I was reading the Western Australia's e-newsletter. They give all 12yr olds and under a backpack whenthe kid joins a team. It had soemstuff in it. This woudl be a great way to encourage kids here in the states. Has USMS or USA Swimmign ever done anyhting like this?
I know here it is really hard to get kids to stay through the season. ASlso, as soon as the Y's basketball season starts, many leave. It is weird becasue the Y runs both programs. Therefore, they don't lose out.
Originally posted by Dobbie
Basketball .
Let’s say there are 16 kids playing from two teams.
(5 on and 3 reserves)
At the end of the game there are 8 winners.
At the end of the swimming race there is 1 winner and 7 LOOSERS
I agree swimming pays back less from a kid’s perspective.
Do you have kids that swim or play basketball?
I know my daughter was elated to be in the top 10 in all her events recently. You think we told her she was a loser? She was beaming ear to ear. Get a clue, man!
In the summer, the summer rec leagues that cost around 100 for the whole summer are packed with swimmers. They practice in the morning, which means evening is free for baseball, basketball, whatever, the meets are Saturday mornings locally, done by noon. So these parents and kids are usually very happy with swimming, very excited to do it year round, so they come to me around the second week of July asking questions about year round swimming.
First question, how much does it cost: Answer 75-100 per month, meet fees are 2.50 per event, sometimes more out of state, but you can chose your meets, and YMCA duals are free.(parent really frowning here because the monthly costs are much higher than they thought, also 55.00 to USA swimming and 132.oo to the Y at the outset makes them cringe. Paying meet fees makes them cringe).
OK, they are still enthusiastic, maybe they can swing the cost.
When is practice: Well the only pool time available is 7:30-9 mon-thur, then an earlier practice on Friday, and Saturday morning. Coach likes you there 3-4 times for newbies.(another frown, well that is too late, my child is doing, dadadada and da, so not sure how that can fit, and do they really have to swim that much?).
For some reason, they feel the cost of traveling soccer, and traveling basketball and county football better spent. I think it is less expensive than 100 a month.
Basketball .
Let’s say there are 16 kids playing from two teams.
(5 on and 3 reserves)
At the end of the game there are 8 winners.
At the end of the swimming race there is 1 winner and 7 LOSERS
I agree swimming pays back less from a kid’s perspective.
Also.
The 100m Free is over in 1min say. If you get a bad start it's over in 1 second. If you miss a hoop you get another chance. Basketball is about percentages and swimming is about perfection.(at an elite level)
When it comes to actual physical exertion I once read an article that ranked different sports as follows:
3rd overall was soccer.
2nd was water polo. Based on the fact you all go up and back continuously and even when stationary you must tread water. You also use all 4 limbs. In soccer you use 2 legs and a head.
Interestingly No 1 was Motor cross riding. Due to the added fatigue from concentration.
Originally posted by dorothyrde
Comparing Craig's YMCA basketball and his YMCA swim team is comparable.
To belabor a point here, they are completely uncomparable. There are skads of basketball teams that meet and practice 5X a week in all age ranges and have weekly games. There are also plenty of swim leagues that meet 1-2X a week and have infrequent meets.
And, if you have actually played competitive basketball, the thrill of making a basket isn't what you have made it out to be. If you go 1 for 20 with a few airballs, believe me, you aren't getting any sort of instant gratification, as a matter of fact it's darn discouraging.
I played church leage hoops in my 20s when I wasn't swimming and let me tell you swimming, to me, was a whole lot easier than playing full court ball a few times a week. I also got T'd up and tossed for cursing, but that's a different matter.
I again want to point out that it's all relative to your location and the types of programs offered in your area.
As bad as basketball and swimming are, my friends who have kids (mostly boys) in competitive baseball make us look like loafers.
So what is the answer to the first question? Why do the kids quit swimming and join basketball. It must be more fun and their friends are doing it, is all I can think, and a packback is not going to keep them.
Originally posted by dorothyrde
So what is the answer to the first question? Why do the kids quit swimming and join basketball. It must be more fun and their friends are doing it, is all I can think, and a packback is not going to keep them.
Huh? Why do kids quit basketball and take up baseball? Why do kids quit wrestling and take up swimming? Why do kids quit one sport and try another - because they are kids!
If you've ever run line sprints at the end of basketball practice, you'd want to take up another sport.
It's the shoes, it's gotta be the shoes - courtesy of Spike Lee.
Originally posted by Matt S
Hey, here's bit of irony for you. I'm agreeing with Gull while disagreeing with Geek!
Finally, after 1054 posts, you agree with me. Does this mean you're ready to renounce TI?
Originally posted by gull80
And I believe Billy's has better redeye gravy.
The first time I saw redeye gravy was at a soul food restaurnat in DC. At fiorst I thought it was terrible, now I like it.
Dorothy is right, our Y in western Illinios is one pratice one game for six weeks.
However, I was wondering if USMS or other swimmign orgnizations have actually developed any type of plan to keep kids swimming? I know, I never got anything. In Western Australia, swsimming is one of the most poplular sports. Lots of kids participate. They give out bags, what is done here? Has any club coem up with something in ht euS that works to keep the kids onthe team?
