Why do swimmers go outside their coach for private lessons?

How much can you teach an athlete in an hour? How about a half-hour? How do you make a real, long term, impact on a swimmer... especially if you're NOT their full time coach?For years there have been conflicts with team coaching, and private lessons. All points are valid on both sides.Team Coaching- There is a path toward teaching and training in a group setting, and keeping that group together is very important.- The teaching philosophy of the team means that team members can help other team members with a more universal message.- The Coach is always aware of the teaching progression, and can more easily manage a larger group while maintaining consistency in message.Private Lessons- The individualization of message based on the specific athlete can have more impact on that single athlete.- The specialized instruction with pinpointed attention that is difficult to give in a group environment.- The ability to analyze the stroke above and below the water in depth.No one can argue that a 1-on-1 session with specific instruction to an athlete that takes the demands of their physical and mental maturity is great for athletes. While at the same time, no one can argue that the benefits of group instruction, the team atmosphere and peer coaching isn't also incredibly valuable for the athletes.While it's common sense to get your student a tutor if their having trouble with math, or a private flute teacher if they're going to be in the symphonic band... when it comes to outside swim lessons, there remains conflict because there isn't a set answer. It would be like the math tutor teaching addition by only using fingers and toes, while the teacher at school is working on more advanced theories. Or the music teacher at school trying to get everyone in unison so they become one, and during private lessons, the teacher focusing on how to become the most unique musician... sometimes they just don't fit.From a swimming perspective, it's easy to understand the frustration of the Coach since there's a STRONG possibility that they have NO idea what the athlete is being taught. The private teacher may see something unique physiologically with that swimmer that's missed in a group setting, if they try to adapt and change that swimmer, the ONLY way for a long term change to take place... isn't in the hour that's spent with the private teacher... it's during the daily training that the home coach is in charge of.Effective changes happen over time, they don't happen in an hour, even if that hour is once a week every week. The repetitious nature of our sport indicates that if you spend one hour doing something one way, and another 10 hours doing something another way... the 10 hour way is going to win, or become the norm. Ultimately, this means if the advice the private teacher is not communicated with the home coach, and is not practiced by the swimmer in coordination with the home coach, the investment made in the private lessons is far more beneficial to the private teacher, than it is to the swimmer's long term improvement.Of course, the arguments for quality private teaching takes into account that the private teacher has a clue to what they're doing. Since there is no system for judging the quality of a private instructor, there are some cases where the parents simply searching for additional help for their child, ends up doing more damage than good because the teacher just isn't that good. On the other hand, sorry to say, but not all coaches really understand the multitude of variations of stroke techniques that can be applied to individuals, nor do many have the time to apply individualized variables during a group practice. If you're offended by that last sentence, re-read and understand that I said "not all coaches", I didn't say "coaches". If you think all coaches know everything that needs to be done with all individuals, understand that nobody knows everything that needs to be done with every individual.IF you have swimmers who wish private instruction, and you and your staff do not offer private instruction, then you can't get angry when your swimmers seek advice elsewhere. Many parents seem to think that all technical instruction should take place during practice, and see no reason for additional help. Again, sure... if you're teaching 2+2, there is only one answer. However, the incredible number of variables that are taking place in a swim practice... with the most important aspect of the sport happening underwater where a coach can't really see it... the coach is boxed into a corner.Coaches have an incredibly difficult job, and one of the most important aspects is keeping their customers happy... even if it means limiting the long term potential of the athlete. The quickest way to make someone faster is to get them in better shape. Unfortunately, just getting someone in better shape, or just training them, doesn't always guarantee they're learning the proper skills for the to reach their ultimate speed when they're mature. On the age group side of the equation, if Coach A spends their time working on skill development, and Coach B (5 miles away), spends their time in heavy training, it's almost certain Coach B's swimmers will get faster more quickly. The problem comes with the long term habits that are being engrained in the athletes. We'll always be able to point out great athletes that made it through from the beginning of their careers this way, but overall, as a sport, that method is typically the reason swimming has a legacy of "burn out".Ultimately, in order to keep their jobs, many coaches have no choice but to answer the customer's demands, and make the swimmers faster quicker.This is exactly where another set of eyes can be beneficial. Common sense feedback from a professional source that includes and supports the home coach. Feedback that's automatically delivered to the coach and the athlete at the same time, building a consistent message between the two (plus, including the parents in the loop).This is where GoSwim can help. Sure, this may now sound like an ad, but the reality is, some of your swimmers will be looking for outside help. With or without your advice, there will be a few who seek outside help for their swimming, just like a tutor or music teacher. Parents will always want more individualized help for their children, it's human nature. We can help keep a unified message, while coaches and parents know the reporting coming back from GoSwim will be based on solid, more generally accepted techniques that the coach is more than likely already teaching. We act as a supporting and reporting agent for the coach, swimmer and parent, making sure everyone knows the REAL changes for the athlete will happen during their daily practice, with their daily coach.