Do you correct people?

RE: Do you correct people?

Former Member — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 16:59:49 GMT

I'd never give advice unless asked. I would not be offended personally by unsolicted advice but many people are so I just keep my mouth shut.

RE: Do you correct people?

Former Member — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 16:59:29 GMT

He only went to Mexico the second time. The first time he went to "Mezico" :D I would be happy if geochuck were around where I swim :) It was very hard to get on the internet after a few of Margaritas and after two I always spell Mexico as Mezico.

RE: Do you correct people?

Former Member — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 16:54:57 GMT

My advice to you ;)----don't go to Mexico if you don't want to miss posts! He only went to Mexico the second time. The first time he went to "Mezico" :D I would be happy if geochuck were around where I swim :)

RE: Do you correct people?

Former Member — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 16:47:22 GMT

I wish I had seen this thread earlier. I'm surprised so many people think it's not a good idea to give unsolicited advice that will benefit someone, but a recent experience, not swimming related, did confirm to me that you folks are right, not just in swimming. Your well-intentioned help can not only be ill-interpreted but even cause much worse consequences . :bitching: But anyway, I myself would be most grateful if some good swimmers at the pool would tell me what problems they have observed of my swimming. Interestingly I've hardly seen anyone correcting strangers' swim problems.

RE: Do you correct people?

Former Member — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 15:38:40 GMT

Same here. I've done it and had both reactions. I've been on the receiving end, too, once, when someone who was a horrible swimmer tried to advise me on my flip turns (I was throwing too much water onto the deck, in her opinion), and I just thanked her and moved on, but I didn't ask for her advice and wasn't happy she offered. When I ask for help, I listen, because I'm asking someone I think can help me. So, I figure if someone wants advice, they'll ask. I also think that as long as they're in the water swimming, it's a good thing. Once they get to a point where they're open to advice they'll either get lessons or start asking.

RE: Do you correct people?

Former Member — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 14:51:13 GMT

I only give advice to people on my team at practice, and only if they either ask for it or I see them struggling with some basic things. There was a woman who couldn't figure out why she was getting so winded, so I watched her swim and noticed a few things. I pointed them out, and she came up to me after practice and thanked me.

RE: Do you correct people?

Former Member — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 14:04:04 GMT

Yes I do. I missed this when it was first posted. I was in Mezico for the winter and had hard time getting on the net. The second time it came up I was in Mexico for the winter and again trouble with the internet. My advice to you ;)----don't go to Mexico if you don't want to miss posts!

RE: Do you correct people?

Former Member — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 12:44:17 GMT

No b/c I don't like it when others try and correct me (other than my coach). This goes double when said person is slower than I am.

RE: Do you correct people?

Former Member — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 12:03:51 GMT

RE: Do you correct people?

pwolf66 — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 08:32:10 GMT

I tend to want to give advice but when I do approach someone I always ask 'do you mind a little assistance?' depending on the reaction I either point out a couple of things or I just walk away. Edit: Advice is rarely offered and is offered only to those who are struggling with just the fundamentals. If they are an experienced swimmer, I just mind my own business. Unless they're a friend, in which case I give them a double barrel full

RE: Do you correct people?

Former Member — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 05:03:15 GMT

i hate it when some one asks my advice and then tell me I'm wrong. Or won't do what I tell them to do because they don't see how it will help. I told a guy to do some catch up strokes because he wasn't swimming in the front quadrant. His hands were traveling too far past his hips. he said what i told him to do was wrong. he had never taken lessons and had taught himself to swim when he was in his mid 20s. He still weaves his way down a pool.

RE: Do you correct people?

FlyQueen — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 12:53:10 GMT

I've gotten a lot more outspoken in giving in advice in the last year I've been coaching. I have one swimmer however who basically refuses to listen to anything any coach says so in return I have stopped saying anything. A few weeks ago I asked if he wanted help to make his stroke better he said no ... and that was that. I cannot swim on my own without someone saying something to me. Today I got asked if I was a professional swimmer. I laughed and said no. Then he asked if I was trying to be. Again laughter and no. Apparently with my hat thingy I look like one. Usually though it's you are really strong, you are really fast, or where did you swim in college. I don't give advice to strangers ever. I tried to help a former teammate the other day (during what was already going to be a brief workout). I gave him one tip and he actually asked if I'd watch him swim a half lap. 50 yards later I told him some more and I basically ended up giving a non-team member a 20 minute private lesson for free. Oh well ...

RE: Do you correct people?

swimmieAvsFan — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 02:21:30 GMT

If there's something for a teammate, I'll try to mention it to the coach to mention to them. Unless its the blue muppet. I tell her straight up "fix your left arm" for backstroke 8 days a week. and twice on sundays. :laugh2: but seriously, i only correct strangers if asked. teammates, i give unsolicited advice often. guess that's just the coach in me coming out. :)

RE: Do you correct people?

Muppet — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 02:18:40 GMT

I get asked plenty of times to look at strangers' strokes. Usually, I can suggest something simple for them to work on. There have been occasions in the past where I had noticed something in someone while I've been swimming, and they'll stop to ask me about something at some point and I can point it out to them. If there's something for a teammate, I'll try to mention it to the coach to mention to them. Unless its the blue muppet. I tell her straight up "fix your left arm" for backstroke 8 days a week.

RE: Do you correct people?

Former Member — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 13:17:16 GMT

Oko, you have the guts to put your video online! :notworthy: I will not until I feel like I'm doing a bit better. ;) The critique were very useful that I thought about it during my workout yesterday morning.

RE: Do you correct people?

Former Member — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 08:33:54 GMT

Christine, :applaud:

RE: Do you correct people?

Former Member — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 15:52:36 GMT

2fish&1whale, Just continue to take stroke lessons. That is something many people don't understand about swimming. There is always something new to learn. I'll be taking mine soon. :D :cheerleader::groovy:

RE: Do you correct people?

Former Member — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 16:15:42 GMT

I too am in the no advice unless asked camp. I guess I do not want to come off as a know it all or something along those lines. If you ask then I am full of good ideas:drink: Giot Boost

RE: Do you correct people?

Former Member — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 15:44:24 GMT

As a rule I don’t give unsolicited advice to strangers, unless they ask. Same here.

RE: Do you correct people?

Former Member — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 15:30:40 GMT

I will never give advise unless asked. The best thing I can do is to do by examples, like, I'd swim using new techinque and show better results later. That often draw responses from the others. If I'm in their shoes, I'd ask who I feel is a proven qualified person. Thus, I'd check around to see who I ought o ask.

RE: Do you correct people?

Former Member — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 10:02:01 GMT

i have often bitten my tounge, instead of saying something when i see someone fighting their way across the pool..i always tell myself that i'm no one to talk since i have no clue if my stroke is correct or not...on the other hand if it isn't -----:help: it would be nice if someone pointed this out to me before i continue to make a fool out of myself!!!!!!

RE: Do you correct people?

Former Member — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 08:43:46 GMT

:party2: I love to read and learn about techinques! I tell myself that those swimmers will do better if they bother to learn on how they can improve. :D

RE: Do you correct people?

Former Member — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 08:12:29 GMT

I sometimes request help from the coaches. I do help some people if they seem to take it positively. But normally most of the people do not care about their swiming technique at all. I like talk about swimming technique a lot. I do not know what's wrong with me. :thhbbb:

RE: Do you correct people?

funkyfish — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 03:44:11 GMT

I'm in the boat with those who don't unless asked. I've been caught a time or two giving lifting advice to people who were on their way to injuring themselves, but because it wasn't solicited, afterward I felt as if "I talked too much." Swimming-wise, I feel I'm of average speed, but upon looking at recent video of myself, I see where I'm in no position to offer advice. Maybe when I swim a :54 in the 100m free. Till then, it's "swim and be quiet" for me. :banana:

RE: Do you correct people?

Former Member — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 07:41:39 GMT

I never give advice unless asked. I'm often told I have a great stroke (but terrible kick) and one woman who was a paddler, told me, in the locker room, that I shouldn't throw water on the deck during my flip turns. I just kind of looked at her, puzzled, and went back to getting dressed. Meaning, I'd accept advice from somebody who I thought knew what they were talking about.