ASCA World Clinic 2026: The Last Chance Before the Certification Revolution

When I was a swimmer, I used to think that swimming fast was enough. But then I met a coach who changed my perspective. He said: "Swimming doesn't start with the arms, but with the ears." That phrase has haunted me ever since. And when I heard about the ASCA World Clinic 2026, with its small-group sessions with Herbie Behm and Gregg Troy, I remembered that phrase. Because, just like learning to pronounce a player's name correctly, learning from great coaches requires deep listening and understanding. From a mispronunciation at the World Cup, I understood that football doesn't start with the feet, but with the ears. And swimming is the same; it starts with listening to those who came before. I still remember the excitement of hearing a coach talk about swimming technique for the first time, and I want other coaches to have that experience too. The ASCA World Clinic 2026 will take place from September 9 to 12 at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida. This is the annual event of the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA), with this year's theme "Grassroots to Podium: It Starts With Us." The event brings together more than 50 speakers and 60 learning sessions, including in-person certification courses. The special feature this year is the 3-hour small-group sessions with two legendary coaches: Herbie Behm and Gregg Troy. But more importantly, this is the last chance for coaches to receive ASCA certification before the completely new certification system launches on November 2. For me, someone who has followed swimming for 11 years, this event is not just a conference, but a turning point in the professionalization of coaching. The event is presented by Fitter & Faster Swim Camps, an organization specializing in youth swim camps, showing the connection between coaching education and grassroots development. ASCA, founded in 2026, is the leading professional organization for swimming coaches in the US. With over 10,000 members, ASCA not only provides certification but also a community for sharing knowledge. The annual conference is the biggest event of the year, where coaches from around the world gather to learn and network. This year, with the theme "Grassroots to Podium," ASCA emphasizes the importance of developing athletes from the grassroots level. This is especially significant as US swimming faces increasing competition from countries like Australia and China. Improving coaching quality at the grassroots level could be the key to maintaining dominance. ASCA certification is an important standard in the swimming coaching profession in the US. Many clubs and schools require coaches to have this certification. The change in the certification system could affect thousands of coaches, and understanding the transition process is crucial. What catches my attention most is not the scale of the conference, but the 3-hour small-group session format. In a traditional conference, lectures typically last 1 hour with hundreds of attendees, and listeners can only passively listen. But with small-group sessions, the number of participants is limited, allowing for deeper interaction. This is a structural difference, not just about duration. When I was an athlete, I learned that the most effective training is not when you listen to a lecture, but when you directly practice and receive feedback. This small-group session offers that opportunity to coaches. Herbie Behm, a coach at Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida, is known for his coaching philosophy and training planning. He is an expert in developing young athletes. Gregg Troy, who was the head coach of the US Olympic team in 2026, has coached many legends like Ryan Lochte, Caeleb Dressel, and Katie Ledecky. The combination of these two creates a comprehensive picture: Behm represents the grassroots level, while Troy represents the pinnacle. This reflects the conference's theme "Grassroots to Podium." But what's more interesting is their approach. In a traditional lecture, the speaker presents a specific topic, and the audience takes notes. In a small-group session, participants can ask questions, discuss, and explore their methods. This is an active learning model, which I believe is the most effective way to improve. I remember when I manually counted the pressing numbers of Federico Chiesa in the Italy-Turkey match at Euro 2026, I discovered things that traditional analyses missed. Pressing data doesn't lie, but they whisper the name of a sleeping star. Similarly, in swimming coaching, analyzing data yourself can help you find weaknesses that the naked eye cannot see. I want to share a personal experience. When I follow swimming competitions, I often time and record data myself, rather than relying only on official statistics. This helps me discover details that others miss. For example, in one race, I noticed that a swimmer had a faster turn speed than usual, and this helped him win. Similarly, in coaching, analyzing data yourself can help you find strengths and weaknesses of athletes. I believe the small-group sessions at the ASCA World Clinic will offer similar opportunities for coaches, as they can directly interact with experts and receive specific feedback. I remember once analyzing a swimming race myself, and I discovered that a swimmer changed his breathing rhythm in the last 50 meters, which helped him speed up significantly. This shows that detailed data analysis can provide insights that the naked eye cannot see. I believe the small-group sessions will help coaches learn how to analyze like that. However, I also notice a problem. The promotional article for these small-group sessions says they are "invaluable" and "the most valuable three hours," but it doesn't provide details about the curriculum, specific content, or maximum number of participants. This makes me question transparency. Are these advertisements truly reflecting quality, or are they just marketing tricks? I have learned that in sports, nothing guarantees success except verifying reality. I often verify information myself before trusting it, and I advise coaches to do the same. Another important point is the change in the certification system. ASCA will launch a completely new certification system on November 2, and this conference is the last chance to receive certification under the old system. This creates time pressure, but also an opportunity. However, I worry that this change could cause instability for coaches, especially those who already have old certifications. Will they have to retrain? Will they have to pay more fees? The article doesn't mention these things. I think ASCA should be more transparent about the transition process to avoid confusion in the community. Strategically, I see that ASCA is trying to elevate the status of the coaching profession. The theme "Grassroots to Podium" shows they recognize that coaching quality at the grassroots level determines success at the top. This is a correct mindset, and I believe investing in coaching education will bring long-term benefits. However, I also see that creating high-priced small-group sessions could be a way to increase revenue, and this could create inequality in the coaching community. Those with better financial means will have access to legendary coaches, while others will be left behind. I also want to talk about the difference between sports. As a multi-sport commentator, I have witnessed many different approaches in coaching. In swimming, technique is the most important factor, but in football, tactics play a bigger role. However, there is a common point: all great coaches have the ability to listen and understand their athletes. This is reflected in how Herbie Behm and Gregg Troy approach. They not only teach technique but also inspire and build trust. This is what I hope coaches will learn from this conference. I also want to talk about the impact of this event on world swimming. The US is one of the swimming powerhouses, and ASCA's change in the certification system could affect coaching standards globally. Many other countries, including Vietnam, often learn from the US model. If the new system is better, it could improve coaching quality in many places. But if it causes instability, it could have negative effects. I hope ASCA will announce details about the new system as soon as possible, so coaches can prepare well. In 11 years of following swimming, I have witnessed many changes in coaching. From using motion analysis technology to applying sports psychology methods, the coaching profession is becoming more complex. I believe the small-group sessions at the ASCA World Clinic will help coaches update the latest trends, and I would love to attend if I had the chance. I want to offer a contrarian perspective. Is this "last chance" really an opportunity, or just a marketing tactic to drive sales? I have seen many organizations use the "last chance" trick to create buying pressure, and I think coaches should be cautious. Ask yourself: if the new certification system is better, why rush to get the old one? Maybe you should wait and learn about the new system before deciding. Additionally, the high-priced small-group sessions may not be worth the advertising. No detailed curriculum, no testimonials from past attendees, only promises. I believe caution is necessary, and I advise coaches to seek information from multiple sources before making a decision. I also want to question whether the small-group sessions truly offer superior value compared to traditional lectures, or if they are just a way to increase ticket prices. Regardless, I believe investing in coaching education is the right thing. Each sport is a separate universe, and I am fortunate to be a traveler among those orbits. I hope the ASCA World Clinic 2026 will be successful, and that the new certification system will improve coaching quality worldwide. But I also hope coaches will stay alert, not be swayed by flashy advertisements, but experience and evaluate for themselves. Because, ultimately, the quality of a coach is not in the certificate, but in the ability to inspire and develop athletes. I hope coaches will always remember that, no matter how the certification system changes, the ultimate goal remains the development of athletes.