My team just got a new coach about four months ago. Now personally, I don't have any major problems with this coach. He gives a pretty good workout, he is quite knowledgeable about stroke techniques, and he is trying to build some team unity. Admittedly, we have had some issues with him about showing up for workouts a few minutes late and relying too much on the pool lifeguards to provide us with a workout when he sometimes doesn't show (a much bigger problem for the newer/less experienced swimmers).
The big conflict seems to be from the beginning/intermediate swimmers and the triathletes (I'm also a triathlete, but I have a pretty strong swimming background). Now, this may seem quite trivial, and even a little bit petty to those of us who swam in college and have an intense competitive drive and thrive on the thrill of a good swim, but many of our intermediate/beginners are complaining that they are not getting recognition for their efforts. Thinking back to my early age group days, I can remember when a coach simply saying "good job" to me meant everything. It's what kept me coming back for more painful workouts the next week. Now swimming Masters, I really don't care if a coach singles me out for accomplishing something. I'm happy with an occasional Top Ten or winning a medal at Nationals. But we are now losing a lot of swimmers because they feel they are working for nothing. They don't see why they should swim Masters vs. just lap swim.
What's brought this to a head is that this morning, after workout, my wife sent me a text expressing how disgusted she was with our coach. She didn't go into specifics, but she ended with the statement "I'm done!". I didn't see what brought this on, but I did notice that halfway through workout, she was just swimming laps by herself. Back and forth, no stopping. I glanced at our coach, and he gave me a confused look, saying "so-and-so just wants to swim". While I'm not trying to make excuses for anyone, coach is a pretty young guy, with most of our members being 20-30 years older than him, and I think he might be a bit nervous expressing himself to some of us.
So heck, now I'm stuck in the middle. What do I do? Do I try to talk to the coach? Do I stay out of it? Help!
Well, it looks to me like this thread has run its course. I do appreciate the suggestions (constructive ones, that is), but I think this has degenerated into a bit too much off-topic sniping.
One of the problems with the Internet, I guess. Too easy to misconstrue meanings, and too hard to get the whole story across.
No hard feelings, but I'm done here.
Well, it looks to me like this thread has run its course. I do appreciate the suggestions (constructive ones, that is), but I think this has degenerated into a bit too much off-topic sniping.
One of the problems with the Internet, I guess. Too easy to misconstrue meanings, and too hard to get the whole story across.
No hard feelings, but I'm done here.
I don't blame you.
You know, I wasn't going to say anything because I'm sure the flames will come raining down - but the only thing that really bothered me about this thread was the juvenile mud-slinging and borderline bullying. Who wants to post in such a hostile environment?
You know, I wasn't going to say anything because I'm sure the flames will come raining down - but the only thing that really bothered me about this thread was the juvenile mud-slinging and borderline bullying. Who wants to post in such a hostile environment?
Having been a victim of juvenile bullying on these forums (from the same person(s) who disliked my favorite font) :shakeshead:, I hear you. All I can say to all posters on these forums is don't let the bad apples spoil it for you, and run you off. Most of the posters are kind, helpful, and supportive. I have even received GREAT stroke technique feedback when requested and have made some really nice friends who I look forward to seeing at Nationals and other meets.
Gobears, you won't be alone; I'm sure I will hear plenty from this post, too! :bighug:
Wow, Aquageek, I'm so humbled by your reply. :D People like you are the reason we should all join a Masters team.
Fortress, I jokingly refer to myself as an anchor. I'm not that slow. My experience on a team would never be the same as yours. You're a strong, highly experience swimmer. Any coach would love to have you on the team. Sometimes competitive can spill over into elitist. I guess I don't read what you do into Julia's comments. There's diversity of opinion on the threads and hers is just one among many.
Am I the only one who is confused by this thread?
Now personally, I don't have any major problems with this coach...Admittedly, we have had some issues with him about showing up for workouts a few minutes late...The big conflict seems to be from the beginning/intermediate swimmers and the triathletes...many of our intermediate/beginners are complaining that they are not getting recognition for their efforts.
Many members, myself included, are pretty peeved about the tardiness and no-shows. That's the only thing we're discussing.
Wow, Aquageek, I'm so humbled by your reply. :D People like you are the reason we should all join a Masters team.
There are many reasons to join a Masters team. Most of my closest friends are people I've met through Masters.
There has been an alarming trend on this forum lately of whining about coaching. We are adults, not kids. I've found that the Masters who are most successful, at all levels, are those who make the best of every workout, regardless of whether it is in their wheelhouse or not. Too many Masters get stuck in a rut, same stroke, same workout, same lanemates, etc. Get out, way way out, of your comfort zone. You don't like your coach? Well, make something good of that, but don't come on this forum and complain endlessly.
The absolute best workouts I do are those that I have no desire to ever do in a race. For instance, I steal Fort's workouts all the time. You throw one of those in per week and good things happen. Same if you are a sprinter and do a distance workout here and there.
Swimming is way too fun for all the angst and anxiety I've seen lately.
Wow. Who knew this would end up such a heated topic?
If you think this is heated, keep away from a UK swim forum I’m on.
Anyway, I agree with aquageek, for what it’s worth.
My experience on a team would never be the same as yours.
You're a strong, highly experience swimmer. Any coach would love to have you on the team.
Perhaps not, but you should get the same amount of attention and feedback as the competitive swimmers.
No coach would want to coach me! After having to train solo for 99% of my career, I've developed my own style of training which is nothing like most masters workouts. Even when I drop in on a team like I did last week, I tend to modify the workouts (without disturbing my lane mates of course). Like Celestial, I'm internally driven so it's hard for me to imagine someone choosing to come to a workout and then whining about "working for nothing."
Geek, alas there are no drop dead sprinters on my team. But even my triathletes don't complain when I drop a classic HIT workout on them.
