In Lane One is dedicated to all those little
swimmers who are new to swim team and swim in lane one. Although
every coach structures practices differently most often the newest
swimmers are placed in lane one. We often refer to our newest
future swim champions as “swimmers in lane one”.
Lane one swimmers are our future. So it is
important to know what motivates our youngest, most excited,
sometimes scared, hard working and FUN swimmers.
The following is information for new parents
that is quoted from an article on the USA swimming web site for
parents called “Needs for Approval and Recognition”.
As coaches, we want to coach our parents as
well as our swimmers. So, it will be a big help to know how most
children rank the reasons they try to perform well in sports.
For parents, it is helpful to distinguish
between what you want and what your child wants. After all, for
most of us, being a child was a long time ago and I know I can’t
remember how I felt or what motivated me. So, this list can help
you know what your new swimmer is thinking. I encourage you to read
the entire article. The link is listed at the bottom of this page.
Reasons
for Trying to Perform Well in Sports
Reason
for Trying to Play Well
Order of
Importance
9-11
yrs.
12-14
yrs.
1.
Feeling
good about how you played
1
1
2.
Making
sure you won’t blame yourself for losing.
2
2
3.
Being
praised by your parents for playing well.
6
4
4.
Making
sure your parents won’t be displeased with your play.
3
8
5.
Making
your coach proud of you.
4
3
6.
Making
sure your coach won’t be displeased with you.
5
6
7.
Making
the other kids like you more.
8
7
8.
Making
sure the other kids don’t get upset with you.
7
5
It is noteworthy that for children in both age
groups, their own self-approval and self-disapproval were more
important to them than the reactions of peers, coaches, or parents.
Where parents were concerned, the younger
children were more strongly oriented toward avoiding parental
disapproval than toward gaining their approval, whereas the older
youngsters were relatively more concerned with getting approval
than with avoiding disapproval.
It is important to note, however, that this
pattern did not hold for all children but only for the sample as a
whole. For some children, the reactions of others were of utmost
importance. Sometimes the primary motive was to gain approval, while
other children were clearly motivated to avoid the disapproval of
others.
Needs for Approval and Recognition article
To read the entire article on the USA web site
go to:
