Michael Brooks – Coaching 13-18 Year Olds for the 400 IM 

Michael Brooks, head coach at the York YMCA, discussed his approach to training 13-18-year-old athletes for the 400 IM. He emphasized the importance of versatility, using USA Swimming's IMX program to motivate athletes. Brooks highlighted his team's success, including three NAG champions and two national junior team members. He outlined six key elements for 400 IM success: aerobic fitness, stroke strength, technical proficiency, aerobic speed, effective transitions, and tactical intelligence. Brooks also stressed the importance of building a strong foundation in all four strokes and using specific training methods to enhance performance.