Age Group Advice - PASSION?

RE: Age Group Advice - PASSION?

Former Member — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 16:05:31 GMT

This might explain why I suck so bad in tris. What are the two sports I am missing? T1 and T2 are practiced that same and as important as swim bike run. From my early days I've dropped 4 minutes off my transitions. That really helps on a 800m swim for me.:banana: My friends would see how long I was taking in T1 & T2 and ask if I had a chaise Lounger next to my bike.:mooning:

RE: Age Group Advice - PASSION?

Former Member — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 14:13:06 GMT

If fitness is part of your family routine together it doesn't have to be coaching, it can be plain ole fun (and they might even learn something). Triathlon is three sports, not one. And, Fort, I have no doubt your kids are faster, stronger, and smarter that just about everyone's elses. Geek: its actually considered 5 disciplines, :thhbbb:but that's splitting hairs and I have too few.:rofl: I agree that if fitness is part of the family routine, the kids will take to it easier. My dad was an athlete all of us kids are still doing something to stay fit. My daughter sees my run. Now she wants to run whenever we are out together. I hope she will pick up swimming, gymnastics, or even ballet. Anything that she enjoys and will help her be fit.:banana:

RE: Age Group Advice - PASSION?

aquageek — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 12:58:31 GMT

I don't consider changing clothes a sport but I do see your point, those activities do impact your time.

RE: Age Group Advice - PASSION?

aquageek — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 10:36:35 GMT

Geek: its actually considered 5 disciplines, This might explain why I suck so bad in tris. What are the two sports I am missing?

RE: Age Group Advice - PASSION?

Former Member — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 05:10:11 GMT

I don't consider changing clothes a sport but I do see your point, those activities do impact your time. Just like a turn impacts your time on a swim. In theatre they have dress rehearsals for this very reason...you must practice these. It's not like you can avoid the transition like you can avoid turns in OW. *snicker*

RE: Age Group Advice - PASSION?

dorothyrde — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 02:54:09 GMT

I am sooooo bad at transitions. The last thing I like to do is change in a hurry.........

RE: Age Group Advice - PASSION?

Former Member — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 12:22:47 GMT

Ryan, on the other hand, and several of his same-age team mates, were busy playing with some Star Wars spaceships on the deck in between races!! :) What other races??? Hey if they had Star wars ships at masters meets I'd be playing with them too! You're blessed, he likes swimming and Star Wars...you're doing something right ;) Ken, Ryan sounds like a normal 8 year old boy. 10 and under boys are notorious for no focus at a meet, missing their heats because they are playing, just being goofy. Girls tend to be better at focusing although my daughter was always goofing with the boys(and still does, oh my). Had this discussiong briefly this am. My 6 year old boy has had notes on his take home work to "focus." Mrs Stud is worrying he'll be left behind. I tell her he's a boy--they just don't focus. It's tough because our daughter went through first and we had none of this...

RE: Age Group Advice - PASSION?

swimr4life — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 09:53:34 GMT

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. AMEN! I couldn't have said it better myself. Our jobs as parents is to love our children unconditionally. Let the coach do the coaching. Its very hard sometimes to do this! My oldest daughter (18 years old) made my day the other day when she thanked me for not putting pressure on her when she swam USS. She said she saw many of her friends stuggling with this and they ended up HATING swimming and quitting. My daughter is still swimming on the club team at UGA and swimming Masters! :banana: She loves swimming!

RE: Age Group Advice - PASSION?

dorothyrde — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 08:01:51 GMT

Ken, Ryan sounds like a normal 8 year old boy. 10 and under boys are notorious for no focus at a meet, missing their heats because they are playing, just being goofy. Girls tend to be better at focusing although my daughter was always goofing with the boys(and still does, oh my). Sounds like he is doing what he should be doing, having fun!

RE: Age Group Advice - PASSION?

Former Member — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 06:50:23 GMT

I think there IS a place for informed parental coaching. That is when the child's coach is inattentive or not very good. It isn't always easy to just change programs either - depending on the pool location, schedule etc. I like my kids' club coach. But she seems to simply not emphasize streamlining on the start. So I talk about that with my kids. It's mostly a reminder. Also - video taping is one thing a parent can do that a coach will not do. My boys really like to see video tapes of their races. We look at them together and the boys can coach themselves.

RE: Age Group Advice - PASSION?

Former Member — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 05:19:21 GMT

I wouldn't push too hard. I was a swimmer growing up. When I started swimming in high school I was really pushed. I had a couple college offers which made my parents and coaches push even harder. One thing I remember most was burnout. Since your kid is starting even younger than I had, you have to be careful of burning them out. If it's not their passion and you push them into it, they're going to rebel against it or again, burn out.

RE: Age Group Advice - PASSION?

Former Member — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 05:12:49 GMT

Folks THANK YOU so very much!! This turned into quite a valuable discussion. Our son (Ryan) wasn't feeling well this afternoon, so we skipped practice. Therefore I can't get his times from last Sunday's meet. They were not much to write home about as he was clearly slower than some of the other kids. But, then again, he's really had only a few practices under this more formal system!! He's good ... but I realize it will take time!! I guess some of my curiosity about PASSION really stemmed from this past meet. I noticed some of the kids, especially some of the little girls, seemed to be really serious about their performance. They watched the other races intently and I even saw some pestering coaches about different techniques at times. Ryan, on the other hand, and several of his same-age team mates, were busy playing with some Star Wars spaceships on the deck in between races!! :) What other races??? I just hope I can help him find his PASSION (hopefully swimming, but maybe something else ...) so he can take advantage of his natural abilities. One thing I know he enjoys is "racing" his Dad. We haven't done that for a while as my shoulder was acting up. But, when we last tried it, he could beat me IF he wore fins. No fins? His 57 yr old Dad won!! HA!! Again, thanks for all of the ideas and suggestions. Cheers!! Ken

RE: Age Group Advice - PASSION?

Former Member — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 14:32:18 GMT

Please don't push! Remember the bigger picture. Your longterm relationship with your child is the most precious thing you have to offer. Ulimately, it is always their choice and always will be - make sure they feel listened to, supported, encouraged, and connected to you, regardless of performance.

RE: Age Group Advice - PASSION?

Former Member — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 13:36:57 GMT

Stud: You keep right on giving advice. I'm keeping my trap shut. Hehe I'm not saying you have to tell her anything, My one even apologised for not listening to me once when I was coaching her team. I can't remember the last thing I said to her about her play anyhow...beyond telling her to give 110%. She needs a boot up the jacksie to get her going...her coach asked me if I was OK with him pushing her...I told him "He'd get no argument from me...and we tell her to give her all even if it's only 10 minutes and then come off and rest..." Then there's the offside rule. They explained it, but how many kids will stand up in front of the friends and admit they didn't understand at training? We went through it at home and now she knows--I think. It's very different with teens.

RE: Age Group Advice - PASSION?

Former Member — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 13:13:48 GMT

Some pressure can be positive. The point at that age is to have fun but If you tell them to beat the kid next to them and try to get a time, that is encouraging. If they don't win just say nice job that was a good swim even if it was bad. Fortress, you know times at that age definatly matters :agree:, just kidding, but it does matter a little. Also I know times at that age times don't predict the future, I was just curious to see what they were.

RE: Age Group Advice - PASSION?

Former Member — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 13:11:28 GMT

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." You have a teen...the "look" is de rigeur. :D You can still give advice...even if they pull faces...just never lead in with a checklist of what they did wrong. It also depends on the kid. Lucky for me, mine plays soccer, and she has seen me play, and has asked me to help coach so she knows I understand the game. Usually it's minor things and I try to get her to explain what happened or didn't happen then give my input. My son is just too young at 5 to do anything other than go and run around...though he gave me a detailed play by play of his goal Saturday... :lmao:

RE: Age Group Advice - PASSION?

Former Member — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 13:03:14 GMT

Ryan Lochte is coached by his father, no? Certainly the exception to the rule, but I had to point it out.

RE: Age Group Advice - PASSION?

Former Member — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 13:00:42 GMT

Don't push. Encourage him. Don't let them give up at first challenge either. Tell him to give his best efforts in the races/game but don't force him to play or race. Never scream out from the bleachers about mistakes. Ask if they have fun after the race/game. Talk about things they can work on doing right after (but only if you know what you're talking about). End the discussion on a positive note about something they did really well. And last...Never wear anything remotely embarrassing... :rofl:

RE: Age Group Advice - PASSION?

Former Member — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 12:26:34 GMT

Other fun family activities in Charlotte include paint ball, NASCAR and pig pickin's.

RE: Age Group Advice - PASSION?

The Fortress — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 10:21:39 GMT

You have to remember, though, that being nationally ranked at 12 can be a result of a lot of factors that don't always get recognized. Many kids who are great as age-groupers are just ahead of the curve in growth and coordination. Eventually things even out and they aren't the biggest and strongest anymore. If ever there was an age group where the discrepancy in size was glaring it's the 11-12 boys. Some of them look 8 and others look 15. I am well aware of this phenomenon. I myself was one of those early maturing nationally ranked 12 years old. I didn't particularly enjoy the very rough transition from tallest to shortest, but I stuck with the sport because I loved it. The most successful 12 year old boys do look like "men." However, the boy I refered to was, as a 12 year old, small and skinny with the most beautiful flowing strokes ever. He was a natural in the pool. Nowadays, I see monstrously tall 12 year old girls too. Swimming attracts the tall.

RE: Age Group Advice - PASSION?

gobears — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 10:17:38 GMT

The real rub is for the natural athlete who excels at swimming, but also excels at other sports. A 13 year old boy on our USA team, nationally ranked as a 12 year old, just quit swimming for other sports. Without the lure of other sports, it's easier to fully dedicate yourself to swimming because it's where you feel most comfortable. For others, it can be a huge sacrifice. You have to remember, though, that being nationally ranked at 12 can be a result of a lot of factors that don't always get recognized. Many kids who are great as age-groupers are just ahead of the curve in growth and coordination. Eventually things even out and they aren't the biggest and strongest anymore. If ever there was an age group where the discrepancy in size was glaring it's the 11-12 boys. Some of them look 8 and others look 15.

RE: Age Group Advice - PASSION?

The Fortress — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 10:10:40 GMT

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!) The real rub is for the natural athlete who excels at swimming, but also excels at other sports. A 13 year old boy on our USA team, nationally ranked as a 12 year old, just quit swimming for other sports. Without the lure of other sports, it's easier to fully dedicate yourself to swimming because it's where you feel most comfortable. For others, it can be a huge sacrifice.

RE: Age Group Advice - PASSION?

swimmieAvsFan — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 10:00:44 GMT

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!)

RE: Age Group Advice - PASSION?

ande — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 09:37:53 GMT

be proud of him encourage him he's gotta want it let the coach coach get him to practice on time make sure swimming is what he wants to do he's only eight 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

RE: Age Group Advice - PASSION?

gobears — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 09:35:30 GMT

Some pressure can be positive. The point at that age is to have fun but If you tell them to beat the kid next to them and try to get a time, that is encouraging. I don't know. There was a dad on one team I coached that used to tell his daughter constantly that she needed to beat her best friend. He was really obnoxious. He would be obviously irritated if she didn't win. It was just so very obvious that HE was the one that needed to be in the water racing. 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.