October 19, 2025

Individual Medley Swimming: Stroke Order, Turns, and Training Tips

October 19, 2025/ Dan Daly

The individual medley (IM) is one of swimming’s toughest and most rewarding events. Unlike single-stroke races, medley swimming tests your mastery across butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle — plus the precision of three transitions. In this article, I break down the official individual medley order, explain how it differs from the medley relay order, and share coaching tips for smoother turns and smarter training. Whether you’re chasing your next PR or curious about the 200m individual medley world record, you’ll learn how to build complete swimming performance and race the IM with more confidence.

October 12, 2025

Dryland Swim Cords: The Best Stretch Cord Workouts for Swimmers

October 12, 2025/ Dan Daly

Dryland swim cords are one of the most effective tools for building swimming strength and refining technique outside the pool. In this guide, I share my top cord drills for freestyle and butterfly, complete with videos to follow along. You’ll learn how to set up cords properly, avoid common mistakes, and use them to reinforce your stroke mechanics. Whether you’re a beginner or a competitive swimmer, these workouts will make your time in the water more efficient.

August 16, 2025

Best Core Workouts for Swimmers: Build a Stronger, Faster Body in and out of the Pool

August 16, 2025/ Dan Daly

Strong swimmers are built from the core out. If you're looking to improve your streamline, power through your turns, and maintain stroke efficiency when fatigue hits, this article is for you. Learn why swimming alone isn’t enough to build true core strength — and discover a proven training plan combining dryland, water-based drills, and smart video-based techniques to take your performance to the next level. Whether you're a competitive swimmer, coach, or parent, it’s time to get serious about core training.

→ Read the full guide and upgrade your core game.

May 13, 2025

Sculling Swimming Drills: How to Build Feel for the Water

May 13, 2025/ Dan Daly

Struggling to feel the water, even with solid strength and training? Sculling may be the missing link. In this guide, Coach Dan Daly breaks down what sculling in swimming really is, why it matters, and how to build it into your weekly routine. You'll learn proven sculling swimming drills — from front scull to catch scull — and get practical tips to improve your body position, stroke connection, and sensory awareness in the water. Whether you’re a high school swimmer or a masters athlete, it’s time to reconnect with your stroke.

April 30, 2025

Best Books About Swimming for Swimmers

April 30, 2025/ Dan Daly

Looking to sharpen your swim technique, build mental strength, or simply fall back in love with the water? This curated list of the best books about swimming covers everything from Olympic-level training to inspiring swimmer stories and cutting - edge coaching methods. Whether you're a competitive swimmer, a curious beginner, or a coach looking for fresh insights, these swimming books deliver motivation and practical takeaways alike. Dive in and discover new ways to elevate your performance - in the pool and beyond.

April 24, 2025

Perfect Your Backstroke Flip Turn: A Coach's Proven System

April 24, 2025/ Dan Daly

The backstroke flip turn isn't just a technical skill – it's often the difference between good and great in competitive swimming. In my 15 years of coaching, I've found the most common issue isn't physical – it's psychological. Fear of misjudging the wall or disorientation during rotation causes hesitation, robbing swimmers of efficiency. The good news? I've never met a swimmer who couldn't master this technique with the right approach. My 4-phase method breaks down this complex movement into manageable steps that build confidence and speed simultaneously.

October 02, 2024

Top 15 Youth U.S. Swim Teams & How Personalized Coaching Fills Performance Gaps for Youth Swimmers

October 02, 2024/ Train Daly, LLC/ Dan Daly

For elite youth swimmers aiming for NCAA or national team success, finding the right swim club can be challenging. This blog highlights the top 15 U.S. swim programs and explores how personalized coaching, including technique analysis, dryland programming, and sports psychology, can supplement team training and fill gaps in performance development. Learn how Train Daly coaching helps swimmers reach their full potential, even in the most competitive environments.

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