I pretty much agree - unless you're dealing with dopey kids. Then, you pretty much have to structure their programs (e.g., age group swimmers). For the mature athlete (mentally mature...) self regulation would seem to work quite well. For me, I rely on the time-tested method of down time due to business/family demands. Seems to work quite well. About once a month, on rough avg., I'm forced to back off on my level of activity.

For me, it's difficult to overtrain on a macro-level. Micro-level, sure, but unless I injure myself (currently) I'm good at allowing adequate recovery. Plus I'm really good at sleeping.

I REALLY do think that structured taper is magically effective. Some of my best days on a bicycle have been after an inadvertent taper.

The article you referenced is quite old. More recent work has been done in Australia with their swimmers.