I just became the coach of my first swim team, and I, being a male, am having a hard time with the whole period thing. My girls are middle school level, and a little shy about the subject, as am I. Now, I know that you can swim on your period by using a tampon, but they cringed at the idea. However, on a 20 girl team, I've got as many as 6-7 girls sitting out daily because of it. I know that's far FAR too high. I'm about this close to going out and buying a box of tampons to shove in their face if they don't dress.
So my questions are:
How necessary is it that you wear a tampon? Is it an every day thing? are there times when it's worse than others?
And, how can I easily make the lives of the swimmers who don't swim (and keep in mind it has to be for a group of 6-7 people) a living hell. I need a dry land work out that can be done on the pool deck that takes little effort to watch (so I can coach the other girls) and something they can't really slack off - I keep giving them push ups and they barely go down.
I really can't think of anything outside of making the actual swim session fun, so if you guys have ideas on how to do that too it might work, too. It need to work on something important though.
I'm a long time Track, XC, and gymnastics coach at the middle school level. These girls are milking you because you are a male.
I will say that you are probably NOT the person who needs to talk to the girls about this situation. Perhaps you could enlist an activity-friendly female PE Teacher,female- nurse, or maybe just meet with the parents of the girls and explain the need to train and the fact that physical activity will lighten their cramps, help them feel normal during their periods, and help them understand how the wonders of puberty will help them build muscle mass and become a stronger, faster swimmer. Having a period is not a sickness, it's truthfully a gift and it shouldn't be treated as a curse.
It is totally possible to swim without a tampon if the girl's aren't using them. Once they're in the water the flow will stop; the key is to get in immediately upon deck arrival.
Good luck. I still teach PE and Health in the public schools. I believe our society is turning kids into wimps these days. We need to empower our young and teach them to take great care of their body through proper nutrition and exercise. Even though pushing yourself can be a hard thing to do, the mental/physical strength gained by breaking an uncomfortable barrier can help gain self-efficacy and teach kids that they are not a victim of their body; they have total control to be healthy, strong , and unflappable!
I'm a long time Track, XC, and gymnastics coach at the middle school level. These girls are milking you because you are a male.
I will say that you are probably NOT the person who needs to talk to the girls about this situation. Perhaps you could enlist an activity-friendly female PE Teacher,female- nurse, or maybe just meet with the parents of the girls and explain the need to train and the fact that physical activity will lighten their cramps, help them feel normal during their periods, and help them understand how the wonders of puberty will help them build muscle mass and become a stronger, faster swimmer. Having a period is not a sickness, it's truthfully a gift and it shouldn't be treated as a curse.
It is totally possible to swim without a tampon if the girl's aren't using them. Once they're in the water the flow will stop; the key is to get in immediately upon deck arrival.
Good luck. I still teach PE and Health in the public schools. I believe our society is turning kids into wimps these days. We need to empower our young and teach them to take great care of their body through proper nutrition and exercise. Even though pushing yourself can be a hard thing to do, the mental/physical strength gained by breaking an uncomfortable barrier can help gain self-efficacy and teach kids that they are not a victim of their body; they have total control to be healthy, strong , and unflappable!
