Comments on: How to Build a Better Teacher

By: Terry Laughlin

Terry Laughlin — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 18:52:31 +0000

Rob
What a generous comment. Thank you.

By: robpolley

robpolley — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 12:49:29 +0000

Terry. Nicely said, if I may say so. I know some people look at your teaching & learning philosophy as dogmatic, but I think they miss the point. I believe the point is that we’ve all been way out of balance in our practice, emphasizing effort & volume as the variables and thinking of technique as a constant. I think they miss the point. Thanks for all you do for humanity!

–Rob

By: Terry Laughlin

Terry Laughlin — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 01:30:40 +0000

Rob. For me the key is to always focus on improving my swimming and to never cease pursuing it. How does volume factor in? As Gennadi Touretski said when asked why Alexandre Popov sometimes training for 4+ hours per day for races that lasted 48 second “More opportunities to practice correct technique.” So long as I feel I’m improving or imprinting a skill circuit, I’ll keep practicing. When I feel the circuit is at risk of being compromised by physical or mental fatigue I stop.

By: robpolley

robpolley — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:57:19 +0000

Terry,
I teach elementary school, and my principal sent the NY Times article to us. As I read it, and other teacher improvement material, the correlation between teaching elementary school and teaching swimming is obvious. I think the most important idea is that everything is teachable/learnable. As you may be aware, the most recent issue of the ASCA Magazine had a review of a book called “Talent Is Overrated.” At first glance, this book seems to reach a conclusion that’s at odds with your philosophy. It seems to state that the volume of practice is what’s important. And to an extent, it does state this. But it also states that at the highest level, the volume is not what counts – the quality of practice, deliberate practice, is what counts. As I read your materials, practice my own swimming, and teach others to swim, I try to reconcile the concepts of volume and quality of practice. I hope I’m never finished pondering these ideas. For now, I believe that your work has shifted the balance, which, for most of us, has simply been, “more, harder, faster, and stroke will take care of itself.” No coach has ever lost his or her job with this philosophy. Instead, we MUST constantly focus on quality, on technique, and on a never-ending search for improvement. These concepts can never be sacrificed for volume or intensity. That said, I believe that both volume and intensity have roles to play, as long as quality is not sacrificed. I welcome your thoughts. Thank you.