91훑괵 Wales - Colin Jackson's Raise Your Game - The gaffer

Dave Haller

The City of Cardiff Swimming Club Coach gives his tips on motivating others.

Quietly! There's a place for emotion but you have to be careful not to be over-emotional before a performance. I try to be low key, as I like the swimmers to keep things in perspective. Even at the Olympic Games, it's just another swimming meet - albeit a big swimming meet!
We go through the routines and prepare accordingly. It's very important to have routine or you can get lost. I like to find a quiet area to train and to concentrate. For me, there's too much fuss about getting into the competition pool.
You need to be logical, keep things in perspective and enjoy. You get the rewards you deserve. You challenge yourself and get out there to see what you can do. Don't worry about the opposition. Let them worry about you.
You judge how to motivate different people - David Wilkie was very laid back, Duncan Goodhew was more explosive, so you work in different ways. You concentrate on keeping some relaxed and calm, with others you need to wake them up!
Some swimmers are swimming for everyone but themselves - family, coach and friends. It's important to identify the pressures on them and clear them out of the way. Then they can swim to their full potential.
It's important for younger competitors not to be put under unreasonable pressure. Parents need to encourage, not over-estimate potential or criticise too harshly. Peer pressure is hard when you're being encouraged by your friends to miss training and go out. The team is important then as pride in the group keeps you motivated.
A coach needs to be able to let talent develop. It is possible to over-coach. A coach can help, advise, assist and evaluate, but can't swim the race for you. It has to come from within.
Swimmers work hard, with tough training 6 days a week and a coach has to keep motivating and keep challenging without boring. It's a closed environment and you have to do the work - there's no easy way! You have to have self-discipline to make the training sessions.
Sometimes you need a break to come back mentally refreshed to your challenge. Rest time is very important, and then you train afresh. It's important to be able to make that call.
Coping with success may be hard - but it's harder to cope with the lack of it! Not everyone is going to be a champion. It's important to understand it's a challenge. The failure is in not trying at all.