Duct Tape & Dreams: Thriving When You Are Underequipped with Jason Pullano 

Jason Polano shared his experiences and insights on coaching with limited resources, emphasizing creativity and innovation. He recounted his journey from coaching in a 20-yard pool with $200 annually to leading a high school team with advanced equipment. Polano highlighted the importance of adaptability, using examples like building underwater hurdles for $300 and using DIY resources. He stressed the value of peer evaluations, creative job design, and the engineering design process in coaching. Polano also discussed strategies for increasing parent volunteerism and improving start block explosions, such as using social media and thank-you cards. The meeting discussed various creative coaching techniques and drills for swimming. A favorite drill involved using kickboards of different colors to improve head positioning and reaction time. Another method involved using army men in the gutter to teach swimmers to maintain head position. Fundraising strategies included displaying sponsor logos on lane ropes and video boards. The speaker also highlighted initiatives to inspire high school students to pursue college swimming, such as college cap days and invitational events. Success stories included recruiting new swimmers through bring-a-friend days and summer league teams, and leveraging social media to engage the community.