What does this mean?

RE: What does this mean?

Former Member — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 16:40:19 GMT

George...checking out your links. Very impressive. I'll probably be bugging you about my swimming:)

RE: What does this mean?

Former Member — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 16:33:41 GMT

Wow...you've really been through it and not sold out when others may have. I have noticed a lot of political dynamics in this sport. I try to stay out of certain conversations because the less I know about some things, the better. Thankfully, our site coach sticks to his guns, stays true to his coaching technique, and is somehow always there and on time even when his car breaks down, he is sick, etc. For all this, he gets paid...not so much. He is truly in love with the sport - every kid is important no matter what level. I am very thankful we have him here. I would say hang in there, but you already seem to have that down!

RE: What does this mean?

Former Member — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 15:35:02 GMT

As parents we have to be careful. My oldest daughter was in a club and I had been been the coach while my coach was in the hospital. The president of the club was in conflict with our family for years. My brothers always beat him in swimming and this was the same guy who had me suspended from the CASA so I could not compete as an amateur. No more Olympics etc for me. He also had me barred from coaching our club and took over the coaching. I opened my swim school and started teaching my kids and others and they were great. My little kids training in my little pool swimming twice a week would enter the age group meets and beat the local swim club kids who were training under him 6 days a week. He would come up to me and say you Parks are only into swimming for the money. Granted I had a swimming school. We had moved the swim school out of our town and it was 40 miles from our home so my daughter had to attend the local club and he was the coach. She had lots of trouble with him, she would say to him thats is not what my dad said. He is in the swimming hall of fame for our province along with a few other jerks that I know. They asked me to send in my stuff but I do not want my name in the group because I do not have any respect for two of these guys.

RE: What does this mean?

Former Member — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 15:05:32 GMT

We have all come down hard on you. Have you found out for sure how your son breathes? Have you watched him swim? Is his breathing what he described or is it something else? I hope his coach is doing something about it? I have watched him, a lot, and he doesn't mind - believe me, he would tell me. I can't say for sure about the breathing...just going by what he told me. I emailed the coach and he's going to see what the deal is on Monday. And I completely understand about the parent coaching dilemma - I'm not perfect, but in this case, it was out of simple curiosuity. Come to think about it, I was so surprised by his response, I don't think I ever got an answer to the breaststroke breathing question I was asking him! Thanks for being patient with me:)

RE: What does this mean?

Former Member — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 14:38:26 GMT

He's the fastest kid already yet you think "he may be even faster once this breathing thing is worked out"? Didn't mean to irritate you with my assumption that you were trying to coach him...... Ummmmmmm...where did I ever say he was THE fastest on the team? I said "he is not slow" and is "ONE of the fastest" and how does being curious about my son's swimming mean that I am coaching him? I haven't told him to do anything regarding the breathing and like I said, the conversation was about MY breathing and just happened to bring up his breathing which I thought was a bit strange considering how he is doing. Sorry to "p" you off.

RE: What does this mean?

Former Member — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 14:11:14 GMT

"This line of reasoning seemed perfectly understandable to me. I have adopted this style of breathing for free, fly and *** and find it works for me. However, I generally don't discuss this with any of my own coaches because all I get is frowns and comments about not knowing how to swim." Cool...that sounds like what my son does and the logic behind it seems to work. We have all come down hard on you. Have you found out for sure how your son breathes? Have you watched him swim? Is his breathing what he described or is it something else? I hope his coach is doing something about it?

RE: What does this mean?

Former Member — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 13:58:58 GMT

Thankfully, our site coach sticks to his guns, stays true to his coaching technique, and is somehow always there and on time even when his car breaks down, he is sick, etc. For all this, he gets paid...not so much. He is truly in love with the sport - every kid is important no matter what level. I am very thankful we have him here. Be very glad. That's hard to find. We've had a number of Masters coaches who were more like "babysitters" than coaches. Come to think about it, I was so surprised by his response, I don't think I ever got an answer to the breaststroke breathing question I was asking him! Ask us... As I'm sure you've figured out, nobody here is shy about giving opinions, :2cents:, or advice... Anna Lea

RE: What does this mean?

Former Member — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 13:01:46 GMT

No answer for you on your question. I would ask the coach if I were in your shoes. At least you take an interest. And in regards to parents not coaching their kids, from my 30+ years of being around swimming and other sports, I see many more parents coaching their kids than not. Some things will never change. My dad even tried to coach me and he couldn't swim a lap. As a 10 year old I was smart enough to know that the old man didn't know what he was talking about and I ignored him. Or I even did this :laugh2::laugh2: at him. Even as a masters swimmer, I have other swimmers trying to tell me what to do. Maybe 2 of every 10 know what they are talking about. It's life.

RE: What does this mean?

Former Member — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:25:11 GMT

I used to exhale continuously until about 8 years ago. When I got a stroke coach to teach me the elements of wave breaststroke he recommended that I hold my breath until my head was out of the water then exhale rapidly and fully and, finally, inhale for the next stroke. This is an explosive action. His reasoning was that keeping air in the lungs longer while the upper body is in the water also keeps the upper body position at a constant level whereas exhaling must change the upper body position because of changing bouyancy. This line of reasoning seemed perfectly understandable to me. I have adopted this style of breathing for free, fly and *** and find it works for me. However, I generally don't discuss this with any of my own coaches because all I get is frowns and comments about not knowing how to swim. By the way, I swim faster in all strokes now than I did 50 years ago when I competed in college.

RE: What does this mean?

Former Member — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:13:22 GMT

First, I am NOT trying to coach my son. It irritates me when people assume that because I am curious about something I am trying to coach him. I know a lot of people (me included) only read the last post on a topic so think they are replying to the initial message... What happened was, I have started swimming and I was asking my son about a breathing question in relation to me. He feels good when he's asked for advice/input regarding swimming. Upon having the conversation with my son I discovered the breathing issue with him. I didn't tell him to change it or say anything except, "No way! I never would have known you did that!" I emailed the coach to let him know...like I said, I doubt anyone has noticed because his stroke is so smooth and he is not slow. I am glad I found this out because with the COACH working with him, he may be even faster once this breathing thing is worked out. Thanks for the replies! He's the fastest kid already yet you think "he may be even faster once this breathing thing is worked out"? Didn't mean to irritate you with my assumption that you were trying to coach him......

RE: What does this mean?

Former Member — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:06:39 GMT

He should be exhaling continuously while his head is underwater so that he can maximize the volume he is able to inhale when he does take a breath. I agree that he should discuss it with his coach.

RE: What does this mean?

Former Member — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:02:58 GMT

The only time I talk technique with my two swimming daughters,(Senior in College, Junior in HS) is when I have a question about MY technique. Growing up I would sometimes ask them what the coach said about certain things, but did not coach. True Story: I did however coach one of my daughters softball teams in the 9-11 age catagory one season. EVERY practice, at the end of practice, they would do a drill which consisted of hitting a ball off a T, then run to first....with the emphasis on running THRU the bag at first... I mean EVERY practice we did this. During our end of year tourney, girl hits ball, runs to first, slows down as she gets to the bag, and is thrown out by an inch. Coaching at first I hear over my shoulder, "Geez, you would think that they would work in practice on running thru the bag.!" Moral: Sometimes you can work on something but nothing happens until one day "click". Just make sure he is getting good instruction...then trust the coach. Just my $.02 as well Here is something I suggest all swim parents read, especially the new ones to the sport. www.clubwolverine.org/.../Top10WaystoSabatogeKids.pdf #9 under the coaching part refers to your moral above. I have seen numerous parents like the ones Leonard portrays and it is tough to let them know that it really matters when their kids are older.

RE: What does this mean?

Former Member — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:47:18 GMT

RE: What does this mean?

Former Member — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:33:54 GMT

Too many parents try to interfere with the coaching. Maybe your child does not actually know what the breathing sequence is. If you have question ask the coach but don't make any suggestions to him.

RE: What does this mean?

Former Member — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:03:58 GMT

I'm not telling you how to parent your child, but..... I suggest that you allow his coach(es) to coach his swimming - and you provide the love and support. It sounds like he's in a good program. The structure, coach and training that kids receive today in a good USAS program is both amazing and outstanding. Parents, as well meaning as we may be, can totally screw up a great swimmer / coach relationship. As I've backed further away from 'swim talk' with my daughter the more success she's enjoyed as a swimmer - and I'm not just talking about winning events. It's things like not wanting to ever skip a practice and making it up if she does. Eating healthy. Living through the dreaded Saturday 2.5hr 9K IM workout and laughing about it afterwards. Looking towards the summer knowing that while her friends are sleeping in, she'll be in the long course pool at 6:30AM six days a week - with doubles 3x/week. As she's taken ownership over her swimming I've seen her mature and genuinely love the sport - I just make sure she's got a suit and goggles! Just congratulate him on his achievements and allow him to progress and succeed based upon the program that his coach provides - knowing that you're proud of him no matter what he does will take him farther in the sport than you trying to dissect his stroke/technique. Just my .02 as one swim parent to another - FWIW.

RE: What does this mean?

pwolf66 — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:54:33 GMT

RE: What does this mean?

aquageek — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:20:04 GMT

I take my daughters to Wal Mart to discuss their swimming because it's legal to beat your kids there. You might want to try this yourself. If you don't cotton to that idea, maybe just let his coach work on it with him. That's what you pay for, after all.

RE: What does this mean?

waves101 — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 08:47:33 GMT

From what I understand, this is more common than you might think. However, I've read that learning to breath properly will help to reduce the stress on the body and reduce the time needed to have the head above water to get both the inhale and exhale in. He may be getting faster simply because he's stronger, more fit, etc. I would, however, recommend discussing it with the coach so they can work on the proper breathing pattern.

RE: What does this mean?

Former Member — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 06:53:57 GMT

RE: What does this mean?

Former Member — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 06:49:18 GMT

RE: What does this mean?

Former Member — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 06:34:10 GMT

Meldyck: Hijack in progress.... You're in Granby? I used to live in Winter Park.... Where do you swim.....Snow Mtn Ranch? Do you know Karen W in Fraser? Yup, I train at Snow Mt Ranch although there is going to be a new pool near Winter Park, probably by the end of the year. I swim twice a week with Karen at our master's workout and, now, three other times on my own...where I practice my non-traditional breathing methods.

RE: What does this mean?

Former Member — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 06:07:57 GMT

Jack makes a good point. One with which I am struggling with right now. And that is the coach versus parent role. It's a very difficult thing for me with Erika as I see so much potential in her and am dying to help her do her best to reach it but I hold myself back as much as I can (which, contrary to my wife's opinion is a lot) but it is sooooooo hard. Paul I feel your pain. It is really difficult not to cross that line. However, after a good year of backing off ME initiating the conversation about swimming - I've seen a transformation in my daughter (just turned 13). If she wants to talk about some aspect of swimming, that's fine but I always center my talks on team work, friends, good sportsmanship, etc. and not technique or results or anything technical. Also, I speak of her coach with the highest regard, as I respect him and what he's teaching these kids. We are lucky to have a quality coach. It's still no cakewalk - I don't agree with everything that he does, but in every instance I've seen his reasonings always have the swimmers best interest at heart.

RE: What does this mean?

Former Member — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 05:48:18 GMT

Meldyck: Hijack in progress.... You're in Granby? I used to live in Winter Park.... Where do you swim.....Snow Mtn Ranch? Do you know Karen W in Fraser?