March 1,
2010
News For
SWIM
PARENTS
Published by The American Swimming Coaches Association
5101 NW 21 Ave.,
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After Your Child Swims the Event
By Guy Edson
Long Time
Age Group Coach
What’s the
proper process immediately following the conclusion of the swimmer’s event?
In this article I am going to talk about the age group swimmer who does not have
the same immediate physical need to warm down as a senior swimmer does.
Many coaches
want to be the first person to speak with the young swimmer immediately after
their event is swum. Why? First, the longer the time between
finishing the event and receiving constructive comments, the less the swimmer is
going to remember about the swim. Being lead away by a loving and well
meaning parent for treats or hugs or high fives from Grandpa, lessen the
opportunity for immediate feedback from the coach. Secondly, the coach has
critical commentary on the quality of the swim which is vital for the learning
process and needs to be the first person to review the swim with the swimmer.
If the swimmer hears either overflowing positives, or in some cases, harsh
criticism from the parents before he or she visits with the coach it is very
possible the swimmer is going to be receiving conflicting messages.
After an
event I first ask my swimmers, "How did you like your swim?" I want to
hear their feelings first. In some situations, when a swimmer displays
excessive anger or crying after a swim I will ask them to warm down first, or to
sit quietly in private for a few moments before talking about the swim. In
these cases I am wanting them to learn how to manage their feelings and I prefer
they not visit with Mom or Dad yet.
After
listening to them I proceed to analyze the swim in three basic areas. Was
it a best time? A best time is not the only issue but it is important.
I make a pretty big deal about best times and I want the swimmers to recognize
the importance of always trying for best times. However, I also look at
how they swam the race – was it technically correct with proper pace and a good
start, good turns, good stroke mechanics and a good finish? Sometimes a
best time is tempered by the fact that the swim wasn’t really a “best swim.”
I also look at the race. "Winning the race" refers to beating whoever they
are close to in the heat. Sometimes it means winning the heat, sometimes
it means winning the event, sometimes it means out touching the swimmer in the
next lane for seventh place. The sport is a competitive sport and the
ability to race is important. If a swimmer is successful at one of the
three objectives I tell them they did a good job. If they are successful
at two of the three, that's a better job. If they are successful at all three,
then they did the best they are capable of at that point in time. I avoid
using words like “unbelievable” or “great” preferring to leave them with a sense
that they can always improve.
How can the
parent respond? First, if the child forgets to go directly to the coach,
please give them a quick hug and sent them straight to the coach. Afterwards, I
think the most important thing is to simply love your child and provide
emotional comfort. Congratulate them. Console them. Ask them
how they felt about their swim before you tell them anything. Ask them
what the coach said. But please, don’t add a technical critique, leaving
that for the coach.
There is no
doubt that a healthy parent-coach-athlete relationship is vital to the long term
success of the athlete. Stay in touch with the coach, support him or her,
and direct your children to the right places at the right times.