At the VAC, we encourage and emphasize on individual growth, development and improvement of all swimmers, yet the primary means of measurement continues to be a competitive situation, i.e. the swim meet.
Swim meets should be enjoyable for everyone. If the meet is a high pressure, scary experience, it would be worth evaluating several factors - Is a swimmer:
- Ready for competition?
- Ready for that particular level of competition?
- Feeling undue pressure to perform or “win?”
The messages that parents send before and after meets have an effect on the swimmer’s perception of competition. When the emphasis is on fun, skill development and effort, parents help even the youngest swimmer put winning in perspective. In competitive swimming, the opponent is the clock - you don't have to defeat the swimmer in the next lane, simply perform your personal best.
The same is true for comments parents make and questions they ask before and after swim practice. Some young swimmers are naturally more competitive and are very aware of times, places and outcomes. Others are less interested in such things.
Highly competitive younger swimmers may need to be taught to focus on other aspects of competition so that they don’t become obsessed with winning and afraid of failure. The less competitive may need more encouragement to recognize personal improvement.
|
