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 agree with Stud in that there is nothing wrong with coaching your kids.I hesitate to disagree, but unless you okay it with the real coach it is often not a good idea to coach your kids. Be engaged in their swimming, yes. Ask the coach what you can do to help your kids, yes. But second guessing the coach or providing coaching that may be different from the real coach is not good for the swimmers.
As someone who has swum and coached for most of my life, it was difficult to not provide personal coaching to my kids, without first asking permission from the coach. But I have learned to always ask my kids what did the coach say about your swim, instead of breaking down their race and critiquing their pace, tempo, starts turns, technique, etc. I’ve also put away the stop watch, so I no longer review splits with my kids; I ask what the coach said about your pacing. I leave all of this up to the coach, however I do ask the coach what I can to help and I always make sure my kids know they are lucky because they have one of the best coaches in the world.
I am very much engaged in my children’s swimming and their life in general, but I do not provide unsolicited coaching. And this seems to be working. My son has gone from a novice to an Olympic trials qualifier in 6 years and my daughter has gone from novice to decent middle of the pack swimmer, having fun and making friends. And I couldn’t be prouder of both of them.
I agree with Stud in that there is nothing wrong with coaching your kids.I hesitate to disagree, but unless you okay it with the real coach it is often not a good idea to coach your kids. Be engaged in their swimming, yes. Ask the coach what you can do to help your kids, yes. But second guessing the coach or providing coaching that may be different from the real coach is not good for the swimmers.
As someone who has swum and coached for most of my life, it was difficult to not provide personal coaching to my kids, without first asking permission from the coach. But I have learned to always ask my kids what did the coach say about your swim, instead of breaking down their race and critiquing their pace, tempo, starts turns, technique, etc. I’ve also put away the stop watch, so I no longer review splits with my kids; I ask what the coach said about your pacing. I leave all of this up to the coach, however I do ask the coach what I can to help and I always make sure my kids know they are lucky because they have one of the best coaches in the world.
I am very much engaged in my children’s swimming and their life in general, but I do not provide unsolicited coaching. And this seems to be working. My son has gone from a novice to an Olympic trials qualifier in 6 years and my daughter has gone from novice to decent middle of the pack swimmer, having fun and making friends. And I couldn’t be prouder of both of them.
