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
Most kids hate this. I'd leave it to the coaches. On the rare occasion when I try to say something in a constructive way, I get the "look."
Mollie: Mini-Fort only swam 2x a week through age 10. As you know, no adverse effect. It's just not worth overtraining when young.
I have a 9yo fishgirl.
I give advice on little things but I ask for her permission before I mention things and I let her know that if she feels I am being too 'pushy' to say something. She has spoken up once so I hope that I am helping not hurting. Considering that she has turned down other sports to swim, I feel good right now.
BUT, and this a HUGE one. I continue to tell her that I want HER to enjoy it and if it comes to a point where she no longer enjoys swimming (as opposed to not wanting to practice occasionally, we've all been there) then it's time to move on. But so far, in the 2 years since she started competing, she's loving it so I keep my fingers/toes/etc crossed.
Paul
Most kids hate this. I'd leave it to the coaches. On the rare occasion when I try to say something in a constructive way, I get the "look."
Mollie: Mini-Fort only swam 2x a week through age 10. As you know, no adverse effect. It's just not worth overtraining when young.
I have a 9yo fishgirl.
I give advice on little things but I ask for her permission before I mention things and I let her know that if she feels I am being too 'pushy' to say something. She has spoken up once so I hope that I am helping not hurting. Considering that she has turned down other sports to swim, I feel good right now.
BUT, and this a HUGE one. I continue to tell her that I want HER to enjoy it and if it comes to a point where she no longer enjoys swimming (as opposed to not wanting to practice occasionally, we've all been there) then it's time to move on. But so far, in the 2 years since she started competing, she's loving it so I keep my fingers/toes/etc crossed.
Paul
