There are many factors that determine the success of a diver: physical abilities, determination, desire, aquatic facilities, coaches. One factor that should always be a benefit is the way parents conduct themselves, and how they react with their child. Here is a list of dos and don’ts that will help parents give a beginner or an advanced diver an advantage each time they head to the pool.
What A Parent Should Do
Stay Off the Pool Deck
Parents should make every effort to stay off the pool deck during diving practice. By staying off the pool deck or training site and in the designated area for parents and spectators, you will not disrupt the training of the diver. USA Diving rules require that only registered coaches, athletes and officials be permitted on the pool deck during practices and meets, and a parents presence on the pool deck will only increase a diving club’s liability.Have Your Child at Practice on Time
Practice times are not open-ended. They begin and end at set times and by making sure a diver is on time he or she will receive the full benefit of the coaching they receive. Divers who come to practice late may also disrupt the practice time of other divers. So be courteous to others and be on time.Encourage Your Child Without Pressure
Diving is supposed to be fun! Added pressure and expectations from parents may cause a diver to become overly concerned about meeting those expectations. The result is usually counter-productive to a diver’s success. Happy and enthusiastic divers are productive divers, so encourage your diver to do the best they can without the pressure of meeting your expectations.Help The Team
Do what you can to help the team be successful. Help with fundraising, organization, or any other facet of the teams administration that needs your special touch. Your child will only benefit in the long run when the team as a whole becomes more successful.Support Your Child
What every diver needs is unwavering support from their parent. If a diver is a triangle, the three points of that triangle are talent, determination, and support. No matter how talented or determined a diver may be, without the emotional support that comes from a parent or guardian, that diver may not be able to make use of an abundance or talent or gritty determination.
What a Parent Should Not Do
Do Not Criticize the Coach or Official
Criticism of a coach or an official is a no-win situation. Criticism of a coach to another parent or diver erodes the unique bond of trust between a coach and a diver. Derogatory comments made to an official will inevitably become a detriment during competitions. Trust between a diver and the coach is one of the most important elements in diving. In order for a diver to get over fears and to understand what is required to become a successful competitive diver, this trust in the coach must be developed. Try your best, no matter what you believe, to encourage that trust. If you have questions or comments, address those concerns with the coach and not members of the team.Do Not Distract the Coach or Diver
Just as in any teaching environment, coaches use structured lesson plans that lead to a divers development and success. Anything that distracts the diver from the lesson plan for that day can result in the athlete falling behind in their development.Do Not Communicate with the Divers
Focus is an important element in diving. In a sport where serious injury can occur, a divers unwavering focus is paramount not only to ensure the success of a dive, but also for the safety of the diver. Have you ever tried to practice your golf swing or serve in tennis while someone is talking to you at the same time? It is very difficult to concentrate. If you miss-hit your wedge, you have a bad golf shot. If you mess up your dive, you might hit the board!Try Not to Miss Practices
Distraction of divers during a practice can break-up the structure of a daily lesson plan, but missing practices will erode the overall concept of goal-oriented teaching. By missing practices, your diver may miss out on a key building block that leads to overall success. Each practice is part of a blueprint for success, so make sure you miss practices when only absolutely necessary.Do Not Coach the Divers
A diver, or any athlete for that matter, cannot serve two masters. By attempting to coach your diver, you force a child to choose between the most important person in their life – the parent, and the coach. It is a pretty sure bet who will win in that battle, especially with younger divers. Diving coaches are trained and skilled professionals. Let the coach do the job for which you are paying them.
