My kid is a terrific swimmer - to a degree. He has Jr.Nat's cuts & has even placed quite high at things like JO's & Sr.Champs. However, he does best when he comes in 9th. He can swim super fast in Prelims, but if he comes into finals higher than 9th, he seldom (if ever) improves upon his morning time. If he is 9th or worse, he will always improve & so may have two best times in one day. I have to say, I think he likes being the big fish in the small pond - if he seriously outclasses everyone, he often will do a best time then, as well. I think he has a psychological block or something about performing well in finals & other high pressure situations, but I don't know how to help him get past it. Also, I don't want to screw him up by saying something stupid! He has one more big meet this year, and then he is going into semi-retirement for 2 years, so I'd love to see him perform at his best. Can anyone help me/him?
This is a really complicated question.It is hard to go faster in finals than prelims.Everybody wants too,but many don't.Is he "Psyched Out" swimming in the top eight,was he mad that he didn't make the top 8 and he swims faster mad,was he so psyched up to make the top 8 that when he did he relaxed a little too much,is it your idea of a big fish in a small pond,or is is something or things else? Knowing the causes makes it easier to correct.
There is no one size fits all solution,but visualization and positive imagery rarely hurt and usually help.
Is he aware of this tendency and what does he say?
Allan, I was hoping you'd drop in on this thread!! I know he is aware of the issue, but I try very hard not to interfere with his swimming. When he was younger I gave more input, but now at his age, he really wouldn't appreciate it. So I cannot really effectively answer your questions, but I do believe it is a little bit of getting psyched out. One year, when he was seeded first at Sr. Champs, he swam so poorly he barely made it to consols that night - and then came back that night, (yet, once again) to blow everyone out of the water. (He did WIN JO's one year, however.) So, in some ways, I believe he has a fear of success, although it is definitely subconscious. When he is up against the big guns, he freaks out - unless this is a kid he trains with, and then he does well.
My question is how to talk to him, sort of serreptitiously, to help him overcome his unconscious self sabotage.
I feel so bad for him because this is history repeating itself. I did this to myself as a kid, too.
This is a really complicated question.It is hard to go faster in finals than prelims.Everybody wants too,but many don't.Is he "Psyched Out" swimming in the top eight,was he mad that he didn't make the top 8 and he swims faster mad,was he so psyched up to make the top 8 that when he did he relaxed a little too much,is it your idea of a big fish in a small pond,or is is something or things else? Knowing the causes makes it easier to correct.
There is no one size fits all solution,but visualization and positive imagery rarely hurt and usually help.
Is he aware of this tendency and what does he say?
Allan, I was hoping you'd drop in on this thread!! I know he is aware of the issue, but I try very hard not to interfere with his swimming. When he was younger I gave more input, but now at his age, he really wouldn't appreciate it. So I cannot really effectively answer your questions, but I do believe it is a little bit of getting psyched out. One year, when he was seeded first at Sr. Champs, he swam so poorly he barely made it to consols that night - and then came back that night, (yet, once again) to blow everyone out of the water. (He did WIN JO's one year, however.) So, in some ways, I believe he has a fear of success, although it is definitely subconscious. When he is up against the big guns, he freaks out - unless this is a kid he trains with, and then he does well.
My question is how to talk to him, sort of serreptitiously, to help him overcome his unconscious self sabotage.
I feel so bad for him because this is history repeating itself. I did this to myself as a kid, too.
