You probably have lots of questions as a swim parent. We're hoping this handbook—and the articles on the USA Swimming site included below—will answer many of them. But, if they don't, please don't hesitate to contact a member of the PPSC Board.
Why did my child just add ten seconds? In a 50!?!

First of all, the answer is relax, this is for the coach to be concerned with. The parent's job is to support their child(ren) 100%, 100% of the time.

The next answer you can find by reading this article from USA Swimming. The sport of swimming, much like track, is completely objective. There are no gray areas in the results you see in the time posted at the end of a race. However, swimming is the complete opposite. Several factors come into play before and after each swim. What part of the season is it? Has my child grown a significant amount since the last competition? Has their practice attendance been regular or irregular since the last time they posted a best time?

And once they get older and begin training rigorously (generally the Gold group and above)the real science takes over. What time of the season is it? Are they focusing on general aerobic fitness, anaerobic fitness, lactic tolerance or production? Have they been focusing on speed, aerobic threshold or anaerobic threshold, or all of the above? It isn't easy, just ask any senior level swimmer, of pay close attention to what our Olympic athletes go through on a four year cycle. Michael Phelps can go up to four years without a best time. Four years! Talk about patience, endurance, confidence, desire, commitment, and determination!

There is also the psychology and maturation aspect of the sport that falls completely on the shoulders of the swimmer and it can vary drastically from year to year.

These are the questions the coach must answer for the swimmer whether the result of the race is good or bad; and it is the coach's job to help the swimmer come to a conclusion to why the result of the race is what it is. The best hat that a parent can wear is that of general support. In the end, the swimmer will benefit from that the most.

Check out this article from USA Swimming to find out more about all of the ingredients that go in to a best time.
USA Swimming is a great resource for swimmers, coaches, and parents. Check out the articles below to learn more.

Have you wondered how a swim meet works? What to expect? What happens if your child has a race that he or she isn't pleased with? Read this great article on the USA Swimming website.

Did you have any idea there were so many rules in swimming? Are you having a hard time which rule applies to which stroke? Read on and learn!

Swimming, like any other sport, should have its own dictionary. Check out USA Swimming's Glossary of Terms. Happy reading!

Have you wondered what you as a parent can do related to swimming and your child, coach, and club? Check out these pages on the USA Swimming website: