Hi!
Three kids from my swim team started triathlon for fun this summer, and have been training swimming 4-5 times a week. They are alle from 1992, that means they turn 15 next year. All three are good friends, so they train together most of the time, but I really want to help them by helping them with their training and racing - that means bike/run we have a swimcoach. They told me (so did their parents) that it is great that I’m willing to spend some time working with them, and my piece of the pie is that I get some coaching exp.
I have been doing triathlon since I was 11 (now 19) so I have an idea of how things should be done, but anyone have any ideas, something importent to look out for, maybe other coaches who work with kids…?
Thanks:D
I’ve had alot of experience with juniors, both as a competitor(started bicycle racing when I was 13) and as a coach(I have a number of juniors I currently work with). It’s important to keep things fun. Don’t make it seem like work and they will stick with the training alot longer than if they feel like it’s a job. Heck that’s true with anyone! I would definitely look into getting a coaching license from your home countrys federation. It’s also a good idea to make some coaching friends that you can bounce ideas off of if you don’t know the answers. With kids it’s better to admit you don’t know something than to try and cover it up! (I actually had a coach try that when I was 15…didn’t work.lol) Good luck!
Chris
Lars, Since they’ve come to love the pool “togetherness” element then try and bring that into the bike and run with runs on the track perhaps in short bits that keep them close. Same with the bike - start with short, fun trainer sessions and include some stuff on a grassy area with bumping and balance skills. Then you can bridge to more open areas. Good on ya, let’s hope there’s a future Olympian in your group.
Ian