As we move forward I wanted to give you some insight into my thinking for the next few meets. I have asked the Senior Prep and Junior Gold swimmers to pick one day at the Gobble meet to enter. The reason is that I would like them to think of the SWIM and ROCK to be a big meet for them where they should be swimming their best events. That said, I would like to see them stay with off events for the Gobble meet. Those meets are so close to each other I don’t think it’s in their best interest to spend all that time on a weekend at a pool. As of now I am planning to hold our normal Saturday practice that weekend at Saint James. If your swimmer has a true desire to swim both days at the Gobble meet just have them come to me and argue their point (part of taking ownership) and we will work it out together.
On another note let’s talk about the parent’s role in your child’s swimming and no we don’t have a problem but just some things from my experiences from coaching and being a parent/ coach of my daughters for much of their swimming career.
On giving advice to your swimmer. It's hard to take a step back when giving advice especially because it is given with good intentions. Learning about strokes is a good thing, after all "knowledge is power." I've heard all types of advice over the years, but most often it confuses the young swimmer who might be working on different things with the coach. What is out there has to be kept in context. There may be one perfect way out there somewhere, but I have yet to find it. There are so many variables out there when coaching young swimmers and it always is changing.
As for results. Times are important. Results are important. Success is something your child should strive for and work toward, however if we just look at times swimming can become a grind with less fun. It's important to remember why your child started to swim in the first place. They loved the water, belonging to a group and working hard for a goal.
Failure. If we just look at times, failure will occur especially in this sport with instant results. I have always believe that failure has always been demonized when it is unavoidable and can be turned around and used in a positive way to improve. Failure is a fact of life and sometimes it will hit you when you least suspect it. No swimmer wants to fail. Swimmers do not need to fear failure they only need to understand it. Teach your swimmer that failure is not a monster ready to attack, instead teach them how they can understand and grow from a bad experience so that next time they step up on the blocks they beam with confidence.
Be careful when handing out swimming advice because unintentionally you could be undermining what the coaches are trying to accomplish at practice. By reinforcing sportsmanship, hard work and never giving up you will be a tremendous help to the coaches and your swimmer.
Criticism is important in your childs development and growth in the sport. Let the coach be the bad person in that area. Your swimmer will be better off if you take the role of praising their strengths and supporting their accomplishments because in the end they are looking for your praise. This will help them have good motivation so that we can keep moving forward.
If you need anything please reach out.
mike
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