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
Really interesting thread.
Getting a good basis in technique seems to be a key in the earlier years, and it seems that should be the focus for the young ones.
I got into swimming rather late (11-12 age group) and the few meets my dad attended were followed by 'helpful' comments like - 'if you would just you could shave 2 seconds off your time!' Now, don't mistake me - he's a great loving dad. He just didn't realize the effect these comments had on my young impressionable self. The subtext I internalized was 'you didn't do a good enough job'. It was well into adulthood before I realized he was proud of me and just trying to help me reach my potential. Kids just really want to please their parents after all! All I can say is that I'm super happy I don't have kids yet. I'm sure I would completely screw them up.
Anyway, seems that RAC hasn't checked in for a while and I'm really curious to get an update. His daughter must be 14 or so by now - how is she doing? Is she still swimming? Are RAC's parenting efforts continuing to achieve his daughter's success? Inquiring minds want to know!
Really interesting thread.
Getting a good basis in technique seems to be a key in the earlier years, and it seems that should be the focus for the young ones.
I got into swimming rather late (11-12 age group) and the few meets my dad attended were followed by 'helpful' comments like - 'if you would just you could shave 2 seconds off your time!' Now, don't mistake me - he's a great loving dad. He just didn't realize the effect these comments had on my young impressionable self. The subtext I internalized was 'you didn't do a good enough job'. It was well into adulthood before I realized he was proud of me and just trying to help me reach my potential. Kids just really want to please their parents after all! All I can say is that I'm super happy I don't have kids yet. I'm sure I would completely screw them up.
Anyway, seems that RAC hasn't checked in for a while and I'm really curious to get an update. His daughter must be 14 or so by now - how is she doing? Is she still swimming? Are RAC's parenting efforts continuing to achieve his daughter's success? Inquiring minds want to know!
