Parent Handbook (PDF)
How to For Swim Meets (PDF)
Swimming 101 For New Parents (External Link)
Swim Meet Basics (External Link)
10 Commandments For Swim Parenting (External Link)
Fueling For Performance (External Link)
Getting Parents On The Team (External Link)
Sticking With Swimming...What Can a Parent Do?
Swimmer's Shoulder
USA Swimming Parent Education Library (External Link)
For New Swimming Parents
Welcome to the exciting world of swimming! By joining USA Swimming, your child has become part of one of the country’s largest, most organized, and well-coached youth sports programs. This section is designed to help familiarize you with the sport of competitive swimming and provide the information needed to maximize your family’s experience in age-group swimming. With a positive attitude and a willingness to support, you will also have a great impact on your child’s athletic environment and their love of swimming.
Benefits of Participating in Swimming:
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Meeting Great People: Many swimming friends become lifelong companions.
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Cardiovascular & Overall Fitness: Swimming is an excellent form of exercise for physical health.
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Life Skills: Swimmers develop time management, self-discipline, and sportsmanship.
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Fun and Excitement: Age group swimming is fun, exciting, and rewarding!
Remember, not every swimmer will become a world record holder, but everyone can benefit from their swimming experience!
Sticking With Swimming: What Can a Parent Do?
The Unfortunate Path Many Swimmers Follow:
By age 10 or 11, many swimmers (or their parents) realize that attending practices twice a week or swimming only in the summer isn’t enough to compete against others who are practicing more frequently. Physical ability and natural coordination may help the athlete succeed, but as competition increases, it can become harder to stay at the top.
Swimming careers often begin with success in the 8/under group, with high parental enthusiasm. As swimmers move to the 9/10 group, even highly successful swimmers may find it harder to compete against older swimmers. At this point, many young swimmers and their families drop out.
The Big Changes:
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From 10/under to 11 & 12:
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Events become longer, such as moving from 25’s and 50’s to 50’s, 100’s, and even 200’s.
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Competition shifts from sprinting to a focus on pacing and endurance.
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Many swimmers and their families struggle with this transition and may not give the coach or program a chance to help the swimmer adapt.
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From 12 to 13 & 14 / Senior Swimming:
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Events change again to include 100’s, 200’s, 400/500 freestyle, and longer distance events.
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Athletes must intensify their work ethic and training.
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Physical changes during adolescence can affect both male and female swimmers, and some may struggle to adjust to their changing bodies.
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Focus on College Swimming:
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Swimmers who stay in the sport may begin looking at college swimming, considering options for scholarships and competing at a higher level.
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The Role of Parents in Navigating These Changes:
Unfortunately, some parents unintentionally contribute to their child’s departure from swimming. Common pitfalls include:
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Unreasonably High Expectations: Parents who were former athletes, especially swimmers, may expect too much too soon.
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Belief that Only Winning Equals Happiness: Parents might think success is only measured by victories.
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Expecting Early Success to Lead to Long-Term Achievement: Parents may believe that an 8/under star is destined for the Olympics.
It’s essential for parents to focus on the process, not just the outcome. The key is to emphasize fun, enjoyment, and gradual improvement over victory alone.
What Can Parents Do to Help?
Parents must grow and develop just like athletes. Communication is key! Coaches, teammates, and friends provide support to swimmers, but parents are there to guide their children through the experience.
Benefits Your Child Will Gain from Swimming:
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Life Lessons: Swimming teaches perseverance, dedication, and the value of hard work, even when success is not guaranteed.
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Leadership: Many of our successful Senior swimmers were not standout age group swimmers. Those who stick with the sport often become great leaders, learning patience and commitment.
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Balanced Approach: Swimming requires a long-term development approach, with smaller age group swimmers progressing toward the more intense training demands of senior athletes. The longer swimmers stay, the more attention and growth they will receive.
Let the Coach Do the Coaching
It’s essential that parents resist the urge to critique races or provide suggestions for improvement. By trying to coach their children, parents may unintentionally take away from the enjoyment of swimming. Trust the coach’s expertise, and respect their role. If you have concerns, schedule a private meeting with the coach to discuss them—avoid criticizing the coach in front of your child.
Emphasize Fun, Skill, and Effort:
The primary reason swimmers participate in the sport is because it’s fun. Encouraging your child to focus on developing their skills and enjoying the sport will help them stay motivated and improve. Ask your child, “Did you have fun today?” to emphasize enjoyment over results.
Maintain Balance:
While it’s great to support your child’s athletic pursuits, remember that swimming is only one part of life. Overemphasis on sports at the expense of other aspects of life can lead to burnout. Show interest in other areas of your child’s life and model balance by not becoming overly involved in the team or results.
Help Your Child Set Goals
Goal setting should mainly be the domain of the swimmer and coach, particularly for older swimmers. However, younger swimmers may appreciate parental guidance. Make sure the goals are meaningful to the swimmer, not the parent. Focus on performance goals—such as improving skills—rather than outcome goals, which can place undue pressure on the athlete.
Keep Things in Perspective
Remember that swimming is a sport, and it should be fun for your child. Keep the focus on their enjoyment and development, not solely on winning. While it’s important to strive for success, an obsession with winning can lead to unnecessary stress and disappointment. Celebrate both successes and failures as part of the process. Your child’s performance is theirs, not a reflection of your parenting.
View Swim Meets as Part of the Learning Experience
Swim meets are an essential part of the sport. They should be seen as opportunities for personal growth, skill development, and fun. If your child is feeling pressure or fear before a meet, evaluate whether they are ready for the competition. Emphasize the fun, skill development, and effort involved in each race.
Dealing with Disappointing Performances:
Sometimes swimmers will experience disappointing performances. As a parent, it’s crucial to acknowledge their feelings, but avoid offering false praise or dismissing their disappointment. Encourage them to move forward by focusing on future meets, and remember that learning how to deal with disappointment is an important life skill.
