Adjusting to Life With a New Coach: Be Open and Positive
A typical feeling swimmers have when they experience a coaching change is anxiety. A swimmer will feel this because they have gotten used to their normal routine. There is trepidation concerning the new coach’s style and personality. But all swimmers know that you go through coaches as you grow up, and learning to adjust to new guidance and situations is a part of the swimming life.
Remember
When either you leave your coach or your coach leaves you, Remember to cherish all the information and memories you have with this mentor. They taught you, saw you at your best, and worked with you at your worst. Coaching changes are a part of the sport. It is only natural to feel sad about your former coach leaving, but one can turn that sadness into happiness when you reflect on the good times.
Meet the New Coach Before Practice
Many times, a club or school will have the new hire come in before they are actually able to work. This setup helps ease stress, so be sure to be there when a meeting is offered. If you are switching teams and getting a new coach, be sure to go and talk to the head coach. You want to ensure you are going to be happy under their instruction. Getting a sense of one another is a positive step toward a successful working relationship.
Give Them a Chance
If you go into the season scared and angry, you will never develop a relationship with your new coach. This is crucial because first impressions often last. If you do not give them a chance right off the bat, they will remember this. This individual might end up being the best coach you ever had. Coaches have this job because they love to teach and know what they are doing. Having a new coach is refreshing. They may have new ideas and points to share with you that maybe your other mentor did not.
Point of View
Remember this. Your next coach is just as nervous as you. They are going to need the swimmers’ positive energy to help them grow. The new coach has to learn about the pool or school, just as you did when you first started. They know they are walking onto a pool deck of nervous and – possibly – upset swimmers. Try to make their transition as easy and kind as possible.
Overall, starting anew is scary, fun, and sometimes, sad. If both the coach and the swimmers start off on good terms, the season is more likely to work out great. It is scary when you are facing the unknown in any circumstance, but it is important to go forward and face your fears.