Swimming 101

Swimming 101

Swimming 101 is a collection of tips, and information to help you be a positive influence in your child’s swimming.

Positive Coaching
From the Positive Coach Alliance

  • The three themes of positive coaching:

  • Redefining "Winner"
    A Positive Coach helps players redefine what it means to be a "winner." Rather than only focusing on the scoreboard, players lean to focus on mastery as well, which emphasizes effort, learning and improving, and developing the courage to make mistakes and to rebound from them.

  • Filling Emotional Tanks
    A Positive Coach fills players "emotional tanks" recognizing that athletes need to have full tanks to be able to play their best. A Positive Coach strives to achieve a 5:1 "Plus/Minus (praise to criticism) Ratio."

  • Honoring the Game
    In "Honoring the Game" a player shows respect for:
    • Rules - Be sure to follow the letter and spirit of how the game should be played
    • Opponents - Remember that a worthy opponent brings out our best
    • Officials - Respect them even when you disagree.
    • Teammates - Remember your commitment on and off the field
    • Tradition - Remember, it’s a privilege to participate.

 

What You Can Do

  • Before the Game
    Tell your child you are proud of them regardless of how well they play

  • During the Game

    • Cheer good plays by both teams
    • Mention good call sby the officials to others
    • Encourage others to Honor the Game
    • Remember to have fun! Enjoy the day
  • After the Game
    • Thank the Officials for doing a difficult job
    • Thank Coaches for their effort
    • Ask you rchild open-ended questions:
      "What was the most enjoyable part of the game for you? Least enjoyable?"
      "Do you feel you gave it your best effort?"
      "How did you respond to any mistakes that you made? Did you bounce back?"
      "What did you learn from the game?"
    • Tell your child again that you are proud of them. (Especially if the game didn’t go well.)
  • What if...
    • The Official made a bad call against your team?
      (Honor the Game - be silent.)
    • Another spectator on your team begins to berate the official?
      (Hand them a print out of this sheet - remind them to Honor the Game.)


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