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:: A Note To Parents ::

:: General Philosophy ::

I would like to take just a moment to share with you some of my philosophies on coaching and kids. I want every child that moves through this program to come away with a positive experience. I believe that diving is fun and challenging and can teach kids some great life lessons. I believe that if the child’s individual learning curve is followed, with patience and encouragement, not only will they give themselves an opportunity to achieve competitive excellence, they will also learn a lot about themselves and how to meet a challenge.

Coaching over ten years I have seen kids of all different personalities, traits, and ability levels. Parents are as varied as their kids are. Through all of these differences, however, there are a couple of things that all parents and kids share:

• All parents want their children to be successful.
• All children want, above all else, to please their parents (whether or not they act like it!).

Keeping these things in mind I feel that the coach and parent(s) needs to be a partnership. The goal of this partnership is to see the child learn and improve. Working together is critical and each side of the partnership has jobs it must perform.

:: The Coaches' Job ::

• Provide technical expertise.
• Provide encouragement and criticism.
• Provide goals and a training regimen to reach those goals.

:: The Parent's Job ::

• Be the world’s greatest cheerleader when your child does something right!
• Encourage and console them when they do something wrong.
• Be Patient!!! Every kid learns at his or her own pace, it can’t be forced.

:: Working Together ::

• To achieve the goal of the partnership each side must perform its job.
• Parents need to let the coaches do the coaching.
• Criticism should only come from the coach.
• When kids get criticism from the coach and their parents they feel that they are letting everybody down.
• Corrections should only be given by the coach. This is not only a technical issue but it also involves safety. Kids need to be focused on what the coach is asking them to do.
• Parents please sit in the stands above the pool or in the bleachers on deck.

The parent/coach team is very powerful when it is applied consistently. I have seen it turn kids in to champions. Let's work together!

September 4th, 2010

Texas Development
Skills Test