competitive swim training for 14 year old girl

Question
My daughter has been swimming competitively for 7 years now and has always shown a natural aptitude for butterfly. She is ranked among the top in her age group in our country (South Africa). She is still training with the same coach whom she likes but does not have a very close relationship with. She has good technique but can not seem to improve on any of her strokes, except breaststroke which used to be her weakest. She is also a good medley swimmer. What type of swimming program should she be on? How often should she be training in peak season/off-peak season? What type of gym work should she be doing? How does one get her mind past her dull spell she seems to be having for the last one-and-a-half years?  I would really appreciate your response. Her coach believes in one recipe for all. Thank you  

Answer
Cheryl--
It sounds as if your daughter is very talented, but needs a change.  Not every swimmer is the same, and can't be trained the same.  She is at an age where she should be training 6 days a week, twice a day all year round, with a week or so break after both winter and summer nationals to regroup and get ready for the next season.  It is also necessary to let her decide if this is what she wants to do, she's been competitive for half her life she may need a break.
It may be time to talk to some other coaches in your area and think about a coaching switch.  All coaches have different philosophies, and you may want to find someone with a philosophy that matches up with what your daughter and you are looking to do as a competitor.  If she is happy with what she's done, great, but I think if she wants to continue to improve a move to a more aggressive coach who demands a little more from his athletes without taking the fun out of the sport.
I hope this helps a little,
Good Luck,
George