A 9 years old boy who recently joined the group where swimmers transition from local to regional level, has been showing difficulties in keeping up with the rest of the group when kicking freestyle. During breast kick and the swim parts of the practice, he has no problem keeping up.
I finally saw an opportunity to help him adjust his perception and asked him to join me on the side of the pool.
I try to have my eyes at their level when I work with the swimmers. It helps build trust and raises their focus which will helps them remember.
I sat on the edge of the bulkhead and he stood next to me.
“I noticed that when we do the 25 swim at Maximum, you really go hard at it, I can tell you’re putting effort into it, I see you breathe heavily and that your face is red. I love that. But when you get to the kick part, it looks like you don’t like kicking very much, is that true?”
He smiles: “yes, I don’t like kicking. My feet are smaller than everyone else.”
“So, are you telling me that when it is something you don’t like, or is more challenging than what you would like, you just go slow, easy at it?”
He smiled feeling a bit exposed as his red skin showed.
“Because, even if your feet might be smaller than everyone else, do you think that by moving them faster you could kick faster?”
“Yes”, he said smiling and understanding my point.
“But let’s talk about your kick; do you think it’s possible for you to become better at kick even if you don’t like it?”
He lifted his head up and answered enthusiastically: “yes, I can get better if I practice.”
“Great! So, were you practicing earlier? Is that what practicing look like?” I asked curious of what he would say.
He smiled and tilted his head sideways: “No, it wasn’t. Practicing is also making an effort.”
“Even if you don’t like what you’re doing?” I asked wanting to be sure.
“Even when I don’t like it coach.”
And I sent him back in the water encouraging him to give it his best shot.
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