WEST Parent Education - Volume 1
Happy Thanksgiving everyone. While away with family over the next few days, I wanted to take this opportunity to share some parent education info that I hope everyone can reflect on.
A major pillar of our program is personal ownership of each individual's athletic career. I was amazed by how many parents, both within our team and others, I overheard this past weekend talking about their swimmer's best times, cut times and pace times the swimmer needed to hold.
As coaches we purposefully do not memorize each of our swimmers times. We expect the swimmer to memorize and know each of their times. When quizzing the kids on their times, a number of kids often respond with "I don't know, my mom (or dad) keeps track of my times". As a coach, this is frustrating.
When parents track their swimmer's times for them, the swimmer is enabled to be lazy (not track their own times) and a crucial step in the ownership process is lost. I understand parents are trying to help their swimmer by being involved, but parents must realize that by doing this they are undermining the greater process at work.
Our philosophy is built on proper technique and habits. When strokes and race strategy are improved, times will improve. Being overly focused on times will often get in the way of focusing on what is necessay to do, in order to acheive those times.
Some people are naturally more number driven and will easily memorize times, however when speaking with the swimmers, do not discuss or drive the discussion regarding times. If you want to help your swimmer, quiz them on their times and ask them their goals. Allow them to lead the conversation and control your urge to interject. By being a better parent, you allow us to be better coaches which in turn will only benefit your child.
If you want to coach your own child, that is your parental right, however it cannot be done at WEST. If you disagree with our methods or do not trust our coaches, the best thing you can do for your child is to find a program and coach you can trust and support. We want each swimmer in our program to have the greatest possible long-term success and are committed to the process. Parents, coaches and swimmers each play a vital role and the better we balance each other and individually manage our role without undermining or overstepping one another, the greater potential we unlock for the swimmer.
Here are some useful articles that I think every swim parent should read:
I hope everyone has a safe and fun holiday. Enjoy some quality time with family and take advantage of some extra rest before we head into Championship season.
-Coach Nick
