5 Ways You Can Learn From Your Teammates
Coaches are important people in every swimmer’s life. You learn a lot of things, like how to properly catch in freestyle, how to mentally approach a large set, and how angry a person can get when you get in the pool a minute late. However, you spend most of your time with your teammates. If you have been on the same club team for most of your career, you have grown up with your teammates and had many different coaches. Your teammates are your constant companions, and we have a lot to learn from them. Here are five ways you can learn from your teammates:
Their Mentality
The brackets. Your coaches may have several ideas on how to handle that creeping dread for sets that feel physically impossible. However, your teammates are the ones swimming next to you throughout them, and are dealing with the same thoughts and feelings. If you are struggling to get through a set, asking your teammates how they are dealing with the pain can help you tackle your own feelings. Even if they respond with “thinking about food afterward,” it is helpful even if that doesn’t work for you. You may find a different way of breaking apart difficult tasks that works for you!
How They Practice and Race
Watching others is always a great way to improve your swimming, but what is great about your teammates is that you have constant access to watching them race. You can see how their race plans change, their technique shifts, and how they improve. Even better, you can see how they got to those improvements every day in practice. Watching how they made the changes that made them better can help you understand pathways to make your own improvements. Even watching their hard work pay off can make you feel motivated and inspired.
When They Make you Feel Included
It always feels good when you feel part of the team. These moments don’t happen without effort, even if they are seemingly “natural.” For example, even just saying “good job” after a race is practice in good sportsmanship, but always takes effort. Noticing when you feel included by teammates can help you reciprocate the actions for others. You may even find actions that you didn’t realize made you feel included.
How They Carry Themselves on Deck
How do your teammates act when they are at an away meet? Do they pick up trash that wasn’t your team’s? Do they thank timers and shake hands after getting touched out? There are a lot of small gestures that go a long way on the deck. This sport is often called an “individual sport,” but there are a lot of people who work to make racing happen. Learning how to be respectful and appreciative of others from your teammates’ actions will help you become a better athlete and person.
What They Love and Struggle With
Your teammates are always next to you during practice, but sometimes are not open about their feelings about the sport. There are a lot of ups and downs within swimming careers that every swimmer experiences, but not a lot to talk about. Being open with the things about the sport that you love and that you struggle with can make you not feel alone. Learning about others’ experiences can also provide a support system. Even better, you can learn different ways to appreciate the sport with the stories of your teammates’ appreciation.