PODCAST, or Download the full mp3 file.
Not only is the snorkel being used by the best swimmers and coaches in the world, but it also greatly benefits entry-level swimmers by allowing you to
concentrate on technique without worrying about the breathing cycle. In particular, FINIS recently released the
LEARN-TO-SWIM SNORKEL that is specifically
designed for age-group swimmers ages 3-9.
What are your thoughts on the snorkel? Feel free to contact me anytime and maybe your tip or question can be included in next week’s update.
-Coach Tim
Helpful Links:
MAY 1, 2009
May 1, 2009
I was helping sift through some of the contest entries on last month’s PACE YOUR RACE contest in our Project SWIM section, and I decided to share my top
5 favorite entries with all of you. The following tips are in no particular order:
- Legs & Pace
Remember that it’s your legs that dictate your pace and speed!
Find a Song or Beat that you can sing or hum in the race so that you can keep pace while being relaxed! Being in the "zone" is the key to PB swims... ;)
- Coach Jeritt Brink - Vernon, BC, Cananda
Learn correct pacing for your target time.
Set your target time in seconds, divide by the number of lengths required then set your timer to that time. It will feel slow to start with but as you
fatigue you should find you struggle to 'meet the beep'.
Constant pacing yields better results than starting fast and progressively fading.
- Stephen Million - Scunthorpe, United Kingdom
How low can you go? To work on even backstroke rotation, set the Tempo Trainer around 1.2 seconds. Find your best balance position on your back with
arms by your side. Drill lengths or 25 yards/meters by rotating from one side to the other, remembering to keep your head midline. When you can smoothly
and easily rotate at 1.2 seconds, decrease the time interval by 1-2 tenths. Continue this drill as long as you can rotate smoothly and easily. Doing this
on a routine basis will increase the speed and evenness of your backstroke rotation.
- Ann Fairey - Hattiesburg, MS
I swim, but I am also a musician. I have been working with a metronome for the last 20 years, so I have seen many times how critical the right tempo
could be.
When I swim, just like when playing music, I need to use the right beat. So I have built a collection of songs, carefully selected for their tempo, and sing
them while swimming (well, it's more of a mental exercise, because singing out loud under water isn't working well for me yet).
For instance, "Celebration" from Kool & the Gang is the one I use for some specific backstroke exercises. Or the "Blue Danube" waltz, for slow technical
drills. Singing really helps me in keeping a regular pace during exercises or races.
But when I really need to leave the rest of the pool behind me, I sing a little French tune my kids taught me, which goes faster and faster every time. As the
beat gets faster, so do I. This little trick helps me in giving all I can, and then giving even some more!
- Marc De Preter - Godarville, Belgium
And always good advice:
- Don't smoke anything but the race
- Cynthia Grech-Kirkbride - Toronto, Canada
Be sure to check out this month’s SWIM PERFECTLY contest in the Project SWIM section. One lucky winner will receive a FREE Swimmer’s Snorkel!
-Coach Tim
Helpful Links:
APRIL 23, 2009
April 23, 2009
Another week another PODCAST tip! Now you may not know it, but I am the sole inventor and patent holder of the
FREESTYLER HAND PADDLE. I got the idea during my time at Pepperdine, not only coaching but teaching the surfing class. The unique paddle
is designed to improve your front-end technique specifically for the freestyle stroke. Listen below to learn more!
PODCAST – FINIS Freestyler Hand Paddle with Tim Elson
Click the PLAY button above to hear the PODCAST, or Download the full mp3 file.
Unlike other paddles out there, the Freestyler is not designed for resistance and strength training, but applies a hydrodynamic shape to decrease resistance
through the water. The result is a longer reach and improved distance per stroke.
-Coach Tim
Helpful Links:
APRIL 14, 2009
April 14, 2009
Because I liked last week’s PODCAST on the Tech-Toc so much, I decided to create another one. This time on one of my favorites, the
TEMPO TRAINER. It is amazing how such a simple device has so much versatility in the pool. Use it for rate work, pacing,
or technique. Click on the play button or download the mp3 file to learn more.
PODCAST – FINIS Tempo Trainer with Tim Elson
Click the PLAY button above to hear the PODCAST, or Download the full mp3 file.
I have discussed the Tempo Trainer with many coaches and each one has a different take on how to apply the device into their workouts. I believe many of the benefits of this
waterproof metronome are still to be discovered by creative swimmers and coaches. Just tell me about your ideas when you do!
-Coach Tim
Helpful Links:
APRIL 7, 2009
April 7, 2009
Wow…been a little busy around here, so I apologize for the huge delay between postings. However, being busy during these times is definitely
a good thing! Also, we have activated all the new features on the new website to make them fully functional and interactive, so don’t forget
to check out all our updates!
Anyway, my tip for this week is actually a new PODCAST on the TECH TOC,
hip-rotation device. Click on the play button or download the mp3 file to learn how to get started with this revolutionary, yet simple product.
PODCAST – FINIS Tech Toc with Tim Elson:
Click the PLAY button above to hear the PODCAST, or Download the full mp3 file.
The Tech Toc is truly a great tool for all types of swimmers. Try one and start improving your technique today!
-Coach Tim
Helpful Links:
PS.How about them Tar-Heels! Their big win made me the office-pool winner!
FEBRUARY 23, 2009
February 23, 2009
With a new President in the White House, I thought I would point everyone towards our new
FINIS USA FLAG SNORKEL. I 'Honest Abe' believe the snorkel
is the best product FINIS makes, and what better way to show off your American pride than with the Stars & Stripes!!
Speaking of the snorkel, here is my tip for this week:
When using the Swimmer's Snorkel, some people tend to get water up their nose. Just like you had to get used to not
getting water up your nose on flip-turns, you will have to adapt your breathing a little to not get that burning sensation
in your nasal passages. Here are a few tricks...
- Don't breathe in through your nose! Your whole face is constantly underwater so inhale powerfully
through your mouth only.
- While swimming along, create an equilibrium with your nose and mouth. That is, try pushing air out through your nose and
mouth ever so slightly. Keep this pressure without actually blowing any air out, so that you don't see any bubbles.
This will block any water from coming in both your nose and the snorkel!
- Use a nose plug. Novices may need to wear a nose plug to get used to swimming with a snorkel (and not breathing in through
the nose). Slowly weed yourself off the nose plug, one practice at a time.
As always, let us know if you have any questions or comments.
- Coach Tim
FEBRUARY 16, 2009
February 16, 2009
Well what can I say on my first post but WELCOME! Thanks for checking out the new FINIS website! This little corner of the
internet allows me to share some coaching advice to all of you so that you can ultimately improve your stroke technique and
times.
I think my tip for this week will be on my own invention. That's right, I was the original innovator and creator of the
FREESTYLER HAND PADDLES. So what better way to
start off than with the product I designed:
The Freestyler Hand Paddle is designed like a miniature surfboard for your hand. So while swimming with them, think of
your hand riding that long wave out in front of your body. You have clean water out there, and the skeg along the bottom of
the paddle will give you a nice coasting effect. Stretch out as far as you can, rolling your body all the way over on your
side. Once you've come to the end of your run, pull through and ride the next wave with your other hand.
Continue to stretch out your stroke as you 'surf' down the pool. Don't forget to include a good flutter kick! How many total
strokes did you take that lap? Can you take even fewer the next lap?
For optimal results, use the Freestyler Paddles in conjunction with the Z2 ZOOMER FINS.
Check back every week as I continue to post new tips and techniques. I will try and keep it as up-to-date as possible, but
having both a one-year-old and a four-year-old in the house can make things quite hectic sometimes. See you again soon!
- Coach Tim
Contact the Coach:
Got a question for Coach Tim? Email him directly: swimcoach@finisinc.com