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Wave engages in a multi-level competition program with USA Swimming
that, like our training program, attempts to provide challenging,
yet success-oriented competitive situations for swimmers of all
ages and abilities. The following policies outline our
philosophy:
1.
We emphasize competition with oneself. Winning ribbons, medals or
trophies is not our main goal. If the swimmer finishes first, but
has swum poorly in comparison to his/her own past performances,
he/she is encouraged to do better. The individual’s
improvement is our primary objective.
2.
Sportsmanlike behavior is as important as improved performance. All
the coaches teach swimmers how to behave like champions when the
swimmer has both a "good" and a "bad" swim. Respect for officials,
congratulations to other competitors, encouragement to teammates,
determined effort and mature attitudes are examples of behaviors
praised and rewarded by the WAVE coaching staff.
3.
A swimmer is praised for improving his/her stroke or time. It is
the coach’s job to offer constructive criticism of a
swimmer’s performance. It is the parent’s
responsibility to provide love and encouragement that bolster the
swimmer’s confidence along the way.
Swimmers are taught to set realistic, yet challenging, goals for
meets and to relate those goals to practice to direct their
training efforts.
Swimmers are prepared and encouraged to compete in all swimming
events, distances and strokes. This policy promotes versatility and
encourages the swimmer to explore his potential in the wide range
of events offered in competitive swimming. Oftentimes, a swimmers
"best" stroke changes as he matures and his body goes through
physical changes.
Swimmers 11 years old and older will be exposed to
prelim/finals-formatted swim meets. All swimmers who attend these
meets are expected to return for finals even if he or she did not
make a fast enough time for finals. It is our belief that swimmers
need to learn how to prepare for swimming in finals; therefore,
everyone returns for finals—even if they are not swimming
that evening—and participates in warm-up and (if pool space
allows) will swim a workout.
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