Pre-Race, Post-Race Feedback, Parent Anxiety & Mental Capacity

Coaching is part art, part science. After 18 years in this profession, I see it less as delivering information — and more as delivering the right information at the right time.

Every athlete is different. Every conversation must adapt.

But where many parents, and sometimes coaches - struggle is in understanding how much feedback is actually helpful before and after a race.

In 2026, there’s a common belief that more input equals better performance.

That simply isn’t true.

More words do not create better swimmers.

In fact, too much information can exceed an athlete’s capacity to process it.

Elite coaching is often the opposite of what people expect:

few words, precise timing, clear intent.

Pre-Race

Before a race, I keep it simple:

“What’s the plan? What have you learned in Practice?”

Then I give only a few targeted cues they can actually hold onto.

For example in fly:

“Kick controls the tempo. Last 25, faster kick. Throw the Hands forward, eyes down, hips up after the breath.”

That’s it.

Three cues. Clear. Actionable. Memorable.

Not because athletes can’t handle more — but because performance breaks down when clarity is lost.

Post-Race

Over time, I use the watch less and less as a teaching tool at meets.

Yes, times matter — but they are not the best learning tool in the moment.

Instead I start with:

“What did you learn- and tell me one good thing and one thing to adjust?”

Then I wait.

No splits. No video. No immediate correction.

Just reflection.

Because the goal is not just faster swimming — it’s building athletes who can feel, notice, and understand their own performance.

That process takes years.

Parents

Here’s where this becomes important beyond the pool.

Conversations do not need to be complex. One or two simple, well-timed cues can be far more powerful than long explanations.
Give space. Constant input often creates confusion, not clarity.
Trust the timeline. Psychological Development always lags behind physical and psychological, nd Psychological Development is linked to Physical outputs.
Enjoy the process. One race feels like everything in the moment, but it’s only one step in a much longer journey.

I understand why it feels intense. You love your child and want the best for them.

But from a coaching perspective, that one race you’re anxious about will soon be just one of hundreds.

What matters more is whether the environment around the athlete allows them to grow without pressure stacking faster than their capacity to handle it.

Too much emotional load at meets can quietly limit long-term development.

Final Thought

Competition conversations don’t need to be long or complicated.

The real work happens in training.

Let coaches coach.

Let swimmers swim.

And let meets be a place to perform — not overload.

Thanks to David and Yul for the opportunity to be a part of this community!

With love and passion for swimming,

Avery

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Pre-Race, Post-Race Feedback, Parent Anxiety & Mental Capacity