Observation of a Swimming Practice

1.  Is there a plan/objective for each practice?

Yes. We coaches communicate the areas/strokes/drills we want addressed each week and the individual group coaches construct their weekly workouts based around that. For example, for our younger/developmental groups, kicking is a cornerstone of any quality swim program, so you will see some aspect of kicking in every practice. As the group levels progress, the skills/drills/intervals also progress in complexity and intensity.

However, we coaches deviate from the “plan” from time to time if circumstances dictate. For example: When the group is not quite executing a particular drill/skill/stroke/or set like we had expected, and more time may be needed to work through some additional steps. We refer to that as “calling an audible” and we end up “changing the play.” For our more advanced groups, more time is spent taking the “season approach” in the planning of workouts.

2. What is my role during my swimmer’s practice?

You are welcomed to view the practice from the bleachers. You can run errands. You are not required to stay in the swim center during your athlete’s practice. However, we ask that you pick up your child on time from practice. Please refrain from coaching from the bleachers, giving hand signals, getting their attention, or otherwise disrupting the group. We try hard to keep their attention, and we don’t need the added competition from the bleachers or at the end of the pool.

 3. What is the WRONG way to view a practice?

The wrong way is to sit in the bleachers and critique out loud everything the group, the coach, and the swimmers are doing wrong and how you believe you could do it better. While you are doing that, don’t forget to let everyone within earshot of you hear why you think your swimmer should have been moved up to the next higher group months ago. If executed correctly, you should be able to get 3 or 4 other parents actively involved as well and now you have some major negative mojo working in those bleachers.

The right way: Resist the temptation to get pulled into “discussions” like that. Better yet, take a stand for youth sports and speak up that it is not appropriate and you don’t appreciate it. Thanks in advance. Positive is how we roll. It’s better that way. 

4.  How can I best support my swimmer in practices and beyond?

Learn to ask the right questions of your swimmer: What did you learn today? What was the hardest part of the workout? What was the easiest? What was the most fun? Also, be sure to keep in mind that the number one reason kids swim is because they enjoy it and they have fun. The number one reason kids quit is because – you guessed it – it is no longer enjoyable and fun. Truth is I’ve seen many cases of parents who mean well, but who chase their kids right out of this sport and sports altogether by placing too many demands and too much pressure to perform on their kids – spreadsheets, tracking reports that would make NASA envious, etc. Every swimmer has their own individual time line when they “receive” the ability to “flip the switch” and begin to really compete – even if it is on a limited basis. In some swimmers it takes a little longer than others to develop.

Ultimately, though, your swimmer wants one thing from you more than anything else…They want to know that you are proud of them – on both the good days and especially on the days where life is delivering a lesson or two!

Thanks for being a part of Miami Country Day Aquatics. See you at the pool!