I am interested in hearing everyone's thoughts about how much practice time should be spent doing drills vs sets. This is in regards to age group training...with specific interest in the 10 and under and 11-12 age groups.
My kids swim in a local club and the majority of the practice time is spent doing set after set. All the coaches do is throw the kids in the pool and tell them to swim laps. There is virtually no time dedicated to drills. I am very disappointed in the fact that my kids have developed bad stroke technique that is not being corrected in practice. As a result, their times are going up and they are becoming disenchanted with their experience.
I am currently a member of the board and would like to address these issues with the rest of the board and the coaches. However, I need information to help me with my stance.
What is everyone's experience with drills vs endurance training?
Thank you.
It depends a lot on the level of swimmer as well. I am currently coaching our summer league team and working with the less experienced kids (7-12). I find myself doing drills with the kids most of each practice. I have always been a firm believer in explaining why we are doing what we're doing. Some of the kids listen and care, some are just there to play.
It's interesting that there are parents out there who are concerned that their kids aren't swimming more. I could just assign them sets and watch the occasional dog-paddle, breathing with the head up, breaststroke kicking on freestyle, etc. They'd get some aerobic work, I guess, but I'd be encouraging their poor technique. It's a difficult balance.
The most amusing thing to me right now is the number of parents who are obsessed with their kids' starts. We do some work on dives and starts but, really, when you aren't swimming the 25 correctly or legally yet, the start isn't the priority...
It depends a lot on the level of swimmer as well. I am currently coaching our summer league team and working with the less experienced kids (7-12). I find myself doing drills with the kids most of each practice. I have always been a firm believer in explaining why we are doing what we're doing. Some of the kids listen and care, some are just there to play.
It's interesting that there are parents out there who are concerned that their kids aren't swimming more. I could just assign them sets and watch the occasional dog-paddle, breathing with the head up, breaststroke kicking on freestyle, etc. They'd get some aerobic work, I guess, but I'd be encouraging their poor technique. It's a difficult balance.
The most amusing thing to me right now is the number of parents who are obsessed with their kids' starts. We do some work on dives and starts but, really, when you aren't swimming the 25 correctly or legally yet, the start isn't the priority...
