The Professional Swim Coach Course Book is a Must-Have for Coaches at All Levels
For good reason, support and guidance are sought by professionals in all fields. When a question or issue arises, it is comforting to have an outlet that can provide answers, or a blueprint for how to handle the situation. Sometimes, a mentor is available. Occasionally, a colleague will provide the necessary help. In other instances, a book or manual can offer guidance or advice for how to navigate specific issues, and even help build a career or an organization. The new WSCA course is such an offering.
As the co-founder and co-head coach of Orinda Aquatics, a highly successful USA Swimming club in Northern California, Don Heidary, and his brother Ron, have aggressively pursued character, culture, and performance for forty-five years. The result has been elevated performance at all levels (50+Sectional qualifiers from a team of 150), a life-changing experience for countless athletes, and an extraordinarily positive parent culture. Along the way, Don has consistently offered his help to fellow coaches – veteran and developing – and has regularly presented at clinics and workshops in the United States and around the world, and written for this publication.
Now, with the support of the World Swimming Coaches Association (WSCA), Heidary has produced an invaluable written work designed to assist coaches in all facets of their jobs. It is titled: “The Professional Swim Coach: A Comprehensive Course for Coaches Worldwide.” The manual, a representation of Heidary’s experience and passion, is meticulously organized and addresses all aspects of the coaching profession, while also encouraging coaches to take command of their programs to develop their own success and character culture.
The Professional Swim Coach Course Preview
Purchase Hardcopy or Digital Course Here
Coaches who engage with the manual will also have the opportunity to complete a course that is certified by the World Swimming Coaches Association. Upon completion of the course, coaches will be provided with a digital certificate that verifies their participation and continued professional development within the coaching field.
“The intent of this manual is to transcend fundamental teaching and training methodologies and to empower coaches to rise above the ‘known,’ and transform programs, cultures, success at the athlete and club level, and athletes’ lives,” Heidary said. “It should reveal that everything is interconnected and should feel the thread of professionalism guiding every aspect and every action, with an inspiring culture as the glue, or rising tide, that elevates all experience; be it training, competition, interaction, or self-discovery. The applications have been proven over four decades and have successfully merged both performance and personal growth, as well as coach fulfillment.”
Following an introductory chapter in which an overview of the sport of swimming is provided, “The Professional Swim Coach” is broken into sections that address specific aspects of the coaching profession, that become the building blocks of success at the coach, athlete, and organizational levels. Among the topics addressed are:
- The Professional Swim Coach (in all areas)
- Athlete and Team Management
- Culture Creation
- Merging Technique and Training
- Competition Management
- The Life of a Swim Coach
- And Much More
One of the standout features of the manual/course is its organization. Through the use of frequent bullet points under section headings, coaches always know what elements of their job are being emphasized. This approach allows a coach, if desired, to focus on a few areas of their career at a time.
Additionally, the manual offers real-life scenarios that engage the coach to elicit thought in various situations, forcing them to ask, “how would I respond?” or “what would a professional swim coach do?” These scenarios always bring the coach back to professional intent and purpose.
Course Overview:
- A comprehensive and holistic baseline course for coaches at all levels
- Rather than going into extensive detail in areas of biomechanics and physiology, the material will envelop the broader skills necessary to be a responsible, effective, and professional coach
- There will be an emphasis on vision, connection, integrity, relationships, and methodology
- The themes of professionalism, “higher calling”, and the personal growth of athletes will be woven through the entire program
- The course will address needs of fundamental international education, offer support for regions without access to certification programs, and extend goodwill to the global coaching community
- The course consists of ten chapters, with additional (non-tested) sections offering peripheral information to support broader coach, athlete, and club development, such as Open Water, team travel, dry land, goal setting, etc.
- There is a final (digital) exam of 200 test questions with interactive work at the end
- The course will be offered digitally or teleconference (live webinars) as needed
- WSCA will offer free live quarterly Q&A’s for members
- A certificate of completion will be (digitally) sent to each coach upon successful completion of the course
What Don Heidary and the World Swimming Coaches Association have constructed is a must-read for all swim coaches. It is a comprehensive look at the profession that provides answers in a clear, concise, and tried-and-tested manner. Simply, “The Professional Coach” is a work that should be on all coaches’ desks.
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“I have just completed my third reading. Excellent! This should be a must have in every coach’s library. You have excelled in building the most comprehensive manual for the profession of coaching at all levels. Every trainer and coach, in every field of endeavor, will greatly benefit from the opportunity to study this mastery of competency in the sporting world. You are to be applauded for this work.”
Bill Sweetenham, AM, Churchill Fellow, Five-Time Olympic Head Coach
