Coaching Kids to Swim with Respect. Fun, and Long‑Term Growth Coach Ron Usher presents a no‑nonsense approach to youth swim coaching. Learn how a solid philosophy, clear goals, and fun tactics to keep kids in the water and growing as athletes and people. The importance of a coaching philosophy and how it shapes goals, strategy, and tactics. Setting short‑, medium‑, and long‑term goals for swimmers and the program. Positive coaching strategies: name usage, private meetings, and “do no harm” mindset. Creative practice tactics: randomness, games, dry‑land drills, and team‑building events. Ways to end every practice on a high note and keep swimmers motivated for the long haul. Hey swim‑family, We’re thrilled to announce the newest seminar from Coach Ron Usher is here. In this video Ron (and our host Coach Mark) share everything from philosophy‑driven coaching to the wackiest drills you’ve ever seen. Whether you’re a seasoned coach, a parent‑volunteer, or just love watching kids splash their way to confidence, you’ll walk away with practical tools you can put into the pool right now. Below is a quick preview of what you’ll learn (and a fun tidbit that’ll make you smile). Ron’s message is simple: Swimming is the method, but the real goal is to help kids become better humans. By mixing solid philosophy, clear goals, playful tactics, and a strong team vibe, you’ll keep swimmers in the pool and on the path to personal growth.

1. 1
Make
Swimming
Fun
September 13, 2025
RON USHER

2. 2
Making Swimming Fun
for Retention,
Improvement and
Enjoyment
Introduction

3. My philosophy is simple:
● Every kid is important
● Every kid deserves
respect
● Swimming is the method
— the goal is to help
every kid grow
● Do no harm
Every Kid Is
Important
3

4. Philosophy Shapes
Goals → Strategy → Tactics
4

5. Philosophy determines your goals
5

6. Philosophy determines your goals
Goals determine your strategy
6

7. Philosophy determines your goals
Goals determine your strategy
Strategy determine your tactics
7

8. Philosophy determines your goals
Goals determine your strategy
Strategy determine your tactics
Tactics are what you do
8

9. Your philosophy will change
and develop over time.
● Kids, club and parents
will influence your
philosophy
● Knowing your philosophy
goes a long ways to
preventing problems
Philosophy
9

10. 10
You should have long, medium
and short term goals — for
yourself, for your group, for
individual swimmers
Setting Goals

11. Periodically ask yourself:
● What are your personal goals?
● What are your clubʼs goals?
● What are your athleteʼs goals?
Goals Change
Over Time
11

12. My goals for
my team
12
● Learn something every
practice
● Have good strokes
● Have fun
● Learn more than just
swimming—soft skills
● Keep swimming through
high school

13. 13
Experiment. Try new things. Youʼll
want strategies for both the
Individual and the Team.
Coaching
Strategies

14. ● Yell
● Use Sarcasm
● Ignore
● Punish
● Threaten
What NOT
To Do
14

15. ● Speak to every swimmer at least
once every practice by name
● What are their outside interests?
● You have no idea what they may
be going through
● Aim to have private meetings with
each swimmer
Know Your
Swimmers
15

16. ● Create team traditions with
warm-ups, attire, etc.
● Have a team slogan —
make it short, simple,
repeatable
● Team cheers, team
handshake
Team Culture
Matters
16

17. Its not the workout or the set.
Itʼs how you teach the skills to
your swimmers.
● Instruct
● Observe
● Give and get feedback
Your On Deck Coaching
Always Be
Teaching
17

18. Find a combination that works
for you.
● Educate
● Motivate
● Excite
Your On Deck Coaching
Entertainer vs.
Trainer
18

19. Dryland is underused. Use it to:
● Build athletic skills
● Strengthen mental skills
● Create team bonds
Your On Deck Coaching
Dryland Builds
Athletes
19

20. Mental strength carries over to
much more than swimming.
● Sportsmanship
● Teamwork
● Goal Setting
Your On Deck Coaching
Coach the
Mental Side
20

21. Engage their brains. For example:
● Focus swims
Swimmers should always be
thinking about:
● Times
● Strokes
● Mindfulness
● Racing
The
Swimmers
21

22. ● Improv
● Books (all subjects)
● Peers
● Other sports
Additional
Resources
22

23. 23
In the pool strategies that kids
will love and remember.
Game
Strategies

24. It gives a sense of fun and
luck to the swimmers. You
can use:
● Dice
● Cards
● Apps
● Popsicle sticks
Add
Randomness
24

25. Surprises
● Do something unexpected — lIke
finding a twenty on the street!
Anticipation
● Set up something ahead of time
● Let them know what it will be, or
keep it a secret
Surprise and
Anticipation
25

26. ● Birthday
● Holidays
● Random Recognition Days
(i.e. National Pizza Day,
National Dolphin Day, etc.)
● Pentathlons
Make Any Day
an Event
26

27. ● Wins
● Achievements
● Knocking half a second
off a swimmerʼs lap time
● Crazy Team Spirit
● The small stuff
Celebrate
Everything!
27

28. ● Travel as a team
● Create a team/group goal trip
● Give everyone the opportunity
to travel
● Traveling is critical for success
and retention of your team
Team
Travel
28

29. Team building doesnʼt just happen
in the pool. Create non-swim events
where kids can grow their
relationships beyond swimming.
● Movie night
● Spaghetti night
● Beach or wave pool
adventures
Team Building
Events
29

30. Between sets do something
goofy (my favorite).
● Porpoise drill
● Thresher shark
● Animals in the Water
● More silly stuff
Brain Breaks
Work
30

31. Always leave them wanting
more. Examples include:
● Positive feedback
● Team cheer
● Give and get
● High fives goodbye
End Practice
on a High Note
31

32. Give kids an opportunity to
bond during practice.
● Social kick
● Name relays
● Introduce each other
Donʼt always segregate by
speed or skill.
Group
Bonding Sets
32

33. Let kids lead. Have them:
● Write up a workout
● Coach on the deck
● Teach a skill
● Lead a cheer
● Bring treats
● Act as Team Captain
Kids Need
Responsibility
33

34. A simple reframe can make a
huge difference in how they
approach a challenge.
● “Itʼs not hard, it's fun.ˮ
● Run to see God
● Water pushups vs
kerplunks
Reframe the
Challenge
34

35. ● Noodles
● Kickboards
● Tennis balls
● Beach balls
● Rubber ducks
Equipment
Endless
Possibilities
35

36. We remember and internalize
stories. They teach, and help
us retain information. Topics
include:
● Great swimmers and
athletes
● Real and imaginary
scenarios
Tell
Stories
36

37. Primitive team bonding works.
Think National Anthem, church,
and concerts.
● Boom Chakalaka
● Haka
Dance and
Choral
37

38. There are countless ways to
add variety, fun and
competition to a practice. Try:
● Ring toss
● Throwing games
● Basketball
● Tic Tac Toe
Gamify
Practice
38

39. Music can be a great way to
engage swimmers during
practice. Use it:
● Before practice
● Before something special
● For a hard set
The Power
of Music
39

40. Occasionally, let your
swimmers choose:
● Workouts
● Sets
● Monthly goals
Give Them
Control
40

41. 41
Random, fun tactics can be
added anywhere, any time,
for any ability.
Tactics

42. ● Get goofy
● Mix it up — strokes, and
more
● Chains
● Synchro contests
● Sculling challenges
● Weird relays
6 Random
Tactics
42

43. 7 More Random Tactics
● Jumping contests
● Hero swims
● 20 things with noodles
● Fastest gun in the west
● Grunions
● Surfing Safari
● Animals in the Water
Animals in
the Water
43

44. 44
You now have a host of
strategies and tactics that will
improve your practices, and keep
the kids involved and improving.
Next Steps

45. Ask yourself:
● What are YOUR coaching
philosophy and goals?
● How can YOU use these strategies
and tactics over the course of
your season?
Fun Builds
Lifelong
Swimmers
45

46. 46
46
Thank You
Ron Usher
rsusher@yahoo.com
coachronusher.com