Would you expect a high school swim coach to know what a split is and why it is important?
Last night my daughter was watching my granddaughter's HS swim practice. The assistant coach asked my daughter to time a 500 for a couple of kids. My daughter asked the coach if she wanted splits or just the finish time. The coach said, "Split, I don't know what that is." My daughter explained. The coach then asked, "Why would I want to know that?"
Well, I have to give the coach credit for asking.
Should a HS coach know this, or do I have an unreasonable expectation?
Sometimes it is difficult for a high school to get coaches. I've known new teachers who were hired only if they would accept a coaching position. I agree with pwb that you don't need to know how to swim to be a good coach. But, you did need to be willing to learn. My age group coach was not a swimmer but was trained as coach in other sports. He read and observed other swimmers and was great.
If the coach is approached in a helpful manner, maybe there is hope. But if the coach feels threatened and gets defensive, it will be a bad year. The school may not be able to repleace him if there is no one else.
Sometimes it is difficult for a high school to get coaches. I've known new teachers who were hired only if they would accept a coaching position. I agree with pwb that you don't need to know how to swim to be a good coach. But, you did need to be willing to learn. My age group coach was not a swimmer but was trained as coach in other sports. He read and observed other swimmers and was great.
If the coach is approached in a helpful manner, maybe there is hope. But if the coach feels threatened and gets defensive, it will be a bad year. The school may not be able to repleace him if there is no one else.
