The Double Taper: Dread it or Love it?

I will disagree. I always tapered better on my second taper (well, except my senior year in college 😕 ). There are a ton of examples out there that show people having a good taper, then 2 weeks later dropping another ridiculous amount of time.

I think it really depends on the person and their events. Some people need a long taper to get rested while others are fully tapered in only a few days. I personally think that is what makes a great coach, someone who recognized the differences between swimmers and gives them the best, individualizes attention they need to swim their best.

I stand by my idea from an earlier thread that GAC and other teams who have guys taper should wait until the last possible day, and then have a swim-off Thunderdome style.

Since rosters are due Thursday, why not do it Wed night or something. You could totally make a big deal of it. Have all the non-conference guys swim against all the bubble guys too.

After the meet, the coach puts up a roster like in Rudy, and you have to see if your name is on it.

They could even bring back alumni to race them Pros vs Joes style. Like Kevin O’Laughlin could race some sprinters. Or Joe Majewski could take on the breaststrokers. Assistant to the Assistant to the Head Coach Garrison White could take on distance… or Matt Christianson… or Jeremy Ahrens.

@backstroker02 wrote:

I think it really depends on the person and their events. Some people need a long taper to get rested while others are fully tapered in only a few days. I personally think that is what makes a great coach, someone who recognized the differences between swimmers and gives them the best, individualizes attention they need to swim their best.

While this is true, there are other factors that can come into a 2nd taper. It has been proven that the swimmers that have had the best results of holding a taper are those that have taken the best care of themselves (eating, year round training/condition, sleep, etc).

@Its all an ACT wrote:

While this is true, there are other factors that can come into a 2nd taper. It has been proven that the swimmers that have had the best results of holding a taper are those that have taken the best care of themselves (eating, year round training/condition, sleep, etc).

Without a doubt those things are very important for a second taper, as they are with the first taper. A swimmer who doesnt rest, eat or train properly will struggle to even taper well the first time.

I guess I assumed that most people do this. If they aren’t taking care of themselves, well, then they are pretty stupid. Why spend all those hours in the pool if you dont care?

i think that the emphasis of a taper is the MIND part of it. this given, most people do have a better taper because the second meet is 99.99 % of the time a bigger meet. people will generally get more excited for conference than they do for a dual meet. this being said, most people do better at conference than they did at the earlier taper meet. conference to nationals is different, because of the entire month in between, but we saw that last year, a majority of the swimmers did better at nats than they did at conference (at least in an event or two)

@Chapel Partner wrote:

swim-off Thunderdome style.

Since rosters are due Thursday, why not do it Wed night or something. You could totally make a big deal of it. Have all the non-conference guys swim against all the bubble guys too.

After the meet, the coach puts up a roster like in Rudy, and you have to see if your name is on it.

They could even bring back alumni to race them Pros vs Joes style. Like Kevin O’Laughlin could race some sprinters. Or Joe Majewski could take on the breaststrokers. Assistant to the Head Coach Garrison White could take on distance… or Matt Christianson… or Jeremy Ahrens.

I want everyone to re-read this comment. It makes so much sense it hurts! I believe we’ve all lost our way. I admit, in 1997 the only thing I thought about was my split in the 50Br, but I’ve learned that the most important thing is how we treat our brothers and sisters. Jesus and I love you.