How can my 13 yr old girl cut 10 secs in her 200m freestyle. She trains for 5 hrs daily and is now doing 2:30?

Question

How can my 13 yr old girl cut 10 secs in her 200m freestyle. She trains for 5 hrs daily and is now doing 2:30?

Answer 1

All right, everyone who says 5 hrs is too much needs to shut up.  Swimmers don't get injured solely from swimming too much.  99% of swimmer injuries are caused by flaws in technique.  Trust your coach.  At 13 yrs old, girls are old enough to do heavy workloads.  She won't necessarily burnout as long as her technique is good, she's stretching properly, and she's eating properly.  To stay on the safe side, though, instruct your daughter to let her coach know if she feels any pain or discomfort.  If the coach knows what he/she is doing, your daughter will be fine.  If not, get a better coach.

Answer 2

she could have been trained during her early ages.

Answer 3

Let's get two things straight. 5 hrs is a LOT, especially for a 13 year old. Second off, 10 seconds is also a lot.

Get in a few hours of GOOD training every day and keep working on the technique, and she will get better. I do not mean to be rude when I say this, but the worst thing a parent can do is pressure their child into doing something. I've grown up with many swimmers (a swimmer myself) whose parents pushed them. They actually got worse at swimming,  and eventually had to go to physical therapy for a blown shoulder from too much intensity from something they didn't even enjoy. So, just be careful is all I'm saying. She will get better in time, and 5 hrs is overkill.

Answer 4

10 seconds is a lot in swimming and i think that is setting very high expectations. especially because she already has a very fast time. also i think 5 hours a day is way too much.

Answer 5

First thing, 5 hours is too much.  She'll be burnt out by the end and won't be paying attention to what matters-- her stroke.  Best thing would be to cut the hours down to about two, and really focus on technique.  If necessary, get her private lessons with a coach or something to take a look and see if she has some problem that needs correcting.  Also pay attention to starts and turns-- there are lots of turns in the 200, and sloppy ones can add seconds to her time!  A good start can shave almost half a second off as opposed to a poor one.  Technique is key in swimming, and also make sure her attitude is still good.  If she feels lousy and has a negative disposition, her swimming will reflect it.  Be sure she isn't beating herself before she even starts her race!  As far as sets goes, I would recommend having her do descends-- i.e, having her get faster as the set goes on.  For example, a set of 3x200's descend would have her get faster each 200.  That way she builds up endurance and can push herself those last yards that most swimmers die on in that race.  300's are also good for that set, though I really hated them.  x]

Good luck, and make sure she has fun racing!

Answer 6

you need to stop pressuring because i have a feeling you are. 5 hours is WAY TOO MUCH! SHE IS ONLY 13! let her be a kid for awhile, please!

Answer 7

Stroke work is key in this. Usually I have my coach screaming at me for my stroke and flip turn technique as well as my dive.

Of course, practice also makes perfect, but overdoing it is too much. Some dry land practice on her arms is also a great idea to work on her stroke.

Also last night I have learned the secret of doing a 200 very well.

1st 50:stretch out arms, don't use legs too much

2nd 50: Begin to kick lightly, stretch out arms

3rd 50: Usually the 3rd 50 is the slowest. Pick up kick to borderline sprint.

4th 50: Over kick, kick very hard and sprint hard.

Answer 8

She might already be on the right track. What makes you think that she won't improve that much in a year? However, simply putting in hours doesn't do it. It takes careful attention to technique, desire, and a good coach.

Based on personal experience, I think 5 hours a day is overkill. As hours and yardage ramp up, intensity suffers. If I had it to do over again, I would take back the two summers I swam 5 hours a day.

I think I had an excellent coach when I was that age, and we swam 3 hours a day. I can't remember my times perfectly, but I think I broke 2:30 when I was 12 and 2:20 when I was 14. I was never the fastest one out there, so I think it's possible she can do it.

Answer 9

get private lessons, one or two should do because after that much practice but still no drop, its the technique that will help. also, ask her coach about tabering her for a big meet, it will help her muscles rest (if done properly) and that should help drop time