NCAP v RMSC v Machine

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RMSC coaches remind more of security guards in a prison than mentors. Few have competitive swimming experience themselves.

Not sure which site of RSMC you were talking about. We have been KSAC exactly three years and certainly know most coaches there.


Coach Jamie Grimes swam at a college team and he also qualified for Olympic Trials in the 1500m freestyle in 2000 and 2004.
Coach Kent Williams swam at a college team
Coach Michal Morris swam at a college team
Coach Kevin Mejia swam at a college team

My kid joined KSAC three years ago this time as a novice swimmer (had never been any summer team). He went to Juniors and Advanced Juniors and now aged up to Senior Training Group. Moving up decisions are not only based on meet results even though they are important part. Coaches also look at the attendance, practices performance as well.

It is extremely hard to move up into elite groups like NDG/NTG, but other groups are good enough for most swimmers, certainly for mine. Most swimmers won't even make to college teams anyway. If my kid can swim for high school team, I will be very happy!

I'm curious if you are a parent that just drops the kids off or stays. If you observe some of the sessions, there is very little coaching and kids just do laps. They spend half the time goofing off and waiting for directions. The only way for kids to progress is with private instruction.

If you've done swim clinics or camps, you will see a huge difference in the coaching.

The lower level kids basically get ignored and there is no support on technique or strokes. They are very focused on the top kids and the rest of the kids are just money makers. The lanes are overcrowded.

And, just because you swam college level does not mean you know how to coach. There is more to standing at the side of the pool barking orders the kids don't hear as they are too busy bobbing up and down.

I stay all the time. I often see coach Kelley corrects kids (Minis) I also often see Coach Connie (who is "notoriously" known being tough/strict on kids) does that too. Coaching on techs and skills are often done through drills. Through drills, and swimming laps coaches can see kids problems and correct them.

Yes, good swimmers are not necessary good coaches, but often good swimmers can become good coaches I mentioned these coaches were college swimmers because some poster said some RMSC coaches themselves were not good swimmers.

Of course, good (often pricey) private lesson can help a lot more because it is one to one. I know some parents do give their swimmers private lessons but I don't. My goal is to keep my kid to swim through high school, and as long as he is happy to go to practice (yes, he is willing to do the early morning practice at 4:45AM !)

Wait till later years beyond Mini's. Things change. Many of us supplement with private lessons for the stroke as its the only way to progress. If your child is naturally talented they may not need it but otherwise, some of ours do.

None of the coaches are great coaches given we have had great coaches in other settings/camps/clinics.

This kids can barely hear the coaches so how much correction do you think they are getting given the set up of the pool and a coach screaming at them on deck.

[phone]. Rmsc minis is great, but after that, time to flee. The coaching is nonexistent at best, emotionally damaging at worst. We left for ncap. I loved the idea of rmsc but couldn't subject my child to it after minis.

It doesn't bother my child so we stay because of cost. I'd rather do swim camps and private lessons but we have considered leaving. NCAP is the recommended on to go to but they are significantly more money.

Try first making it into NCAP or a fast group at another good club from RMSC juniors....

Is NCAP really that much better? Which one are you doing? We considered them but my child likes the kids at RMSC and we are paying for private lessons. I don't ever expect them to be a superstar. What is the difference between them beyond smaller groups and cost (twice as much in later years).

We like ncap because our coach actually gets to know the kids' goals and helps them work to acheive them. We had a good rmsc swimmer (usually in the top quarter for race results) but now that our DD has been with NCAP for about 7 months, her times have massively improved. With rmsc, our DD was always stressed out about the coach's snide comments. That's a non-issue at ncap, because the coach is very serious but is genuinely focused on producing fast, powerful swimmers. There is a world of difference just in the practices-- while rmsc seemed loud and somewhat chaotic, ncap practices are quiet, disciplined, and methodical. Also, it comes with free yoga lessons on top of the swim lessons, at our site at least. And, the coach is sooo much more accessible, and if you need to tell her something, you can. At rmsc, I wouldn't have bothered telling the coaches something like, hey, she is going on vacation and will ve absent the week- I don't think they would have even noticed and probably would have wondered why I was telling them.

May I ask where you are now? Thx!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RMSC coaches remind more of security guards in a prison than mentors. Few have competitive swimming experience themselves.

Not sure which site of RSMC you were talking about. We have been KSAC exactly three years and certainly know most coaches there.


Coach Jamie Grimes swam at a college team and he also qualified for Olympic Trials in the 1500m freestyle in 2000 and 2004.
Coach Kent Williams swam at a college team
Coach Michal Morris swam at a college team
Coach Kevin Mejia swam at a college team

My kid joined KSAC three years ago this time as a novice swimmer (had never been any summer team). He went to Juniors and Advanced Juniors and now aged up to Senior Training Group. Moving up decisions are not only based on meet results even though they are important part. Coaches also look at the attendance, practices performance as well.

It is extremely hard to move up into elite groups like NDG/NTG, but other groups are good enough for most swimmers, certainly for mine. Most swimmers won't even make to college teams anyway. If my kid can swim for high school team, I will be very happy!

I'm curious if you are a parent that just drops the kids off or stays. If you observe some of the sessions, there is very little coaching and kids just do laps. They spend half the time goofing off and waiting for directions. The only way for kids to progress is with private instruction.

If you've done swim clinics or camps, you will see a huge difference in the coaching.

The lower level kids basically get ignored and there is no support on technique or strokes. They are very focused on the top kids and the rest of the kids are just money makers. The lanes are overcrowded.

And, just because you swam college level does not mean you know how to coach. There is more to standing at the side of the pool barking orders the kids don't hear as they are too busy bobbing up and down.

I stay all the time. I often see coach Kelley corrects kids (Minis) I also often see Coach Connie (who is "notoriously" known being tough/strict on kids) does that too. Coaching on techs and skills are often done through drills. Through drills, and swimming laps coaches can see kids problems and correct them.

Yes, good swimmers are not necessary good coaches, but often good swimmers can become good coaches I mentioned these coaches were college swimmers because some poster said some RMSC coaches themselves were not good swimmers.

Of course, good (often pricey) private lesson can help a lot more because it is one to one. I know some parents do give their swimmers private lessons but I don't. My goal is to keep my kid to swim through high school, and as long as he is happy to go to practice (yes, he is willing to do the early morning practice at 4:45AM !)

Wait till later years beyond Mini's. Things change. Many of us supplement with private lessons for the stroke as its the only way to progress. If your child is naturally talented they may not need it but otherwise, some of ours do.

None of the coaches are great coaches given we have had great coaches in other settings/camps/clinics.

This kids can barely hear the coaches so how much correction do you think they are getting given the set up of the pool and a coach screaming at them on deck.

[phone]. Rmsc minis is great, but after that, time to flee. The coaching is nonexistent at best, emotionally damaging at worst. We left for ncap. I loved the idea of rmsc but couldn't subject my child to it after minis.

It doesn't bother my child so we stay because of cost. I'd rather do swim camps and private lessons but we have considered leaving. NCAP is the recommended on to go to but they are significantly more money.

Try first making it into NCAP or a fast group at another good club from RMSC juniors....

Is NCAP really that much better? Which one are you doing? We considered them but my child likes the kids at RMSC and we are paying for private lessons. I don't ever expect them to be a superstar. What is the difference between them beyond smaller groups and cost (twice as much in later years).

We like ncap because our coach actually gets to know the kids' goals and helps them work to acheive them. We had a good rmsc swimmer (usually in the top quarter for race results) but now that our DD has been with NCAP for about 7 months, her times have massively improved. With rmsc, our DD was always stressed out about the coach's snide comments. That's a non-issue at ncap, because the coach is very serious but is genuinely focused on producing fast, powerful swimmers. There is a world of difference just in the practices-- while rmsc seemed loud and somewhat chaotic, ncap practices are quiet, disciplined, and methodical. Also, it comes with free yoga lessons on top of the swim lessons, at our site at least. And, the coach is sooo much more accessible, and if you need to tell her something, you can. At rmsc, I wouldn't have bothered telling the coaches something like, hey, she is going on vacation and will ve absent the week- I don't think they would have even noticed and probably would have wondered why I was telling them.

May I ask where you are now? Thx!

Not sure if you meant this for me or the other pp who didn't indicate which team, but we are with NCAP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RMSC coaches remind more of security guards in a prison than mentors. Few have competitive swimming experience themselves.

Not sure which site of RSMC you were talking about. We have been KSAC exactly three years and certainly know most coaches there.


Coach Jamie Grimes swam at a college team and he also qualified for Olympic Trials in the 1500m freestyle in 2000 and 2004.
Coach Kent Williams swam at a college team
Coach Michal Morris swam at a college team
Coach Kevin Mejia swam at a college team

My kid joined KSAC three years ago this time as a novice swimmer (had never been any summer team). He went to Juniors and Advanced Juniors and now aged up to Senior Training Group. Moving up decisions are not only based on meet results even though they are important part. Coaches also look at the attendance, practices performance as well.

It is extremely hard to move up into elite groups like NDG/NTG, but other groups are good enough for most swimmers, certainly for mine. Most swimmers won't even make to college teams anyway. If my kid can swim for high school team, I will be very happy!

I'm curious if you are a parent that just drops the kids off or stays. If you observe some of the sessions, there is very little coaching and kids just do laps. They spend half the time goofing off and waiting for directions. The only way for kids to progress is with private instruction.

If you've done swim clinics or camps, you will see a huge difference in the coaching.

The lower level kids basically get ignored and there is no support on technique or strokes. They are very focused on the top kids and the rest of the kids are just money makers. The lanes are overcrowded.

And, just because you swam college level does not mean you know how to coach. There is more to standing at the side of the pool barking orders the kids don't hear as they are too busy bobbing up and down.

I stay all the time. I often see coach Kelley corrects kids (Minis) I also often see Coach Connie (who is "notoriously" known being tough/strict on kids) does that too. Coaching on techs and skills are often done through drills. Through drills, and swimming laps coaches can see kids problems and correct them.

Yes, good swimmers are not necessary good coaches, but often good swimmers can become good coaches I mentioned these coaches were college swimmers because some poster said some RMSC coaches themselves were not good swimmers.

Of course, good (often pricey) private lesson can help a lot more because it is one to one. I know some parents do give their swimmers private lessons but I don't. My goal is to keep my kid to swim through high school, and as long as he is happy to go to practice (yes, he is willing to do the early morning practice at 4:45AM !)

Wait till later years beyond Mini's. Things change. Many of us supplement with private lessons for the stroke as its the only way to progress. If your child is naturally talented they may not need it but otherwise, some of ours do.

None of the coaches are great coaches given we have had great coaches in other settings/camps/clinics.

This kids can barely hear the coaches so how much correction do you think they are getting given the set up of the pool and a coach screaming at them on deck.

[phone]. Rmsc minis is great, but after that, time to flee. The coaching is nonexistent at best, emotionally damaging at worst. We left for ncap. I loved the idea of rmsc but couldn't subject my child to it after minis.

It doesn't bother my child so we stay because of cost. I'd rather do swim camps and private lessons but we have considered leaving. NCAP is the recommended on to go to but they are significantly more money.

Try first making it into NCAP or a fast group at another good club from RMSC juniors....

Is NCAP really that much better? Which one are you doing? We consideredg them but my child likes the kids at RMSC and we are paying for private lessons. I don't ever expect them to be a superstar. What is the difference between them beyond smaller groups and cost (twice as much in later years).

I pay only for superior times. My swimmer was making top 10 at RMSC in several events but wanted to climb further up at PVS and zone rankings. It is only possible with work on individual time goals, serious land exercise, technique work and consistently challenging workouts. Private lessons is a tiny particle comparing to what a really good structured program can offer. If you are already at a fast RMSC group, it takes a lot of research to find even better placement, many observational tryouts and final placememt depends on your swimmer leading strokes/events and how he/she’s liked by specific trainers specializing on those events. We considered NCAP, AAC, FISH, ASA, MACH, DRAG. We eventually ended up in a smaller program. I can tell that my swimmer is way happier and swims as fast or faster as former RMSC teammates, but with more attentive and accessible coaching, in more pleasant social setting, with added land exercise, and better workouts schedule

Exactly. I’ve never noticed kids who do private lessons with coaches, even regular lessons for years, improving much. I’ve seen people basically spend a years worth of college tuition on private lessons though.
Unless you’re hiring Bruce Gemel or Michael Phelps of course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RMSC coaches remind more of security guards in a prison than mentors. Few have competitive swimming experience themselves.

Not sure which site of RSMC you were talking about. We have been KSAC exactly three years and certainly know most coaches there.


Coach Jamie Grimes swam at a college team and he also qualified for Olympic Trials in the 1500m freestyle in 2000 and 2004.
Coach Kent Williams swam at a college team
Coach Michal Morris swam at a college team
Coach Kevin Mejia swam at a college team

My kid joined KSAC three years ago this time as a novice swimmer (had never been any summer team). He went to Juniors and Advanced Juniors and now aged up to Senior Training Group. Moving up decisions are not only based on meet results even though they are important part. Coaches also look at the attendance, practices performance as well.

It is extremely hard to move up into elite groups like NDG/NTG, but other groups are good enough for most swimmers, certainly for mine. Most swimmers won't even make to college teams anyway. If my kid can swim for high school team, I will be very happy!

I'm curious if you are a parent that just drops the kids off or stays. If you observe some of the sessions, there is very little coaching and kids just do laps. They spend half the time goofing off and waiting for directions. The only way for kids to progress is with private instruction.

If you've done swim clinics or camps, you will see a huge difference in the coaching.

The lower level kids basically get ignored and there is no support on technique or strokes. They are very focused on the top kids and the rest of the kids are just money makers. The lanes are overcrowded.

And, just because you swam college level does not mean you know how to coach. There is more to standing at the side of the pool barking orders the kids don't hear as they are too busy bobbing up and down.

I stay all the time. I often see coach Kelley corrects kids (Minis) I also often see Coach Connie (who is "notoriously" known being tough/strict on kids) does that too. Coaching on techs and skills are often done through drills. Through drills, and swimming laps coaches can see kids problems and correct them.

Yes, good swimmers are not necessary good coaches, but often good swimmers can become good coaches I mentioned these coaches were college swimmers because some poster said some RMSC coaches themselves were not good swimmers.

Of course, good (often pricey) private lesson can help a lot more because it is one to one. I know some parents do give their swimmers private lessons but I don't. My goal is to keep my kid to swim through high school, and as long as he is happy to go to practice (yes, he is willing to do the early morning practice at 4:45AM !)

Wait till later years beyond Mini's. Things change. Many of us supplement with private lessons for the stroke as its the only way to progress. If your child is naturally talented they may not need it but otherwise, some of ours do.

None of the coaches are great coaches given we have had great coaches in other settings/camps/clinics.

This kids can barely hear the coaches so how much correction do you think they are getting given the set up of the pool and a coach screaming at them on deck.

[phone]. Rmsc minis is great, but after that, time to flee. The coaching is nonexistent at best, emotionally damaging at worst. We left for ncap. I loved the idea of rmsc but couldn't subject my child to it after minis.

It doesn't bother my child so we stay because of cost. I'd rather do swim camps and private lessons but we have considered leaving. NCAP is the recommended on to go to but they are significantly more money.

Try first making it into NCAP or a fast group at another good club from RMSC juniors....

Is NCAP really that much better? Which one are you doing? We considered them but my child likes the kids at RMSC and we are paying for private lessons. I don't ever expect them to be a superstar. What is the difference between them beyond smaller groups and cost (twice as much in later years).

We like ncap because our coach actually gets to know the kids' goals and helps them work to acheive them. We had a good rmsc swimmer (usually in the top quarter for race results) but now that our DD has been with NCAP for about 7 months, her times have massively improved. With rmsc, our DD was always stressed out about the coach's snide comments. That's a non-issue at ncap, because the coach is very serious but is genuinely focused on producing fast, powerful swimmers. There is a world of difference just in the practices-- while rmsc seemed loud and somewhat chaotic, ncap practices are quiet, disciplined, and methodical. Also, it comes with free yoga lessons on top of the swim lessons, at our site at least. And, the coach is sooo much more accessible, and if you need to tell her something, you can. At rmsc, I wouldn't have bothered telling the coaches something like, hey, she is going on vacation and will ve absent the week- I don't think they would have even noticed and probably would have wondered why I was telling them.

May I ask where you are now? Thx!

Not sure if you meant this for me or the other pp who didn't indicate which team, but we are with NCAP.

I think that she wants to know the location.

[Anonymous]

It is irrelevant information where other swimmers switched. Not every rmsc swimmer would be offered placement at all NCAP sites,
or at other teams. They need to tryout and see what those other teams can offer. There are always hidden options everywhere but you
won’t learn it until you go through the process yourself. If you are already an advanced junior at rmsc with great relationship with your coach
(which is extremely rare) switching is not always a benefit. But if you are on a track to improve times but largerly disregarded at rmsc,
you are likely to benefit from looking elsewhere.
Private lessons with rmsc coaches are useless in my view for ages 12&over, because at that age strokes are already established and swimmers
simply need good challenging workouts at the level appropriate for their skills

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RMSC coaches remind more of security guards in a prison than mentors. Few have competitive swimming experience themselves.

Not sure which site of RSMC you were talking about. We have been KSAC exactly three years and certainly know most coaches there.


Coach Jamie Grimes swam at a college team and he also qualified for Olympic Trials in the 1500m freestyle in 2000 and 2004.
Coach Kent Williams swam at a college team
Coach Michal Morris swam at a college team
Coach Kevin Mejia swam at a college team

My kid joined KSAC three years ago this time as a novice swimmer (had never been any summer team). He went to Juniors and Advanced Juniors and now aged up to Senior Training Group. Moving up decisions are not only based on meet results even though they are important part. Coaches also look at the attendance, practices performance as well.

It is extremely hard to move up into elite groups like NDG/NTG, but other groups are good enough for most swimmers, certainly for mine. Most swimmers won't even make to college teams anyway. If my kid can swim for high school team, I will be very happy!

I'm curious if you are a parent that just drops the kids off or stays. If you observe some of the sessions, there is very little coaching and kids just do laps. They spend half the time goofing off and waiting for directions. The only way for kids to progress is with private instruction.

If you've done swim clinics or camps, you will see a huge difference in the coaching.

The lower level kids basically get ignored and there is no support on technique or strokes. They are very focused on the top kids and the rest of the kids are just money makers. The lanes are overcrowded.

And, just because you swam college level does not mean you know how to coach. There is more to standing at the side of the pool barking orders the kids don't hear as they are too busy bobbing up and down.

I stay all the time. I often see coach Kelley corrects kids (Minis) I also often see Coach Connie (who is "notoriously" known being tough/strict on kids) does that too. Coaching on techs and skills are often done through drills. Through drills, and swimming laps coaches can see kids problems and correct them.

Yes, good swimmers are not necessary good coaches, but often good swimmers can become good coaches I mentioned these coaches were college swimmers because some poster said some RMSC coaches themselves were not good swimmers.

Of course, good (often pricey) private lesson can help a lot more because it is one to one. I know some parents do give their swimmers private lessons but I don't. My goal is to keep my kid to swim through high school, and as long as he is happy to go to practice (yes, he is willing to do the early morning practice at 4:45AM !)

Wait till later years beyond Mini's. Things change. Many of us supplement with private lessons for the stroke as its the only way to progress. If your child is naturally talented they may not need it but otherwise, some of ours do.

None of the coaches are great coaches given we have had great coaches in other settings/camps/clinics.

This kids can barely hear the coaches so how much correction do you think they are getting given the set up of the pool and a coach screaming at them on deck.

[phone]. Rmsc minis is great, but after that, time to flee. The coaching is nonexistent at best, emotionally damaging at worst. We left for ncap. I loved the idea of rmsc but couldn't subject my child to it after minis.

It doesn't bother my child so we stay because of cost. I'd rather do swim camps and private lessons but we have considered leaving. NCAP is the recommended on to go to but they are significantly more money.

Try first making it into NCAP or a fast group at another good club from RMSC juniors....

Is NCAP really that much better? Which one are you doing? We considered them but my child likes the kids at RMSC and we are paying for private lessons. I don't ever expect them to be a superstar. What is the difference between them beyond smaller groups and cost (twice as much in later years).

We like ncap because our coach actually gets to know the kids' goals and helps them work to acheive them. We had a good rmsc swimmer (usually in the top quarter for race results) but now that our DD has been with NCAP for about 7 months, her times have massively improved. With rmsc, our DD was always stressed out about the coach's snide comments. That's a non-issue at ncap, because the coach is very serious but is genuinely focused on producing fast, powerful swimmers. There is a world of difference just in the practices-- while rmsc seemed loud and somewhat chaotic, ncap practices are quiet, disciplined, and methodical. Also, it comes with free yoga lessons on top of the swim lessons, at our site at least. And, the coach is sooo much more accessible, and if you need to tell her something, you can. At rmsc, I wouldn't have bothered telling the coaches something like, hey, she is going on vacation and will ve absent the week- I don't think they would have even noticed and probably would have wondered why I was telling them.

May I ask where you are now? Thx!

Not sure if you meant this for me or the other pp who didn't indicate which team, but we are with NCAP.

I think that she wants to know the location.

Germantown.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:RMSC coaches remind more of security guards in a prison than mentors. Few have competitive swimming experience themselves.

Not sure which site of RSMC you were talking about. We have been KSAC exactly three years and certainly know most coaches there.


Coach Jamie Grimes swam at a college team and he also qualified for Olympic Trials in the 1500m freestyle in 2000 and 2004.
Coach Kent Williams swam at a college team
Coach Michal Morris swam at a college team
Coach Kevin Mejia swam at a college team

My kid joined KSAC three years ago this time as a novice swimmer (had never been any summer team). He went to Juniors and Advanced Juniors and now aged up to Senior Training Group. Moving up decisions are not only based on meet results even though they are important part. Coaches also look at the attendance, practices performance as well.

It is extremely hard to move up into elite groups like NDG/NTG, but other groups are good enough for most swimmers, certainly for mine. Most swimmers won't even make to college teams anyway. If my kid can swim for high school team, I will be very happy!

I'm curious if you are a parent that just drops the kids off or stays. If you observe some of the sessions, there is very little coaching and kids just do laps. They spend half the time goofing off and waiting for directions. The only way for kids to progress is with private instruction.

If you've done swim clinics or camps, you will see a huge difference in the coaching.

The lower level kids basically get ignored and there is no support on technique or strokes. They are very focused on the top kids and the rest of the kids are just money makers. The lanes are overcrowded.

And, just because you swam college level does not mean you know how to coach. There is more to standing at the side of the pool barking orders the kids don't hear as they are too busy bobbing up and down.

I stay all the time. I often see coach Kelley corrects kids (Minis) I also often see Coach Connie (who is "notoriously" known being tough/strict on kids) does that too. Coaching on techs and skills are often done through drills. Through drills, and swimming laps coaches can see kids problems and correct them.

Yes, good swimmers are not necessary good coaches, but often good swimmers can become good coaches I mentioned these coaches were college swimmers because some poster said some RMSC coaches themselves were not good swimmers.

Of course, good (often pricey) private lesson can help a lot more because it is one to one. I know some parents do give their swimmers private lessons but I don't. My goal is to keep my kid to swim through high school, and as long as he is happy to go to practice (yes, he is willing to do the early morning practice at 4:45AM !)

Wait till later years beyond Mini's. Things change. Many of us supplement with private lessons for the stroke as its the only way to progress. If your child is naturally talented they may not need it but otherwise, some of ours do.

None of the coaches are great coaches given we have had great coaches in other settings/camps/clinics.

This kids can barely hear the coaches so how much correction do you think they are getting given the set up of the pool and a coach screaming at them on deck.

[phone]. Rmsc minis is great, but after that, time to flee. The coaching is nonexistent at best, emotionally damaging at worst. We left for ncap. I loved the idea of rmsc but couldn't subject my child to it after minis.

It doesn't bother my child so we stay because of cost. I'd rather do swim camps and private lessons but we have considered leaving. NCAP is the recommended on to go to but they are significantly more money.

Try first making it into NCAP or a fast group at another good club from RMSC juniors....

Is NCAP really that much better? Which one are you doing? We consideredg them but my child likes the kids at RMSC and we are paying for private lessons. I don't ever expect them to be a superstar. What is the difference between them beyond smaller groups and cost (twice as much in later years).

I pay only for superior times. My swimmer was making top 10 at RMSC in several events but wanted to climb further up at PVS and zone rankings. It is only possible with work on individual time goals, serious land exercise, technique work and consistently challenging workouts. Private lessons is a tiny particle comparing to what a really good structured program can offer. If you are already at a fast RMSC group, it takes a lot of research to find even better placement, many observational tryouts and final placememt depends on your swimmer leading strokes/events and how he/she’s liked by specific trainers specializing on those events. We considered NCAP, AAC, FISH, ASA, MACH, DRAG. We eventually ended up in a smaller program. I can tell that my swimmer is way happier and swims as fast or faster as former RMSC teammates, but with more attentive and accessible coaching, in more pleasant social setting, with added land exercise, and better workouts schedule

Exactly. I’ve never noticed kids who do private lessons with coaches, even regular lessons for years, improving much. I’ve seen people basically spend a years worth of college tuition on private lessons though.
Unless you’re hiring Bruce Gemel or Michael Phelps of course.

The only reason my child is improving is with private as that corrects the stroke. If you do RMSC and weekly private its about the same cost as one of the private groups. We aren't spending a fortune but it is expensive.

[Anonymous]

How old is your child ?

[Anonymous]

My child is in a higher level of juniors with RMSC. Think “select” or “Ndg”. He just started swimming competively last year and has moved up twice over the last 12 months.

The difference between the lower vs higher levels. The coaching style varies depending on the level. While the lower level coaches are encouraging, they also focus heavily on stroke mechanics. I often see the coaches speaking with individual swimmers to correct their stroke. The lower levels do tend to have larger groups, but perhaps it’s because they are only require 1~2 practices per week.

The higher level swimmers (advanced, select, NDG) swimmers tend to have better stroke mechanics so the emphasis has been building endurance. When I sought out my child’s coach for private lessons, the coach instead pulled my child during practice to work on that specific concern. My child has been consistently dropping time, making JO, Zones, and NCSA cuts. I have no complaints.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child is in a higher level of juniors with RMSC. Think “select” or “Ndg”. He just started swimming competively last year and has moved up twice over the last 12 months.

The difference between the lower vs higher levels. The coaching style varies depending on the level. While the lower level coaches are encouraging, they also focus heavily on stroke mechanics. I often see the coaches speaking with individual swimmers to correct their stroke. The lower levels do tend to have larger groups, but perhaps it’s because they are only require 1~2 practices per week.

The higher level swimmers (advanced, select, NDG) swimmers tend to have better stroke mechanics so the emphasis has been building endurance. When I sought out my child’s coach for private lessons, the coach instead pulled my child during practice to work on that specific concern. My child has been consistently dropping time, making JO, Zones, and NCSA cuts. I have no complaints.

Unless you are prepared to provide at least the first name of your child, your post is meaningless. Information about all fast swimmers, all RMSC NCSA and zones qualifiers is open. I am in this business for over 25 years and could not find any single current RMSC swimmer who just started 12 months ago, and already made all the cuts mentioned in your post. It would be a fantastic performance surpassing many existing Olympians. I think your post is just a lie written by RMSC parent committee or similar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child is in a higher level of juniors with RMSC. Think “select” or “Ndg”. He just started swimming competively last year and has moved up twice over the last 12 months.

The difference between the lower vs higher levels. The coaching style varies depending on the level. While the lower level coaches are encouraging, they also focus heavily on stroke mechanics. I often see the coaches speaking with individual swimmers to correct their stroke. The lower levels do tend to have larger groups, but perhaps it’s because they are only require 1~2 practices per week.

The higher level swimmers (advanced, select, NDG) swimmers tend to have better stroke mechanics so the emphasis has been building endurance. When I sought out my child’s coach for private lessons, the coach instead pulled my child during practice to work on that specific concern. My child has been consistently dropping time, making JO, Zones, and NCSA cuts. I have no complaints.

Lower level groups have 3 practices a week requirement, you have no clue what you are writing about.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:RMSC coaches remind more of security guards in a prison than mentors. Few have competitive swimming experience themselves.

Not sure which site of RSMC you were talking about. We have been KSAC exactly three years and certainly know most coaches there.


Coach Jamie Grimes swam at a college team and he also qualified for Olympic Trials in the 1500m freestyle in 2000 and 2004.
Coach Kent Williams swam at a college team
Coach Michal Morris swam at a college team
Coach Kevin Mejia swam at a college team

My kid joined KSAC three years ago this time as a novice swimmer (had never been any summer team). He went to Juniors and Advanced Juniors and now aged up to Senior Training Group. Moving up decisions are not only based on meet results even though they are important part. Coaches also look at the attendance, practices performance as well.

It is extremely hard to move up into elite groups like NDG/NTG, but other groups are good enough for most swimmers, certainly for mine. Most swimmers won't even make to college teams anyway. If my kid can swim for high school team, I will be very happy!

I'm curious if you are a parent that just drops the kids off or stays. If you observe some of the sessions, there is very little coaching and kids just do laps. They spend half the time goofing off and waiting for directions. The only way for kids to progress is with private instruction.

If you've done swim clinics or camps, you will see a huge difference in the coaching.

The lower level kids basically get ignored and there is no support on technique or strokes. They are very focused on the top kids and the rest of the kids are just money makers. The lanes are overcrowded.

And, just because you swam college level does not mean you know how to coach. There is more to standing at the side of the pool barking orders the kids don't hear as they are too busy bobbing up and down.

I stay all the time. I often see coach Kelley corrects kids (Minis) I also often see Coach Connie (who is "notoriously" known being tough/strict on kids) does that too. Coaching on techs and skills are often done through drills. Through drills, and swimming laps coaches can see kids problems and correct them.

Yes, good swimmers are not necessary good coaches, but often good swimmers can become good coaches I mentioned these coaches were college swimmers because some poster said some RMSC coaches themselves were not good swimmers.

Of course, good (often pricey) private lesson can help a lot more because it is one to one. I know some parents do give their swimmers private lessons but I don't. My goal is to keep my kid to swim through high school, and as long as he is happy to go to practice (yes, he is willing to do the early morning practice at 4:45AM !)

Wait till later years beyond Mini's. Things change. Many of us supplement with private lessons for the stroke as its the only way to progress. If your child is naturally talented they may not need it but otherwise, some of ours do.

None of the coaches are great coaches given we have had great coaches in other settings/camps/clinics.

This kids can barely hear the coaches so how much correction do you think they are getting given the set up of the pool and a coach screaming at them on deck.

[phone]. Rmsc minis is great, but after that, time to flee. The coaching is nonexistent at best, emotionally damaging at worst. We left for ncap. I loved the idea of rmsc but couldn't subject my child to it after minis.

It doesn't bother my child so we stay because of cost. I'd rather do swim camps and private lessons but we have considered leaving. NCAP is the recommended on to go to but they are significantly more money.

Try first making it into NCAP or a fast group at another good club from RMSC juniors....

Is NCAP really that much better? Which one are you doing? We considered them but my child likes the kids at RMSC and we are paying for private lessons. I don't ever expect them to be a superstar. What is the difference between them beyond smaller groups and cost (twice as much in later years).

We like ncap because our coach actually gets to know the kids' goals and helps them work to acheive them. We had a good rmsc swimmer (usually in the top quarter for race results) but now that our DD has been with NCAP for about 7 months, her times have massively improved. With rmsc, our DD was always stressed out about the coach's snide comments. That's a non-issue at ncap, because the coach is very serious but is genuinely focused on producing fast, powerful swimmers. There is a world of difference just in the practices-- while rmsc seemed loud and somewhat chaotic, ncap practices are quiet, disciplined, and methodical. Also, it comes with free yoga lessons on top of the swim lessons, at our site at least. And, the coach is sooo much more accessible, and if you need to tell her something, you can. At rmsc, I wouldn't have bothered telling the coaches something like, hey, she is going on vacation and will ve absent the week- I don't think they would have even noticed and probably would have wondered why I was telling them.

May I ask where you are now? Thx!

Not sure if you meant this for me or the other pp who didn't indicate which team, but we are with NCAP.

I think that she wants to know the location.

Germantown.

Thx! Too far for us unfortunately..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child is in a higher level of juniors with RMSC. Think “select” or “Ndg”. He just started swimming competively last year and has moved up twice over the last 12 months.

The difference between the lower vs higher levels. The coaching style varies depending on the level. While the lower level coaches are encouraging, they also focus heavily on stroke mechanics. I often see the coaches speaking with individual swimmers to correct their stroke. The lower levels do tend to have larger groups, but perhaps it’s because they are only require 1~2 practices per week.

The higher level swimmers (advanced, select, NDG) swimmers tend to have better stroke mechanics so the emphasis has been building endurance. When I sought out my child’s coach for private lessons, the coach instead pulled my child during practice to work on that specific concern. My child has been consistently dropping time, making JO, Zones, and NCSA cuts. I have no complaints.

Lower level groups have 3 practices a week requirement, you have no clue what you are writing about.

+1, its very rare a child is pulled out in any of the RMSC at our center an stroke corrected. Advanced Juniors is a smaller group and usually the advanced kids get the better coaches. Maybe a handful of times but usually its screaming at the side of the pool from a distance. The lower levels - Mini's and Juniors have a 1 day a week requirement. Higer level groups may have more. Think there should be a 3 day a week requirement as its not fair to hold a spot when there are kids who really want to be there.

Many of us do private for the stroke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child is in a higher level of juniors with RMSC. Think “select” or “Ndg”. He just started swimming competively last year and has moved up twice over the last 12 months.

The difference between the lower vs higher levels. The coaching style varies depending on the level. While the lower level coaches are encouraging, they also focus heavily on stroke mechanics. I often see the coaches speaking with individual swimmers to correct their stroke. The lower levels do tend to have larger groups, but perhaps it’s because they are only require 1~2 practices per week.

The higher level swimmers (advanced, select, NDG) swimmers tend to have better stroke mechanics so the emphasis has been building endurance. When I sought out my child’s coach for private lessons, the coach instead pulled my child during practice to work on that specific concern. My child has been consistently dropping time, making JO, Zones, and NCSA cuts. I have no complaints.

Lower level groups have 3 practices a week requirement, you have no clue what you are writing about.

Check the website. The practice schedules and requirements are on there.
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/50d3725de4b0fbb8d67420a1/t/5c55f03ce79c7024409f7a45/1549135932741/2019+RMSC+MLK+Spring+Summer.pdf

Junior 1 1x/week
Junior 2 2x/week

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child is in a higher level of juniors with RMSC. Think “select” or “Ndg”. He just started swimming competively last year and has moved up twice over the last 12 months.

The difference between the lower vs higher levels. The coaching style varies depending on the level. While the lower level coaches are encouraging, they also focus heavily on stroke mechanics. I often see the coaches speaking with individual swimmers to correct their stroke. The lower levels do tend to have larger groups, but perhaps it’s because they are only require 1~2 practices per week.

The higher level swimmers (advanced, select, NDG) swimmers tend to have better stroke mechanics so the emphasis has been building endurance. When I sought out my child’s coach for private lessons, the coach instead pulled my child during practice to work on that specific concern. My child has been consistently dropping time, making JO, Zones, and NCSA cuts. I have no complaints.

Lower level groups have 3 practices a week requirement, you have no clue what you are writing about.

Check the website. The practice schedules and requirements are on there.
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/50d3725de4b0fbb8d67420a1/t/5c55f03ce79c7024409f7a45/1549135932741/2019+RMSC+MLK+Spring+Summer.pdf

Junior 1 1x/week
Junior 2 2x/week

Junior 2 is advanced kids only. Junior 1 is for regular kids and it is once per week. That is for MLK. Each site is a bit different.