On swimming and teamwork

'That's what I'm talking about!', bellowed an ecstatic Michael Phelps after the US outdueled France for the 4x100 relay crown.

The record-setting swimmer may have been taunting his rivals, who had boldly predicted victory, but more probably the mild-mannered Phelps was reinforcing the team talk in its plan for an upset win.

As in rugby, there are things swimmers can do to make everyone around them better in training, to spur teammates to greater heights. Conversely, there are swimmers who you would prefer to leave off relays because their best times come in individual events.

A measure of Phelps' greatness can be seen in his relay performances. At the 2004 Olympics, he spurred the Americans to upend Australia in the 4x200, as the comparatively unknown Klete Keller turned in the split of a lifetime to outduel legendary Ian Thorpe. Tuesday morning, with Phelps' opening leg setting an American record in the 100, Jason Lezak shook off a reputation for underperforming in big meets to run down world record holder Alain Bernard.

Swimming is often seen as individual sport, and Phelps is fairly subdued and humble in victory. But relays, which require complex teamwork, patently animate Phelps. After both 2004's 4x200 and this week's 4x100, he was maniacal.

Team building and group performance, whereby the whole exceeds the parts, is not an automatic byproduct of improved rugby training. Positive culture does not take root because there is more funding. Indeed, the worry is that money by itself distorts individual and team values.

Perhaps it is no accident that Phelps, who earns an astonishing amount, is the leader of a team which is said to have had its 'best ever' pre-meet training camp just prior to this Olympics.

Comments

[Skinner]

Where is the Michael Phelps of American Rugby?

The past would point to Dave Hodges and Dan Lyle.

The present points to Todd Clever - but is he really in the mold of Hodges and Lyle?

Clever strikes me as a hard working player. But a leader?

[me]

I must be slow. I honestly don't undersand the point about the funding and team culture and then the point that phelps, who earns a lot, is the leader of a team who had its best ever training camp. this isnt a jab or anything. i just dont get what kurt is saying. any help?

[Phelps Yelp]

I think Kurt just thinks Phelps is dreamy!

Clever is not a leader, and when I watched the game with a group of guys and girls the following observation was made by one of the ladies that is a hair stylist. She commented on Clever's hair would require a lot of maintenance and hair products. All the guys looked puzzled and she went into the types of things he would have to do to keep that mane from being tangled and becoming dreadlocks. She said that he would have to put conditioner in his hair for 10 to 15 minute treatments 2 or 3 times a week, and would have to "brush it out" at least a few times per week and that he would shed a lot of hair in his bed, car, etc.

Needless to say the clincher was that if he was going to wear a suit or nice shirt that he would have to shower one to two hours in advance or blow dry his hair for 15 to 20 minutes so he doesn't get his cloths wet. All the guys lost respect for Clever, and regardless of what he did on the field you could only think about a guy blow drying his hair or standing in the shower waiting for the conditioner to do the job. Kinda lame.

[jake]

OMG you really are gay Mr Phelps Yelps! Players and Coaches determine the quality of the Captain's leadership not the fans nor the hairstyle. You sir, should be ashamed of your remark and showing your ignorance.

[Old Boy]

I saw on TV that John Eales is a consultant/coach for the Australian swim team. Probably no surprize - he works on the positive mental aspects and for sure, there is cross-over potential whatever the sport. There are so many positive attitude sportsmen & athletes in the US - somebody, someday has got to inject some of it into the Eagle squad.

holy crap that Phelps yelps post was the dumbest thing ever written about a rugby player.

[Yank]

Ok, ponder this! Will it become easier for us to climb this mountain with fly-in players, or with some American team/love?

Kurt might be tabling that we have lost the 'Yank' in our team. This doesn't suggest we didn't need help, but at what cost?

[BC22]

I think some of the water polo players would make excellent locks and loose forwards.

[doesn't translate]

have you ever seen a water polo player run? it ain't natural or pretty...

[eagle fan]

2 YouTubes must see videos:

Search: USA Eagles vs ASM Clermont Auvergne

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY5ybpfmOZo

[AA]

I think UCLA All American wing Blaine Scully played water polo.

[eagle fan]

YouTube having problems with the link then try search:

IRB reaching out to get Rugby Sevens in the Olympics

Well worth watching - tell a friend

[BC22]

Tai McIsaac, the hooker for the Western Force used to play water polo.

[`]

Phelps Yelps!

you are truly not a rugby fan and like dick!!!

who listens to a girl during a rugby game? no offense women, but seriously you have got to be kidding me-

please say that to Clever's face. I would love to see what the hard man would do to you.

[I Speight]

Believe it or not, Ollie LeRoux is probably the closest we have to a dual international in water polo - rugby.

He represented ZA schools in not only water polo, but squash too.

[tough?]

Clever is a good rugby player, and a long way from anybody most people would be afraid of on the streets. He would get his ass kicked in most tough locations. He just has a good motor for the sport of rugby, but lets stop with the he's a tough guy bullshit.

[Flynn Hagerty]

The hair thing is non-sensical. Colin Charvis has been rocking a full 'fro for years, and would waltz into the Eagle team. One of the best British forwards of the past 20 years.

[Phelps Yelp]

I guess I got excited because the last time I saw Clever on TV he was in a homosexual themed commercial looking dreamy with his golden locks. MEOW!

[Sebastian from Never Ending Story]

wasn't clever involved in that scuffle in the last game? i'm not going to lie, i'm not sure who is who by face on the US team, but who ever that was, i appreciate that kind of stuff - stick up for your teamates and don't be intimidated by a profesional side.

and making fun of the hair, that is weak. i obviously don't know clever and am not about to say he would kick this guys ass or how he would hold up in the south bronx, but i do know plenty of guidos who spend a ton of time on their hair and they are among the toughest guys i know, so let'seave the hair out of this and talk rugby.

[Ron]

Ron Burgundy: "Let's go over the groundrules. Rule number 1: No touching of the hair or face... AND THAT'S IT!"

[fact not fiction]

Phelps Yelps --- It's now a proven fact that you are GAY. You have no business on a rugby blog spot with your rediculous posts

[Phelps Yelp]

Rugby and homosexuality are very closely tied. Look at all the gay rugby teams, including the 32 from around the world that went to Dublin to play in the Bingham Cup - http://www.binghamcup.com/ - which is in honor of one of the best known rugby players in the USA because of Mark Bingham's heroic act on Flight #93 on 9/11 and who was gay and a Cal standout.

There are the gay French rugby calendars and the Jawbone commercial with dream Todd Clever too.

Rugby + Gay = A Reality

[buy viagra]

He just has a good motor for the sport of rugby, but lets stop with the he's a tough guy bullshit.

[buy cheap viagra]

There are so many positive attitude sportsmen & athletes in the US - somebody, someday has got to inject some of it into the Eagle squad.

[generic viagra]

Team building and group performance, whereby the whole exceeds the parts, is not an automatic byproduct of improved rugby training. Positive culture does not take root because there is more funding. Indeed, the worry is that money by itself distorts individual and team values.