GoSwim GoldShould proper techniques or strength be the focus of development for young swimmers?
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My daughter is 8 and has started to swim at a local club since last Sept. After watching practices 3 times / week for the last 5 month, I noticed her coach and other coaches of that age group level in this club seldom teach / correct strokes to these young kids. The club's senior and more experienced coach do teach strokes but they only teach kids that are 12-15 yr old that are at a higher level . For young age-groups, the coach simply ask these8-10 yr old kids to swim back and forth in whatever "stroke form" they can. The lack of proper stroke training were most visible at swim meet when there swimmers from from other clubs swimming side by side to my daugther and her teammates. Other parents are also concerned by the lack of stroke training, as some of kids have been there for over 2 years,and haven't seen any improvement in technique at all, let alone speed. I finally asked the coach the the other day, and his answers is " the club's experience is that kids at this age grow muscle so quickly, whatever is taught will be "forgotten", the focus now is to build up their strength, and endurance". I can't say I agree with this view, my worry is these kids will be practicing bad technqiues for many years before they realized it, and it will take more time to correct down the road, but I am not a coach, so would really like to hear other coach's thought on this? |
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Technique, technique and..................oh, yes, technique every time |
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I agree with GW. At our club it's always been about technique first for the young kids, and then getting them to swim fast later. |
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Just for the fun......I totaly disagree with GW.....................TECHNIQUE is so important....but if you can ad a little bit of strength that helps the stabillity of the swimmers....................keep up the technique!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (The Dad) |
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Point taken :) |
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Thank you all for your comments. It looks like the response on this topic is pretty unanimous. |
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technique is important of course but young swimmers and swimmers in general need to understand that propulsion requires the application of real force. i.e. strength is impartant. Some novice swimmers i see think that swimming is steamlining and rotating their arms in water without applying force for the catch and pull. I thinks its because nobody can not tell from above water what really happens underwater. |
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Thanks, Aboled. Point taken. I think, ideally there should be some kind of balance, focus should not be placed on on one in the exclusion of the other. |
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I believe that kids are more then capable of understanding HOW their bodies are supposed to move in the water. It won't be Phelps-esque at 7-8 yrs old but they can understand concepts and body control and improve technically very easily....its just a matter of understanding, drilling, and implementation of the concept repetitively. I use drills that promote proper technique with all of our swimmers, young and older, and we see great production out of our swimmers. It is a challenge for kids but once they "get it", they often feel the rush of confidence and it just furthers their passion for the sport. Just sayin' =) |
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