Frontrunners and Underdogs - Mind Training Tips for Swimmers
Most swimmers I've worked with are either "frontrunners or underdogs". This means they either prefer to lead the race, or come from behind, to win. The majority of swimmers seem to prefer coming from behind to win races, rather than leading the race from the start. This way they seem to feel that they 'know where they are' in the race, instead of worrying about who's coming up behind them, as the leader often does.
There is not necessarily anything wrong with this approach, except that it can occasionally limit your opportunities if the chance to move ahead presents itself.
It may also leave the race open to the chance that the leading swimmer may not allow you to catch up! Here is an effective method for frontrunners or underdogs who find themselves in the lead of a race.
The underdogs get to see their goal in front of them in their peripheral vision (the frontrunner), and this usually makes them positively motivated to move forward and catch up. However, many frontrunners fall into the trap of focusing on the swimmers behind them, and become negatively motivated to try and protect their lead, instead of positively motivated to move further ahead.
When you are out in front, instead of focusing or worrying about who is coming up behind you, a powerful motivator is to invent a new frontrunner. Pretend that you are coming 2nd to an imaginary swimmer ahead of you, and that your goal is to catch them, instead of worrying about who's trying to catch you. If you have difficulty imagining them because you can't actually 'see' them, pretend that they are already on the next lap and out of your view.
This works incredibly well for many swimmers, and allows you to 'burn off' the swimmers behind you.
Of course, it is generally best to swim your own race anyway, using 'tunnel vision' to prevent yourself worrying about the other lanes, and keeping focused on the goal, instead of the obstacles. This imaginary frontrunner allows you to take your focus off the other 'real' swimmers and swim your own race, even from the lead. Try this method, you'll be surprised how it can change your attitude when you are in this position.
There is not necessarily anything wrong with this approach, except that it can occasionally limit your opportunities if the chance to move ahead presents itself.
It may also leave the race open to the chance that the leading swimmer may not allow you to catch up! Here is an effective method for frontrunners or underdogs who find themselves in the lead of a race.
The underdogs get to see their goal in front of them in their peripheral vision (the frontrunner), and this usually makes them positively motivated to move forward and catch up. However, many frontrunners fall into the trap of focusing on the swimmers behind them, and become negatively motivated to try and protect their lead, instead of positively motivated to move further ahead.
When you are out in front, instead of focusing or worrying about who is coming up behind you, a powerful motivator is to invent a new frontrunner. Pretend that you are coming 2nd to an imaginary swimmer ahead of you, and that your goal is to catch them, instead of worrying about who's trying to catch you. If you have difficulty imagining them because you can't actually 'see' them, pretend that they are already on the next lap and out of your view.
This works incredibly well for many swimmers, and allows you to 'burn off' the swimmers behind you.
Of course, it is generally best to swim your own race anyway, using 'tunnel vision' to prevent yourself worrying about the other lanes, and keeping focused on the goal, instead of the obstacles. This imaginary frontrunner allows you to take your focus off the other 'real' swimmers and swim your own race, even from the lead. Try this method, you'll be surprised how it can change your attitude when you are in this position.
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