Hey sorry this is not quite related to Masters swimming but it is driving me crazy so maybe someone out there can offer some comments. My daughter recently tried out for a top area swim club. She has only swam one summer on a local team. She is dyslexic and ambidextrous so our pediatrican recommended year round swimming as a way to make both sides of her brain work together and also to strengthen both sides of her body. She is just 7. She is not fast yet but improved quite quickly over the course of the seven week summer team. She is a natural glider in the water and extremely tall for her age. When trying out last week for the competitive all year round team, the coach watched her swim freestyle and backstroke and then attempt breaststroke (she hasn't learned as she swam 6 and under this summer only free and back). He then had her get out of the water and stretch her arms over her head. He then had her lay on her belly and it looked like her was pushing her legs and ankles into a *** stroke kick all the way down to the ground. Then he put her back in the water and watched her kick with a board. Due to her extreme height he was very surprised at her age. After this he said he'd take her for the team even though technically she wasn't ready. I am going bonkers trying to figure out what all this means...especially the leg stretching exercise. Any thoughts?
Parents
Former Member
I think it means that he expects her to have a legal back, *** and free, but he is willing to work with her on her *** stroke. Taking her out of the water and instructing her on her kick serves two purposes. Does she have the flexibility already to perform what he is asking her to do, and does she take instruction well.
There should not be anything to worry about. Try outs are about space. There is only so much lane space, and competitive teams have to give that space to kids who are ready to start competitive training, not who need lots of instruction to master the stroke. There are other teams that are less competitive that focus more on instruction than training.
If you are really concerned about what the try out process actually means, ask the coach. He is the only one who really knows.
I think it means that he expects her to have a legal back, *** and free, but he is willing to work with her on her *** stroke. Taking her out of the water and instructing her on her kick serves two purposes. Does she have the flexibility already to perform what he is asking her to do, and does she take instruction well.
There should not be anything to worry about. Try outs are about space. There is only so much lane space, and competitive teams have to give that space to kids who are ready to start competitive training, not who need lots of instruction to master the stroke. There are other teams that are less competitive that focus more on instruction than training.
If you are really concerned about what the try out process actually means, ask the coach. He is the only one who really knows.
