Newsgroups: rec.sport.swimming
Subject: Re: College Swimming Problem
From: rule@kenyon.edu
Date: 9 Nov 92 22:42:10 -0500
Organization: Kenyon College

In article <1992Nov5.115650.8438@iscsvax.uni.edu>, luebke5317@iscsvax.uni.edu (Phil Luebke) writes:
> I would like some comments/suggestions concerning the following:
> 
> I am one of six captains on our college swim team.  We are not real gung-ho,
> and probably should not even be in Division I (no scholarships).  We swim six
> days a week for two hours.  On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays we have weight
> training in the morning (6AM).  Attendance at weights has typically been sparse
> (duh! -- I wonder why).  This year, our coach has told us (captains) that
> weights are mandatory, but it is up to us to enforce it.  The solution was that
> if someone misses weights, they can't swim that day, but must be at practice 
> anyway to do dryland.  I don't think this is the best solution.  I feel it may 
> hurt the team by keeping the non-morning people (myself included) out of the 
> water up to three days out of the week.
> 
> As I said, we don't get scholarships, so there's really no tough enforcement
> method (i.e. potential loss of scholarship).  Does anyone have any suggestions?
> What are your feelings on the current method?
> 
> Also:  This year our coach has decided that he doesn't have to be at our weight
> training sessions, because "he doesn't want to be a baby-sitter." (whatever
> that means).  It seems to me that a coach gets paid to do such things and that
> he should be present.  I also feel that HE should be responsible for ensuring
> that his swimmers go to weights, not the captains.  Am I wrong?  What are your
> experiences/opinions?
> 
>                                         Thanks a bunch!
> 
>                                                 - Phil
> -- 
> MWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMW
> Phil Luebke
> University of Northern Iowa
> Home of the undefeated, #1 ranked (I-AA) Panther football team!
> WMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWM


I don't know about you, but I have missed weights enough to know that if you
don't do them, you could hurt yourself, especially with the volume that i have
been doing.......

The captains SHOULD NOT be responsible for attendances to practice. Hell, the
coach shouldn't even be responsible. It's the swimmers resposibility to get
there as much as possible, and if he can't make it, had better have a good
excuse,(setting the alarm clock wrong doesn't count.  I've already tried that
one!)  Anyway,  What you can do however is hound the people that don't make it
to weights. Another thing you could do is instead of practicing, make them do
weights when they come down for afternoon practice, and then make them do the
full workout right afterwords.

	If the time is too early you might try this.  Get a class schedule from
each of the swimmers and set up times that you could use the weight room
without and interruptions. We set up two time periods, 6:30 and 7:30.  Me, I
have a 9:30 class, so I can go to 7:30 weights and still get to class, with
breakfast on my stomach as well.  Those who have like 8:30 classes would HAVE
to go at 6:30, otherwise it could be optional.  Let them choose. 

	I hate to downplay coaches, but your's is WRONG!  Your coach should be
out there with you, making sure that everything is going well.  Both of our
coaches are in the building at least, our assistant doing the weights, and our
coach doing the distance workout with the d-men.  

	Seriuosly though, your coach is a putz for thinking that.  His solution
to the problem hasn't been thought out, and I'll lay money down that he'll
begin to wonder why those who have only been swimming 3 days a week aren't
doing all that well in the water.  If he does, just smile and then explain why
his ultimate plan of miss weights/miss workout doesn't work.  It should be
obvious to any caliber coach that that plan does not work.

	John