Greetings all!!
A LONG time ago, I was an age group swimmer. Not all that good, really ... basically I was a 5-6-7 finisher from age 8 through high school. (Thus, no one wanted me for anything more serious!!)
My son, now age 8.5, started swimming on a team this summer and seemed to enjoy it. It was at an outdoor pool and it was a pretty laid back program. This month, we started him in a YMCA program that's considerable more organized. He seems to have a lot of natural talent (for his swimming, baseball, skiing, school work) but no PASSION for anything ... yet.
Now, I know that he's young and I definitely don't want to be a pushy parent, but I do have a question.
For those of you who had success swimming post-high school (college level or nationally), when did that spark of PASSION to really do something special ignite? Was it something your parents did ... or, maybe, did not do? Was it a coach? Happen young? Or late?
I want to encourage him but not pressure him. I had little talent, and thus wasn't able to do all that much athletically. But, he seems to have a LOT of natural talent and I don't want to see him pass up opportunities.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
Cheers!!
Ken
I think just being there for your kid 100% goes a really long way. Unconditional love and support are what kids need from parents. The coach can be the one to apply a little "pressure" or motivation if needed, IMHO.
amy, you've hit the nail on the head! especially at age 8, the parents need to back off and let the coaches apply the appropriate amount of pressure. which, for most kids, is basically none. we're the trained ones, not the parents, at least when it comes to the coaching aspect!
fort, our lower level 9-10s are encouraged for 2 days a week, just like the minis. the mid-level kids are encouraged to make it 3 days a week if possible, but again, if they don't, it's not the end of the world. our top level 9-10s, i think, are required 3 days, but most make it more. but a lot of these kids love swimming and don't want to mess around with other sports. (quite a few have realized that they're not quite cooridinated enough to make the same kind of progress out of the water!)
I think just being there for your kid 100% goes a really long way. Unconditional love and support are what kids need from parents. The coach can be the one to apply a little "pressure" or motivation if needed, IMHO.
amy, you've hit the nail on the head! especially at age 8, the parents need to back off and let the coaches apply the appropriate amount of pressure. which, for most kids, is basically none. we're the trained ones, not the parents, at least when it comes to the coaching aspect!
fort, our lower level 9-10s are encouraged for 2 days a week, just like the minis. the mid-level kids are encouraged to make it 3 days a week if possible, but again, if they don't, it's not the end of the world. our top level 9-10s, i think, are required 3 days, but most make it more. but a lot of these kids love swimming and don't want to mess around with other sports. (quite a few have realized that they're not quite cooridinated enough to make the same kind of progress out of the water!)
