Children are learning and growing at a greater rate than any other time in their careers. It is difficult to avoid the tendency to push young athletes at his stage. Although a child of eleven or twelve can handle the physical demands of serious water training, most coaches feel that the workload should not be great until a child reaches puberty. The emphasis should be placed on improving stroke technique. It is strongly recommended that these young athletes participate in other sports during this period.
Many swimmers train for more than ten years during their careers.
Swimming, especially at the youngest levels, should be fun and relatively pressure free. After a child reaches puberty, scientists and coaches feel serious training can begin. This can be a particularly frustrating time for swimmers. Chunks of time are no longer being dropped, and the training requires more time and dedication. Many parents begin to question whether a child's swimming career is over at this point.