MAY / JUNE 2020 CONTENTS FEATURES 042 TAKEOFF TO TOKYO: 58 SPECIAL SETS: CHANGE-OF-PACE FUN MISTY’S MAGICAL MOMENT by Michael J. Stott 020 TOSSED INTO TURMOIL by John Lohn USA Swimming master coach consultant Bob by Dan D’Addona The United States’ Misty Hyman turned in one Steele provides some favorite change-of-pace The spread of coronavirus disease 2019 of the biggest upsets in Olympic swimming exercises that are designed to insert spice and (COVID-19) has had a far-reaching impact not history, beating Australia’s Susie O’Neill—the fun into in-season training. only on everyday life, but also on the sport of defending Olympic champion, world record swimming across the globe. holder and the host country’s favorite—in the women’s 200 fly at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. 060 SPECIAL SETS: STARTING OVER by Michael J. Stott 022 COVID-19 AFTERMATH: UNCERTAIN TIMES Bruce Gemmell, head coach at Nation’s Capital by Dan D’Addona 046 ISHOF: A DUKE, While the coronavirus pandemic put a halt to A MERMAID, A WAR AND THE FLU Swim Club (Georgetown Prep site in North Bethesda, Md.) provides some sample sets—and sports around the world, the full financial impact by Bruce Wigo some guidelines—for when it’s time to return to of the pandemic will not be known for some COVID-19 isn’t the first pandemic disease to the water for training. time—especially in college sports, which could have brought the world of competitive swimming lead to uncertain and even a fearful future for the to a halt, and the 2020 Olympic Games are not sport of swimming. the first to be postponed or canceled. This is the 066 Q&A WITH COACH DOUG FONDER story of the years between 1914 and 1918, when by Michael J. Stott the world was suddenly and unexpectedly turned 024 TIMING IS EVERYTHING upside down by events not so different from what by David Rieder 067 HOW THEY TRAIN OLIVIA BRAY our sport is experiencing today. Everyone knows how important timing is—races by Michael J. Stott can be won or lost by hundredths of a second. For swimmers competing at the NAIA and 048 ISHOF: TRAGEDY & TRIUMPH NJCAA Championships, the most important AT U.S. TRIALS...60 YEARS AGO 069 Q&A WITH COACH RON & DON HEIDARY timing was measured in days. Both associations by Bruce Wigo by Michael J. Stott were able to complete their championship meets Every U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials, since they just before other major sports championships were first held in 1904, has always seen favorites 070 HOW THEY TRAIN MADDIE SMITH AND were being canceled due to the threat of fail and underdogs rise to the occasion. EMILIA BARCK coronavirus. by Michael J. Stott COACHING 026 SILVER LINING COULD TURN TO GOLD TRAINING by Michael Randazzo 016 SWIMMING TECHNIQUE CONCEPTS: The Olympic postponement was hardly THE VALUE OF HAND FORCE ANALYSIS: 012 DRYSIDE TRAINING: STROKE STRENGTH perceived as a positive, but it could lead to hope PART II—BACKSTROKE SERIES—FREESTYLE and opportunity for any men’s or women’s water by Rod Havriluk by J.R. Rosania polo team that aspires to Olympic competition— Synchronized video and hand force data is an including the United States’ national teams. essential tool for optimizing technique. A coach can use the force data to pinpoint limitations, 015 DRYSIDE TRAINING: DRYLAND EXERCISES TO DO WHEN YOU CAN’T SWIM 028 MENTAL PREP: BEFORE THE BEEP WITH refer to the corresponding video images to ASHLEY TWICHELL explain changes and monitor a swimmer’s by J.R. Rosania by Shoshanna Rutemiller progress in improving technique. JUNIOR SWIMMER 030 IMPACTING LIVES THROUGH COACHING 018 SWIMMING TECHNIQUE CONCEPTS: GOLDMINDS: THE MOST POWERFUL by David Rieder THE VALUE OF HAND FORCE ANALYSIS: 063 FORCE IN SWIMMING Dave Durden, University of California and U.S. PART III—BREASTSTROKE national team coach, simply refers to himself as by Rod Havriluk by Wayne Goldsmith a swim coach. But he’s also a leader, an expert The two previous articles in this series (Part The greatest power that swimmers can possess at maximizing performance, removing doubt, I—Butterfly and Part II—Backstroke) presented is the power of choice. With that one power, all instilling confidence and navigating young men information about the value of using hand force swimmers—regardless of age, experience or through demanding situations. analysis to identify specific technique elements level of swimming capability—can accelerate that limit performance, and in many cases, their improvement and realize the full extent of substantially. This month’s article includes more their potential. CHASING THE ULTIMATE DREAM... 034 general information about force analysis with a TOGETHER breaststroke example. UP & COMERS: FINN CONLEY by David Rieder 072 Alex and Gretchen Walsh have worked their way by Shoshanna Rutemiller up the pecking order of American swimming, and 052 MOTIVATING SWIMMERS TO NEW HEIGHTS in 2021, the talented sisters from the Nashville COLUMNS Aquatic Club and two-time national champion by Michael J. Stott Harpeth Hall School in Nashville, Tenn., will get Memorable are the sporting events where an A VOICE FOR THE SPORT their shot at their greatest goal: the Olympics! athlete or team is “on fire.” Swimming World 010 checks in with two high school and two age 051 DID YOU KNOW? 1920 U.S. group coaches for insight into how that happens. TAKEOFF TO TOKYO: T ‘N’ T—A FRIENDLY WOMEN’S OLYMPIC TEAM 038 Spoiler alert: the common denominator is “buy- RIVALRY FOR A DYNAMITE DUO in” from athletes who connect with a coach. 073 GUTTERTALK by John Lohn During the Olympic campaign of 2000, Jenny 074 PARTING SHOT Thompson and Dara Torres—complete opposites 056 AEROBIC OVERLOAD: VOLUME REVISITED out of the pool, but with few differences as by Michael J. Stott ON THE FRONT COVER: (From left) Gretchen and Alex Walsh have had success competitors—were engaged in a friendly, but In the first of two parts, Swimming World in both high school and national/international swimming. With the Olympics rescheduled for 2021, both girls have their sights set on making the U.S. Olympic not-so-easy rivalry—one that brought out the Magazine re-examines the role of volume in team. (See feature, page 34.) [PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE WALSH FAMILY] best in both swimmers. swim training. ON THE MAY COVER (PAGE 2): In 2021, Coach Dave Durden will be getting his Cal Bears ready to repeat as NCAA men’s champions, and as the U.S. Olympic men’s coach, he’ll be helping his swimmers do their best to uphold the American tradition of swimming excellence at the Olympics. (See feature, page 30.) [PHOTO PROVIDED BY SPEEDO USA ] SWIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE (ISSN 0039-7431). Note: permission to reprint articles or excerpts from contents is prohibited without permission from the MAY / JUNE 2020 publisher. The publisher is not responsible for errors in advertisements. Microfilm copies: available from University Microfilms, 313 N. First St., Ann Arbor, MI 6 SWIMMINGWORLD.COM 48103. Swimming World Magazine is listed in the Physical Education Index. Printed in the U.S.A. © Sports Publications International June 2020. COACHING Q&A RON & DON HEIDARY Ron and Don Heidary shared an incubator at birth, a fraternity room in college and now the pool deck with their club team, Orinda Aquatics in Moraga, Calif. In addition, each coaches a high school team (Ron, Campolindo; Don, Miramonte). All programs are grounded in the enduring values of positive culture and character development. Coach Don Heidary BY MICHAEL J. STOTT Coach Ron Heidary Co-Head Coach/Founder Co-Head Coach/Founder Orinda Aquatics Orinda Aquatics Q. SWIMMING WORLD: How have you two stayed together for 40-plus Moraga, California years? Moraga, California A. COACHES HEIDARY: We simultaneously volunteered for a summer league assistant coaching position at age 16 and have • University of California-Berkeley, • University of California-Berkeley, been coaching together since. We are very like-minded in our B.A., economics, 1984 B.A., international relations, 1984 pursuit of high-level swimming and character development, • Coach of Miramonte High School, • Coach of Campolindo High School, and we support one another unconditionally. 1990-present; head coach/swim 1995-present; swim team director team director at Meadow Swim & for Sleepy Hollow Swim & Tennis Tennis Club, 1984-99 SW: Your staff has been with you almost from inception. Club, 1994-2005 CH: This has been a cornerstone of the team’s success. Matt • Pacific Swimming Age Group Coach Ehrenberger, a friend for more than 40 years, is a great age • 16x California North Coast Section of the Year, 2017; California North group coach and an “all-in” partner. Marc Cavallero, a team high school champions; top three Coast Section Honor Coach, 2004; captain at UC Santa Barbara, was an original Orinda Aquatics 18 of the last 20 years East Bay Coach of the Year, 2012 swimmer and works with both groups. And recent hires Dom • President, ASCA board of directors, Patterson, a former Orinda Aquatics swimmer, and Kati • Pacific Swimming Age Group Coach of the Year, 1998; California North 2013-19 McDermott are outstanding additions. Coast Section Honor Coach, 2005 • Member, Pacific Swimming board SW: How is your club organized? of directors-Club Development • Recipient of Positive Coaching (previous senior vice chair) CH: We’re different than most. Our community has a strong Alliance Double-Goal Award, 2013 summer league system. There is a county rule that precludes • Recipient, Positive Coaching kids from competing at the club level and in the rec system, • Co-author, Character First Alliance Double-Goal Award, 2013 guidebook (donated to ASCA) so kids must choose one or the other.