Team Communication Structure

The Evergreen Swim Team is focused on one goal- to build character through excellence in swimming.  By learning and growing in this sport, we believe that your swimmers are gaining the necessary skills and abilities to pave their own road to success both in and out of the pool.

Communication between swimmers, parents, and coaches is the most important tool we have to facilitate this.  Our coaching staff has decades of combined experience, and sometimes we get so immersed in the day to day, week to week operations that we forget that there are families on the team who are new to all of this!  So we would like to share some important information about how practices run, what we strive to achieve, how communications and feedback work within the program, and how your swimmer's goals can be focused on consistently.

Coach's Feedback:

A coach's job description usually includes a plethora of bullet points that define the job.  However, there is really only one that stands above all others:  Deliver instruction and feedback to their swimmers at practices and swim meets.  

This is 90% of our job.  From the moment we walk onto the pool deck to begin practice, we begin a continuous conversation.  Most of that conversation is with swimmers.  When swimmers are doing work in the water, the conversation doesn't stop, it gets redirected to a coach to coach conversation, or an internal thought process conversation.  But it never stops.  Never takes breaks.  Every form of discussion (in either group or individual setting) is some form of instruction or feedback.  

Group Setting versus Individual Setting:

We operate in a group setting for all of our practices.  Being surrounded by peers is what makes us a team.  Relationships are formed, comradery is built, and progress is achieved alongside teammates instead of alone.  We feel this is at the core of what it means to be a team.  

When there are 30 kids present at a practice, and the coach has all of them out of the water listening to the lesson or technique focus of the day, the swimmers are learning important skills about how to improve their habits in the water, and also learning how to receive instruction in a group setting.  Just like in school, the ability to listen to instruction and then perform the assigned task is paramount to success in this world.  

Once swimmers are back in the water doing the set and working on the task of the day, the individual feedback comes into play. Short bursts of "fix this" "tighten streamlines"  "reach out more with your left arm" "bring your hips higher by doing this" are all examples of what your swimmers are told on the walls between swims.  Individual feedback in practices is always relative to the group discussion about the tasks and focus of the day.  

Practices versus Swim Meets:

The practice setting is where athletes learn techniques to improve their swimming in both group and individual settings.  Swim meets are where athletes put those skills into play while competing, showcasing their improvements both technically and athletically.  The highest value feedback from coaches is found at swim meets.  

The protocol for swimmers at meets is:

1. Come up to your coach before your race.

2. Coaches will give instruction on race strategy, technique focus for the race, and any other 'swimmer specific' details for them to execute during the race.

3. Go behind the blocks and keep their mind tracking on what their coach said.

4. Race

5. Immediately return to the coach after the race (before going over to parents) to receive feedback on how the race went in relation to the guidelines provided before it.

6. Check in with parents and discuss both sides of the conversation with the coach and highlight the feedback of how to get better next time as well.

Having this process in place before and after every event of the day will maximize the feedback and learning process for every swimmer.

Parent Role:

Parents are the biggest player in a swimmer's experience.  They are the foundation that makes all of this possible.  So how can parents best facilitate a learning environment for their swimmers both at practice and at meets?

First, get your swimmer to talk about their practice.  If they know a "theme of the week" before arriving, have them tell you about how it has gone so far and what they have learned. 

Second, have your swimmer be totally immersed in the practice by not being a distraction in the bleachers, and don't seek out communication with them during the practice time.

Third, when practice is over and you're on the drive home, ask them what the group focus was of the day, how they think they did, what their focus level was, and what individual feedback they received during the practice.

At swim meets, it's a little bit different:

First, make sure your swimmer follows the process listed above before and after each event.  Make sure they go over to their coach with plenty of time to spare before their races.

Second, watch their race.

Third, when the race is over, make sure they go see their coach before coming over to you. 

Fourth, after the post-race conversation with their coach is complete, ask them how they think they did, what went right, what went wrong, what their coach said, and then praise them for their performance and efforts.

Coach - Parent Communication:

The channels of communication between Coach and Parent are always open.  Whether it be email, phone call, or scheduling a sit down meeting- we are always open and available for discussion about any topic.  The more you know as a parent, the more your swimmer benefits.  

Engaging in conversation with your swimmer about their practices and their swim meets is the first step.  

Checking in with the coach about your child's progress, attendance, and drive to  succeed is encouraged as often as possible.

Setting up a face to face meeting time with your swimmer's coach to discuss specific questions that merit longer conversation than email provides is always an option as well.  

For a swim team to function at its highest levels, the triangle of communication between coach, swimmer, and parent should be enhanced at every opportunity.  

The role of the coach is to provide guidance to both swimmers and parents!

The role of the swimmer is to learn, ask questions, and have fun!

The role of the parent is to learn, ask questions, and support!

Together, we can build an experience for the kids that maximizes their potential by teaching them lessons about determination, hard work, focus, and persistence.