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It’s getting close to the time of year that we start
finalizing groups and placements for next season. Typically the
coaches take a lot of mental notes throughout the year, and into
the summer so that we can make sure that each swimmer is placed in
the best possible group in the fall. I wanted to give you all an
idea of what goes into that decision, so you and your children will
understand how the decisions are made.
Many people think that the most important factor in deciding a
group placement is how fast their child swims meets. Actually this
is not the most important factor. In fact it isn’t even in
the top 3 in our opinion. The most important factor for a swimmer
is what they do with what they are given and what they need to do
so they can improve. For instance, if a swimmer gets out of
practice early on a regular basis or only comes to practice 2 or 3
days per week, moving to the next group may be too much for them.
Attending one more day or fully completing their current practice,
may be what they really need.
Another important factor is their ability to train at the speed
that the group trains at. I’m sure you have no doubt heard of
our group standards. These standards are set so that swimmers
moving into a new group will be able to keep up with that practice.
For example the Gold III group should be able to swim six - 50s on
a 1:00 interval, the Gold II five – 100s on a 1:45 interval,
the Gold I eight -100s on 1:25. A swimmer should be able to make
these standards on a regular basis if they plan on being able to
train with that group.
A third and very important factor is their self-directed
maturity. When the coach asks them to stretch, do they, and are
they improving in this area? Do they warm up and warm down at meets
and at practice for the prescribed amounts, or do they cut corners?
Can they read a clock and leave on an interval when directed to?
Can and do they use all the equipment in their bag. This last one
pertains mostly to snorkels with the younger swimmers. No swimmer
will move past the Gold III group if they are unable or unwilling
to use the snorkel. You might ask your child if they are in this
group if they are using their snorkel on a regular basis. There are
a number of swimmers who forget their snorkel or have mouth
problems and say they cannot use their snorkel. These swimmers will
not progress to the next group, as we rely heavily on the use of
the snorkel. The snorkel is an essential tool in helping establish
body line and balance in all the strokes except backstroke.
Each year we make placements and each year we are asked why a
swimmer did not move. The group placements are by no means a one
year thing. This is not like school where you go from one group to
the next each year. If that was the case a swimmer starting in the
White group at age 6 would be in the Senior group by age 10. The
groups are set up each season to best accommodate all of our
swimmers, and to make sure that each group can operate efficiently.
Sometimes a swimmer will show that they are ready to be moved up
part way through the season. Other times a swimmer will stay in one
group for 2 or 3 years until they are ready, and need what the next
group has to offer.
Please let me know if you have any questions about the
placements. Your child’s coach would be able to answer any
questions that you may have. We will be evaluating throughout the
rest of the season. Any swimmer who wants to move to the next group
still has plenty of time to show that they are ready.
Thanks,
Shannon
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