News For
SWIM
PARENTS
Published by The American Swimming Coaches Association
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Helping Your Young Child Set Goals
Goal setting for young swimmers is an important process that requires
interaction of the parent, coach, and athlete. It is important to remember
that for young swimmers the goal of goal setting is to learn how to set goals.
The progression for learning how to set goals is based upon the age and
competitive experience of the swimmer. In this issue we will look at one
approach for introducing goals to 8 through 10 year olds.
There are many approaches to goal setting for younger swimmers. The
following approach is presented because it is a little different from the
"normal" routine of coach‑swimmer interaction and one that I personally find
more rewarding for the parent‑coach‑athlete relationship.
With younger, inexperienced swimmers, generally ages 8 ‑ 10, goal setting needs
to be carefully guided by adults. The purpose of goal setting with this
age is for the young swimmer to learn what a goal is, that to achieve a goal a
series of steps toward the goal must be taken, and that some amount of
preparation and work is required to meet the goal. These are very powerful
lifelong skills.
I think it is very important that children are successful in achieving goals at
this stage. For this reason, the coach, who best knows the ability of the
swimmer, should suggest goals to the parents who, in turn, guide their young
swimmer to set goals well within the possibilities described by the coach.
Goals should be objective and based upon time standards or performance
standards. In addition, goals need to be short term goals aiming at
completion in 4 to 6 weeks. A long term goal is a difficult concept for 8
‑ 10 year olds.
Billy is a 9 year old who has been on the swim team for 18 months. He has
all "B" times except for the 100 IM which he has an unofficial "C" time.
He has been disqualified in his three 100 IM races because he has an illegal
breaststroke kick. His best friend, neighbor, and swimming rival, John,
began swimming at the same time as Billy but has achieved "A" times in the
breaststroke and freestyle, several "B" times, and was recently moved to a more
advanced group. Billy's ambition is to swim in the same workout group with
John. Billy's dad and John's dad are friends and weekend golf rivals.
Coincidentally, John's dad regularly beats Billy's dad. Billy's dad's goal
is to see Billy beat John.
What should Billy's goals be and who should set them? Billy's goals must
not be based upon John. At this point in time John is a more accomplished
swimmer. Perhaps he will always be more accomplished for a variety of
reasons which will frustrate Billy if Billy's goal is always to beat John.
On the other hand, maybe John is temporarily bigger and stronger than Billy.
As the boys reach and pass puberty Billy may become the bigger and stronger and
more skilled of the two and beating John may not present an adequate challenge.
The coach should suggest several goals for Billy to Billy's parents. These
goals are based upon the coaches' assessment of Billy's ability to improve in
the next two months. One suggested goal might be for Billy to make an "A"
time in the 50 free. Currently, Billy is only 4 tenths of a second from an
"A" time. A second goal might be to swim a legal 100 yard IM. The
coach has been working on Billy's breaststroke kick several times each week and
is confident that Billy will have a legal kick in time for the next swim meet.
Why suggest these goals to the parents? Two reasons: 1) It is
a good way for the parents and coach to communicate on the progress and future
expectations for the young swimmer, and 2) the most important and most
influential people in the young swimmer's life are Mom and Dad. What
better source is there in guiding the young swimmer towards setting goals?
How should parents discuss goals with young swimmers? I think the best way
is to ask the young swimmer a series of questions designed to bring him to the
goals suggested by the coach. A conversation may go something like this:
Parent: "Billy, our team is hosting a meet in six weeks. Do you have
any goals for our meet?"
Billy: "What's a goal?"
Parent: "A goal is something you want to do that you have never done
before."
Billy: [without hesitation] "I want to swim in John’s group!"
Parent: "Someday I think you will. What does it take to move up to
that group?”
Billy: “Coach says I need an A time.”
Parent: "Do you know what your best time is?"
Billy: "No"
Parent: "Coach says you have 32.2 and that's only 4 tenths of a second
from an "A" time which is a 31.8. Would you like to make an "A" time?
Billy: "YEA!"
Parent: "Do you know how short 4 tenths of a second is?"
[Demonstrates with stop watch.] "Coach says you can knock off those 4
tenths of a second just by streamlining better off the start and turn and by
finishing with a long arm and strong kick. What are you going to work on
in practice to help you make your goal?"
Billy: "I'm going to work on streamlining and finishing with a long arm
and strong kick."
Parent: "Great! I KNOW you're going to make your goal! There
is a dual meet with Fairport in three weeks. What do you think you would
like to do in the 50 free in that meet?"
Billy: "An "A" time?"
Parent: "Right! Now let's write down your goal."
The next step is for Billy to write down his goal(s) on two pieces of paper.
He should write his current best time, his goal, target date, and things he
needs to work on in order to accomplish his goal.
His goal statement may look like this:
My Goal: 31.8 "A" time in the 50 free
When: February 17 home meet
Best Time: 32.2
Every day in practice: streamlining and good finishes
Billy should keep one at home in his room where he can look at it every day.
Mom and Dad should ask Billy once every week or so how he is doing on his goal.
The second copy he takes to swim practice to review with the coach. Then
he can keep it in his locker or swim bag and look at it every day before
practice.
Of course, it's a wonderful thing if a young swimmer is aware enough of times,
both his own and qualifying times, to set his own valid goals in addition to
those suggested by the coach. If a swimmer sets a reachable goal it should
be accepted by coach and parents. Most young swimmers however need the
expert guidance of coach and parents to set obtainable goals. Remember, at
this age it is vitally important that swimmers are able to accomplish their
goals.