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?
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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?
When any coach tells you a seven year old is technically ready, I'd ask him "ready for what"? Most novice or beginner swimmers at almost any age should all be looked at as diamonds in the rough. I've had high school swimmers unable to swim one length of the pool without picking their head up and stopping, end up Junior National Qualifiers and All-Americans. I've also seen and heard of age group superstars who either quit before they entered high school or improved very little as they grew older. If the coach knows what they're talking about, can teach proper stroke mechanics and keep children excited and motivated, your daughter will have a great experience. One of the most important things your daughter can find from this experience and future experiences are life-long friends and the work-ethic a good sports program can foster. Good luck to you and your daughter and make sure the program at her age keeps the "fun" in fundamentals. Coach T.
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?
When any coach tells you a seven year old is technically ready, I'd ask him "ready for what"? Most novice or beginner swimmers at almost any age should all be looked at as diamonds in the rough. I've had high school swimmers unable to swim one length of the pool without picking their head up and stopping, end up Junior National Qualifiers and All-Americans. I've also seen and heard of age group superstars who either quit before they entered high school or improved very little as they grew older. If the coach knows what they're talking about, can teach proper stroke mechanics and keep children excited and motivated, your daughter will have a great experience. One of the most important things your daughter can find from this experience and future experiences are life-long friends and the work-ethic a good sports program can foster. Good luck to you and your daughter and make sure the program at her age keeps the "fun" in fundamentals. Coach T.
