In today’s episode, I’m joined by Andrew Sheaff—coach, educator, and the author of A Constraints-Led Approach to Swim Coaching. We dive into one of the most important skills for adult swimmers and triathletes: learning how to self-coach.
Whether you’re swimming solo, training without feedback, or stuck on a plateau, Andrew shares a practical roadmap to finally break through. You’ll learn why progress isn’t about doing more drills—but choosing the right ones. We talk about how to create built-in feedback loops, what to do if you feel like nothing’s changing, and why slowing down and being intentional could be your fastest path forward.
Andrew also shares one of his favorite drills—“power pulls”—and how it reveals exactly what’s working (and what’s not) in your stroke. If you’re someone who trains alone, or you’ve been working hard without seeing results, this episode could be the turning point.
If you enjoy this conversation and want to dive deeper, Andrew’s Stroke Fundamentals course is a fantastic next step. It breaks down the key elements of freestyle technique in a simple, actionable way—and as a listener of the podcast, you can get 50% off. Click this link to get Stroke Fundamentals for 50% off
—> www.coachandrewsheaff.com/effortless
In this episode
- 01:58 — Self-Coaching In Swimming
- 04:06 — Setting Clear Goals For Improvement
- 06:22 — Effective Drills For Feedback
- 10:35 — Understanding Pressure and Technique
- 14:30 — Improving Rotation in Freestyle
- 21:00 — Identifying and Solving Problems in Training
- 23:43 — Mastering Breath Timing in Swimming
- 26:03 — Identifying and Addressing Common Mistakes
- 28:30 — Challenging Drills for Skill Improvement
- 31:01 — Integrating Skills and Training Effectively
- 36:16 — Creating Engaging and Purposeful Workouts
- 38:57 — The Importance of Consistency in Skill Development
- 41:24 — Fundamentals of Effective Swimming Techniques
Links from this episode
- http://pillarperformance.shop
- Get your NanoClear goggles here and get 15% off your first purchase with code PODCAST15.
- https://effortlessswimming.com/camps/
- Change your technique and swim a smoother, easier freestyle with the Effortless Swimming membership
