Swimming: best way to drop time

[Anonymous]

There seems to be no rhyme or reason to when our swimmer makes improvements in their time. She is 10U and trying to get to a certain time (she wants to break a team record and she's close but it's still a few seconds away). I am not sure how to help her. Is it more pool time? Better technique? Should I be signing her up for stroke clinics? If so, recommendations?

I do not have a swimming background so I'm a little lost.

[Anonymous]

You lost me at 10U.

[Anonymous]

There is not much to do with a 10U - seriously. And that is way too young to be pushing too hard. Most that are good at that age are either peaking or will burn out.

And you usually do not see many 10U record holders still doing it at 14. So keep that in mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:(she wants to break a team record and she's close but it's still a few seconds away)

Wouldn't this be the case for basically every kid on the team?

[Anonymous]

a few seconds away is not close.

[Anonymous]

What event?

[Anonymous]

It's great that you want to support her but seeing as you don't know much about the sport, please know that "seconds" = "a lot" in swimming unless you are talking a long distance like a 200 or a 500, etc. Seeing as she is 10, I am assuming you are talking about 50s, and dropping seconds in 50s is, again, a lot of time.

I think (and this is just my opinion as a parent with a swimmer) the best thing to tell them is, "That is great that you have a goal! Keep practicing and ask your coach what you should be working on."

Adding practice, etc, is not what helps- its a good attitude, work ethic, and having a healthy lifestyle (sleep!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There seems to be no rhyme or reason to when our swimmer makes improvements in their time. She is 10U and trying to get to a certain time (she wants to break a team record and she's close but it's still a few seconds away). I am not sure how to help her. Is it more pool time? Better technique? Should I be signing her up for stroke clinics? If so, recommendations?

I do not have a swimming background so I'm a little lost.

She's not close if she's a few seconds away

[Anonymous]

I know an easy way to get the time to zero.

[Anonymous]

Tell her to swim faster!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:a few seconds away is not close.

This. A few seconds is an eternity in swim, especially if a team record is involved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's great that you want to support her but seeing as you don't know much about the sport, please know that "seconds" = "a lot" in swimming unless you are talking a long distance like a 200 or a 500, etc. Seeing as she is 10, I am assuming you are talking about 50s, and dropping seconds in 50s is, again, a lot of time.

I think (and this is just my opinion as a parent with a swimmer) the best thing to tell them is, "That is great that you have a goal! Keep practicing and ask your coach what you should be working on."

Adding practice, etc, is not what helps- its a good attitude, work ethic, and having a healthy lifestyle (sleep!)

This is OP. This is a 200 IM, FWIW. And she’s 9 so has another year.

But all of this feedback is very helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:(she wants to break a team record and she's close but it's still a few seconds away)

Wouldn't this be the case for basically every kid on the team?

No. She has the fastest 10U times by a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is not much to do with a 10U - seriously. And that is way too young to be pushing too hard. Most that are good at that age are either peaking or will burn out.

And you usually do not see many 10U record holders still doing it at 14. So keep that in mind.

Why do you think that is?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:(she wants to break a team record and she's close but it's still a few seconds away)

Wouldn't this be the case for basically every kid on the team?

No. She has the fastest 10U times by a lot.

PP here- She could be the next Ledecky or Gemmel, who were always super fast at any age- and didn't do things like outside stroke clinics- or she could be like a lot of swimmers who are fast at certain times then are not.

Pushing a 10yo is just a bad idea. As long as she goes to practice regularly and has a good attitude, the times will come. Overactive parenting really does't help anyone- yourself or your child