A Coach with a Passion

I’ve mentioned Joe before, but it's worth reiterating: he’s an exceptional coach who truly cherishes the sport. He has a remarkable ability to analyze bodies and enhance their efficiency and power in the water. The only one who matches his skill is his twin, Mary. Today, I discovered yet another of Joe's hidden talents. He shared, “Amy, I spent years as an editor, and to improve anything, you must scrutinize it closely.”

As he observed my swimming from beneath the surface, he asked, “What do you know about recovery?” I chuckled, “I struggle with it.” He nodded in agreement, “If you don’t allow yourself to recover, you’ll exhaust your energy.”

Absolutely. I find myself drained by the end of each day, pushing forward until I collapse into bed, overwhelmed by fatigue. Could Joe be the one to teach me the art of recovery?

He demonstrated how to relax my arm when it’s out of the water and reminded me to kick harder when my arms are extended forward. This technique would help with balance, ease the strain on my shoulders, and provide a moment of rest. Joe aims to cultivate lifelong swimmers, not temporary, injury-prone athletes chasing glory.

He pointed to a swimmer in a nearby lane. “See that guy?” I nodded. “He used to swim with us, but he’s lost his technique. Watch how he moves his arms.” As I observed, I was unsure of what to look for.

“He lacks leverage,” Joe explained. “Michael Phelps doesn’t focus on pulling,” he continued. My excitement bubbled over; Joe was about to teach me how to swim like Michael Phelps, just like the kids on the swim team.

“Phelps emphasizes leverage—using the water to your advantage. It’s about maximizing your grip on the water.” My mind was blown. I realized I needed to learn how to harness the water effectively, instead of letting it slip through my fingers.

Since I returned to swimming, my perspective has completely shifted. Joe is filling my mind with innovative ideas on how to utilize my body in the water, in ways I never considered before. Now that I'm an adult, I’m more receptive to learning. As a child, I would have dismissed the idea that adjusting my hand position could lead to Olympic success.

As an adult, I’ve given up avoiding knowledge. I’m like an octopus absorbing information with every tentacle. I’m fully engaged, paying attention instead of zoning out.

I feel like a machine undergoing a thorough upgrade. I’m becoming acutely aware of my body’s parts—my hinges, bolts, circuits, and weaknesses. My stepfather, who was never fond of water, used to give me humorous yet somewhat accurate swimming advice before competitions: “Kid, use your arms and legs.”

He was partially right. Sure, I should utilize my arms and legs, but I’ve come to realize I need to engage every muscle, even those I never thought about. It’s tiring, yet it feels fulfilling.

Will I truly learn to swim like Michael Phelps? Does an octopus ever sip tea? I have no idea, but I’m determined to try.

In this video, you'll discover techniques to emulate the swimming styles of Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte, including stroke analysis and tips for improvement.

This analysis focuses on Michael Phelps’ freestyle stroke, highlighting key aspects that can enhance your own swimming technique.