Elite Swim Club of NJ -- 04-18-05 Bulletin

Elite News Bulletin -- 04-18-05

This News Bulletin is emailed to swimmers and parents each Monday by Bill Deatly. If you aren't receiving a copy, please contact to make sure he has your current email address on his list.

Stroke Technique in Full Bloom
Parking Major Issue at Newark Academy
Membership/Medical & Code of Conduct Forms Due from “New Swimmers”
College Nite for Junior/Sophmore Parents: Wednesday, May 4
Summer: Think Swim Camps
Practice Schedule Changes
Practice Schedule this Week

STROKE TECHNIQUE IN FULL BLOOM

From the smallest Marlin to the largest Senior, Elite swimmers and coaches have been focusing on stroke mechanics this spring.

Using a series of progressive drills meant to reinforce the proper balance and body position when swimming, the coaches have introduced and reviewed a series of drills via television and swimmer demonstration during the first two weeks of training. These visual tools greatly improve the learning curve of swimmers of all levels, as the swimmer sees the proper execution of the drills prior to performing them.

With regards to freestyle and backstroke (the long axis strokes), these drills emphasize keeping the head down, the chest pressed into the water while rolling both the shoulders and hips in unison during each stroke cycle. These movments will keep both strokes as long (read: powerful) and graceful as possible (if done properly, your swimmer will actually look so graceful it will appear they are not working hard-similar to graceful ice skaters). A “long” swimmer is in the most hydrodynamic body position while simultaneously unlocking the real power in the stroke (arm pull fully extended and used in conjunction with the hip roll-very similar to a baseball or golf swing).

With regards to breaststroke and butterfly (the short axis strokes), these drills also emphasize keeping the head down (especially when breathing) but also focus on the chest pressing into the water and the hips “popping” as a result of the chest press. These movements will allow the arms to follow the body movement rather than vice versa (most swimmers “throw” their arms in performing these strokes). When the correct body motion is performed, again the swimmer unlocks its power source while being in the most positive hydrodynamic body position.

Parents are welcome to ask their swimmers about their “hide your head,” “sweet spot,” “lengthen,” “shoulder lead body dolphin,” and “hand lead body dolphin” drills.

Coaches will continue to focus heavily on these drills thru out the spring session but will increase the aerobic conditioning (more laps in the same or less time) as the session moves towards summer.

PARKING MAJOR ISSUE AT NEWARK ACADEMY

With the arrival of the good weather comes a tremendous amount of spring sport activity at Newark Academy. This, coupled with the distinct shortage of parking spaces in the “lower lot” (the lot adjacent to the pool) at Newark Academy, creates a difficult parking situation at Newark Academy most school days and on some Saturday mornings.

Thus, Elite Parents are welcome to “drop off” or “pick-up” their swimmers by the field house entrance during this time period if the driver remains in the car. If a Elite parent is coming into the building, they are requested to park in the “upper” lot and walk thru the school to reach the pool (or outside if it is nice!).

Please follow these procedures on all weekdays between 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm and Saturday mornings, if the parking lot appears full.

Please remember to drive slowly thru the parking lots and please do not park in the fire lanes, as the Livingston Police will ticket improperly parked cars.

MEMBERSHIP/MEDICAL & CODE OF CONDUCT FORMS DUE FROM “NEW SWIMMERS”

Within each “new” swimmer’s welcome packet, there were forms that need to be returned to Bill’s mailbox as soon as possible.

All new Wavebuster and Senior level swimmers received an Elite Code of Conduct form which stresses the behavior expected at Elite.

All swimmers received a membership/medical form that provides to Elite important personal and medical information.

All new swimmers are asked to please fill out these forms immediately and return them to Bill’s mailbox.

4th ANNUAL “ELITE-A-THON” WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, MAY 21st FROM 4 PM-6 PM AT MBS:

The 4rd annual “Elite-a-thon” will be held on Saturday, May 21st from 4 pm-6 pm at Morristown-Beard.

Like all past “Elite-a-thons,” this year’s event will be structured so each indvidual participating will be raising money for the “charity of their choice”. A suggestion list of charities will accompany the information provided by Senior Will Peters, who is the creator of this exciting and rewarding function.

The Elite-a-thon information will be provided in each Wavebuster and Senior level swimmer at practice shortly.

COLLEGE NITE FOR JUNIOR/SOPHMORE PARENTS: WEDNESDAY, MAY 4

In an effort to provide parents help and guidance with the “college hunting” process, Bill will hold a “College Nite” on Wednesday, May 4 at 7:30 pm at Newark Academy for parents of swimmers whom are currently juniors and sophomores in high school.

Bill will provide insight into the process based upon his experience.

Parents of current Seniors (in high school) swimmers are welcome to attend to help provide insight based upon their recent experiences.

SUMMER: THINK SWIM CAMPS

When planning the upcoming summer, please consider sending your Elite 12 & Under swimmer to one of the numerous swim camps available within driving distance.

Each summer, numerous Elite swimmers spend a rewarding week (or two) at a summer swim camp. The benefits of such a camp are: 1) individual attention by reknown swim coaches 2) an increased knowledge of the sport of swimming and 3) personal growth that occurs as a result of “being on one’s own.”

The formula that seems to work best is finding an Elite friend to spend the week with at the swim camp.

If you are considering sending your swimmer to a swim camp, now is the time to do the research and make decisions (many of these camps are sold out by mid-Spring). In the back of the mailbox, there are a list of swim camps which Elite swimmers have attended in the past and where to find more information about each camp. In addition, Bill can email this list to you at your request. This summer: think Swim Camps!!

PRACTICE SCHEDULE CHANGES

The following are the anticipated practice schedule changes in mid/late April:

1) None

PRACTICE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

MONDAY
4-18-2005

WAVE TEAL-AT NA
4:30 PM - 5:45 PM

WAVE GOLD-AT NA
D: 5:00 PM - 5:25 PM
P: 5:30 PM - 6:45 PM

SENIOR PREPS-AT MB
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

SENIORS-AT NA
D: 5:35 PM - 6:25 PM
P: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

TUESDAY
4-19-05

MARLIN TEAL-AT NA
4:30 PM - 5:15 PM

MARLIN BLACK-AT NA
5:15 PM - 6:00 PM

WAVE BLACK-AT NA
5:45 PM - 7:00 PM

SENIORS PREPS AT NA
D: 6:15 PM - 6:55 PM
P: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

SENIORS-AT MB
D: 6:30 PM - 7:00 PM
P: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

WEDNESDAY
4-20-05

WAVE BLACK-AT NA
4:30 PM - 5:45 PM

WAVE GOLD-AT NA
5:30 PM - 6:45 PM

SENIOR PREPS-AT MB
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

SENIORS-AT NA
D: 5:45 PM - 6:30 PM
P: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

THURSDAY
4-21-05

WAVE TEAL-AT NA
4:30 PM - 5:45 PM

WAVE GOLD-AT NA
D: 5:10 PM - 5:40 PM
P: 5:45 PM - 7:00 PM

SENIORS PREPS-AT NA
D: 6:00 PM - 6:40 PM
P: 6:45 PM - 8:30 PM

SENIORS-AT MB
D: 6:00 PM - 6:45 PM
P: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

FRIDAY
4-22-05

MARLIN TEAL-AT NA
4:30 PM - 5:15 PM

MARLIN BLACK-AT NA
5:15 PM - 6:00 PM

WAVE BLACK-AT NA
6:00 PM - 7:15 PM

SATURDAY
4-23-05

WAVE TEALS-AT NA
11:00 AM - 12:15 PM

WAVE GOLD -AT NA
P: 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM
D: 11:15 AM - 11:45 AM

SENIOR PREPS -AT NA
 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

SENIORS -AT MBS
P:  8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
D: 10:05 - 11:15 AM
P:  4:00 PM -  6:00 PM-MB

SUNDAY
4-24-05

MARLIN TEALS-AT MB
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM
MARLIN BLACKS-AT MB
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM

WAVE BLACKS-AT MB
2:30 PM - 3:45 PM
WAVE GOLDS-AT MB
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

SENIOR PREPS-AT MB
P: 12:00 PM -  1:30 PM
D:  1:30 PM -  2:30 PM
SENIORS-AT MB
D:  3:30 PM -  4:45 PM
P:  4:45 PM -  7:00 PM