Coach Steve Ludwig

Jeanine Wagner
Background

• Has over 30 years of swimming experience and 21 of coaching

• From Lancaster, Pennsylvania
• Graduated from Shippensburg University
• Began coaching at Shippensburg Area High School
• Radnor Aquatic Club/Radnor High School Girl’s team - assistant to
head coach
• 2006 - Team went from a 5-5 record to finishing in the top 10 at
the PIAA state meet the next 4 years
• 2008 – placed second at the state meet
Current Position

• Teaches middle school and has been at

Radnor Middle School for 14 years
• Head Coach of the New Holland Aquatic
Club and New Holland Dolphins
• Founded NHAC in 2011 with only 25 athletes
• It is currently a competitive club with 85
available spots on the team
• Continues to stay up-to-date on
coaching techniques by attending
conferences held by USA Swimming
each year
Philosophy and Goals

• Broad-based goals • Humanistic Philosophy

• To win
• Impact each athlete’s life in a
• Encourage character development
positive manner
• To work hard
• To have fun • Command and cooperative style
• Process-based goals
• To swim fast
• No “garbage-yardage”
• Develop a family-like team

“Outside your comfort zone is where the magic happens.”

Leadership

• Transfers leadership to his older swimmers

• Encourages kids in each age group to be leaders and set the
example for other kids
 Training Strategies

Warm-up 600 freestyle swim

• Mental Training
• Swim Coach Plus app and 12 x 50s
Kick set Odd flutter 0:45
professional videos Even fly 1:00
• Individual attention 12 x 75s IM order
• “Work with what you’ve got.” Technique set
Kick/ drill/ swim 2:00
• “The best coaches are always a 8 x 200s R :30
little bit insane.” Conditioning challenge
1-3 negative split
4 easy
• Torture Tubes 5-8 race pace

Cool-down 200 easy

• https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.horning.77/videos/10153979510470105/
Coaching Diverse Athletes

Ages 5-11 Ages 12-18

Engaging instruction – waka waka bugs Minimal new instruction, reiteration of
known techniques
Regimented schedule Can be more relaxed
Constant focus (Eyes on me, ears above the Focus is expected, less tolerance for those
water) who disobey
Modified strength training Dryland before practices
Give expectations and discipline when Teaching leadership – without having a
necessary captain
Relationship Building

• Strives to know each athlete both in and out of the water

• Often has nicknames for his athletes
• Cares about each athlete
• Builds trust
• Help to figure out future plans
• Promotes friendship building across all ages on the team
• Mostly positive comments are used to unify the team

https://www.facebook.com/heather.mabrykourt/videos/10152765242596585/
Conclusion

• What I’ve learned from him

• Knowledge about the sport and
how to simplify it in order to be
an effective instructor
• how to gain respect and
establish credibility as a coach
• How to balance work and fun