Author: Chris Webb

Beyond the Titles: The Reality of High-Performance Teams in Sports

Read at your own risk In the world of sports, especially swimming, we often encounter teams labeled with grand titles such as High Performance, National Team, or Elite groups. These names carry a certain weight, setting expectations and ambitions for the athletes and coaches involved.

Crafting Success Through “The Four S System”

Read at your own risk In the realm of competitive swimming—and arguably, life itself—the concept of a “system” is often touted as the bedrock of success. Systems orchestrate organizations, but it’s people who breathe life into these structures.

Embracing the Struggle for Growth

Read at your own risk “This is a culture of hard work, struggle, encouragement, and change…” This profound tagline, crafted by athletes, has resonated with me for over a decade, shaping the ethos of every team I’ve coached. While the exact words may adapt to fit the environment, the inclusion of “struggle” remains constant.

The Little Lights Aren’t Twinkling…

Read at your own risk In the beloved film Christmas Vacation, Clark Griswold’s extravagant attempt at “exterior illumination” serves as more than just comedic relief. After painstakingly decorating his home with “260 individual strands” of lights, Clark faces a dampened moment of triumph due to a dismissive remark from his father-in-law about a few malfunctioning bulbs.

The Craft of Mastery in Meat and More – Part I

Read at your own risk At every swim meet, you’ll find me on the deck, engaging with fellow coaches about the best local spots to eat. My culinary adventures have taken me from joining coaches at an annual crawfish boil—shoutout to Shawn Smith for that delightful tradition—to exploring various gastronomical oddities with them.

The Craft of Mastery in Meat and More – Part II

Read at your own risk In the documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi, we are introduced to Jiro Ono, a master sushi chef whose dedication to his craft offers profound lessons beyond the culinary world. Jiro’s philosophy, “Once you decide on your occupation, you must immerse yourself in your work.

Just Good Coaching Maybe??

Read at your own risk Navigating the Intersection of Coaching and the Biopsychosocial Model: A Revolutionary Approach or Just Good Coaching? In 1977, George L. Engel and Jon Romano from the University of Rochester introduced the biopsychosocial (BPS) model, marking a significant departure from the traditional biomedical approach.

Principals Matter Most, But Methods Can’t be Ignored.

Read at your own risk The Balance Between Principles and Methods: A Path to Sustainable Success While the core principles underlying success remain paramount, the significance of adapting methods to suit changing circumstances cannot be overlooked. It’s a common misconception that the strategies and tools that paved the way for current achievements will continue to serve us well in new and diverse ventures.