Expert: George Weber - 10/9/2009

Question
QUESTION: Does high school swimming hinder (to any significant degree) the progress of club swimmers.  And if so, what are the negative affects? Seems many club coaches discourage their swimmers from swimming in  high school cause it allegedly disrupts their long term progress.  Also, what do college coaches prefer?  Heard they don't care if prospective recruits swim high school or not.  And heard conversely because the recruits  experience the "team environment" associated with high school swimming.

ANSWER: High school swimming is a good thing if an athlete is looking to going to college.  As you said, it gives them the team experience.  College coaches scout the state finals competitions also.  Given that the high school season is only a few months long, if the club coach has any concerns, most high school coaches will work with them.  In addition, the duel meets and swimming with their peers make the high school season a fun diversion from constant training.  Since college swimming is a duel meet format, the coaches like to see how they perform in that setting

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: What if the HS coach is a very poor coach?

Answer
Depending on the local rules and the HS coach's rules, sometimes it is possible to do a light workout with the HS and then train afterward with the club coach.  Some HS associations don't allow an athlete to train with their club coach during the competitive season so you would have to check with them to see what they allow.  
Since the HS season is relatively short it also comes down to the swimmers choice.  Is he willing to swim with the high school team for the fun and experience or just remain with the club through the season.
If the swimmer has a few years experience, he can train with the high school and work on the techniques learned from the club coach.
Basically, high school swimming is a great ezperience(good coach or bad) and I recommend it.  Your not really losing a lot of training.  The important part is he is still in the water.
George