Let’s be real, swimmers don’t always hear what we say the way we hope they do. You give them a solid cue, they nod, dive in... and do the exact same thing. We've all been there. The good news? It’s not about saying it louder—it’s about saying it better.
In this article, we’re diving into how swim coaches can use structured feedback models to make sure what we say not only sticks but also helps swimmers get faster and more confident in the water.
Whether you're coaching club swimmers or collegiate athletes, these models give you a reliable way to turn raw data and sharp observations into feedback that lands. Ready to level up your coaching communication? Let’s break it down.
Most of us give a ton of feedback during sets, after races, and mid-turn. But feedback fails when:
We overload swimmers with too much at once.
It’s vague (“try harder!”—okay, but how?)
It’s overly critical without positives.
Or we drop it mid-set when they’re barely processing oxygen.
If your swimmer doesn’t get it, they can’t use it. That’s where structure comes in.
Best for: Quick technical corrections during training
COIN is short for Context, Observation, Impact, and Next Steps. It keeps feedback tight and focused, perfect for fast-paced swim practices.
Example Scenario: A swimmer is losing speed off the wall.
C – Context: “On your last turn, your Speed Underwater dropped to 1.9 m/s.”
O – Observation: “I noticed your streamline was loose and your arms separated right after the push-off.”
I – Impact: “That separation slowed your breakout and cost you momentum into the first stroke.”
N – Next Steps: “For your next rep, focus on locking your elbows tight and keeping your body line long and streamlined.”
Why it works:
It ties your words to real data.
It avoids overload.
It gives swimmers something specific to do now.
Best for: Helping swimmers own their development
GROW stands for Goal, Reality, Options, and Will. It’s all about guiding swimmers to reflect, understand their data, and decide what to do next.
Example Scenario: A swimmer wants to improve backstroke tempo.
G – Goal: “You’re aiming to hold a backstroke tempo around 1.71s/cycle.”
R – Reality: “Right now, you’re hitting that stroke rate, but your Stroke Index dropped from 3.14 to 2.91—so maybe you’re rushing the catch or losing grip.”
O – Options: You could:
Work on a more anchored catch
Use a Tempo Trainer to find rhythm, or
Focus on a stronger kick
W – Will: “Which of those do you want to try this week to see what works best?”
Why it works:
Encourages ownership and reflection
Links training data to personal goals
Builds trust and motivation
Best for: Honest, constructive conversations with parents
CEDAR helps take emotion out of tough conversations. It stands for Context, Example, Diagnosis, Action, Review.
Example Scenario: A parent asks, “Why isn’t Ana improving like the others?”
C – Context: “We’ve been tracking progress for the past month and focusing on building Ana’s aerobic base.”
E – Example: “She’s only tracked 5 of the last 8 workouts, and she’s missed key intensity zones in most weeks.”
D – Diagnosis: “When she’s here, she trains well—but the inconsistent attendance means she’s missing the training stimulus needed to improve her Critical Swim Speed pace.”
A – Action: “We’ve talked with Ana about the importance of consistently wearing her Triton unit and making more sessions.”
R – Review: “We’ll keep an eye on her training data over the next two weeks and check for improvements in attendance and CSS.”
Why it works:
Keeps things fact-based
Sets clear next steps
Helps parents feel informed
Data drives progress, but feedback delivers it. When we communicate with structure and clarity, athletes respond better, grow faster, and stay more motivated. These models aren’t just fluff; they’re real tools that help us lead with purpose and keep swimmers engaged.
So next time you’re courtside (er, poolside), try one. Start with COIN, GROW or CEDAR—whatever fits the moment—and watch how your swimmers respond.