SAN DIEGO IMPERIAL
SWIMPOSIUM PARENTS
INTRODUCTION
SENIOR DIRECTOR, EDUCATION &
PROGRAMS
USA Swimming University -
LEARN
1
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
2
• Former athlete
• Collegiate Coach
• Age Group Coach
• Parent of Swimmers
• 15th year – USA Swimming
MJ TRUEX
WHAT IS USA SWIMMING?
• National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport of swimming in the United States.
• Select teams for international competition including the Olympic Games
• Promote the culture of swimming
• Create opportunities for swimmers and coaches to advance in the sport through
education, events and teams
OLYMPIC TRAINING CENTER
USA SWIMMING STRUCTURE
ZONES
LSCs
CLUBS
Athletes
4
59
3034
346,735
LSCS AND ZONES
WHAT’S AVAILABLE TO YOU?
Athlete • Safe Sport
• Camps
• IMX/IMR Program
• Deck Pass
• Social Media
• Diversity, Equity, &
Inclusion
• SWIMS
• SheLEADS, WeLEAD
Coach • Educational opportunities
o Clinics
o Camps- coaches track
o Consulting services
o Mentorship Programs
o Leadership Summit
Parent • Comprehensive
coaching requirements
• Swimposiums
• Growing Champions for
Life – Parent Ed
• Insurance
• Webinars and podcasts
• Bilingual materials
• ADM
• Model policies, templates,
recommended best
practices
• Webinars and podcasts
• Bilingual materials
• Club Portal
• ADM
AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT MODEL
• Explains an athlete’s
advancement through a
pathway supporting a healthy
sport experience based on
their physical, mental and
emotional level and potential
for growth
ADM – SWIMMING
Level 6
Level 5
Level 4
Level 3
Level 2
Level 1
Performance management
Emotional, psychological,
physical well being
Advanced training
Leadership roles
Time management
Challenging racing
distances
Dryland
Personal accountability
Beginning of journey
FUN
Multi-sport focus
More challenging tech concepts
Goal setting
Positive self-talk
Continued technical development
Nutrition
Sportsmanship
National Select Camp
National Junior Team
Zone
Select Camps
National Diversity
Select Camp
Zone Diversity Select Camps
LSC Select Camps
SAN DIEGO IMPERIAL
SWIMPOSIUM PARENT
PRESENTATION
PART 1: PARENT
ROLE
#1 RESPONSIBILITY
OF A SPORT PARENT
To provide a stable, loving and
supportive environment for your
child and reinforce the proper
values.
WHAT DO YOUR SWIMMERS WANT
FROM YOU?
•Your presence
•Your love
•Your support
WHAT THEY DON’T WANT
Critique Criticism Coaching
HOCKEY CANADA – IT’S JUST A GAME
HOCKEY CANADA – IT’S JUST A GAME
HOCKEY CANADA – IT’S JUST A GAME
ARE YOU A PRESSURE PARENT?
Is winning more important to you than it is
to your child?
Is your disappointment obvious?
Do you try to “psych-up” your child?
Do you let your child know how much you
sacrifice so he/she/they can swim?
Do you feel you have to force your child to
practice?
Do you ever think you could do better coaching
your child?
Do you ever dislike your child’s rival or the rival’s
parent?
Are your child’s goals your goals for your child?
Do you provide material rewards for
performance?
Do you conduct an analysis of the
meet/practice soon after it’s occurred, especially to determine what could
have been better?
WHAT STRESSES YOU AS A SPORT PARENT?
• Logistics – balancing
schedules
• Athlete Development – Are
they improving?
• Family time
• Child/Parent expectations
versus outcomes
• Sport time commitment
KEY TO BEING A GREAT SPORT PARENT
WHAT CAN A PARENT DO?
1. Emphasize FUN, ENJOYMENT, and INDIVIDUAL
IMPROVEMENT over winning and losing
2. Learn about, focus on, and respect the PROCESS –
recognize skill improvement and small victories
3. Take charge of ‘hidden training’
4. Volunteer and get involved with the team!
HAVE FUN & KEEP THINGS BALANCED
• Family
• Church
• Studies
• Friends
• Other Sports & Activities
Blame & Mistrust
Communication & Trust
UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS
REALITY
CULTIVATE GRIT
Grit is the ability to work hard for a long
period of time towards a goal; to persevere,
overcome, and keep moving in the face of
adversity, failure, rejection, and obstacles.
Angela Duckworth
GRIT & GROWTH MINDSET
CULTIVATE GRIT
Grit keeps you moving forward
through the sting of rejection, pain of
failure, and struggle with adversity.
GROWTH MINDSET
LONG TERM ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT
Vs.
• Ranked Top 16 (10) as a:
• 10 & Under Still Ranked as 17-18 11%
• 11-12 Still Ranked as 17-18 21%
• 13-14 Still Ranked as 17-18 36%
• 15-16 Still Ranked as 17-18 48%
• Moral of the story:
• A 10 & Under wonder can survive and thrive…
• But 50% of the top swimmers develop after Sophomore/Junior Year
in High School!
ENCOURAGE
• Dreams
• Process rather than outcome
goals
• Challenging but realistic goals
• Reinforcement of coach’s
emphasis
HELPING YOUR CHILD
AT PRACTICE
• Encourage “have fun, be a good
teammate, give your best today”.
• Encourage child to be self-reliant
• Interrupt practice ONLY in an
emergency
• Ask if he/she/they had fun or learned
anything new
• Listen to feelings your child expresses
• Signal or yell to your child
• Distract your child from the
coach
• Offer to fix equipment
• Speak to coach during
practice except in an
emergency
• Watch EVERY single practice
I LOVE TO WATCH YOU PLAY.
WHAT TO SAY/ASK AFTER A POOR SWIM
“What did the coach say?”
“Well, remember to work on that in practice with your coach.”
“I liked ____.” (your effort, your start, turn, stroke – SOMETHING
POSITIVE!)
“I am disappointed FOR you.” (not ‘in’ you or your performance).”
“That’s not like you. I’m sure you will do better next time.”
“At least you learned something, so that makes it a successful swim.”
“I love watching you race. I love you!”
“Be sure to drink lots of water.”
WHAT TO SAY/ASK AFTER A GOOD SWIM
“What did the coach say?”
“Well, remember to work on that in practice with your coach.”
“I liked ____.” (your effort, your start, turn, stroke – SOMETHING
POSITIVE!)
“I am disappointed FOR you.” (not ‘in’ you or your performance).”
“That’s not like you. I’m sure you will do better next time.”
“At least you learned something, so that makes it a successful swim.”
“I love watching you race. I love you!”
“Be sure to drink lots of water.”
REMEMBER,
SAN DIEGO IMPERIAL
SWIMPOSIUM PARENT
PRESENTATION
PART 2:
GROWTH &
DEVELOPMENT
WHY KIDS SWIM
1. Enjoy/Fun
2. Be With Friends
3. Fitness
4. Compete
5. Improve
6. Meet New People
SOURCES OF FUN
• Being with friends
• Getting in shape
• Coach encourages me
• Being known as a good swimmer
• Winning races
• Varied workouts
• Cheering for each other
• Coming togethers as a team
• Relays
• Improving
UNDERSTANDING GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
• There is a predictable pattern of
physical growth but the rate of
growth varies.
• Biological age = Chronological
age +/- 3 years
• +/- 2.5”
• +/- 5 lbs
GENERAL GUIDELINES
Age Skills and Training Objective Commitment
7-9 Stroke technique, Aerobic Development,
kicking, fun, intro to dryland
2-3 x per week
30-45 minutes
9-11 Technique, Aerobic Development,
coordination, athleticism, all events,
kicking, swim practice skills, self-
management and independence, basic
dryland movements
2-4 x per week
45-90 minutes
Other sports
Low pressure
competition
Age Skills and Training Objective Commitment
11-14 Technique, Aerobic Endurance, all
strokes, all events, dryland (body
weight), low intensity intervals,
kicking, competition skills, 200 IM,
200/500 free
4-6 x per week
90-120 minutes
Year-round
Other sports, but
attendance
expectations
13-18 Technique, Aerobic Endurance,
core body conditioning, med balls
& free weights, training based,
anaerobic threshold & speed
development, 400 IM/mid distance
free
6-10 per week
90-120 minutes
Long Course
Commitment to
swimming
TECHNIQUE IS KING!
EARLY VS LATE MATURERS
EARLY:
• Receive significant early
success
• Receive excessive recognition
• Develop poor practice habits
• Become frustrated with
plateaus/less success later
EARLY VS LATE MATURERS
LATE
• Have a low perceived
competence level
• Can be discouraged by lack of
recognition
• Quit too soon
HOW OLD ARE THESE BOYS?
WHAT PERFORMANCE FACTORS DOES THIS INFLUENCE?
• Coordination
• Flexibility
• Reaction Time
• Balance
• Endurance
• Body Composition
• Self Esteem
• Strength
AVERAGE AGES TO ACHIEVE FIRST CUT
RESOURCES
• Talk to you coach
• Talk to other parents on your team who have gone through the process
• usaswimming.org/parents
• Changing the Game Project – John O’Sullivan
• Angela Duckworth – GRIT
• Mindset – Carol Dweck
• USADA.org (True Sport)
SAN DIEGO IMPERIAL
SWIMPOSIUM PARENT
PRESENTATION
PART 3:
NUTRITION
THE 24/7/365 ATHLETE
COMPETE IN THE KITCHEN
NUTRITION FOUNDATIONS
normal
sugar
level
THE BASICS
RECOVERY NUTRITION : 10-30 MIN
RECOVERY
Rehydrate with FLUIDS & ELECTROLYTES
Water or Sports Drinks (3 cups/pound lost)
Replenish muscle glycogen stores with CARBOHYDRATES
Fresh/Dried Fruit, Breads (w/Peanut Butter and/or Jelly), Sports Drinks/Bars
Repair & Regenerate muscle tissue with high quality PROTEIN
Dairy Products, Recovery Mix (w/whey, soy, casein protein)
Reinforce your immune system with ANTIOXIDANTS
Apples/Bananas/Oranges, Spinach, Carrots, Peppers
SAMPLE RECOVERY
FOODS
• Chocolate milk
• Sports drinks
• Turkey sandwich
• Trail mix (nuts/dried fruit)
• Meal replacement drinks
• Bagel with pbj
• Fresh fruit
• Homemade fruit smoothie
• Granola or breakfast bars
• Pita hummus
• Cheese & Apples
DEHYDRATION : THE FACTS
• Water delivers and flushes nutrients throughout the
body
• Even slight dehydration changes how the body works
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Blood volume is reduced
• Focus and attitude are also affected
HOW MUCH & WHEN
PRACTICE:
>16oz of water 30-90 minutes before
4-8oz of water every 15 minutes during practice
DURING THE DAY
16-20 oz of water first thing in the morning
ELECTROLYTES 90+ MINUTES
STIMULANT DRINKS
CLEAN SPORT
SLEEP
HOW MUCH SLEEP?
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