Last weekend, I was at a USS swim meet and heard parents and coaches complaining about the "distraction" of many swimmers now. They blame this distraction (in addition to the rise of the boy/girl crazy period) on the advent of cell phones and IM-ing, etc. Apparently, at meets, and I've seen it, the kids spent scads of time on their cells phones, phoning friends, phoning kids across the pool, texting constantly (even to kids 5 feet away). Then they go home and IM for hours, checking and gossiping over the instant meet results and who beat who. Now, all the swimmers seem to know each other because, even if they're not on the same team or live in different states, they now can communicate easily via IM-ing and texting. I heard one coach say he's not sure how to get his swim kids to focus in this new techo-age. Obviously, some kids are focused like lasers, but I see an abundance of chatting and cell phone use too. Would kids do better without cell phones at meets? And is technology distracting them? Some seem to be swimming blazingly fast, but are others not swimming up to their potential because of this?
Yep I coached them at 9 and 10, but something happens in Junior high, and yes I make them run laps, me right with them.....and still no concentration.
I am about ready to leave for a game. I know from past history this will be the hardest game of the season for concentration. School got out today, and they will all be flibber-d-digits. Even the most serious lose their minds on the last day of school. But the other team is dealing with the same thing, so no mind. There are some days I really worry one of them is going to get hurt, and I hound them about making sure they are awake when a batter is up.
I made my daughter swim practice tonight to get some of the silliness out. I need her playing a good game, because she often sets the tone(often the most silly of them all. One game teaching all the girls the dance moves to Thriller,:shakeshead:)
Yep I coached them at 9 and 10, but something happens in Junior high, and yes I make them run laps, me right with them.....and still no concentration.
I am about ready to leave for a game. I know from past history this will be the hardest game of the season for concentration. School got out today, and they will all be flibber-d-digits. Even the most serious lose their minds on the last day of school. But the other team is dealing with the same thing, so no mind. There are some days I really worry one of them is going to get hurt, and I hound them about making sure they are awake when a batter is up.
I made my daughter swim practice tonight to get some of the silliness out. I need her playing a good game, because she often sets the tone(often the most silly of them all. One game teaching all the girls the dance moves to Thriller,:shakeshead:)
