Home  
Home
   Search 
News and Features
Getting Started
Find a Club
Learn to Swim
Role of Parent
Parent Resources
Your Child's Training
Growth and Development
Nutrition
Sports Medicine
Times and Recognition
 
usa swimming tools
Training for Age Group Swimmers

Many children improve rapidly during the developmental stages due to growth and improved technique. It is difficult to resist the tendency to push young athletes at this stage. However, the emphasis should be placed on technique and not intense training. Read more...

FAQs
Q:  01. Some days he likes to just play with his friends. Should I force him to go to practice?
Q:  02. What will happen to my child’s meet results if he only makes half of the offered workouts because he is participating in other sports?
Q:  03. It looks like my child has too much fun, shouldn’t she be working harder?
Q:  04. Shouldn’t my child be swimming more laps instead of doing all those drills?
Q:  05. My daughter’s coach makes her sit on the side of the pool. What’s that teaching her?
Q:  06. My son came home and said he had his best result on a test set of 100s on 1:45, what does that mean?
Q:  07. My son complains that some of the kids in the lane skip laps. He doesn’t think that’s fair. What should I tell him?
Q:  08. My child seems to be bouncing off the wall during “taper.” What is that?
Training for Older Swimmers

As your child becomes a teenager, lots of things change, including his swim training and focus. Just when you had age group swimming all figured out, the coach has started calling your child's group the "senior team." What does this mean for your child as a swimmer and for you as a parent? Training focus and expectations may shift and new issues may surface. Read the FAQs below to help guide you and schedule an appointment with the coach if you have additional concerns.

FAQs
Q:  01. My daughter just moved up to the senior group. Her coach wants her to start coming to morning workouts twice a week. Is this really necessary?
Q:  02. What type of commitment is needed for this level of swimming?
Q:  03. I think my child is sacrificing too much to train. Is this okay?
Q:  04. What does the coach mean when he says that my daughter controls eighty percent of her training?
Q:  05. When my child was an age grouper she would swim all the events offered for her age group, now the coach just has her focusing on distance freestyle, why is that?
Q:  06. I don’t understand why the coach has the older swimmers working with the little kids. What’s the purpose in that?
Q:  07. I noticed that the coach is meeting with the senior team at the beginning of each season. Is the coach asking for input?
Q:  08. My child was a successful age group swimmer. How can I help her reach the next level? (i.e. Sectionals, Juniors, Nationals, National Team)
Q:  09. I realize my child is training hard, but she seems to have no energy. Could something be wrong?
Q:  10. I am concerned that my swimmer may be developing an eating disorder. What are the symptoms and concerns associated with eating disorders?
Q:  11. My son is complaining that his shoulder is hurting after practice?
Q:  12. My daughter was recently prescribed some medicine. How do I find out if the medication is okay for her to take?
Q:  13. I want my child to make his National cut so badly, but he has been off by .02 for a year, what can he do to break through?
Q:  14. My child was just selected to a USA Swimming National Select Camp. What does this mean?
Q:  15. We had a swimmer on our team a few years ago travel to Australia for a swimming meet with the National Junior Team. How does one earn a spot?
 

Copyright ©2004 United States Swimming.  All Rights Reserved.  Photos courtesy of Getty Images.