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I have a ten year old grandson who is in a swimming program. He started last May and is now doing daily lessons with a swimming coach. Are there exercises he must do to improve his speed? A special diet? Or is it too early for that?
Hi Annie! Thanks for your question. It is a good one. I will answer this more thoroughly in a post, but I will answer it quickly here …
First thing you, your grandson and swimming coach needs to consider is the length of the pool. I’m assuming the lessons aren’t taking place in a backyard, which has a very limited lap, but rather in a 25-yard length or proper lap pool.
Because my second piece of advice have to with sprints. And your grandson won’t get much out of a sprint that takes 6 arm movements (short, backyard pool) as opposed to 18 arm movements (proper lap pool). What I’m getting at doing a proper lap (at least 25 yards) as fast as he can (sprint) can improve his physic, with will improve his performance.
Once more thing — encourage him to beat his own time. What is great about swimming is it CAN be a non-competitive sport where the only person you are competing against is yourself. Time his first lap (unbeknown to him). Then ask him if he thinks he can shed 2 seconds off his old time. And then another 2 off of that. Kids like to impress themselves!
Good luck and come back!
Tina