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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.
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