Volume 1 / Issue 1.
Swim Coach Staffing Solutions Newsletter
Volume 1 / Issue 1
Suggestion for Self-Protection
A cardiologist and former swimmer of mine sent this out to all of his friends.
- Wear a face mask of some sort when out.
- Wear disposable gloves when out.
- After shopping, let non-perishable food items dry outside for 2–3 hours and wipe them with disinfectant wipes.
- Wash hands frequently throughout the day.
- Stay positive.
6 Things to Do During the COVID-19 Pandemic
With virtually all swimming pools being shut down and no one allowed to meet in groups larger than 10, or smaller in some areas, what are swimming coaches to do?
God Bless America
1. Focus on Things You Can Do, Not on Things You Have No Control Over
The number one thing to do during the COVID-19 pandemic is to focus on things you can do, not on things you have no control over. How many times have we told this to our athletes?
How long is this going to last? Believe it or not, you have no control over this. They are not going to ask your opinion. So, what do you do? Plan for the worst and hope for the best.
There are options out there from Zoom meetings to group video chats that can both help your athletes and give everyone something to do to help take their minds off the craziness of the day. On a side note, please use proper protocol and professionalism at all times.
2. Personal Health
I know that I recently went through some scary health issues. We, as coaches, often give to others so much of the time that we don’t take the time to take care of ourselves.
Thirty to forty-five minutes of some type of cardio, like walking, is a great place to start. A little bit of something is better than a whole lot of nothing.
Spend your time eating better and getting adequate sleep, which is so important for your body to recover and stay healthy. Listen to your body, stretch in the mornings, stretch in the evenings, and do some core work. Start light.
Spend some time taking care of you. You will feel better and be more productive with your work.
3. Do a Sincere Self-Reflection of Your Skills and Abilities
Identify some areas where you are not as strong as you need to be. Then, like coaching an IM’er, work on the weak stroke or weak part of your coaching.
You can sign up for and take courses from Udemy.com. Their courses cost anywhere from $9.99 to $13.00. You can take classes on a wide range of topics.
You can take free Ivy League classes at www.classcentral.com/Ivy-league-moocs.
Use this time to better yourself. Take computer classes, physiology classes, negotiation classes, and take the classes offered through the International Swim Coaches Association (ISCA). Work on your certifications.
Find an area you know you could be stronger in and aggressively attack it. Make your weaknesses become strengths. If not now, when?
4. Network with Other Coaches
We are all in the same situation, so see what others are doing.
Get on sites like Facebook and join Swim Coaches Idea Exchange Group, World’s Coaches of Swimming Workout, or Swimming Injury Support and Prevention. Any or all of these sites, and others, are great and very informative.
There are live Zoom sessions with Steve Friederang on dryland exercises. His next one is April 6 at 1:00pm Pacific Time.
Dr. Gary Hall posted a medicine ball workout by Coley Stickels in a free webinar on the Race Club website.
Mark Hesse from USA Swimming has been putting out some great information on a wide range of topics. If you are not getting what he is putting out, you are missing great information.
Bob Steele is giving some talks on Facebook covering a lot of topics. His email is fastswimmin1@gmail.com to contact him. He will be giving a presentation at 1:00pm Central Time next week, Monday through Friday.
Sid Cassidy and others are having “Happy Hour” talks about different topics on Wednesdays at 7:00pm Eastern Time.
There are great things going on. Reach out, get online, and get involved.
5. Look for Available Support and Resources
Brenden Hanson sent out an email with a lot of good information in it. If you have not read it, check your LSC website.
There are things in place to assist teams and coaches during these challenging times.
6. Read Books About Swimming
Read some books about swimming. Bob Steele’s book, Games, Gimmicks, Challenges for Swimming Coaches, is on sale now at gamesgimmickschallenges.com.
Ernie Maglishcho has written many great books about swim coaching. He just had a birthday Sunday. ISCA is having a big sale on several of his books.
There are many other great books about swimming and swim coaching. I just knew that these two were on sale now.
Talk to other coaches about some of their favorite books and spend some isolation time reading up on the craft of coaching.
Everyone is welcome to email me and give me suggestions of their favorite books: swimcoachstaffingsolutions@yahoo.com
For Swim Coaches Who Have Been Furloughed or Dismissed
For swim coaches who have been furloughed or dismissed during this lockdown, shutdown, or whatever you choose to call it, contact Swim Coach Staffing Solutions and get your information in our database.
Swim Coach Staffing Solutions is a company created by swimming coaches for swimming coaches.
During this “lockdown” time, we will try to help connect swim coaches with ideas about places to watch, learn, and stay informed about what is going on in the swimming community.
When this passes, and it will at some point, we will be here to assist coaches with finding jobs and signing quality contracts. We will also be helping teams find quality coaches.
When it is done well, the swimmers ultimately gain the most.
Recipe of the Month: Enchiladas
This is because my wife and I love to cook and eat. I used her recipe.
Ingredients
- 12 Mixla tortillas, a mix of corn and flour, or use flour if you can’t find them
- 1 lb ground turkey or ground venison
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 diced jalapeño
- 1 can of Rotel, low sodium
- 1 can of sweet corn, low sodium
- 1 can of Bush’s Black Beans, low sodium
- 1 large can of Hatch Red Enchilada Sauce
- 2 cups of cheddar cheese
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a skillet, brown the meat and add the onion and jalapeños when the meat is about half done. Cook until the onions are translucent and tender and most of the fluids are cooked out. Add salt and pepper.
Drain and rinse the black beans in a colander. Pour the corn into the colander on top of the beans.
Add the Rotel, beans, and corn to the skillet. Cook until warm. Add one-third of the can of enchilada sauce. I have used several brands of enchilada sauce, but Hatch brand is the best. Don’t skimp here.
Take off the heat and let it cool slightly. Add one cup of shredded cheddar cheese once it has cooled. Stir.
Spray a 13×9 baking dish with Pam non-stick spray.
Roll and arrange the enchiladas in the baking dish. Pour the remaining enchilada sauce all over the top, then top that with the remaining shredded cheese.
Cook at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Contact Us
Patrick Henry
President
Swim Coach Staffing Solutions
186 Vine Street
Belton, TX 76513
Phone: (817) 905-7665