Comments from the Coaches

Please visit the “Parent” section at www.usaswimming.org for excellent resources.

Parents: Try one of these each day…

... Be supportive of your swimmer by getting him/her to practice and meets regularly.

... Remind your swimmer that talking with the coach before and after a race is key to “learning” how to race at a young age, as well as learn from immediate feedback after a swim.

… Remind your swimmer that swimming is a long-term development sport and whatever happens at a young age is not indicative of what happens at the high school and collegiate level.

… Remind your swimmer that giving 100% ALL the time, not SOME of the time, is the quickest way to see results.

… Remind your swimmer that the coaches on the New Albany Aquatics Club are fair and care about each athlete. They are professionals that want you to be the best you can be.

… Be a support system for your swimmer if he/she is having a bad day. The first reaction may be to “fix” whatever is wrong, but sometimes your child just wants to be heard and attempting to “fix”something may not teach a valuable lesson.

… Remind your swimmer that you are very proud of him/her. Swimming is one of the most challenging sports available. The ability to swim up-and-down a pool and race other swimmers is much harder than it appears. The physical and mental skills children develop will remain with them for the rest of their lives.

…Communicate with your coach, and encourage your swimmer to communicate: issues related to swimming, level of enthusiasm, meet performance, practice attendance, and troubles at home. The coaches are here for YOUR swimmer, not the other way around.

Parents: You are your swimmer’s biggest role model, whenever possible, try to avoid these moments…

… Become upset with your swimmer if he/she has a swim that is not up to your standards.

… Become overbearing, upset, yell, or demean your swimmer in the stands. This can make your child feel like a failure and inadequate.

… Compare your swimmer’s performance to another swimmer on the team or from another team.

The worst: “When you were 10, you were faster than Johnny, now Johnny is faster than you.”

… Chart your swimmers performances and graphically show how he/she will be qualifying for
Nationals in 4 years based on current trends.

... Think physical development hinders long-term success. This is a misconception. Hard work, dedication, and drive are what determine success in swimming, especially as the athlete enters the high school and collegiate years.

… Videotape all of your swimmer’s performances and then analyze the swims at home later. Your swimmer may appreciate it at a young age if this is done every once in awhile, but over the longhaul it can lead to early departure from the sport.

… Go bonkers after your swimmer wins a big race, out-touches another competitor by an eyelash, or wins MVP at a meet. Be excited and proud, but don’t look silly.

… Bribe your child with prizes for accomplishing a certain feat. This may work for immediate success, but prevents the internal desire necessary for long-term success.

… Express frustration about coaches, the program, other families, or other swimmers at practice or at swim meets. Emotion levels are elevated at all sporting events when our children are involved –do your best as a parent to keep emotions in check so you won’t wake up with the “Oh-my….what-did-I-say-yesterday?” feeling.