Child training query

RedRidge

My daughter is 12 and in a club the past year. The club is very much of the distance and cross country persuasion.
But my daughter likes track sprinting most and is losing interest in current club(they don't have a track at all)
She has found another club that does sprint training separately and wants to try it out.
While I imagine there is a huge difference in types of training,is there any real difference in the training for kids of this age? is she better staying put or making the change now?

Also, why do so few clubs do field events? have some boys as well that would love to try then but no opportunity in the local clubs

Thanks

RoyMcC

If she has an aptitude for the explosive events such as sprints then let her try out. The training will be much different and she may gain a new lease of life.

Field events require expensive facilities (and coaches interested in the events) which is why fewer clubs can concentrate on them. Where are you from and people here can point you in the right direction.

myflipflops

Let her train with whatever club she will be happiest in. At 12, the most important thing is that she enjoys it. Sounds like the club offering sprints/track is the training she will enjoy the most.

Less clubs do field events simply because there are way less people about with the knowledge and ability to coach them.

RedRidge

We are out near phoenix park so no shortage of clubs.

Will probably let her move as don't want to discourage her and keep her somewhere she is not happy, but never been a fan of switching clubs in any sport.

What clubs do offer the chance to try field events?

RoyMcC

Clonliffe (Santry) and Crusaders (Irishtown) certainly have the facilities/coaches for field - a bit of a trek to either. Not too sure about others but someone might chip in.

RayCun

Tallaght have the facilities too.

Rocket Science

Dundrum South Dublin cover all track and field events as well as XC. Good coaches in all disciplines also.

RayCun

To be honest, I think most clubs that teach juveniles will cover all events. I know we do (despite not having our own track). I was a little surprised by the OP.
Best bet is to contact the clubs that are near enough to you to make training accessible, and ask what they cover.

RedRunner

RayCun wrote: »

To be honest, I think most clubs that teach juveniles will cover all events. I know we do (despite not having our own track). I was a little surprised by the OP.
Best bet is to contact the clubs that are near enough to you to make training accessible, and ask what they cover.

I've a 12 year old and an eight year old in a local club and unfortunately the standard of coaching is awful. My 12 yr old ran sprints last season and hadn't even been shown how to start off blocks. I wouldn't mind but they are a well known club so I would have expected more. Definitely considering moving them but would be a trek to another club.

When watching Olympics I was thinking its no wonder we are not producing the athletes if this is the usual standard of coaching at Juvenile level. I know its not easy to get good coaches and volunteerism if heavily depended on but it seems basic skills are not even being taught.I hope this is not the same at most other clubs

RoyMcC

RedRunner wrote: »

I've a 12 year old and an eight year old in a local club and unfortunately the standard of coaching is awful. My 12 yr old ran sprints last season and hadn't even been shown how to start off blocks. I wouldn't mind but they are a well known club so I would have expected more. Definitely considering moving them but would be a trek to another club.

RedRunner they're quite right not to be introducing block starts at that age. Children (with the odd exception) simply aren't strong enough to deal with the forces generated. Like your 8-year old probably isn't doing crouch starts - it's just not productive at that age.

These are not 'basic skills' for a child.

RoyMcC

RayCun wrote: »

To be honest, I think most clubs that teach juveniles will cover all events. I know we do (despite not having our own track). I was a little surprised by the OP.
Best bet is to contact the clubs that are near enough to you to make training accessible, and ask what they cover.

Have you got access to jumps/throws equipment Ray?

From the experience of two full-on years in Dublin coaching juveniles there were VERY few who turned up to (e.g.) the Dublin champs with a notion of how to throw any implement. So I just question where this coaching is going on.

RayCun

RoyMcC wrote: »

Have you got access to jumps/throws equipment Ray?

Yeah. The younger kids (under 10, I think) do ball throw and those plastic javelin yokes, the next age group do shot put and discus, and some of the older kids throw the javelin. I haven't seen anyone throw the hammer, but have heard rumours... High jump we practice at our normal training ground, and we've a long jump pit up by the sprint track.
That said, I don't think any of the coaches are really satisfied with the amount of time they get to spend on these things. You can handle a largish group of kids in running training, but anything else requires a smaller group (and better weather!)

RoyMcC

RayCun wrote: »

That said, I don't think any of the coaches are really satisfied with the amount of time they get to spend on these things. You can handle a largish group of kids in running training, but anything else requires a smaller group (and better weather!)

That's Tallaght, yes? Indeed the weather is one factor rarely mentioned when talking about our shortcomings in field events. It's hopeless trying to teach disc or javelin in the wet. Shot you can do OK but it's pretty miserable. And you're lucky if the groundsman allows hammer to damage the grass.

Which is why running is comparatively strong in Ireland compared to field! A few more coaches dedicated to field events though - maybe one per club - would make a big difference.

RayCun

Tallaght?!?!<spit>

Bros Pearse AC!!!



(it's not just the slipperiness of the surface, it's having a bunch of kids standing around getting cold and wet)

RedRunner

RoyMcC wrote: »

RedRunner they're quite right not to be introducing block starts at that age. Children (with the odd exception) simply aren't strong enough to deal with the forces generated. Like your 8-year old probably isn't doing crouch starts - it's just not productive at that age.

These are not 'basic skills' for a child.

Sorry Roy , you are right. It was crouch starts last year for the older boy but they weren't even shown how to do that properly or how to pass a baton in a relay. The kids use blocks from U13 onwards per Athletics Ireland Juvenile Booklet.

There was confusion in the Final in Tallaght also when he came fourth and was handed a number suggesting he qualified for Nationals, then to be told later that no he didn't. He probably would have been out of his depth at Nationals alright but if it was just top three then he shouldn't have been handed a placeing number. Anyway ...minor rant over!

I guess the only way I could change that would be to volunteer and go do it myself! On that topic, do clubs generally provide some coaching /training programmes for parents who'd like to take up coaching?

RoyMcC

RedRunner wrote: »

Sorry Roy , you are right. It was crouch starts last year for the older boy but they weren't even shown how to do that properly or how to pass a baton in a relay. The kids use blocks from U13 onwards per Athletics Ireland Juvenile Booklet.

My turn to apologise. You are absolutely right about the blocks being compulsory for U13 upwards. That was one of the things I kicked up about in my time in Dublin. Even if they are allowed in competition they ought NOT to be made compulsory. And U13 is too young, in my opinion.

Out of interest in the English Schools' Championships I believe that blocks are only allowed in the final of each race in every age group, and not at all for the heats.

Coaching courses are generally done via the club through AAI, so it really depends how pro-active the club is. But rattle their cage - we need all the good, committed coaches we can get. They make a big difference.

RedRunner

RoyMcC wrote: »

Coaching courses are generally done via the club through AAI, so it really depends how pro-active the club is. But rattle their cage - we need all the good, committed coaches we can get. They make a big difference.

I might just do that! I enjoyed athletics as a teenager( Mostly T&F including LJ and TJ) and since I've taken up running again in last two years I have a renewed interest in the sport. BTW for information the club is not Tallaght or Bros Pearse