Pre-puberty power in sport

[SportQuestion]

My DS (11) does a sport. He trains 6 or 7 times a week. It's aerobically intensive, endurance building and he also does strength and conditioning twice a week as part of his club, with football and other sports on top. He's been doing all this around 3 yrs, but has always been v into sport since he was a toddler and his favourite lesson at school is pe.

His coach told me he's not "athletic" which I thought was weird given he's ok (not great, but ok!) at his chosen sport and loves all sport and must b very fit with all his training!

However, in his club (quite high level) he's average and others are better than him in terms of results, and I can see so many other kids his age just seem to have so much 'power'. DS doesn't have any power comparatively. He seems 'weak' which maybe is what the coach meant. He's also short (again maybe this is why coach thinks he's not "athletic") and no signs of puberty on the horizon.

Anyway, if pre-puberty kids can't lay down muscle, how do they get power? And does power pre-puberty indicate greater power potential post-puberty? How r some pre-puberty kids so powerful. How come DS is so 'weak' compared to peers when he trains sooo much?

Any thoughts?

Wasn't going to mention the sport in case out-ing! But it probably isn't 'out-ing' to say his main sport. So anyway, it's swimming.

Everything changes for swimmers after puberty. Often the ones who were at the back go to the front. The ones who by fluke of genetics have naturally more muscle pre puberty can rely on that power to storm the races. The smaller weaker ones often have to work harder on technique and nail it. Once the children all go thru puberty and come out the other side those with better technique will really fly.

does he do any S&C at home? My son the same age who swims (but is also like yours in terms of build) has a pull up bar and does a 15 min workout most nights before bed. Some planks, pull ups etc. it does make him stronger but he’s not really laying down muscle. Hoping with puberty that’ll change tho

https://coachsci.sdsu.edu/swim/bullets/icar8990/icar15.htm

I'm just wondering why you care? If he's enjoying the sport and his team crack on, even if he's last?

Thanks!

To be honest, I wouldn't worry about it, he'll grow in his own time. Mine was tiny aged 11 compared to others and at that age it's about technique as well as completing the training sessions. The coaches will not be bothered about bulking up at that age.

And DS is now miles ahead of his peers who were better at the ages of 11-13