Monday, May 3, 2021
A Coach's Guide To Trials with Billy Doughty, Catherine Kase and Chris Plumb
The U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Swimming is not just a tall task for swimmers, but it can be one for coaches too. USA Swimming asked coaches who have previously attended at U.S. Olympic Trials – Swimming for advice, here is what they had to say.
This edition features:
What was your first experience at Trials like?
BD: A little scary, a little intimidating and amazing all at the same time. I felt like I didn’t belong there and wandered around more like a spectator or fan than a coach.
CK: Due to weather we had our flight canceled going into Omaha but we did not freak out and so we found another airport to fly into and rented a car! it’s always good to be open minded and creative. Don’t let the athletes see that you are stressed!
CP: My first experience was while I was a coach, I was more of spectator. I had no clue what I was doing or why we are at the meet. My athletes were hoping for some "magic."
What do you wish you would have known going into the first Trials?
BD: Believe in your plan. I think coaches can learn things from Olympic-Trials-level competitions and other coaches, but stick with what got you to the meet for your athlete. Also, be sure to mingle – Some coaches won’t be up for this with the pressure of the meet, but many will. I have had some of the best conversations and coaches’ social times at Olympic Trials.
CK: It was a really long week of competition and racing, so I think understanding that the athletes need to conserve energy. But also keeping in mind to stay in your routine because if you swim the first day and the last day - they need a plan so they don’t get lost.
CP: Two things can be true at the same time: it is a big deal and it is just another swim meet. Swimming fast at the meet is a challenge! Around 20% best times which means 80% of the swims are slower than their seed times. Be prepared for the mental challenge of being at the meet more than the physical challenges
What advice would you give to coaches attending Trials for the first time?
BD: Decide your path for the meet. To me, there are two ways to approach Olympic Trials: fan or athlete. Both are completely acceptable, but you can’t be both. The fan route allows the athletes to enjoy the experience. Go back to finals early, stand in line for the best athlete seats, and cheer for everyone. Enjoy the entire experience and use the meet to motivate yourself for future meets. Go to the Zoo or a baseball game, make this an experience you take back to your team! The athlete route – Do everything in your power to ensure a successful meet. This is an extremely tough route to take and I don’t encourage my athletes to take this route unless they have a shot to make the Olympic Team or to final in an event. These athletes need to stay out of the chaos and manage energy levels well. Feed off the excitement but don’t go down the rabbit hole and lose track of the goal. They need to stay loose but focused.
CK: Enjoy the experience and learn from other coaches - I always enjoyed observing the interaction between coaches and athletes throughout the meet.
CP: Give yourself a few minutes to soak it in and then coach your athletes like you would at any other championship meet. Give yourself ample time getting to and from the venue, do what you do and enjoy the experience.
What tips or lessons are you going to be using for your own club this summer in Omaha?
BD: Athletes are staying in two separate locations. The athletes that have a shot to final or make the Olympic Team are staying in a different location and have a different plan from the others. We want to create two different experiences. One that motivates and creates a great experience, and one that maximizes opportunity to achieve Olympic level goals.
CP: We are there to swim as fast as we can in prelims and we will dance with what brought us - hard work, passion, taking risks and enjoying the experience.
For more information on June's U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Swimming, visit www.usaswimming.org/trials.
This edition features:
- Billy Doughty, Head Coach of DART Swimming
- Catherine Kase – Mentor and Coach at Boise Swim Club
- Chris Plumb, Head Coach/CEO of Carmel Swim Club
What was your first experience at Trials like?
BD: A little scary, a little intimidating and amazing all at the same time. I felt like I didn’t belong there and wandered around more like a spectator or fan than a coach.
CK: Due to weather we had our flight canceled going into Omaha but we did not freak out and so we found another airport to fly into and rented a car! it’s always good to be open minded and creative. Don’t let the athletes see that you are stressed!
CP: My first experience was while I was a coach, I was more of spectator. I had no clue what I was doing or why we are at the meet. My athletes were hoping for some "magic."
What do you wish you would have known going into the first Trials?
BD: Believe in your plan. I think coaches can learn things from Olympic-Trials-level competitions and other coaches, but stick with what got you to the meet for your athlete. Also, be sure to mingle – Some coaches won’t be up for this with the pressure of the meet, but many will. I have had some of the best conversations and coaches’ social times at Olympic Trials.
CK: It was a really long week of competition and racing, so I think understanding that the athletes need to conserve energy. But also keeping in mind to stay in your routine because if you swim the first day and the last day - they need a plan so they don’t get lost.
CP: Two things can be true at the same time: it is a big deal and it is just another swim meet. Swimming fast at the meet is a challenge! Around 20% best times which means 80% of the swims are slower than their seed times. Be prepared for the mental challenge of being at the meet more than the physical challenges
What advice would you give to coaches attending Trials for the first time?
BD: Decide your path for the meet. To me, there are two ways to approach Olympic Trials: fan or athlete. Both are completely acceptable, but you can’t be both. The fan route allows the athletes to enjoy the experience. Go back to finals early, stand in line for the best athlete seats, and cheer for everyone. Enjoy the entire experience and use the meet to motivate yourself for future meets. Go to the Zoo or a baseball game, make this an experience you take back to your team! The athlete route – Do everything in your power to ensure a successful meet. This is an extremely tough route to take and I don’t encourage my athletes to take this route unless they have a shot to make the Olympic Team or to final in an event. These athletes need to stay out of the chaos and manage energy levels well. Feed off the excitement but don’t go down the rabbit hole and lose track of the goal. They need to stay loose but focused.
CK: Enjoy the experience and learn from other coaches - I always enjoyed observing the interaction between coaches and athletes throughout the meet.
CP: Give yourself a few minutes to soak it in and then coach your athletes like you would at any other championship meet. Give yourself ample time getting to and from the venue, do what you do and enjoy the experience.
What tips or lessons are you going to be using for your own club this summer in Omaha?
BD: Athletes are staying in two separate locations. The athletes that have a shot to final or make the Olympic Team are staying in a different location and have a different plan from the others. We want to create two different experiences. One that motivates and creates a great experience, and one that maximizes opportunity to achieve Olympic level goals.
CP: We are there to swim as fast as we can in prelims and we will dance with what brought us - hard work, passion, taking risks and enjoying the experience.
For more information on June's U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Swimming, visit www.usaswimming.org/trials.