Andrea:
Last spring at the 2008 NYAC Annual meeting you did an excellent presentation
which was very informative and at times quite funny. Your focus was on numbers
and statistics. How did your use of statistics and analysis impact your coaching
decisions and program planning as Head Age Group Coach at NYAC this year?
Sabrina :
Statistical analysis helps me understand how our club grows in terms
of membership and movement of swimmers between groups. It helps me in predicting
how many coaches are required and in what capacity. The statistics also gives
us some insight as to how much room we have for membership growth and whether
we have appropriate resources in place for the future to develop all our swimmers.
Andrea:
We recently learned from Head Coach Murray that NYAC training programs
have become synchronized across the training groups and at different pool locations
in North Toronto. Can you share with us some specific examples of why this is
an important component of NYAC at the junior levels.
Sabrina :
It is critical that we have a synchronized program across all locations
for the different groups. When all coaches speak the same language on deck, run
similar practice structures, and teach similar techniques, it helps swimmers from
different locations to develop similar skills and habits that will progress through
the development program. If a particular coach goes off track and runs his/her
own show, swimmers in that group will get very confused when another NYAC coach
tells them to do a technique that was not how they have learned it.
Andrea:
On a more technical level, you are casually known amongst NYAC’ers
as the “Breast Stroke Queen”. I have a couple of questions specific
to the execution of the breast stroke.
Sabrina :
I don’t think I’m the ‘Breastroke Queen’. But
I do like to swim breastroke a lot. There’s a sense of calmness in this stroke
that the other 3 strokes lack. I feel the water is a lot more still when I swim
breastroke.
Andrea:
What is the secret to an efficient breast stroke that eludes most
swimmers?
Sabrina :
Timing and synchronization. A good pull will give you momentum in
the front. But if you kick too early or too late, you will loose all the power
that you have generated by the arms. A good kick will give you a nice push forward.
But if you pull at the wrong time while kicking, you will feel like you aren’t
moving at all. So precision in good timing on breastroke is the key to efficiency.
Andrea:
In the breast stroke, sometimes you see athletes glide a long time
between strokes, while others execute rapid strokes in succession. Some pop up
high out of the water while others just skim the surface. What is the proper technique
and how important is the duration of the glide?
Sabrina :
Every swimmer has a different body type and it all depends on what
their strengths are. Power breastrokers uses a big pull and pop up high above
the water to generate momentum in the front. Good breastroke kickers have the
body position closer to the surface because they recover with their whip kicks
from their hips. The glide depends on how much power each stroke generates. Holding
the glide too long will loose momentum in the water. Rushing the stroke will tired
out the swimmer more quickly. So a balance between two will be most optimal.
Andrea:
As a parent sitting in the stands, watching their child race the breast
stroke, what visual indicators show that the stroke is being done efficiently
and correctly? (ie. Body movement or the movement or flow of water around the
body)
Sabrina :
One of the indications of whether the swimmer is doing a good breastroke
is how much splash the swimmer is generating when they are re-entering the water
after the breath. Breastroke is a stealthy stroke. Meaning, it should look splash-less
when swimming at a high speed. It’s hard to do. But the amount of splash
will show how much the swimmer is improving on the stroke. Another good indication
is if the swimmer is doing the breastroke with body/hip movement that looks like
the butterfly, then your swimmer understands the mechanics of the stroke very
well.
Andrea:
Can you comment on why the breast stroke is often considered to be
the weakest stroke of many age group swimmers? Has the mandatory 200 IM and 400IM
prerequisites addressed this issue?
Sabrina :
Surprisingly, it hasn’t been much of a problem for swimmers
that I have coached for the past few years. I think I have been lucky with the
natural breastrokers that I get in my groups. But yes, breastroke can be awkward
for some swimmers because it is a stroke that uses muscle groups that are very
different from the other 3 strokes. As my old coach would say, breastrokers are
a different breed of swimmers. I would say the IM pre-reqs would have enforced
swimmers to be more versatile in this sport. Even Michael Phelps need to focus
on his breastroke for a whole 8 months before the Olympics in order to win that
IM gold.
Andrea:
Is there a trend towards more successful execution in either gender
and at different stages of development?
Sabrina :
I would think so. But then this also applies to all the other strokes.
Andrea:
Currently you are pursuing a business career in the banking industry,
you’re a leader at NYAC as Head Age Group Coach and you physically compete
and train in the North York Gators Masters swim program. This consistent drive
is something comparable to that of many young swimmers at NYAC who multi task
at such a young age. How much of this work ethic can you contribute to your childhood
swimming career? What skills that you developed as a child, (swimming competitively)
do you think are transferable to your career today both in the pool and at the
bank?
Sabrina :
Multi-tasking is definitely something I have learned since I was
a competitive swimmer at a very young age. I was involved in all sorts of racquet
sports back then: tennis, badminton, squash, table-tennis, etc. There were times
when I had to give up on a lot of social activities with my friends or family
vacation opportunities because of practices or competitions. In the end, it’s
a choice that I made and I wanted to make the best out of what I enjoyed doing
most – swimming. My mom has also been very stern with me when it comes to
my academics. So school has always been a priority for me. If I want to swim,
I need to do well in school, and that’s just how it was. Even now, my career
always comes first and I do coaching when I can. And because of the passion I
have for this sport, I would sacrifice other social activities in life to make
room for my coaching. In the end, I’ve learned that no matter what you do,
as long as you have a passion for it, and that you have a goal to reach, you will
do well if you’re committed to it. I like my bank job, but I love my coaching.
Love what you do, it will turn out even better than you can imagine. | 
