Hey everyone, wasn't sure were to put this questions so I decided to place it here. I also wanted to get some opinions from knowlageable swimmers like yourselves so I hope you don't mind me asking this.
Here's the story..
My daughter is 9 years old and has been competing for about 8 months but taking swimming lessons since the age of 3. She's extremely descent for her age (about 35 seconds 50 free, 43 seconds 50 fly, 45 seconds 50 back and 43 seconds 50 ***) just to give you an idea. I decided to pull her off the current team as I feel he was not improving enough as her coach did very little technique training and put her in private lessons with someone I think can really help her learn the little things to make her faster.
Anyways, here is the other thing.
During her swim meets I noticed another 9 year old girl who is swimming with times such as 32 seconds 50 free, 32 seconds 50 fly, 38 seconds 50 *** ect and could not believe it. Keep in mind this girl JUST turned 9!
My question is this,
How is it that a 9 year old child can swim times as fast as many of the top 11, 12 or 13 year olds? Is this a freak of nature? Is it just good coaching? Physical strength? or what.
I did not think it was possible for kids this age to swim so fast. Is there any hope for my daughter to "catch up" to kids like this?
I would like to know everyones opinion on youth marvels like this. I believe this kids has gotten as fast as she will get but that's my own personal opinion. She is sort of short and perhaps as she matures other kids will eventually get taller and stronger and catch up to her times?
If you were in my shoes what would YOU do with your daughter to help her attain these kinds of times?
Thanks
Seriously man, she's nine, relax and let her swim. Hard to tell from just internet posts but you seem a tad bit obsessed. Nothing concrete can be said about a 9 year old swimmer except maybe they get wet when they jump in the water. 33 seconds in 2 months is nothing, I've seen highly trained kids in elite programs do that and better and also go the exact opposite way, with the same pro calibre coach. They are kids, they do strange things with times.
If you don't trust the coach, switch programs. The worst thing you can do for your kid is go berserk about all of this at 9 years.
Word.
I have a 9 year old who swims too. I drop her off at practice and leave. I don't know her times. She says it's fun. She hasn't even swum in a USAS meet yet, which is fine by me.
Swimming is a long career. They have to love it cuz it gets rough. Too much pressure, especially from parents, and too many workouts when young = burnout.
My other swimmer kid was gifted when young and physically mature, but has hit a plateau at 15. Not uncommon. I'm sure your daughter has plenty of room for improvement, especially if she is skinny and small now.
Seriously man, she's nine, relax and let her swim. Hard to tell from just internet posts but you seem a tad bit obsessed. Nothing concrete can be said about a 9 year old swimmer except maybe they get wet when they jump in the water. 33 seconds in 2 months is nothing, I've seen highly trained kids in elite programs do that and better and also go the exact opposite way, with the same pro calibre coach. They are kids, they do strange things with times.
If you don't trust the coach, switch programs. The worst thing you can do for your kid is go berserk about all of this at 9 years.
Word.
I have a 9 year old who swims too. I drop her off at practice and leave. I don't know her times. She says it's fun. She hasn't even swum in a USAS meet yet, which is fine by me.
Swimming is a long career. They have to love it cuz it gets rough. Too much pressure, especially from parents, and too many workouts when young = burnout.
My other swimmer kid was gifted when young and physically mature, but has hit a plateau at 15. Not uncommon. I'm sure your daughter has plenty of room for improvement, especially if she is skinny and small now.
