Butovich, N. A. Training Young Swimmers (Trenirovka yunykh plovtsov), 1953. In Russian

Бутович Н. А. Тренировка юных пловцов. / Центр. науч.-исслед. ин-т физ. культуры.
Москва : Физкультура и спорт, 1953.
144 с. : ил. Твёрдый издательский переплёт, обычный формат (23 см).
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Butovich, N. A. Training Young Swimmers (Trenirovka yunykh plovtsov). / Central Research Institute of Physical Culture.
Moscow: Fizkul’tura i sport, 1953.
144 pp.: ill. Publisher’s hardcover, ordinary format (23 cm).

This 1953 monograph, published by "Fizkul’tura i sport", is a foundational work in the history of Soviet aquatic sports. Written by Nikolay Butovich (1894–1967), a candidate of pedagogical sciences and a legendary Honored Master of Sports, the book represents the transition of Soviet swimming from a recreational activity to a disciplined, scientifically-backed Olympic pursuit. Developed under the auspices of the Central Research Institute of Physical Culture, it served as the definitive manual for the first generation of postwar youth coaches.
Butovich, often regarded as one of the architects of the "Soviet school of swimming," outlines a comprehensive system for the long-term development of young athletes. The book is divided into pedagogical and technical sections, covering the psychological preparation of children, the physiology of exertion in water, and the systematic progression from basic water literacy to competitive mastery. It emphasizes the "all-around development" characteristic of Soviet physical culture, balancing pool sessions with dry-land "physical preparation" (OFP).
The text is richly illustrated with technical sketches and diagrams detailing the mechanics of the four primary strokes: crawl, backstroke, breaststroke, and the then-emerging butterfly-dolphin style. Butovich provides specific training plans, detailing volume, intensity, and the frequency of training for different age groups. His methods focused heavily on technical precision and the "feeling of the water," principles that would eventually lead the USSR to international dominance in the pool.
For historians of sport and collectors of Soviet athletic memorabilia, this 1953 edition is a significant artifact. It captures the pedagogical rigor of the Stalin-era sports system and reflects the early scientific efforts to optimize human performance. Beyond its historical value, Butovich’s insights into the biomechanics of swimming and the fundamental principles of youth training remain strikingly relevant to modern aquatic coaching.