Why Are Swimmers Faster in Relays Than in Individual Races?

Why Are Swimmers Faster in Relays Than in Individual Races?

Why Are Swimmers Faster in Relays Than in Individual Races?David Karasek
Published on: 08/10/2026

Swimmers are often faster in relays because the race stops being about them. What the research says, and how to bring that feeling into individual races.

mental training for swimmerscompetitive swimmingswim parents
When Your Swimmer Doesn't Want to Go to Practice: Phelps's 'Money in the Bank' Mindset

When Your Swimmer Doesn't Want to Go to Practice: Phelps's 'Money in the Bank' Mindset

When Your Swimmer Doesn't Want to Go to Practice: Phelps's 'Money in the Bank' MindsetDavid Karasek
Published on: 07/10/2026

Even Michael Phelps hated getting out of bed. Here is the process-goal mindset that kept him going on the days he didn't want to, and how to use it with your swimmer.

mental training for swimmers
Visualization for Swimmers: How Phelps Rehearsed Every Race

Visualization for Swimmers: How Phelps Rehearsed Every Race

Visualization for Swimmers: How Phelps Rehearsed Every RaceDavid Karasek
Published on: 24/08/2026

Michael Phelps swam every race hundreds of times in his head. Here is how visualization works, and how to teach it to your young swimmer.

visualization for swimmersmental rehearsal swimminghow to visualize a swim racesports psychology for young athletesmichael phelps mental trainingrace day preparation swimming
Does Encouragement Make Swimmers Faster? We Measured It

Does Encouragement Make Swimmers Faster? We Measured It

Does Encouragement Make Swimmers Faster? We Measured ItDavid Karasek
Published on: 19/08/2026

We swam the same set twice, one hour apart. The only thing we deliberately changed was the coaches. It came back 109 seconds faster.

does encouragement make swimmers fasterhow to motivate a swimmerteam motivation swimmingswim camp team challengeswim coaching encouragement1 percent better swimming