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?
Karl, sounds like you think a lot like I do. Sorry you've had such bad experiences with coaches. I was fortunate as a kid, and had a coach who got everyone's split & talked to us before and after every race - it was awesome, and I would wish that for everyone, but it's not to be. Our coach has some baggage of his own (don't we all) and I think he just doesn't realize how much he could positively influence the kids by acting differently. I've noticed that as his own children (who swim on our team, too) have gotten older & much faster, he seems to be learning what he can do to motivate them & is trying to apply this to the other kids as well.
We are living in a great time of automatic timing though. Splits can usually be obtained post-race by looking at the results on the wall or wherever they are posted. (Actually, as far as my own swimming is concerned, I kinda wish they didn't post those splits, because it can be rather embarassing. . . lol)
Karl, sounds like you think a lot like I do. Sorry you've had such bad experiences with coaches. I was fortunate as a kid, and had a coach who got everyone's split & talked to us before and after every race - it was awesome, and I would wish that for everyone, but it's not to be. Our coach has some baggage of his own (don't we all) and I think he just doesn't realize how much he could positively influence the kids by acting differently. I've noticed that as his own children (who swim on our team, too) have gotten older & much faster, he seems to be learning what he can do to motivate them & is trying to apply this to the other kids as well.
We are living in a great time of automatic timing though. Splits can usually be obtained post-race by looking at the results on the wall or wherever they are posted. (Actually, as far as my own swimming is concerned, I kinda wish they didn't post those splits, because it can be rather embarassing. . . lol)
