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?
When my son was an age group swimmer, the head coach gave me some great advice. I was one of those parents who sat in the stands with a stop watch taking splits and then sitting down with Noah to critique each race. After one such session the coach took me aside and suggested that I let him do the coaching that I was paying him to do, to sit back and just enjoy watching my son improve and celebrate his success. Also to remember this is Noah’s swimming not Rob’s; my job is to chauffer, pay the bills and enjoy the show.
I don't know if I would have loved swimming like I do if my parents had been the split-taking, critiquing kind. One of the things that made swimming so great was that it was "mine." My parents were 100% supportive but never let my swimming become a source of their own satisfaction/happiness. They were my biggest fans. Not only did they "enjoy the show" but they allowed me to really enjoy performing in my own right.
When my son was an age group swimmer, the head coach gave me some great advice. I was one of those parents who sat in the stands with a stop watch taking splits and then sitting down with Noah to critique each race. After one such session the coach took me aside and suggested that I let him do the coaching that I was paying him to do, to sit back and just enjoy watching my son improve and celebrate his success. Also to remember this is Noah’s swimming not Rob’s; my job is to chauffer, pay the bills and enjoy the show.
I don't know if I would have loved swimming like I do if my parents had been the split-taking, critiquing kind. One of the things that made swimming so great was that it was "mine." My parents were 100% supportive but never let my swimming become a source of their own satisfaction/happiness. They were my biggest fans. Not only did they "enjoy the show" but they allowed me to really enjoy performing in my own right.
