Expectations – things you are expected to do. As a coach, we lay them out every season. Show up on time, get in the pool on time, have all your gear, don’t talk when I’m talking, no phones out during meets, be respectful of your teammates, communicate if you’re not going to be at practice, etc.
They are probably documented in a handbook or even on a sign on the pool wall. They are based around what you should and should not do and the characteristics in which you act as a swimmer.
But as a swimmer, shouldn’t you have expectations of your coaches?
What should your expectations be for your coaches as a swimmer? There are some basic ones I consider non-negotiable.
- They should know your name and how to pronounce it
- They should know your goals in swimming and in your swim/life balance
- They should listen and respond when you communicate with them
- They should be on time and be present
- They should be honest and fair (fairness is not equality and that’s a whole different article)
There are certainly more you can have, but that is up to you as a swimmer or as a team to define. You’ll find if you can have a dialogue with your coach in a respectful, productive manner about expectations (and keep it reasonable) – it can make a world of difference.
For swimmers, I get it. There’s an implied power balance that makes it seem like this should be one directional, but I encourage you to challenge that. A good conversation around what a swimmer or a team of swimmers expect from their coach is healthy and productive, assuming egos can be put aside.
For coaches, I encourage you to not fall into the “set in your ways” coaching category. It’s a sport that has constantly evolved. Kids have evolved. How you coach should evolve as well. Strive to give your kids the best experience possible, even if it means stepping outside of your comfort zone.
The relationship you have with your coach and the relationship they have with you is one of the primary contributors to overall experience in the sport. Invest in it and work to build it in to a positive one.