Kids on Competative Swimming

Question
Last summer my children (then ages 11 and 8) swam with our local summer team. They both absolutely loved it, and we decided that they would swim again this summer. Practice started 3 weeks ago, and personally I feel they are doing well. My son (the oldest) had legal swims for all 4 strokes last year but was extremely slow. (We were just happy he was putting forth the effort). My daughter only managed free and back legal, but being a supportive parent, I assured her that for first year she was doing great. (Neither had ever had any formal swim training not even lessons.) This year in the first three weeks of practice, my daughter is now swimming legally for all 4 strokes and we were super excited. (Haven't done fly in a meet yet, but the coach says it's legal.) I know that they are slow, but again, only second year.Here is my question. We have a winter club, but it's a bit more "elite" so I'm not sure my 2 will be able to handle the practices. What can I do with them to help? I don't want to step on the coach or confuse my kids. We do swim at the indoor pool throughout the winter months. Also, what can I do to help with their dives and turns? My son's poor dive looks like a lame dog entering the water (wouldn't ever say that to him, but it does).  Also, we can't dive through the winter at the indoor pool. Both of them can do a freestyle flip turn though it's very, very slow. Neither can do any of the other turns they just sort of turn at the wall. I want to help them reach their potential as swimmers as well as allow them the chance to swim with our winter club if they wish.

Ok not sure if that was clear. I guess I am looking for general information on anything that I can do to help them reach their personal potential. I'm not looking to make them into Olympic swimmers (though they would both LOVE to reach the JO competition at some point). I just want them to do their best and enjoy an activity that they both love.

Thanks,

Barb

Answer
Hi Barb, first I'm a former swim coach (30+ years) so I know swimming very well. Here's my take on it...

First, it takes at least three years of competitive swimming before 95% of the kids get it. A few are exceptional and will pick it up right away. Some will never get it (my son). Most will have varying degrees of success depending on coaching, desire, genetics, and other factors. When I say three years, I mean three FULL years, not summer team. So they are probably doing just fine.

Summer team coaches typically aren't as good at teaching technique, though this can be wrong. A lot depends on the coach. For your kids I highly recommend lessons if affordable. Lessons were the reasons my must successful teams were successful. This is true, even for the elite level (nationals) athletes. Just being able to swim doesn't mean you don't need lessons.

The thing about "slow" is compared to what? Maybe the kids they race against have been swimming year round for other programs or have more lessons. Without knowing times, its hard to say if they are slow. Especially for the 8 year old. Also, birthdays have a lot to do with it. An 11 year old competing against 12 year olds is at a huge disadvantage.

Ok, now some practical advice on teaching diving. It's too long for this format, but if you send me an email address, I can give you a two page report I wrote on how to teach diving. This is only if you let me use your metaphor because it cracked me up!

As far as you teaching them...I have mixed feelings, especially something like a flip turn. If you don't know what you're doing everyone (including you) will get frustrated. I think the dives are ok because they are pretty simple and fun to teach. The other stuff starts getting pretty technical.

I say mixed because I have an ebook that I sell online about how to work with your kids for fitness (soccer specifically, but it could be for anything). I think it's important today for parents to learn because kids aren't getting enough outdoor play time or PE. And if the parents don't do it, who will?

If you're interested, go to my site www.athleticskillsforsoccer.com. (I really want to say this is not a sales venue for me...I'm not pushing it but it sounds like it could help).

Hope that helps. Let me know about the diving. That's pretty fun and easy to improve.