In the world of competitive swimming, precision is everything. A fraction of a second can determine the difference between a podium finish and a personal best. As a coach, you know that fine-tuning techniques can significantly enhance performance.
Enter sensor technology—an innovative tool that allows you to collect detailed, actionable data about your athletes' movements in the water. By leveraging this technology, you can gain insights that were once only dreamt of, revolutionizing how you train and prepare your swimmers.
In this blog, we will explore best practices for collecting accurate data, ensuring that your coaching strategies are informed by intuition and backed by reliable metrics.
Sensor tech is everywhere, from the fitness trackers on our wrists to the GPS in our cars. But when it comes to swimming, things get a bit trickier due to the underwater environment. This is why having a device tailored for swimming is essential.
Wearable devices use a mix of sensors to track every move your swimmers make in the water, turning that data into key metrics like Stroke Rate, Pushoff Depth, and Speed Underwater, among others. To truly benefit from this information, it's essential to grasp the unique challenges of using sensor tech in swimming.
At TritonWear, we've created trackers that cut through the noise, delivering reliable and user-friendly data explicitly designed for competitive swimming. Our technology meets the pool's unique demands while being simple enough for everyday use.
The Triton unit is a sleek, lightweight sensor that fits comfortably under the swimmer's cap. It focuses on head movement to track and generate over 30 different metrics. But like any tool, it's only as good as how you use it—proper placement and understanding how the tech works are the keys to unlocking its full potential.
When it comes to sensor technology—any sensor tech you will ever use—accuracy starts with one thing: placement. Just like you wouldn't want your swimmer's hand entry too wide or a pull that's too shallow, sensor placement needs to be spot on. With the Triton unit, it's all about finding that sweet spot where the base of the head meets the spine. Get that right, and you're off to a great start.
Quick Tips for Perfect Placement:
Keep it Centered: Aim for no more than 15 degrees left or right, or your data will be off.
Keep it Low: Don't place it too high or off-center, or you might end up with missing or extra laps.
Avoid the Tilt: Ensure the unit is snug against the head to keep your stroke and speed metrics spot on.
Heads Up: For swimmers with long hair, tie it up in a high bun and keep it clear of the unit.
Check out the image below 👇 to learn how to place the unit correctly and what to avoid.
Pro Tip: At the start of practice, have your swimmers pair up and check each other's unit placement. This quick, easy step will become second nature and ensure you get reliable data right from the start.
The Triton unit is packed with smart sensors that do all the hard work for you. They're designed to track swimming, so you don't have to worry about fine-tuning anything. However, understanding a few best practices will ensure your data is as clean and accurate as possible.
Here are some tips to keep in mind when collecting data:
Start with a Standard Swim: Kick off the session with at least 50 of regular swimming so the unit confirms that practice has started.
Focus on Consistency: Smooth, intentional movements are key—think clean starts, strong turns, and powerful finishes.
End with a Strong Touch: Hit the wall firmly and stand up straight right away.
Mee the Minimum Stroke Requirement: To track and determine stroke type, you need a minimum of 4 strokes (fly/breast) or 6 strokes (free/back) per lap.
Heads Up: It's worth noting that the unit starts picking up movement as soon as a swimmer steps onto the blocks. To avoid mixing up the step-up with their rep time, have your swimmers stand up for two seconds before they lean forward and start. This simple pause helps filter out anything not part of the swim.
To get the most accurate data possible, avoid the minor slip-ups:
Extra Movements: Quick, unnecessary movements right before a push-off can cause minor blips in your times.
Lazy Finishes: Lifting the head too early before hitting the wall can impact timing.
Mid-lap Pauses: Treading water or stopping halfway through can create misleading lap counts, odd distance or odd reps.
Pro Tip: The unit pauses data collection when a swimmer is upright. So, to ensure the best results, always begin upright, swim, and finish upright.
TritonWear is more than just another gadget—it's a tool that simplifies data collection so you can focus on coaching. Following these straightforward tips will help you get clear, actionable insights from your swim team without hassle. And once you're dialled in, the results will speak for themselves.
With swimming becoming more tech-driven, embracing sensor tech is key to staying ahead. So, let's see how much more your swimmers can achieve. With a bit of precision and a lot of dedication, there's no limit to how far they can go.