Just A Cone?

  In my first week at ACST I have implemented a very simple lesson.  A cone sits at the bottom of each lane.  Why? Because that cone is a reminder to streamline and Dolphin Dart off each wall to that point in the pool.  So no... kits not just a cone.

  I am big on underwater swimming, and I want my swimmers known for underwater swimming.  Coming out of a wall and putting all of that speed and energy to good use is HUGE! The ultimate goal is to carry the speed off the wall or off the blocks for as long as possible, which is not done well if you are not kicking off the walls.

  The cone is a reminder off every start and turn to work at that underwater swimming.  But in the end it is just a cone.  That cone isn't magic.  It wont be there in your races.  The cone is only good if you choose to  dolphin dart to that cone off EVERY wall, in EVERY practice, and EVERY meet.  It is the action paired with the cone that can build great things.

Lessons on Culture 3 of 5: RESPONSIBILITY

Your first RESPONSIBILITY is to yourself and your talent: use it well.  RESPONSE-ABILITY is the ability to respond appropriately in any situation. 'Appropriately' means choosing a response which helps develop yourself, your colleagues, your team, and your school to the fullest degree.  The response may be offering to re-do a hard training set because you weren't happy with your performance, it may be challenging for a relay spot against your best friend because you are convinced the team will be faster, it may be suggesting you step down from a relay team in favor of someone you've had a disagreement with because you are convinced the team will be faster.  You must choose; but choose wisely.
-Clive Rushton

Lessons on Culture 2 of 5: RESPECT

Show respect for your coaches and managers and other staff, they are dedicating their careers to guiding you towards development, improvement, success and ultimately excellence.  Show RESPECT for other members of your training group.  Those swimmers have experienced ups and downs, the difficult times, the successes and the apparent failures.  Your teammates are there to understand, befriend and support you.  Above all show RESPECT for your opposition, without them there would be no competition in which you could excel.  They have dedicated themselves to their purpose just as you have.  Wish them well and wish them success.  World-renown psychologist Dr. Keith Bell advises, "The next time you race have a genuine desire that your opposition has the greatest race of their lives and that you beat them when they do."
- Clive Rushton

Lessons on Culture 1 of 5: INTEGRITY

Inculcating the value of INTEGRITY involves each member of the team being both honest and truthful at all times, both in their dealings with others and with themselves.Once an agreement has been made it should be carried through to completion.  This can be a major agreement with your coach to maintain optimum fitness level during a holiday period or a simple agreement with yourself to take the difficult option when offered choices; the difficult option will contain more developmental possibilities.

-Clive Rushton