The Third 50 - S1 E3 - Developing the Technical Eye

The Third 50 - S1 E3 - Developing the Technical Eye

Author: Glenn Mills & Wayne Goldsmith March 3, 2023 Duration: 1:05:45

Welcome to The Third 50!

This is the third episode in season one and it's an incredibly important topic - Developing the Technical Eye!

Every coach needs to develop their "Technical Eye" - their ability to look at a swimmer and determine how to improve and enhance the swimmer's ability to move efficiently through water.

Some coaches have a "technical eye" which is mostly intuitive - almost instinctive - and they can practically "feel" technique as a result of years and years and years of watching swimmers train and race.  

But , Wayne and Glenn present ways for all coaches to learn - and master their Technical Eye!


Three Takeaways:

  1. Every coach needs to develop a TECHNICAL EYE - the ability to see technique and to identify where technique is working and where it’s not working;
  2. Coaches will talk sets and reps and volume and equipment - but the importance of developing a TECHNICAL “EYE” can not be over-stated;
  3.  A simple way to learn the Technical Eye is to walk with a swimmer and progressively, systematically and methodically see what's happening from the tips of their fingers to the tips of their toes. 


Why The Third 50?

Because it's the third 50 of a 200 that matters. (We could have called this The Third 100 because it's the same principle!)

The 1st 50 is fast because you're fresh and fired up, ready to race.

The 2nd 50 flows because you're trying to relax and keep it smooth.

The 4th 50 is about fighting and staying strong to the finish.

But the 3rd 50 is where the magic happens. It's where the integration of your mind and body, your skills and technique, your stroke mechanics and your hard training all come together.

The 3rd 50 is the "championship" lap, where the great swimmers take control of themselves and the race and power away to victory.

We want to share our almost 80 years of experience with coaches, swimming teachers, swimmers, triathletes, and people who love being in and around the water worldwide.


Who Are Wayne and Glenn?

Wayne Goldsmith is an Australian coach, mentor, writer, speaker, and presenter. He's worked in swimming for more than 30 years and is an internationally respected sports performance professional. He's been recognized for his contribution to the sport of swimming with the Outstanding Contribution to Swimming in Australia Award and been recently received the Al Schoenfield award from the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

Glenn Mills is an American coach, writer, and video producer.  He's been involved in swimming for over 55 years.  He's competed at every level of the sport, from winning the US Olympic Trials and NCAA Championships and even setting a few Masters World Records.  For over 25 years, he's produced swimming technique content as the Co-Founder of GoSwim.tv, the Official Technique Partner with USA Swimming.  He has also won the Paragon Award from the International Swimming Hall of Fame for his contribution to competitive swimming.

Send in your video for a chance to have it analyzed on our podcast:  https://goswim.wetransfer.com


Glenn Mills and Wayne Goldsmith have spent their lives in and around the pool, and in their The Third 50 podcast, they dive into the conversations that happen after the stopwatch is put away. Named for the most grueling leg of a 200-meter race, this series explores what it truly takes to push through when everything hurts and the finish line still feels far away. Each episode feels like a candid chat between two seasoned experts, moving fluidly between the granular details of stroke technique and the broader, essential themes of athlete wellness and mental resilience. You’ll hear them unpack coaching philosophies, analyze the psychological demands of competition, and share stories that reveal the human side of high-performance swimming. It’s more than just tips for faster times; it’s about building the toughness required for that critical third fifty in a race and, by extension, in sport and life. Tune in for a thoughtful, grounded perspective that only decades of direct experience can provide, making this podcast a unique resource for swimmers, coaches, and anyone fascinated by the intersection of physical mastery and mental fortitude.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 18

The Third 50
Podcast Episodes
The Third 50 - EP 8 - Living a Coach's Life - Coach - Coach Thyself! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:50
EPISODE 8 - Living a Coach's Life - Coach - Coach Thyself! Coaching is a wonderful profession - coaches change lives. Coaches inspire the hearts, minds and spirits of the people they coach. Coaches create opportunities f…
The Third 50 - E5 - The Need for Speed!! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:19
Welcome to The Third 50! EPISODE 5 - WE HAVE A NEED - A NEED FOR SPEEEEEEEEEEEED! Speed is the most precious thing in swimming. It's what it's all about! The training, the sets, the repeats, the workouts, the dryland ses…
The Third 50 - S1 E4 - Drills Drills Drills [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:07
Welcome to The Third 50! The Fourth Episode...DRILLS DRILLS DRILLS and more DRILLS!!! Download Wayne's chart here: Swimming coaches collect drills like kids collect candy! There are tens of thousands of swimming drills:…
The Third 50 - Ep 2 Season 1: Underwater Dolphins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:01
Welcome to The Third 50! In this Second Episode, Wayne and Glenn discuss the importance of underwater kicking! Under-water kicking - "Dolphins" are vital - they are essential for fast swimming. The question is - how can…