Why does my daughter swim faster in practice than in meets?

Question

She's getting frustrated and so is her coach. She swims a lot faster during swim practice and then kind of chokes at the meets. How can we help her?

Answer 1

stress is a big factor in meets. either you can be pumped or feel pressured.

in training she knows that everybody around her is supportive, and in a meet, everyone in her heat is out to beat her. this mentality is extremely stressful, and as a state and national swimmer, i have been diagnosed with depression a few years ago after a national age meet.

in training, the environment is fun, relaxing (maybe not at all times) and she is familiar with the pool. in a meet, it is different.

try helping her by telling her results don't matter, and encourage her to have fun by mucking around before races (most people in my age group were mucking around in marshalling at the Australian Age C'Ships) with her friends. Dont tire yourself out though.

Ultimately, swimming has to be fun, and if you dont enjoy it, there is no point in continuing. It all comes from the mind.

Answer 2

She's probably very nervous. To help you need to not put so much pressure on her. Play it like it is no big deal if she doesn't swim her fastest time. It might help.

Answer 3

She might just be nervous about the meet. Or she might be nervous about you being there are maybe she is scared to race with other swimmers.

Answer 4

I have the same problem! I have been on a swim team for about 3 years and at meets, I have been nervous, but not severely nervous until about a few months ago. I have actually chickened out on meets because I have been so nervous. I don't know why I get that way, but I almost get a feeling that I am going to drown (even though there are tons of lifeguards there)! I have recently started yoga and I have felt more calm during the meets. You can also buy movies about sport stress. I don't know that everyone else who is answering this question is talking about! My mom definitely does not stress me out at meets- she is the last thing that I think about when I am fearing for my life! Just tell her to remember that meets don't mean anything. They are just a gauge of how you are improving. If you can have her coach time her on certain events at practice, she can see that she actually is improving. I don't know about your swim team, but I have to do at least 2 meets per season (so 8 per year)- just tell her not to worry about the meets that she has to do- just go out there and get it done and don't worry about who is watching her or if she doesn't do as well as she wants to. Just have fun with swimming- if she gets frustrated with herself, just tell her that it doesn't matter what her time is as long as she still enjoys swimming!

Answer 5

Stop going along with her to meets. She feels pressured to win.

Answer 6

shes pressured

Answer 7

She may have to much pressure on her. Before a meet just talk to her and tell her all what matters is that you love the sport and have fun with it. Another reason why she is probably better at practice is because she has more fun there. Try to make her have more fun and not to be scared if she loses.

Hope this helped!