Training for young swimmers

[weswim]

I am wondering how much training time is enough for a talented 9 year old girl. Her times are around the 80-85th percentile in all strokes save breast, where she is about 70th, for 10 & under girls. The kids she swims against are all swimming double practices during school breaks and summer. We, as a family, decided to move her down a swim group rather than have her do double practices at her age. Her times are still improving, although she has not seen the dramatic drops some of her competitors who are swimming double have seen. I don't want to impede her progress nor do I want to burn her out as a 10 & under. Our goal is to have her be the best she can be as she matures, not have the fastest 10 yr old in the city, county, state, country. Is 5 days a week, 1 1/2 to 2 hours per day, a sufficient amount of training time for a girl who is almost 10?

[lane4]

Originally posted by weswim
Is 5 days a week, 1 1/2 to 2 hours per day, a sufficient amount of training time for a girl who is almost 10?

YES, certainly.

[Chris]

Sounds like a bit too much training to me (speaking from a non-coaches' perspective.)

Too much work at too early an age has been known to cause premature burnout (and a loss of interest in swimming before potential is reached) - or so a bloke down the pub told me :rolleyes:

Just my unqualified opinion :)

[BigFish]

Am I right in thinking you're from the US?

I doubt any GB clubs would have that sort of water time available for kids at that age.

[lane4]

Originally posted by BigFish
I doubt any GB clubs would have that sort of water time available for kids at that age.

I think you underestimate some GB clubs my friend.

[Swimmer's ATM]

As a parent now at the 'back-end' of Age Group swimming and near the top ten for his year -

Too much, too young, I'd say - avoid the double sessions unless SHE (rather than the peer/competitive group) really wants to do it. At such a young age I'm convinced enjoyment is more important than times - if she's going to do anything serious you have years of training ahead so don't put her off or burn her out.

Encourage and support your daughter in all her decisons, your concerns seem sensible and well founded to me - I have a 15 year-old (son) just stepping up to say 6 or 7 hard 1 1/2 hour sessions a week.

Just my experiences of course...

Have Fun :) :) :)

[weswim]

Yes, I am in the US, South Florida. Our club is fortunate to have two pools to train in, a six lane 25 yard pool and an eight lane 50 meter pool. My daughter has been swimming for 5 years, but has other interrests also. The summer is the only time she has to pursue her other passion, tennis. With our LCM championships approaching, she is feeling a little unsure of herself and I think feeling remorseful about not doing doubles. Her competitors, and several teammates, are getting much stronger. Am I correct in my understanding that when these swimmers discontinue double workouts, after championships, they will lose some of their edge?

[nsswimmer]

amen to swimmer's atm...i think you should only let your daughter swim doubles if she wants to... i started doubles when i was 12 and when i was 9 and 10 i did 3 times a week for 1 hour. don't worry about your daughter...there's a lot of early burn out potential and i'm sure you don't want that... good luck!:D

[Mel]

can someone explain what a double is? is it swimming morning and evening?

[swimusa]

First point to Mel : A double is 2 practices in the same day (usually morning and evening).

Second point to the Forum: It is my belief that the swimmer, not the parent, should decide the correct amount of training for their child, with the advice from coaches. All too often, especially here in the United States, parents love to watch their children win. It brings them great pride and joy to see their kids succeed naturally. But to ensure this win, parents become too pushy on their children. I remember going to a swim meet in Texas with a swim camp, and their was this girl, around 11 who swam 5 or 6 events and won all but 1. The one race she did not win, I think it was the 100 breast, she came in 3rd. Her father started screaming at her for not winning the race, forgetting quickly that she had won 5 other races. The point of this story is that parents tend to live vicariously through their child. They want their child to be the next Jenny Thompson or Ian Thorpe. They then tend to forget that children swim for fun, and often fail to see their children losing interest when eyeing such lofty goals. I think that as a parent asking us how much their child should swim is alittle inappropriate. I think asking her coach is a better idea, or have your daughter ask her coach. The coach knows the swimmer best, and you obviously trust him or her because you are paying them to coach your daughter.

[mammamedley]

A parent must remember that the last thing you want is your son/daughter regretting and feeling bitter about the swimming they did as a child when they reach an adult age. The parent will be to blame for this!
Swimming can be a sport for life and is there to be enjoyed whatever level.

What achievements I have made (all be it small!!!) as an adult swimmer have given me much more satisfaction than ANY achievements I did as a child. As an adult I can get myself up in the morning and drive myself training, motivate myself, concentrate myself - my parents are not there doing this for me! As an adult I don't have to worry about how much my parents sacrifice for my training - I do it all for myself.

There were three of us (my brothers and I) training more than what we are talking about above. At 9 years old (I was the youngest of three) I remember the heavy training and at one time we were members of 3 different clubs to be able to get the quantitiy of work in. I remember the rows and especially the atmosphere in the car after certain meets as I can't recall that all 3 of us swam well at the same meet. However I can recall the successes but it was never enough - never satisfaction - they say that is what drives you on for more - but how far do you go until you 'give up'. I love my parents dearly and understand why we had such an abnormal past. It has given me many advantages in mine and my brothers adult life. I am not sure there was any other way of 'getting to the top' as my father would say!! None of us 'made it' in his eyes and I never 'made it' in my eyes.
Only as an adult have I experienced satsifaction from my achievements and know there is more to come whenever the time is right.

My son who is 9 wants to race - it scares me alot and I regularly talk to my older brothers about the consequences. He is my third child and the only one who has showed any interest in the sport. Because of my past I am worried of being too relaxed and not showing an interest than being a 'pushy parent'! He trains when HE wants to. I only comment if HE wants me to. I want him to enjoy his swimming much more than I did as a child. I want him to experience a normal childhood as his swimming will be there for the rest of his life if he wants it. He knows what he needs to do if he wants to be a great swimmer and can ask for help (which he does on ocaisions) at any time. Some weeks he trains 6x per week (9 hours) and on some weeks he only trains 4x. He asks me if he wants to go training - I used to ask him but I don't want him to think its a 'loaded' question. He is nowhere near the fastest 9 year old in the club, has made some lovely friends, he wants to win but has 'a laugh' at galas and training, he trains well but sometimes gets a tummy ache when swimming loads of fly!!! He dreams of being an Olympic champion (particularly in fly!!!) just like any normal 9 year old! I hope I am doing right by him. I love to watch him swim but try to keep a low profile and I especially love to watch him win!

He is happy, healthy, very fit and there is no hurry! I am happy unfit, not healthy and there is no hurry!!! :rolleyes:

[mammamedley]

OH NO! That is soooo long - sorry!:(

[bobby]

but very interesting and constructive for the rest of us. Thanks for that.

[weswim]

Originally posted by swimusa
[and evening).

Second point to the Forum: It is my belief that the swimmer, not the parent, should decide the correct amount of training for their child, with the advice from coaches. All too often, especially here in the United States, parents love to watch their children win. It brings them great pride and joy to see their kids succeed naturally. But to ensure this win, parents become too pushy on their children.

I think that as a parent asking us how much their child should swim is alittle inappropriate. I think asking her coach is a better idea, or have your daughter ask her coach. The coach knows the swimmer best, and you obviously trust him or her because you are paying them to coach your daughter. [/B]

Your points are well taken, but as her mother, I feel that at this age, it is MY responsibility to make the right decisions for her. While I take pride in her success, it is after all, her success. And success can be intoxicating and I am not sure that a 9 or 10 year old is capable of seeing the big picture. Nor is she necessarily capable of dealing with the consequences of her/our decisions, as evidenced by her apprehension about NOT doing doubles.

My reasons for asking this question on a forum such as this was to hear other peoples' stories and opinions. I am not discussing with a forum rather than her coach. My daughter and I both discussed it at length with her coach before we made the decision to move her down a group, so as not to do doubles. I was just curious as to what other people, in different areas, thought about this. I know that the training environment here is different than in other parts of the US and world. I appreciate the advice and support from other parents and swimmers who have been down this road before me. And as a loving, concerned and involved parent, I hope to glean knowledge and advice so that we, Mom, Dad, Coach, swimmer, can make the right, or at least the best, decisions for our young athlete. Thanks to all for your insight!

[Swimmer's ATM]

An excelent Thread you started WESWIM and some very interesting responses - Good Luck.

Have Fun :) :) :)

[swimusa]

Weswim, your point is well taken as well. But I have seen this many times before, like I said. My parents growing up were very low key on advising me on swimming. They mentioned things to my coach and then I discussed with my coaches. But they went on the advice of the coach because they paid him to coach me. They were my supporters and consolers. I would rather see a parent like Ann Davenport (mother of tennis star Lindsay Davenport) who let Lindsay do what she wanted in terms of training and achieving goals and supporting her without governing her career, than to see a repeat of the man in Brookline, Massachusetts who killed his son's hockey coach because the coach removed his son from the game.

[USASwim89]

Well......... This year I am a young 10 year old swimmer from the USA and have not swam doubles ever.This year I decided to start swimming the hardest practice and the easiest practice of the day. :clear:I have found big changes in my times, and have felt much better about my swimming!:rolleyes: My mom gave me the desicion on if I really wanted to start practicing more- You should definetly sit down with your kid and talk about this. She might not want to swim much any more if you are making all the decicions for her. If she wants to practice more, than she should definetly do that, if not than stay on the same schedule. Why don't you make a goal list of times in every event for the end of the season. These should be times she thinks she can reach. Any way, all this advice is coming from a 10 year old girl! :D
Good Luck!

[mammamedley]

Let the coach do the 'goal list' and, as said before, that is what you pay her/him for.

This is a good thread and it is interesting to compare ideas from other countries. We need more comments.

[weswim]

Swimusa, I admire parents like Ann Davenport and strive to be just that. However, in my geographical area, there is a HUGE push to have these kids swim as much as they can, as early as they can. The goal seems to be NAG Top 16 and records and not the development of the swimmer long term. I, personally, disagree with this philosophy. I have discussed this with my daughter's coach and while I am sure he would prefer she swim doubles(she is one of the fastest 10 & under he has), he is supportive of our decision not to. Obviously, I want my daughter to improve, and I try to give her every opportunity to do so. But I don't want the focus of her swimming to be short term. And I don't think it is necessary for her to do double practices this year, she has a whole year until she ages up. Unfortunately, she now feels bad that she hasn't done doubles, because she feels like she is being left in the dust. I think it is very difficult for a 9 or 10 year old to grasp the concept of long term goals, ie. swimming in college and beyond. All she sees is that everyone else is swimming doubles and getting faster. Her championship meets start this weekend, and she is very worried that she will not swim well against the kids who have been doing doubles. I would like to be able to reassure her that most kids her age are NOT swimming doubles and that she is training an appropriate amount for a little girl her age.

[Unfit]

if it helps for comparison purposes - (as far as i know) in the club i'm currently with, even the top squad don't swim twice a day, every day. and i think the 10 year olds only swim about 3 hours a week, we just can't get the pool time.

i always look at swimming being composed of three things (in this order):mental attitude, technique and fitness. it is a combination of these which will lead to success.

[nsswimmer]

weswim, i think i could kinda understand what your daughter is going thru, cuz it sounds like she is intimidated by the swimmers who hav trained more than her before she even gets up on the blocks. my friend is very short and when she gets up on the blocks she feels intimidated right away becuz her competitors are like 2 heads taller than her. yet she's learned not to be intimidated and remember that she has worked the hardest she could, prepared the best she could, and there's nothing she can do about her height. that way she swims and has fun and often beats her taller competitors.

reassure your daughter that she is a wonderful swimmer and a wonderful person and that winning isn't everything. all that matters is that she have fun while racing. often what happens is that if a child swims badly, s/he not only feels incompetent, but also feels guild for their parent at not having swam as well as they and their parent hoped. if you, as the parent, reassure your daughter and tell her you're proud of her no matter what, that could take some of the pressure off her shoulders... i'm not saying you're putting pressure on her, it's just that as a child, she could be putting pressure on herself to please you. i know i did when i was little, and sometimes i still do. good luck to you and your daughter. just tell her to have fun!

[Bazza]

These topics are always popular!

Everyone seems to have slightly differing opinions, and all I will say is that our 9 year olds swim a maximum of about 8 hours per week, which is probably twice as much as I did when I was that age and it certainly didn't do me any harm.:D

[swimusa]

You have to remember that Weswim is from southern Florida (the Fort Lauderdale/Miami area I presume), and in the US, Florida, Texas and California breed swimmer like Summer Sanders, Aaron Peirsol, Dara Torres, Ian Crocker, Janet Evans, and such. Many there see swimming as life (not to say weswim has this mentality). So their 9 year olds swim alot more than say 9 year olds in Massachusetts where I grew up or say England.

[weswim]

Thought I'd let you all know how my daughter did this weekend. She had best times in all but one event, made finals both days, and came back and swam right at her prelims time or better at finals both nights. She had a great weekend and is heading into Junior Olympics this weekend with a positive attitude. I think she is now more comfotable with our decision to skip doubles this year, she did just fine swimming her regular practice schedule. Thanks for all the support, it helped me help her!

[Shamu]

I have a friend who was doing so much training (mornings and evenings 5-6 times a week) that she got so sick of swimming and was willing to give up. :eek:
If ur doing that much at 10, how will you increase ur training at an older age??????:confused: