Hi: I'm new to this forum, but it looks like a great place to get information.
I have an 8 year old girl who was in a VERY relaxed semi-competitive program for a couple of years with volunteer lifeguard coaches. This season she joined a competitive club - we thought this would be a good place for her to get her technique improved while she was still young.
Unfortunately, this club's junior coach has never swum competitively, has only coached one year, and has yet to finish her level 1 certification. None of those 3 is a killer, but together they scare me! Also, the coach seems very reluctant to discuss anything with parents, so we're feeling a little uneasy.
I'm not a pushy crazy parent, and I don't want to interfere with the coach. I do want to help my daughter's technique, however, especially her breastroke. She's clearly got some potential there, and I want to ensure things progress. She's swimming 3 times a week, 90mins each tme.
Any suggestions? Should I get a book (any recommended) and try to work with her myself a little (I'm an ex - very ex - competitive breastroker). Should I video her and seek out a coach who can comment? Should I just butt out, hope and pray? I can't pull her and go elsewhere (and I'm not sure I would, as she likes it there, and that's very important).
She also has a very rigid straightleg freestyle kick that causes her legs to tire very easily - combined with her high head position this complicates things for her freestyle. I want to work on that too, so any suggestions?
Any comments appreciated.
Parents
Former Member
If she is having fun and not at risk of injury, relax.
If she is at risk, withdraw from the team and/or complain to the head coach.
If she is not having as much fun as in the other program, consider withdrawing to the other program. It's a judgment call, but I do not think her future as an Olympian or college scholarship athlete will depend on getting serious (as if that is a concept that makes any sense for an 8 year old) at this age. She may be that good, but talent will tell, and burning out her joy in the sport might be the one thing that will surely mess that up.
If you think she would enjoy additional technique work away from the team, consider hiring an experienced coach for one on one, or (with some trepidation) try to bone up yourself. Querry, will you know more about coaching that hew newbie coach? Will any conflicting direction you give her cause a problem with her current coach?
If she is having fun and not at risk of injury, relax.
If she is at risk, withdraw from the team and/or complain to the head coach.
If she is not having as much fun as in the other program, consider withdrawing to the other program. It's a judgment call, but I do not think her future as an Olympian or college scholarship athlete will depend on getting serious (as if that is a concept that makes any sense for an 8 year old) at this age. She may be that good, but talent will tell, and burning out her joy in the sport might be the one thing that will surely mess that up.
If you think she would enjoy additional technique work away from the team, consider hiring an experienced coach for one on one, or (with some trepidation) try to bone up yourself. Querry, will you know more about coaching that hew newbie coach? Will any conflicting direction you give her cause a problem with her current coach?
