WEEKLY TOPIC: INTENSITY
Have you noticed that in the last few weeks the intensity and the excitement around the workouts and the meets have picked up a little. At first I thought it might have been the fact that everyone was just tired of being locked up inside from all the snow 
. But as I watch a lot of you bouncing 
all over the place and snapping at any remark I am reminded that we must be near CHAMPIONSHIP TIME where everything becomes a little more important. This is the time of the year when each of us needs to raise our intensity and focus in a little more on every thing we do.
. But as I watch a lot of you bouncing all over the place and snapping at any remark I am reminded that we must be near CHAMPIONSHIP TIME where everything becomes a little more important. This is the time of the year when each of us needs to raise our intensity and focus in a little more on every thing we do.The following is something I came across in a coaching magazine that I was reading.It begins by defining INTENSITY as the ability to do each component of one's sport to the best of one's ability ALL THE TIME. Whether it be shooting a jump shot 
200 times after practice or working on race speed turns during every set in practice. INTENSITY refers to focusing all of one's energy on the moment without losing focus.
200 times after practice or working on race speed turns during every set in practice. INTENSITY refers to focusing all of one's energy on the moment without losing focus.How do we become more intense or focused everyday? Start by clearing your mind when you walk onto the pool deck each day. You CAN'T do homework 
or fix a strain relationship , with your face in the water 
, so forget those things for the time being. From the time you hit the water try and focus all your energy to the task at hand. It might be warming up with perfect techniques, fast kicks under water, or perfect turns throughout practice, all of this requires focus and intensity. The key is to keep your mind from wandering..
or fix a strain relationship , with your face in the water , so forget those things for the time being. From the time you hit the water try and focus all your energy to the task at hand. It might be warming up with perfect techniques, fast kicks under water, or perfect turns throughout practice, all of this requires focus and intensity. The key is to keep your mind from wandering..Intensity in racing is a little different. If you have done what you are supposed to do in practice, you don't need to get caught up in thinking about specific techniques or worrying about who you are racing. Intensity in racing is focusing all your energy on what is important. There is a common mistake between intensity and tension. Look at the world's greatest athletes when they are performing well: do they look like they are straining 
? They will most likely look relaxed and focused.
? They will most likely look relaxed and focused.With every level of athletic ability, the majority of athletes with in those levels have the same level of talent. There are athletes out there with the same talent level as Michael Jordan, Peyton Manning, or any of the other top athletes, the difference between them and the rest of the world is the intensity they bring to practice, training, and competition EVERY time they show up, REGARDLESS of how they feel. To separate ourselves from the rest of our competitors we need to bring a higher level of intensity in everything we do!
THIS IS THE FUN TIME OF THE SEASON. MIKE
