Total Immersion ™ methodology drills and skills correct the stroke faults and habits that keep athletes from swimming smoothly without effort. The in-depth progression moves the swimmer towards a stroke the offers continuing possibilities for improvement. Here are some of the key difference’s in how we understand and approach the teaching and learning of swimming.
| Traditional | Total Immersion |
| Focus on 2 technique components; kicking and pulling | 3 sequential skills: Balance, Streamline and Propulsion |
| Reinforces survival stroking via amygdala | Creates movement pathways using the cortex – thinking process |
| Improvement is focused on strengthening arms and legs – kickboards, paddles, buoys | Improvement is focused on integrated whole body movement and control (timing and coordination) |
| Tiring workouts, based on HR zones. effort and work | Problem solving practices, based on drag reduction and efficiency |
| Focusses on separating the body into upper and lower segments aka pull / kick paradigm | Develops movement around the spinal axis, separating the body into left/right; coaching swimmers to capture and apply momentum, weight shift and gravity |
| Generally but not exclusively coaches instruct from the poolside | Coaches work in the pool and hands on with the swimmer, live, relevant demo;s and immediate hands on correction. |
| Use’s video analysis tools for feedback and enhanced learning | |
| Assess quality of attention as much as quality of movement |
Total Immersion Coaching focuses on the following elements, that ensure success for the swimmer
Courtesy of the late Terry Laughlin CEO and Fonder of Total Immersion Inc.
