Professional Swim Coach
THE ROLE OF THE PARENT (SUPPORT, RESPONSIBILITY ETC) IN THE AGE GROUP SWIMMERS' LIFE.
I would appreciate some
feedback relating the this topic. I have found that a large percentage
of "age group parents" lack the drive, interest, responsibility and
dedication to fully assist the head coach in the strive for full
development of the swimmers' abilities.
In my opinion, it is almost impossible for a swimmer to reach FULL potential if not fully supported by their parent/s. I'm sure that I'm not alone but I really have a lot of issues relating to this subject. Of course, parents expect great results without putting in the required effort.
What are your feelings on this topic?
In my opinion, it is almost impossible for a swimmer to reach FULL potential if not fully supported by their parent/s. I'm sure that I'm not alone but I really have a lot of issues relating to this subject. Of course, parents expect great results without putting in the required effort.
What are your feelings on this topic?
Jay Weerman •
Hello,
My feelings are that at some point in every program, there needs to be an acceptance interview. The most successful clubs in my area will not even allow kids on the team unless they meet some minimum standards, along with reviewing expectations for both the parents and swimmers. These clubs have the advantage of a very healthy feeder program in summer clubs, but it can be done within a team.
For instance, I will allow anyone to try the "beginner group". If they want to move into the more serious group, a sit down meeting with parents and swimmer complete with expectations of the group, the swimmer and parents is mandatory. By telling them ahead of time, they know what they are getting into and that everyone on that level is following the same expectations. Even better, it takes another interview just to get "invited" to 5:00 am practices, with strict attendance and a "No Issues" policy (bathroom breaks, skipping sets, missing practice, even goggle issues).
It is difficult to introduce this to an established group of parents, but you can put the policies in place for those moving up or in, and make a game out of it for those that are already there. Reward the swimmers of parents that give the extra effort, and the other swimmers will get their parents to give extra as well
My feelings are that at some point in every program, there needs to be an acceptance interview. The most successful clubs in my area will not even allow kids on the team unless they meet some minimum standards, along with reviewing expectations for both the parents and swimmers. These clubs have the advantage of a very healthy feeder program in summer clubs, but it can be done within a team.
For instance, I will allow anyone to try the "beginner group". If they want to move into the more serious group, a sit down meeting with parents and swimmer complete with expectations of the group, the swimmer and parents is mandatory. By telling them ahead of time, they know what they are getting into and that everyone on that level is following the same expectations. Even better, it takes another interview just to get "invited" to 5:00 am practices, with strict attendance and a "No Issues" policy (bathroom breaks, skipping sets, missing practice, even goggle issues).
It is difficult to introduce this to an established group of parents, but you can put the policies in place for those moving up or in, and make a game out of it for those that are already there. Reward the swimmers of parents that give the extra effort, and the other swimmers will get their parents to give extra as well
Bob Steele •
Check out the resources at usaswimming.org and
give all of your parents this quiz. They can keep their results to
themselves; however, they know how they stand., Check out
www.gamesgimmickschallenges.com/coaching resources for the parent
questionaaire; Are You A Winning Parent. Too big to send here.
Marcel Da Ponte •
Thanks guys! I totally agree although as we know,
parents can sometimes be a species on their own. This advice will be
very helpful indeed.
Bob, I like the idea of placing the burden on the parent in the sense that they will see the results without having to "report" back to the coach.
Jay, what you say is very true! At the first club (which I owned) that I coached at, I made the mistake of "letting the parents run me" as a coach, instead of me taking the reigns and running the club. Huge mistake! I think it's extremely important that parents understand that the coach is in charge.
Bob, I like the idea of placing the burden on the parent in the sense that they will see the results without having to "report" back to the coach.
Jay, what you say is very true! At the first club (which I owned) that I coached at, I made the mistake of "letting the parents run me" as a coach, instead of me taking the reigns and running the club. Huge mistake! I think it's extremely important that parents understand that the coach is in charge.
Brett Hampson, CTPA •
Communication is key. Make sure you are
effectively communicating with parents regarding your goals for their
child. Remember, you are dealing with people's two most valued things in
life: their children and their money.
Rob Bell •
It is such a great topic!! The swimposium that we
are doing here in INDY at Southeastern Swim Club in the fall is
directed for parents. How to best support and not coach your child.
Jay Weerman •
In the past, I have told new parents that every
club needs help in three areas of administration– officiating, club
admin, and meet admin. Each one has various levels of commitment and
should match your swimmers level within the sport. I have a short list
of jobs and what level of experience should be required for doing these
(please feel free to expand on these to what your club needs):
Officiating:
Beginner – attend officials training clinic and learn the rules
Intermediate – Become stroke/turn certified and complete on deck hours annually
Advanced – Starter and meet ref qualified
Club administration:
Beginner - committee assistance (committees include fundraising, apparel, social, travel, communication, marketing and future development.)
Intermediate – committee head
Advanced – Club officers – President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Board of Directors
Meet Administration:
Beginner – timers, runners, hospitality, meet setup and breakdown
Intermediate – Head timer, timing console, hospitality head, concessions and meet programs
Advanced – Entry Chair, Safety Chair, Meet Director, Meet Treasurer
When initially addressing parents, I make it very clear that they are expected to participate and to pick something easy that they are interested in doing. If they don’t know, I can help find something for them. I also let them know that the chances of their child sticking with the sport are much better with involved parents, otherwise, they are probably just wasting their money. Beginning parents want to help, they just don't know where to start.
Something to remember - half the job is coaching kids and parents, half the job is administrative, and half the job is cleaning up messes and problems - pick two
Officiating:
Beginner – attend officials training clinic and learn the rules
Intermediate – Become stroke/turn certified and complete on deck hours annually
Advanced – Starter and meet ref qualified
Club administration:
Beginner - committee assistance (committees include fundraising, apparel, social, travel, communication, marketing and future development.)
Intermediate – committee head
Advanced – Club officers – President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Board of Directors
Meet Administration:
Beginner – timers, runners, hospitality, meet setup and breakdown
Intermediate – Head timer, timing console, hospitality head, concessions and meet programs
Advanced – Entry Chair, Safety Chair, Meet Director, Meet Treasurer
When initially addressing parents, I make it very clear that they are expected to participate and to pick something easy that they are interested in doing. If they don’t know, I can help find something for them. I also let them know that the chances of their child sticking with the sport are much better with involved parents, otherwise, they are probably just wasting their money. Beginning parents want to help, they just don't know where to start.
Something to remember - half the job is coaching kids and parents, half the job is administrative, and half the job is cleaning up messes and problems - pick two
Richard Light •
Marcel,
Parents are very important for young age group swimmers. Not only because they get up early to drive them to training and sit through the session but also for the interest they show in their children's progress and the support they provide. Children and young people live in worlds within which swimming is one practice with meaning for them. The biggest problem can be with parents taking on a coaching role or self appointed assistant coach. I have seen parents shouting at their children during training sessions and correcting their kids' technique in front of the coach.
I know this from my research on children and swimming in several countries and my role as father of a talented swimmer who trained and competed in Australia, France and the UK. I also know upon reflection that I was guilty of coaching when I should have been providing the emotional support that a young swimmer with heavy commitments to swimming, school, other sports and music needs.They don't need more pressure, criticism or expectations of performance from their parents. They need support, interest - and love.
I have worked with many trainee PE teachers and coaches who have tried to implement innovative approaches that parents often tended to misinterpret and create problems. It is important for the parents to be supporting the coach so that children get the same messages at the pool and at home but there needs to be some understanding of what the coach is doing. A few of my student teachers/coaches actually asked parents to come in for a session where they showed what they were doing, why they were doing it and what their aims were and this tended to work pretty well for all who tried it. Swim coaches can be very busy so don't have a lot of time but it might pay, when there is time such as at the beginning of the new season, to also listen to parents' concerns. I know it sounds like school but really a swimming coaches' work when coaching young children is not that different.
Parents are very important for young age group swimmers. Not only because they get up early to drive them to training and sit through the session but also for the interest they show in their children's progress and the support they provide. Children and young people live in worlds within which swimming is one practice with meaning for them. The biggest problem can be with parents taking on a coaching role or self appointed assistant coach. I have seen parents shouting at their children during training sessions and correcting their kids' technique in front of the coach.
I know this from my research on children and swimming in several countries and my role as father of a talented swimmer who trained and competed in Australia, France and the UK. I also know upon reflection that I was guilty of coaching when I should have been providing the emotional support that a young swimmer with heavy commitments to swimming, school, other sports and music needs.They don't need more pressure, criticism or expectations of performance from their parents. They need support, interest - and love.
I have worked with many trainee PE teachers and coaches who have tried to implement innovative approaches that parents often tended to misinterpret and create problems. It is important for the parents to be supporting the coach so that children get the same messages at the pool and at home but there needs to be some understanding of what the coach is doing. A few of my student teachers/coaches actually asked parents to come in for a session where they showed what they were doing, why they were doing it and what their aims were and this tended to work pretty well for all who tried it. Swim coaches can be very busy so don't have a lot of time but it might pay, when there is time such as at the beginning of the new season, to also listen to parents' concerns. I know it sounds like school but really a swimming coaches' work when coaching young children is not that different.
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