Winter swimming question

[Anonymous]

My 10 year old is on a winter swim team for the first time. She has previous summer swim team experience and had been doing stroke and turn classes during the school year. The winter team practice is completely focusedd on endurance. They never ever work on technique.

Is this typical? And is it a problem? Wondering if we should look for a new team for next year.

[Anonymous]

My 10 year old has been on 2 winter teams. One did barely any technique work, the new one does more. A lot of it is coach and team dependent. Some teams/coaches just want fast now and don't think long term.

As most teams have several branches, I'd see if you can get a rec from friends on your summer team, asking specifically about technique.

And for your last question- yes I do think technique work is important, so if they truly are doing none- I would look for a new team- or perhaps watch a practice of the coach your daughter will have next year on current team. The bad part about winter swim is committing to an entire year $$ wise, it is hard.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. She is actually only signed up till the end of this calendar year but I assume it's hard to switch mid year. I think it might be the same coach next year.

[Anonymous]

Is she enjoying the current team?

[Anonymous]

She likes being on a team but she complains that they are only working on endurance.

[Anonymous]

Then definitely switch teams. Where do you live, OP?

[Anonymous]

We are in Montgomery County (Silver Spring)

[Anonymous]

If she has good technique then its fine otherwise i would switch ASAP. Some clubs have this issue. If she is developing bad habits due to bad technique it can be hard to fix later.

[Anonymous]

OP, do you mind sharing what team your kid is on?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are in Montgomery County (Silver Spring)

I'm going to guess this is RMSC. Have heard this complaint before. The only problem is that most other teams are most likely full and you may not be able to switch right now. Do you think she'd be ok sticking it out for the rest of the year, then trying something new next year? Or what about adding a private stroke class at another school?

[Anonymous]

I thought that our summer swim team was all about endurance, so I looked for a winter team that focused on technique. DS really needed the technique work. He swims two nights a week and comes home with particular tips about whichever stroke they focused on that day. January is distance month; he might be ready for it then.

You can find a team that works on technique, but it isn't going to be one of the high prestige teams.

[Anonymous]

What winter teams focus on technique? Or even have technique as part of the program/practices?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What winter teams focus on technique? Or even have technique as part of the program/practices?

Lowell Lionfish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What winter teams focus on technique? Or even have technique as part of the program/practices?

Lowell Lionfish.

My child is on that team and they never focus on technique. At all. Does it depend on the group?

[Anonymous]

We just started RMSC this year and DD has made improvements in one of her strokes in particular. I tend to get worried about the amount of technique she's learning, but I think these things just take time. Since I see measurable technique improvement in one stroke, I have to assume she's getting more help than it appears from the sidelines.

Tiberones claim to focus on technique. The owner, Jorge Silva, is a ridiculously good coach, and he also insists that all his coaches are certified (other places like Joe Flaherty's Dolphins don't require that). So they seem like a good bet for technique. But for us, we see enough progress at RMSC, and they are a team that has consistently produced Olympians and world record holders, so we are going to stick with RMSC and get private coaching on the side if necessary.