Richard Shipherd – Tomorrow’s USA Distance Stars: A Road Map for the USA Club Program to Help Develop the Young Distance Swimmer 

Coach Rick Shepard discussed the importance of creating a strong environment for distance swimming, emphasizing personal attention, character development, and a balanced approach to training. He highlighted the need for young swimmers to develop a strong work ethic and discipline, using metrics like test sets and VO2 max testing to track progress. Shepard shared his philosophy on training, including the use of tempo training, underwater dolphin kicking, and the importance of maintaining a steady state. He also stressed the significance of creating a supportive and competitive team culture, using stories and games to motivate and engage his athletes.