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
Yes, but you cannot ignore the rest. Many of the best coaches were lousey athletes, or didn't compete. But to not have swum, AND to not have any certification AND to not have coached are not good in combination. Even then, I'm ok if someone is realistic and open and transparent. If someone at least tries to break down the strokes, a lot can be achieved.
I guess it's not possible that a club could be short of coaches due to reorganization and be so desperate that they get anyone who will volunteer to fill in? (I even accept that in 5 years, this person may become a great coach if she sticks at it, AND if she frees up enough time to devote to it) I know every other suggestion is more palatable, but I gather from what everyone is saying (ok, not quite EVERYONE) that there's no way that you can have a bad uncertified coach with neither swimming background nor coaching experience? I have zero problem with a coach with no swimming experience - in fact, that's why I'm reluctant to do the coaching myself.
As to the age thing, I LOVED swimming growing up. Nevertheless, every coach I ever had was able to contribute to my techique. I don't know if they were good, but they tried. One of the least experienced couldn't figure out why I couldn't get my backstroke respectable and was secure enough to go to another coach for suggestions (which worked!)
I'm having a lot of difficulty with the suggestion that technique isn't important, or relevant. I'm also having a lot of difficulty with the suggestion that fun and technique are mutually exclusive, or with the suggestion that only a pushy parent would want both. This has nothing to do with my not approving of the coaching "style" of the person.
So far, of the complaining parents, I'm the one that's been the most in the background. I'm trying to find a good suggestion which doesn't involve creating waves (pardon the pun) and which doesn't put pressure on my daughter. Nevertheless, the swimming shrinks are convinced that there must be something wrong with me for wanting to get more for my money (not inconsiderable, I might add) than just pool time.) I find Dorothy's answer much more constructive - does anyone know of anyone like that in Toronto?
My ideal, I think would be to find someone like Dorothy suggests, and have that person help my daughter as well as perhaps also give me tips as to what to watch out for. Anyone have any suggestions for Toronto...? Geo?
Yes, but you cannot ignore the rest. Many of the best coaches were lousey athletes, or didn't compete. But to not have swum, AND to not have any certification AND to not have coached are not good in combination. Even then, I'm ok if someone is realistic and open and transparent. If someone at least tries to break down the strokes, a lot can be achieved.
I guess it's not possible that a club could be short of coaches due to reorganization and be so desperate that they get anyone who will volunteer to fill in? (I even accept that in 5 years, this person may become a great coach if she sticks at it, AND if she frees up enough time to devote to it) I know every other suggestion is more palatable, but I gather from what everyone is saying (ok, not quite EVERYONE) that there's no way that you can have a bad uncertified coach with neither swimming background nor coaching experience? I have zero problem with a coach with no swimming experience - in fact, that's why I'm reluctant to do the coaching myself.
As to the age thing, I LOVED swimming growing up. Nevertheless, every coach I ever had was able to contribute to my techique. I don't know if they were good, but they tried. One of the least experienced couldn't figure out why I couldn't get my backstroke respectable and was secure enough to go to another coach for suggestions (which worked!)
I'm having a lot of difficulty with the suggestion that technique isn't important, or relevant. I'm also having a lot of difficulty with the suggestion that fun and technique are mutually exclusive, or with the suggestion that only a pushy parent would want both. This has nothing to do with my not approving of the coaching "style" of the person.
So far, of the complaining parents, I'm the one that's been the most in the background. I'm trying to find a good suggestion which doesn't involve creating waves (pardon the pun) and which doesn't put pressure on my daughter. Nevertheless, the swimming shrinks are convinced that there must be something wrong with me for wanting to get more for my money (not inconsiderable, I might add) than just pool time.) I find Dorothy's answer much more constructive - does anyone know of anyone like that in Toronto?
My ideal, I think would be to find someone like Dorothy suggests, and have that person help my daughter as well as perhaps also give me tips as to what to watch out for. Anyone have any suggestions for Toronto...? Geo?
