The Swim Chronicle: Issue #12 - Turning Dreams into Reality: How to Create an Action Plan for Your Young Swimmer's Goals

TLDR: Setting goals for your young swimmer is important, but creating a solid action plan is where real progress happens. This guide will help you break down your child's swimming goals into manageable steps, keeping them motivated, focused, and ready to achieve their dreams.

Setting goals for your young swimmer—whether it's mastering a new skill or qualifying for a championship meet—is an exciting part of their journey. But having a goal is only the beginning. The real magic lies in creating an action plan that can make those goals a reality. Here’s how to help your swimmer create a step-by-step plan to keep them motivated and on track.

1. Define Specific, Measurable Goals

The first step in creating an action plan is defining specific and measurable goals. General goals like "I want to swim faster" are a good start, but breaking them down into specifics makes them more achievable. For example, instead of aiming to "swim faster," your swimmer could set a goal to "drop 2 seconds from their 100-meter freestyle time in the next 3 months." This way, they have a clear target to work toward, which makes tracking progress easier.

When I was younger, I remember setting vague goals that didn't really give me a sense of direction. It was only when I started specifying my goals—like improving my backstroke turn or shaving half a second off my 50-meter freestyle—that I really began to see progress. The more specific the goal, the clearer the action plan becomes.

2. Break Goals into Small, Achievable Steps

Big goals can feel overwhelming, especially for young swimmers. Breaking them down into smaller, manageable steps helps keep motivation high and creates a sense of accomplishment along the way. For example, if your swimmer wants to improve their butterfly, the steps might include focusing on body position for the first two weeks, then working on timing the dolphin kick with the arm pull, and finally improving their turns.

I once worked with a swimmer who had a long-term goal of mastering their underwater kicks. We created a timeline that included small milestones, such as focusing on building core strength for better body control, practicing streamline position daily, and then gradually increasing the number of kicks off each wall. With each milestone met, that swimmer felt a surge of motivation that carried them through the entire journey.

Breaking down goals into smaller pieces allows young swimmers to experience progress more frequently, which keeps them engaged and excited about their journey.

3. Create a Routine That Supports the Plan

An action plan is only as effective as the habits and routines that support it. Help your swimmer create a training routine that aligns with their goals. If they want to improve their stamina, this could mean adding an extra aerobic swim session each week or focusing on longer sets during practice. If their goal is to improve technique, they could incorporate specific drills into their warm-up or cool-down.

Consistency is key. I remember when I was preparing for a major meet, my coach emphasized the importance of sticking to the plan—even when it felt repetitive. The daily routine, focused on small improvements, eventually led to significant breakthroughs. Encourage your swimmer to trust the process and stay committed to their routine, even on days when progress feels slow.

4. Celebrate Milestones Along the Way

Achieving big goals takes time, and it’s important to celebrate the small victories along the way. Whether it’s improving a turn, dropping half a second from a lap, or mastering a drill, recognizing these accomplishments keeps morale high and builds confidence. Celebrating progress is especially important for young swimmers, as it reinforces the value of their hard work and keeps them motivated.

One of my swimmers once set a goal to qualify for a big meet. It was a challenging goal that would take months of focused training. Along the way, we celebrated each personal best time, each improved stroke detail, and even the days when they simply felt stronger and more confident in the water. Those small celebrations made the journey enjoyable and kept the pressure manageable.

Encourage your swimmer to keep a journal where they write down their achievements, no matter how small. This not only helps track progress but also provides a boost on tougher days when motivation might wane.

The Bottom Line

Creating an action plan is about turning dreams into reality—one small step at a time. By defining specific goals, breaking them into achievable steps, building supportive routines, and celebrating milestones, your swimmer will stay focused, motivated, and confident on their journey. Remember, progress doesn’t happen overnight, but with a clear action plan, your young swimmer can achieve incredible things.

If you’re looking for support in helping your swimmer reach their potential, Coach Danny Yeo offers personalized swim clinics, goal-setting workshops, and video analysis to guide them every step of the way.

• Goal Setting Workshops: Special sessions designed to help young swimmers set both short-term and long-term goals, with the tools they need to achieve them.

• Swim Clinics and Masterclasses: Focused sessions to target specific areas of improvement, from starts and turns to building stamina and strength in the water.