the Fish: Parents Corner Archives

Getting Parents on the Team

BY DR. ALAN GOLDBERG, COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

A successful sport experience depends on parents being proactively trained to play the right role on the parent-athlete-coach team. Coaches should take the time in the beginning of the season to educate parents on their very important support position. The coach should appeal to the parent's proper involvement for the team's and their child's success. In parents meetings and in written handouts the coach should present and discuss the correct parent, coach and athlete roles, the "do's and don'ts" for success.

Continue reading Getting Parents on the Team.

On Aging Up and Expectations

Published by American Swimming Coaches Association, John Lennard, Parent Coach and Athlete

We interviewed a former age group national record holder who is now in her 20's. She set a national age group record in the 9-10 age group. When she turned 11 she joined a group of excellent nationally ranked 11-12 year old girls. She continued to improve but struggled emotionally and was not happy.

Just before turning 13 her mom and dad decided she needed to be swimming in a different environment with a nationally prominent team and moved the mom and her to a new team out of state while the dad stayed behind.

Continue reading On Aging Up and Expectations.

Work out Recovery

Written by David Pursley

YOU ARE NOT RECOVERING PROPERLY

During my short time here with the FISH, I have noticed the schedules our swimmers are trying to maintain during the summer season. The most important job for a swimmer outside the pool is recovery. Training hard in the pool is of no benefit if a swimmer is not doing what he/she can to recover between workouts. A proper routine of stretching, eating the right food immediately after practice and sleeping the appropriate amount of time on a routine schedule are fundamental to the recovery process. It is during the recovery process that a swimmer's muscles strengthen and benefit from the work done.

Continue reading Work out Recovery.

Warm Ups? Why?

written by Coach Andy

How many times have you come to swim meet and saw total chaos in the pool with well over a hundred swimmers attempting to swim? For as much chaos that you see, almost every single swimmer is doing something specific to warm-up for the meet. If they swim backstroke, they might focus on a turn and knowing the feel of the wall or how to place their feet on the wall for a start.

Coaches and athletes use the saying "getting a feel for the water" in regards to how much water they can push to go fast. Each athlete is unique in the way they warm-up and try to feel the water, we as coaches try to best accommodate everyone with the pool space allowed.

Continue reading Warm Ups? Why?.

What is Taper?

by Coach Hyde

With the Championship season upon us, I figured an article about taper and what it all entails would prove appropriate for this week's Coach's Corner. Therefore, I have provided a link to the American Swim Coaches Association webpage which will take you to an article that explains a number of things. First it tells you exactly what taper is, and then explains how a swimmer can make sure they are doing everything possible to ensure that they reach maximum performance for the upcoming championship meet.

Read the article carefully and be sure to share it with the whole family as everyone is equally important in the success of our athletes.

Helping Athletes Succeed at Prelim/Finals Competitions

Written By Josh Morgan

Helping Athletes Succeed at Prelim/Finals Competitions

Many FISH athletes have had the opportunity to compete at prelim/final competitions already this season at the Minnesota Grand Prix, Christmas Championships and Tom Dolan Invitational and we have several prelim/finals meets upcoming, including this weekend's Retriever Meet. While the prelim/finals format offers an exciting and high level competition arena, it also requires a more invested effort in preparation and recovery. Swim parents can be especially helpful in these situations.

Athletes face the following issues at meets using the preliminary/final format:

Continue reading Helping Athletes Succeed at Prelim/Finals Competitions.

Swim Meets

We participate in a variety of swim meets ranging from the most basic novice level dual meet to statewide and regional championship meets. Many meets are low key and designed to be learning experiences. Winning means improving start, stroke, turns, pace, and time. Racing, the ability to race, and the strategies in racing are a close second priority. Beating someone else is a bonus but not overly emphasized except for higher levels of competition. We try to attend invitational meets about every 4 to six weeks. We may hold novice level meets more frequently, sometimes weekly, at our home pool.

Continue reading Swim Meets.

Something to share with your kids and parents.....................

Donald Jenson was struck in the head by a thrown bat while umpiring a Little League game in Terre Haute, Indiana. He continued to work the game, but later that evening was placed in a hospital for observation by a doctor. While there, Jenson wrote the following letter.

Continue reading Something to share with your kids and parents......................

Swimming Is An Investment

With time at a premium in the two-career family, many parents are now asking "Is it the sacrifice and expense of joining an age group program worth it?" Here are some thoughts on why it is from Coach Cindy Anderson, head age group coach of the Reno Aquatic Club in Reno, Nevada.

Continue reading Swimming Is An Investment.

Recently in Parents Corner Category

Getting Parents on the Team

On Aging Up and Expectations

Work out Recovery

Warm Ups? Why?

What is Taper?

Helping Athletes Succeed at Prelim/Finals Competitions

Swim Meets

Something to share with your kids and parents.....................

Swimming Is An Investment

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