Guideline Squad Criteria
Membership of all squads is at the discretion of the Head Coach. Allocations will be based on a range of factors, including the following:
- Commitment to / attendance at training and competitions
- Attitude, behaviour and performance during training sessions
- Age (see Guideline squad age and British Swimming Athlete Development Support Pathway (“ADSP”) profile)
Some of the factors that will be taken into account in squad allocation are squad specific and the guidelines for each squad are set out below. In addition, there are a number of requirements which are expected of all swimmers:
- Commitment to give 100% effort at all training sessions
- Positive approach to training and willingness to learn and improve
- Consistent attendance at training
- Timely arrival at training sessions, in time to carry out pre-pool routine
- Appropriate behaviour to coaches and other swimmers at all times – being a ‘team player’, polite, supportive and empathetic
Performance
Competitive standards
Swimmers will be expected to have / have the potential to obtain multiple Regional Qualifying Times and to be aiming to achieve national qualification in at least one event.
Attendance
Available pool sessions / hours per week: 6 / 9.5 hrs. Swimmers are encouraged to attend at least 5 pool sessions and one land training session each week.
Guideline training criteria
Swimmers in Performance will generally be expected to be capable of maintaining the following training standards:
Boys: 15 x 100m FC at 1:15 on 1:30
Girls: 15 x 100m FC at 1:20 on 1:35
Technical standards: Swimmers will be expected routinely to perform the following:
- Minimum of 6 effective underwater fly kicks off the wall on FC / BC / fly
- No breathing last 2 strokes into FC turn / no breathing on breakout stroke
- Self management of turn around times and training paces.
Performance Development
Competitive standards
Swimmers will be expected to have / have the potential to obtain multiple County Qualifying Times across a range of strokes / distances and be aiming for Regional Qualifying Times in more than one event.
Attendance
Available sessions / pool hours per week: 5 / 8 hrs. Swimmers are encouraged to attend all the pool sessions and one land training session each week.
Guideline training criteria
Swimmers in Performance Development will generally be expected to be capable of maintaining the following training standards:
Boys: 15 x 100m FC at 1:20 on 1:35
Girls: 15 x 100m FC at 1:25 on 1:40
Technical standards: Swimmers will be expected routinely to perform the following:
- 5-6 effective underwater fly kicks off the wall on FC / BC / fly
- No breathing last 2 strokes into FC turn / no breathing on breakout stroke
- Self management of turn around times.
Age Group Performance
Competitive standards
Swimmers will be expected to have / have the potential to obtain multiple County Qualifying Times across a range of strokes / distances and be aiming for Regional Qualifying Times in at least one event.
Attendance
Available sessions / pool hours per week: 5 / 7.5.
Swimmers are encouraged to attend at least 4 pool sessions and one land training session each week.
Guideline training criteria
The Age Group Performance squad will follow a multi-stroke training programme and swimmers will be expected to both train and compete in all four strokes and individual medley, across a range of distances.
Swimmers in Age Group Performance will generally be expected to be capable of maintaining the following training standards:
Boys: 15 x 100m FC on 1:45, with a target time of 1:30
Girls: 15 x 100m FC on 1:45, with a target time of 1:30
Technical standards: Swimmers will be expected routinely to perform the following:
- 4-5 effective underwater fly kicks off the wall on FC / BC / fly
- No breathing last 2 strokes into FC turn / no breathing on breakout stroke
Age Group Development
Competitive Standards
Swimmers will be expected to have / have the potential to obtain County Qualifying Times in at least one event and be aiming for CQT across a range of events
Attendance
Available pool sessions / pool hours per week: 4 / 5.5 hrs
Swimmers are encouraged to attend at least 3 pool sessions and one land training session each week.
Guideline Training Criteria
The Age Group Development squad will follow a multi-stroke training programme and swimmers will be expected to both train and compete in all four strokes and individual medley.
Swimmers in Age Group Development will generally be expected to be capable of maintaining the following training standards:
Boys: 10 x 100m FC on 2:10 with a target time of ~1:40 (with efficient turns and maintaining stroke quality)
Girls: 10 x 100m FC on 2:10 with a target time of ~1:40 (with efficient turns and maintaining stroke quality)
Technical Standards
- Demonstrate effective stroke technique in all four strokes over 100m (50m for fly)
- Be able routinely to perform legal competitive starts, turns and finishes in all four strokes
- Demonstrate ability to use 4-5 effective fly kick off the wall FC / BC / fly
- No breathing last 2 strokes into FC turn / no breathing on breakout stroke
- Develop ability to use pace clock effectively to time training sets
Skill Development
Competitive standards
Swimmers will be expected to have the potential to obtain County Qualifying Times in at least one event and be aiming for Development Championships Times across a range of events
Attendance
Available sessions / pool hours per week: 3 / 3 hrs
Swimmers are encouraged to attend at least 2 pool sessions.
Guideline Training Criteria
The Skill Development squad will follow a multi-stroke training programme and swimmers will be expected to train and compete in all four strokes and individual medley.
Swimmers in Skill Development will generally be expected to be capable of maintaining the following training standards:
Boys: 10 x 50m FC on 1:00 with a target time of ~0:50 (with efficient turns and maintaining stroke quality)
Girls: 10 x 50m FC on 1:00 with a target time of ~0:50 (with efficient turns and maintaining stroke quality)
Technical Standards
- Demonstrate effective stroke technique in all four strokes over 100m (50m for fly)
- Be able to consistently perform legal competitive starts, turns and finishes in all four strokes
- Demonstrate ability to use 4-5 effective fly kick off the wall FC / BC / fly
- Develop ability to use pace clock effectively to time training sets
- Understand basic lane etiquette
Transition 2
Competitive Standards
Swimmers will be expected to be aiming for Development Championships Times across a range of events, and to attend novice competitions.
Attendance
Available sessions / pool hours per week: 2 / 2 hrs
Swimmers are encouraged to attend both pool sessions.
Guideline Training Criteria
The Transition squad will follow a multi-stroke training programme and swimmers will be expected to train and compete in all four strokes and individual medley, competing in Butterfly events should be determined by the squad coach.
Swimmers in Transition will generally be expected to be capable of maintaining the following training standards:
Boys: 10 x 50m FC on 1:15 with a target time of ~1:00 (with efficient turns and maintaining stroke quality)
Girls: 10 x 50m FC on 1:15 with a target time of ~1:00 (with efficient turns and maintaining stroke quality)
Technical Standards
- Demonstrate effective stroke technique in all four strokes over 50m (25m for fly)
- Understand and develop legal competitive starts, turns and finishes in all four strokes
- Demonstrate ability to use 4-5 effective fly kick off the wall FC / BC / fly
- Develop ability to use pace clock effectively to time training sets
- Understand basic lane etiquette
- Work towards completing the competitive start award to qualify to dive in competitions#
Transition 1
Competitive Standards
Swimmers will be expected to be aiming for Development Championships Times across a few events, and to attend novice competitions.
Attendance
Available sessions / pool hours per week: 1 / 1 hrs
Swimmers are encouraged to attend fully.
Guideline Training Criteria
The Transition squad will follow a multi-stroke training programme and swimmers will be expected to train and compete in all four strokes and individual medley, competing in Butterfly events should be determined by the squad coach.
Technical Standards
- Demonstrate effective stroke technique in all four strokes over 50m (25m for fly)
- Understand and develop legal competitive starts, turns and finishes in all four strokes
- Demonstrate ability to use 4-5 effective fly kick off the wall FC / BC / fly
- Develop ability to use pace clock effectively to time training sets
- Understand basic lane etiquette
- Work towards completing the competitive start award to qualify to dive in competitions
Our catchment area for swimming lessons and squad swimming encompasses East Suffolk including Woodbridge, Melton, Kesgrave, Ipswich, Martlesham, Rushmere St Andrew, Felixstowe, Wickham Market, Framlingham, Saxmundham, Waldringfield, Bucklesham, Playford, Bealings.
