Our Masters Program consists of approximately 20 swimmers with 1-5 swimmers showing up to workout on any given evening. We swim at the same time as the USA-S team, granted 1 lane, and a workout written on the white board. No formal or informal coaching provided. Now for the problem: Masters swimmers are treated like we are fortunate to have a lane to workout in at all. The coaches do not want to hang out at the pool any longer than required to coach their (5) swim groups. In order not to be considered infringing upon the practice time of the USA-S groups, does anyone have suggestions on how to "play nice" with the "kiddies"? The Masters swimmers would love to see the program grow but the coaches are not on board as the USA-S program dominates. How do other programs operate? How can we increase or even maintain our practice times? Is a certified coach on deck required? We would actually like to have some coaching but again, USA-S is their priority and we are lucky to even be acknowledged let alone accepted. :badday:
I'm going to give this a try:
USA-S is fortunate to have US Masters Swimmers share the pool with them. US Masters Swimmers are the role models for USA-S as they move on in life;
Your workout is on a white board, good. Identify a leader for your group each night to lead the workout. Establish intervals etc. If you want to work on a specific swim stroke or technique, or find the workout not challenging, use the USMS Online Coaching for a workout;
(Un)Fortunately I workout alone, however, there are always younger swimmers nearby. Occasionally, I speak with them ,as adults, not as children. they are responsive to me in a positive way. They seem to be impressed with me when we discuss workouts. I am focused on my workout and they tend to leave me alone so I can complete it;
Today the younger swimmers, and I, worked on our Freestyle sprints together. Our age differences did not matter. Doing the sprints as a group was fun, They seemed to get a kick out it, and I enjoyed doing the sprints with them;
You want your team to grow. Obtain some free marketing materials form USMS. Advertise at the pool "USMS Swims Here". Offer a "Free Trial" period for adults before joining your team;
Maintain you practice time and space by showing up all the time. Since your group is small your lane could be taken over the USA-S, by your swimmers not showing up;
A Certified Coach is not required. Having a Coach on Desk is a good for insurance purposes, and to guide your practices. Hopefully you can obtain a coach with a good eye and can identify individual swimming deficiencies, and can address them for each swimmer. Hopefully you can obtain a Coach with some experience. You could advertise for a Coach right in in the Forums in the Coaching section;
I swim at half a dozen pools. I make sure swimmers that I socialize with know that I swim with USMS;
If you get discouraged watch this, re-group and try again: We Are U.S. Masters Swimming - Promotional Video - YouTube
Kind Regards.
I'm going to give this a try:
USA-S is fortunate to have US Masters Swimmers share the pool with them. US Masters Swimmers are the role models for USA-S as they move on in life;
Your workout is on a white board, good. Identify a leader for your group each night to lead the workout. Establish intervals etc. If you want to work on a specific swim stroke or technique, or find the workout not challenging, use the USMS Online Coaching for a workout;
(Un)Fortunately I workout alone, however, there are always younger swimmers nearby. Occasionally, I speak with them ,as adults, not as children. they are responsive to me in a positive way. They seem to be impressed with me when we discuss workouts. I am focused on my workout and they tend to leave me alone so I can complete it;
Today the younger swimmers, and I, worked on our Freestyle sprints together. Our age differences did not matter. Doing the sprints as a group was fun, They seemed to get a kick out it, and I enjoyed doing the sprints with them;
You want your team to grow. Obtain some free marketing materials form USMS. Advertise at the pool "USMS Swims Here". Offer a "Free Trial" period for adults before joining your team;
Maintain you practice time and space by showing up all the time. Since your group is small your lane could be taken over the USA-S, by your swimmers not showing up;
A Certified Coach is not required. Having a Coach on Desk is a good for insurance purposes, and to guide your practices. Hopefully you can obtain a coach with a good eye and can identify individual swimming deficiencies, and can address them for each swimmer. Hopefully you can obtain a Coach with some experience. You could advertise for a Coach right in in the Forums in the Coaching section;
I swim at half a dozen pools. I make sure swimmers that I socialize with know that I swim with USMS;
If you get discouraged watch this, re-group and try again: We Are U.S. Masters Swimming - Promotional Video - YouTube
Kind Regards.
