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
The reason you are getting mostly comments about your parenting is because most people here have either witnessed or been in the same situation you are in with your daughter. Odds are high that she will end up hating the sport and resenting you. That may sound harsh but I'm going to put it out there.
I have coached kids at a huge variety or levels. The kids that are the most successful are the ones that have fun and have parents that care about them but trust the coaches. Being a second coach is only going to piss off the current coach and undermind his coaching in the eyes of your daughter.
You hear stories about top swimmers taking time off and "rediscovering their love" of the sport. Dana Vollmer is a great example of this. I was surprised when she didn't make the team in 08. She is swimming insanely fast right now. Why? Because as she has stated in interviews she had to remember why she did the sport. She does it because she loves it. NOT because her parents pushed her to or her coach wants her to. The most successful people in life and sport are internally driven, love what they do and race with nothing to lose rather than in fear of losing.
I had two sub groups in the summer league group I coached. As the head coach I took the older and more experienced kids and let my assistant work with the younger kids. I focused on technique, made sure we played a game or two each day and that they had fun at meets. My assistant punished the kids, yelled at them and focused on yardage. My group grew and dropped lots of time. His group started dwindling and a few kids said they didn't want to swim the next year. I ended up having to coach both groups.
Right now your daughter might enjoy swimming but she is also swimming for you. I GUARANTEE part of her motivation (wether or not she actually realizes it) comes from her need to please you and make you happy.
If you want your daughter to have success past age 12 back off. Let the coaches do their jobs and let your daughter have fun.
The reason you are getting mostly comments about your parenting is because most people here have either witnessed or been in the same situation you are in with your daughter. Odds are high that she will end up hating the sport and resenting you. That may sound harsh but I'm going to put it out there.
I have coached kids at a huge variety or levels. The kids that are the most successful are the ones that have fun and have parents that care about them but trust the coaches. Being a second coach is only going to piss off the current coach and undermind his coaching in the eyes of your daughter.
You hear stories about top swimmers taking time off and "rediscovering their love" of the sport. Dana Vollmer is a great example of this. I was surprised when she didn't make the team in 08. She is swimming insanely fast right now. Why? Because as she has stated in interviews she had to remember why she did the sport. She does it because she loves it. NOT because her parents pushed her to or her coach wants her to. The most successful people in life and sport are internally driven, love what they do and race with nothing to lose rather than in fear of losing.
I had two sub groups in the summer league group I coached. As the head coach I took the older and more experienced kids and let my assistant work with the younger kids. I focused on technique, made sure we played a game or two each day and that they had fun at meets. My assistant punished the kids, yelled at them and focused on yardage. My group grew and dropped lots of time. His group started dwindling and a few kids said they didn't want to swim the next year. I ended up having to coach both groups.
Right now your daughter might enjoy swimming but she is also swimming for you. I GUARANTEE part of her motivation (wether or not she actually realizes it) comes from her need to please you and make you happy.
If you want your daughter to have success past age 12 back off. Let the coaches do their jobs and let your daughter have fun.
