have you done your end of season review? avoid learning the same lessons again!

every time we fall we have an opportunity to learn and sometimes it is the quickest way to get the lessons. hence we let dryland get chaotic at times!

PART 1: Reflect

The first step take the time to find the lessons from the previous season. In a maths test you get your results with what was right and wrong so then you can learn and adjust for the end of year exam. Nationals is your end of year exam, did you study well? Have you learnt the lessons from the season you had? Take the time to review so in 12months time you are at least sitting with new lessons and many improvements made. If it was your skills that let you down it wouldn’t be a great feeling to have the same thing let you down in 12months time. So let’s dive in to the season that was…

1. Select 3 words to describe your last season

2. What were the things you did well last season? (at least 3)

3. What were your lessons from last season (at least 3)

4. Did you achieve your goals?

5. If so, how, what things were you doing that worked for you?

6. If no, why didn’t you, what were the barriers?

Rate yourself on these aspects for last season (out of 5 | 1 being poor, 5 being amazing)

The aspects at the pool:

1. Attendance

2. Application (that extra bit to just showing up and getting things done) - for swimming, gym, activation

3. Focus (in sessions - we need a break outside)

4. Teammate

5. Communication (do you wait for the last minute to tell your coach you are away, have a niggle, etc.)

6. Coachability (do you make corrections quickly or slowly, how often do you get the same feedback multiple times, are your corrections behavioural or performance based?)

7. Professionalism

8. Behaviour

The 1%ers away from the pool.

1. Nutrition

2. Sleep

3. Body management (massage/physio/self release work)

PART 2: Reset

Now it is time to make sure we aren’t touching the wall in the same spot in 12months time.

1. Why do you swim?

2. As coaches we discuss your progress, behaviour, character, what do you want to be known as? 3 things might just be words. Mine are professional, precise and polite.

3. What are your goals for the season ahead?

4. What are your barriers to achieving these? (Attendance, focus, injury, strength, technique, skills)

5. How will you get there? (3 actions! Maybe one behaviour based, one in the pool and one out of the pool)

6. Select 3-5 from the rate yourself section from reflect that you are going to get a higher score in?

7. What is an immediate daily habit you are going to change?

8. Who or how are you going to be kept accountable?

9. What are 3 words that you wanted to saying about this season in 12months time?

10. How can I help you as your (gym/swim) coach? (THE BEST QUESTION I HAVE EVER ASKED ATHLETES I HAVE COACHED)

Put in your calendar to check back in with these answers in 3 months time. It is easy to remember the feeling of nationals now, we need to keep the fire in the belly. Make sure the words get turned into action! Action always speaks louder!