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.
Former Member
One more thought and then I'll try to shut up. It occurs to me, ML, that you might need to sit back and evaluate your coaching. Your two posts concern me in that they sound awfully judgmental for a middle school swim coach (both about the girls and their parents).
You might ask yourself if there is a reason these girls don't want to swim. Are you making sure you are including the (very important--IMO) element of fun in practices? At this age level (and non-USAS) that's a pretty big deal. Maybe you're good about all that, but it's worth looking at for a moment. Too much intensity at this level is sort of silly. And, maybe if there were some kind of incentive to be in practice more, more girls would find ways to get in the water despite their bodies. Maybe you have some kind of fun reward for swimming so many practices a month? You'll catch way more bees* with honey than with vinegar, or so they say...Let's see. We had an hour of free time today in practice. I sorta planned that to be on Friday, but the whole 4 swimmers thing... I've taught them things like dolphin dives, they tell me they really like the start, turn, finish 50s. I got them a mascot that they seemed to really like. I gave them time to create their own cheers, and time to practice them - they did a really nice job with taht in the meet too (but I forgot a thank you/goodbye cheer). I try my best to compliment the things I see good. I plan to buy a poster board tomorrow, for which I've already bought stickers - each time they get a personal best they earn a sticker to go on the board. I've gotten a lot of compliments from parents, too.
I'm only particularly critical of these 4, and to be perfectly honest, I only WANT to keep 2 of the four. The two I don't want to keep are lazy and have horrible attitudes. And I still feel that one of them could stand to learn a lot if she stayed - she's started to try, but she's very irresponsible - she's the type that fails classes because she doesn't like them, she's already told me she's going to do that for one of them. It's really sad, but if I keep riding her, she'll either quit, or she'll become more responsible and hopefully mature a little bit. In a way I'm teaching more than just swimming. However, the other one is flat out lying to me. I can't exactly check. So how can I call her out on it?
Let's see. We had an hour of free time today in practice. I sorta planned that to be on Friday, but the whole 4 swimmers thing... I've taught them things like dolphin dives, they tell me they really like the start, turn, finish 50s. I got them a mascot that they seemed to really like. I gave them time to create their own cheers, and time to practice them - they did a really nice job with taht in the meet too (but I forgot a thank you/goodbye cheer). I try my best to compliment the things I see good. I plan to buy a poster board tomorrow, for which I've already bought stickers - each time they get a personal best they earn a sticker to go on the board. I've gotten a lot of compliments from parents, too.
I'm only particularly critical of these 4, and to be perfectly honest, I only WANT to keep 2 of the four. The two I don't want to keep are lazy and have horrible attitudes. And I still feel that one of them could stand to learn a lot if she stayed - she's started to try, but she's very irresponsible - she's the type that fails classes because she doesn't like them, she's already told me she's going to do that for one of them. It's really sad, but if I keep riding her, she'll either quit, or she'll become more responsible and hopefully mature a little bit. In a way I'm teaching more than just swimming. However, the other one is flat out lying to me. I can't exactly check. So how can I call her out on it?
Sounds like you're trying hard to make it positive and fun. I think the negativity in your posts was sheer frustration. And I can see why you are frustrated! I'd be annoyed as well.
For your own sanity, though, do what you can but let it go after that. You can only do so much to encourage someone (and you may very well be making a difference in this girl's life without knowing it). This girl sounds like she doesn't have a whole lot of support or encouragement at home. I think the team/parent meeting is a good idea. Perhaps going into your goals for the team and its prior history will be instructive for both the parents and the swimmers. I think rules and sanctions go over more successfully when swimmers understand your intentions are for their best.
Man, I hope you get this worked out soon. Hang in there and let us know what happens...
Alright so this is extremely tricky. First off if you only have 20 girls on the team and 6-7 are sitting out every day then someone is lying to you because periods should only last around a week. Second off I started using tampons in middle school and while I was scared it was fine
HOWEVER
I can attest that tampons are frighteningly unreliable in the pool. Tampond will absorb pool water and the blood that comes after will be pushed past. I can't even tell you the amount of times I've gotten out of the pool only to see blood running down my leg (and I've got a regular to light flow) the only reliable thing I can think of would be menstrual cups (which are way harder to put in and even scarier for a middle school girl)
I would recommend sending an email to the parents gently suggesting to bring the subject up with them (send this to all the girls parents not just the ones who are a problem) and hopefully the mothers will take care of it.
Please keep in mind that this probably has not happened to them many times before and they are probably embarrassed and scared about what is happening to their body not to mention some girls get extremely menstrual symptoms (I would ask for a doctors note confirming that the symptoms are quality of life reducing and not just some cramps).
Another good thing to do would be get a female swimmer friend to come in and talk with all of the girls as a group privately. That might help the most.
Good luck
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.
Menstruation is a part of life for women and teens. From the time they get their period until menopause, most women especially teens dread that time of the month. It isn't comfortable, unless and until the use proper menstrual products. Tampons are safe to use while swimming but they fail to provide long lasting protection as compared to menstrual cups. You can view this link to help your girls to enjoy swimming during their periods.
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!
Just pointing out that the middle school girls mentioned in the 2008 OP are now out of high school and about midway through college.
Dan
I was thinking the same thing... :bliss:
I found this age group the trickiest to coach. I was at one club where a group of five girls were giving me a hard time at every workout. Their parents were never at the pool and didn't know what was going on. Also, I was never comfortable with the period problem. One evening, I'd arranged for an international female swimmer to come to the club. She was the local hero - everyone knew her, and looked up to her. While I took the session with just the boys, she took the girls upstairs to a room over the pool. She explained everything to them, and covered all subjects. She was very complementary about me too, which helped enormously.
From that day on I never had a problem with these girls. They changed their attitude completely. I also changed my approach. I made the workouts much more fun than I had done before. It's worth remembering that swimmers of all ages do not have to come to the pool. They have a choice. Make the sessions enjoyable and interesting, to the point that they don't want to go home and you will have a great team, and a great time too.
I disagree to this. They are middle school girls I am one myself. I have had my period. I do NOT use tampons. I haven’t even looked at one. They are not for young girls. We have stuff to do in school so we want to be comfortable and not worry about if we used the tampon right or not. If you try to make them use them your gonna have some angry parents. Young girls should not have to worry about using tampons yet. They should not have to use them if they don’t feel comfortable with the idea of them. It can cause pain and discomfort we have more stuff to worry about than that
