Most supportive, kind coaching at RMSC?

[Anonymous]

My child swims with rmsc and has had some setbacks that make her more sensitive. The age group and site that she’s at has some coaching that is perhaps less gentle than she needs. Is there a site that has supportive coaching in the 9-10 age group?

[Anonymous]

We find its hit or miss. Some coaches are better and more involved than others. They shift around session to session so you get one you like and they seem to disappear or switch. MLK and Olney are more gentle and less competitive. I think its hard as there are so many kids, especially in each lane its impossible to give them attention.

[Anonymous]

How many per lane in your location?

[Anonymous]

We've been to two locations - it really depends on the day and how many show up. It can be between 4 and 10 kids. It gets hard after 7 or so kids. I think they count on not all kids showing up daily but there is a core group who do try to make all 4 days (we do). My kid is pretty easy going about it and doesn't seem to mind but I can see how it might be a bit much for other kids.

[Anonymous]

Have you reached out to your current coach? Sometimes they just need to know what's going on. I also think what you're asking is very hard to answer because it is soo personality driven. My kids swim at KSAC. I know a few people who have moved to Rockville and been happy (but I think they particularly like the 13 and up coach there so I don't know about 9-10). One of my kid has also swum at two smaller clubs before moving to RMSC. The smaller clubs definitely could give more personal attention and support, but that's a double-edge sword. I found it often came off as playing favorites. If one particular kid is vey high anxiety and the coach spend 10 minutes working with that kid before each race and just talks to the other kids as a group, its great for the needy child, but can breed animosity among peers.

[Anonymous]

Are you crazy? RMSC coaches are lunatics. If your kid can’t suck it up and get moving she should spend her days hiding under her bed instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you reached out to your current coach? Sometimes they just need to know what's going on. I also think what you're asking is very hard to answer because it is soo personality driven. My kids swim at KSAC. I know a few people who have moved to Rockville and been happy (but I think they particularly like the 13 and up coach there so I don't know about 9-10). One of my kid has also swum at two smaller clubs before moving to RMSC. The smaller clubs definitely could give more personal attention and support, but that's a double-edge sword. I found it often came off as playing favorites. If one particular kid is vey high anxiety and the coach spend 10 minutes working with that kid before each race and just talks to the other kids as a group, its great for the needy child, but can breed animosity among peers.

Very insightful, thank you. There seems to be a culture of coaches being annoyed with the children at our site and I don’t think it is something a phone call can correct so we are looking to move on. We are considering NCAP but if we can stay with RMSC at a different site we want to consider that as well. I think I’ll show up and observe a Rockville practice and see if it would be better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you reached out to your current coach? Sometimes they just need to know what's going on. I also think what you're asking is very hard to answer because it is soo personality driven. My kids swim at KSAC. I know a few people who have moved to Rockville and been happy (but I think they particularly like the 13 and up coach there so I don't know about 9-10). One of my kid has also swum at two smaller clubs before moving to RMSC. The smaller clubs definitely could give more personal attention and support, but that's a double-edge sword. I found it often came off as playing favorites. If one particular kid is vey high anxiety and the coach spend 10 minutes working with that kid before each race and just talks to the other kids as a group, its great for the needy child, but can breed animosity among peers.

Very insightful, thank you. There seems to be a culture of coaches being annoyed with the children at our site and I don’t think it is something a phone call can correct so we are looking to move on. We are considering NCAP but if we can stay with RMSC at a different site we want to consider that as well. I think I’ll show up and observe a Rockville practice and see if it would be better.

RMSC is a factory.
If you want touchy geeky attention go to NCAP just be prepared for sticker shock.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you reached out to your current coach? Sometimes they just need to know what's going on. I also think what you're asking is very hard to answer because it is soo personality driven. My kids swim at KSAC. I know a few people who have moved to Rockville and been happy (but I think they particularly like the 13 and up coach there so I don't know about 9-10). One of my kid has also swum at two smaller clubs before moving to RMSC. The smaller clubs definitely could give more personal attention and support, but that's a double-edge sword. I found it often came off as playing favorites. If one particular kid is vey high anxiety and the coach spend 10 minutes working with that kid before each race and just talks to the other kids as a group, its great for the needy child, but can breed animosity among peers.

Very insightful, thank you. There seems to be a culture of coaches being annoyed with the children at our site and I don’t think it is something a phone call can correct so we are looking to move on. We are considering NCAP but if we can stay with RMSC at a different site we want to consider that as well. I think I’ll show up and observe a Rockville practice and see if it would be better.

RMSC is a factory.
If you want touchy geeky attention go to NCAP just be prepared for sticker shock.

It very much is a factory but cost difference is huge. You can switch sites. Email the pool coordinator. We switched sites, no issue but there was room in the other site. We had to do it for distance/location reasons as we were happy at the old site.

[Anonymous]

WE Have a great coach at MLK - kids love him - but with the volume of kids at each lesson there is just no way they get adequate stroke instruction. We are signing my son up for an additional stroke class elsewhere because he’s just not getting better at RMSC. Faster - yes. But some of his technique is abominable and just not getting fixed.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks. I have looked at the NCAP fees and am okay with it, especially since my daughter devotes considerable time to the activity. I think I will look into another RMSC site but I’m now leaning toward NCAP. Thanks everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks. I have looked at the NCAP fees and am okay with it, especially since my daughter devotes considerable time to the activity. I think I will look into another RMSC site but I’m now leaning toward NCAP. Thanks everyone.

I'd try transferring first and then if you don't like it switch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you reached out to your current coach? Sometimes they just need to know what's going on. I also think what you're asking is very hard to answer because it is soo personality driven. My kids swim at KSAC. I know a few people who have moved to Rockville and been happy (but I think they particularly like the 13 and up coach there so I don't know about 9-10). One of my kid has also swum at two smaller clubs before moving to RMSC. The smaller clubs definitely could give more personal attention and support, but that's a double-edge sword. I found it often came off as playing favorites. If one particular kid is vey high anxiety and the coach spend 10 minutes working with that kid before each race and just talks to the other kids as a group, its great for the needy child, but can breed animosity among peers.

Very insightful, thank you. There seems to be a culture of coaches being annoyed with the children at our site and I don’t think it is something a phone call can correct so we are looking to move on. We are considering NCAP but if we can stay with RMSC at a different site we want to consider that as well. I think I’ll show up and observe a Rockville practice and see if it would be better.

RMSC is a factory.
If you want touchy geeky attention go to NCAP just be prepared for sticker shock.

It very much is a factory but cost difference is huge. You can switch sites. Email the pool coordinator. We switched sites, no issue but there was room in the other site. We had to do it for distance/location reasons as we were happy at the old site.

Yeah, but the Rockville pool is full of Tiger mothers, is it not? I doubt it’s a nurturing place either.

RMSC is a bargain, that is for sure.

[Anonymous]

We did not have a good experience at the Rockville site and switched to a team with better stroke instruction and individual attention. All teams are essentially a business and I think you get what you pay for. DC refers to RMSC as the hunger games -- for both the kids' and coaches' attitudes. But it may depend on which group as the more elite ones got more attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you reached out to your current coach? Sometimes they just need to know what's going on. I also think what you're asking is very hard to answer because it is soo personality driven. My kids swim at KSAC. I know a few people who have moved to Rockville and been happy (but I think they particularly like the 13 and up coach there so I don't know about 9-10). One of my kid has also swum at two smaller clubs before moving to RMSC. The smaller clubs definitely could give more personal attention and support, but that's a double-edge sword. I found it often came off as playing favorites. If one particular kid is vey high anxiety and the coach spend 10 minutes working with that kid before each race and just talks to the other kids as a group, its great for the needy child, but can breed animosity among peers.

Very insightful, thank you. There seems to be a culture of coaches being annoyed with the children at our site and I don’t think it is something a phone call can correct so we are looking to move on. We are considering NCAP but if we can stay with RMSC at a different site we want to consider that as well. I think I’ll show up and observe a Rockville practice and see if it would be better.

RMSC is a factory.
If you want touchy geeky attention go to NCAP just be prepared for sticker shock.

I'm not sure that you'll get that much more attention at NCAP. They also have very full practices.