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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP here. We are at Machine. I'm not a swimmer so only know the basics. It is something like palm facing up for breaststroke.  [/quote]

Machine only cares about the fast swimmers…the ones making JO cuts. Find a team that’s a better fit.  We did, and DS has improved considerably and is happier.  [/quote]

That definitely hasn’t been our experience. We are at Machine and are constantly communicated regarding our daughters progress, the individual plan for what events to do at upcoming meets, and honestly her coach was way more excited to see my newly 14 year old just break 1:20 in the 100 breast than he was to see the “best 13 year-old in the group” go 1:13 in her worst stroke.[/quote]

OP here. Maybe that is the case for 13-14 year olds. I know the coaches gave feedback right after events at the meets, but other than that, we don't have any individual feedback or plan. I have never received a word about what events to do at meets. Maybe they don't do as much for the younger group. [/quote]

DP, also with kids at Machine (Fairland).  I have two in Gears Silver and one in Gears Green, so, younger kids like yours, OP.

It's not realistic to expect a "plan" at this point in their development beyond: having fun, learning good stroke fundamentals, learning how to follow coaches' instructions, etc.  I consistently watch part of each of their practices and these things are happening in spades.  I have seen each kid receive direct feedback/guidance from coaches - if not at every single practice, then at 80% of them.  They've all raced in various meets this year and I enter them in races suitable for them, 50s and 100s for the older two, 25s and 50 free for the 7 year old.  I've done enough swimming (HS, masters) and seen my kids swim enough (summer) to know that.

OP, if you have questions about what events to enter, things your kid could be working on, etc., you need to *ask* the coaches.  Explicitly.  They're not mind-readers.  I say that as a former coach and a parent - you have got to take some responsibility for communicating.  It's not reasonable to expect coaches to send individualized entry lists to every single kid in every single training group, especially not a group in which the stated goals are learning fundamentals and having fun.

[/quote]

Op here. I am not expecting a plan or an entry list. Meets are not really my concerns right now. It was a response to a previous poster's description of constant communication from the club. But I get your point. Also I did not realize being able to watch practices would make such a difference. [/quote]

PP you're quoting - I wonder what training group and site that PP is with.  I find the weekly emails and occasional ones from coaches to be plenty, but who knows how that person is defining "constant."

Were you explicitly told that practices were drop-off only?  There are always lots of parents at practices, both at Fairland and UMD (where we sometimes train).  Definitely try to watch if you can, at least some of them for some of the time.  I'm fairly picky about the sports and coaches my kids do, and I've been impressed with what I've seen at Machine.  Obviously coaches and sites can vary, but on the whole, it seems like a well-run organization.  We tried out with a few other clubs and they were by far the most reasonable and professional.[/quote]

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