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Independent Coach Education Day.

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This was another new venture for us. When we were contacted to run a CPD course for teachers and coaches, helping them “update their subject knowledge and make lessons more relevant, varied and effective”. We analysed each stroke through a variety of drills and demonstrations which the teachers and coaches were encouraged to try in the water. These practical sessions were then followed up with some video analysis in the classroom, showing above and underwater videos of Amy and Joe demonstrating all four strokes, starts and turns, highlighting what makes each discipline as efficient as possible. We really enjoyed working with a different audience who all gave us thanks and brilliant feedback. We are already looking forward to future CPD course and a working relationship with Independent Coach Education!

The next course is Wednesday 18th January.

Follow this link for more info.

Hitchin Swimming Club.

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November saw us pay our first of 5 visits to Hitchin Swimming Club. After video analysis with individuals, and chatting over the skills required for fast efficient Freestyle, we moved down to the pool to put some of the drills & skills into practice. As always, we look to break the stroke right down back to basics before building it back up again. It was great to be able to give the swimmers individual feedback and give them something to take away and use in day to day training. All 8 swimmers had a great session and were so attentive, and we look forward to seeing them again and progressing.

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Splish Splash Swim School.

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We were lucky enough to be invited to work with swimmers and teachers twice this week at Splish Splash swim school in Ashby. We looked at Freestyle with one group, and starts & tumble turns with the other. All swimmers pushed their boundaries to have a go at some new and sometimes difficult skills, but did it with a smile on their face. We also had a short classroom session where swimmers, teachers and parents were told all about our journeys towards the Olympic Games, with the opportunity to ask any questions they had. They heard about the ups and downs of our careers, and how the important thing is to work hard and believe in yourself!

Everyone got the chance to see Commonwealth, European, and World medals.

Our cheeks also got a good workout with plenty of photographs and selfies afterwards! Thank you for having us at Splish Splash, we had a blast!

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Leicester Sharks Swimming Club

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We recently visited swimmers at Leicester Sharks swimming club, where the focus was on starts from the block, and Freestyle technique. Every swimmer was so attentive and gave it 100% when trying out some new and exciting drills. We even got some parents and coaches involved! Swimmers were encouraged to ask any questions they had about the new drills, as well as asking any questions they had in the classroom. We looked at topics such as how to deal with nerves when racing, to our Olympic story, and we had lots of pictures at the end too. We loved working with everyone who attended, thank you for inviting us to your club.

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Gloucestershire ASA 1 day Starts & Turns Swim Clinic – Malvern

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This full day starts and turns masterclass went tremendously. We had swimmers from Bristol North, Gloucester, Cirencester, Cinderford, Dursley, Lydney, and Tewkesbury attend. The swimmers completed two pool sessions, a land training session, and were also given the fantastic opportunity to listen to the motivational journeys of both Joe and Amy during a classroom session. Every swimmer learnt many new skills, and had great fun at the same time. We would like to thank Gloucestershire ASA for inviting us to be part of these swimmers development, and also Malvern College for allowing us to use their fantastic facilities.

We look forward to day 2 with swimmers from the south of Gloucestershire at Millfield on the 14th of June!

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Amy & Joe Talk at East Region ASA District Camp

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Here is the feedback we received recently after our talk at the East Region ASA District Camp.

“We had Joe Roebuck and Amy Smith in their GB kit deliver the lifestyle presentation but with a mix of their experiences thrown into it, relating often to their achievements and preparation of London 2012 Games. This was excellent and they also brought their medals to help inspire the swimmers to aim for that next level”.

“The presenters would be great for both regional events or if you get a club asking for some suggestions, I would recommend these.”

Great Feedback from Hitchin Swimming Club 2015

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Hitchin Swimming Club developing squads had the fantastic opportunity to take part in a front crawl masterclass with Joe Roebuck and Amy Smith from Swim Swift Elite at the start of 2015. The talk on motivation, breathing and technique followed by a practical session in the pool really inspired our young swimmers, parents and coaching  staff who can now put into practice the techniques on starts, turns  and finishes as well as on stoke technique which Amy and Joe clearly explained and demonstrated.  The swimmers are buzzing from their experience, we highly recommend it.

Rugby Swimming club Nov 2014

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Here are some of the great swimmers we met at the end of November in Rugby. We attended Rugby Swimming club to work on aspects of Backstroke technique, and land work with the swimmers. A great time was had by all, and lots of new skills and drills were learnt. A great group to work with.

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Clevedon Swimming Club

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Clevedon Swimming Club – 30/03/14.

“I would like to comment on Amy and Joe’s visit.  I felt that they were really informative and helpful, but particularly to the level of the members of Clevedon Swimming Club, relaying their experiences to ones which our children could relate to. Seeing them swim in the pool was an inspiration too and generally I feel that they were extremely approachable and helpful to both parents and kids alike.” – a parent

‘As a coach and parent, I feel that our swimmers got massive benefit from Amy and Joe’s master class. Amy and Joe were friendly, knowledgeable and highly professional and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.” – a coach and parent

“It was fantastic from start to finish.  What lovely, down-to-earth people Amy and Joe are.  The swimmers will have got so much out of this evening, as I certainly did” – a coach

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Amy Visits Louth Swimming Club

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“The clinic was aimed at our top group ranging from county qualifiers up to National qualifiers. Amy used the first part of the session to explain her own journey through swimming and dealt with the real-life issues of nutrition, training, looking after themselves and preparation for competition.  As it referred to her own experience, the swimmers could relate to it much better than when they are just told the facts.  The pool session was excellent, the information, drill and explanations were clear but again, related to her own experiences as an Olympic Qualifying swimmer – something the whole group respected but could see how it might work for them.

There was plenty of time to ask questions, sort out issues in and out of the pool regarding individual swimmers and the group took to her informal but very knowledgeable method of passing on information.  It was an informative, supportive but most of all very enjoyable for all those taking part” Steve Armstrong, Head Coach Louth Swimming Club

Swimmer Comments

“Amy did some new drills which she made look relatively easy – when we tried them it was very hard work but I have found my freestyle has improved. Went sub 60 for the first time. ”

“Was great – Amy was easy to talk to and gave us lots of ideas.  Don’t know how she manages to swim faster than me at freestyle when she looks to be taking it easy”