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.
I have a feeling that suggestions from you would not be welcome, especially if this is as weak of a coach as you say.
Really, I would find her a private teacher you can trust, that you know knows the stuff. And one that is fun, and will bond with your daughter. I believe an 8 year old CAN make a decision if a program is right for her. I don't discount that a child of this age can partake in decisions like this, they are little people and have opinions.
I remember what it is like to have my 8 year old in swimming and it is exciting and you want the best for them. And technique is VERY important at this age. So if she is not getting it there, and it is not an option to move programs, then seek out technique elsewhere. You can TRY to help her yourself, but sometimes that really is not the best for her or you.
My daughter is 12. She takes a semi-private half hour lesson once a week and does two 10 week sessions during the season, one in the fall, one in the winter. We have not done this in the summer due to the distance to this guys house from our house(in the winter he moves his lessons to Champaign). I let her choose that she wanted to do this. She feels it really helps her a lot, plus this guy comes and watches the kids race, so he sees how the strokes break down in races too and then takes it back to the lesson to help them there. These lessons are not an overnight cure. It takes time for them to learn, apply and train. I have taken lessons from him myself, and he is very good. Try to ask around the competive community and see if there is someone like this there. Parents are your best resource.
I have a feeling that suggestions from you would not be welcome, especially if this is as weak of a coach as you say.
Really, I would find her a private teacher you can trust, that you know knows the stuff. And one that is fun, and will bond with your daughter. I believe an 8 year old CAN make a decision if a program is right for her. I don't discount that a child of this age can partake in decisions like this, they are little people and have opinions.
I remember what it is like to have my 8 year old in swimming and it is exciting and you want the best for them. And technique is VERY important at this age. So if she is not getting it there, and it is not an option to move programs, then seek out technique elsewhere. You can TRY to help her yourself, but sometimes that really is not the best for her or you.
My daughter is 12. She takes a semi-private half hour lesson once a week and does two 10 week sessions during the season, one in the fall, one in the winter. We have not done this in the summer due to the distance to this guys house from our house(in the winter he moves his lessons to Champaign). I let her choose that she wanted to do this. She feels it really helps her a lot, plus this guy comes and watches the kids race, so he sees how the strokes break down in races too and then takes it back to the lesson to help them there. These lessons are not an overnight cure. It takes time for them to learn, apply and train. I have taken lessons from him myself, and he is very good. Try to ask around the competive community and see if there is someone like this there. Parents are your best resource.
