No matter how experienced a swimmer is, technical habits—good or bad—are formed every time they hit the water. And the reality is, most swimmers unknowingly reinforce poor technique simply by the way they approach training.
Here are the five most common mistakes I see as a private swim coach—and what to do about them.
1. Not Practicing Good Technique in Squad Training
One of the biggest traps swimmers fall into is letting their technique slip during everyday club sessions. It’s easy to focus on keeping up with the lane or hitting target times—but if your technique falls apart in the process, you’re just reinforcing poor habits.
Fix it: Treat every lap like a chance to refine something. Even in a hard set, you can focus on hand placement, kick rhythm, or timing. Good technique under fatigue is what separates great swimmers from good ones.
2. Trying to Go Too Fast, Too Soon
Many swimmers believe that pushing harder will automatically make them faster. But sprinting on top of shaky technique is like putting a V8 engine in a car with flat tires—it won’t go far.
Fix it: Build speed on top of solid foundations. That means slowing down when learning a new skill, drilling it with intention, and only adding speed once it’s consistent.
3. Not Having the Flexibility to Move Well
You can’t swim with great technique if your body doesn’t let you. Tight shoulders, stiff hips, or limited ankle mobility can ruin even the best intentions.
Fix it: Flexibility is trainable. Start with daily stretching that targets key swimming areas—shoulders, thoracic spine, hip flexors, and ankles. Even 10 minutes a day makes a difference over time.
4. Not Realizing That Changes Take Time
Some swimmers get discouraged when they don’t feel instant results. The truth? Learning and locking in technique takes consistent effort—and often, a lot of repetition.
Fix it: Be patient. Notice small improvements and celebrate them. Technique isn’t a one-time fix—it’s a process of layering in better habits until they become automatic.
5. Not Focusing on Yourself During Training
It’s tempting to constantly compare yourself to others in the lane. But focusing on what someone else is doing takes away from what you need to improve.
Fix it: Stay in your own lane—literally and mentally. Use training sessions to master your own timing, efficiency, and movement. Everyone’s path is different.
Want Help Fixing These?
Private coaching gives you the time, attention, and specific guidance to fix technique at the root—not just patch it up. I work with swimmers of all levels to improve stroke mechanics, body position, and race skills.
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