Long Term Swimmer Development Model

Chronological Age

Train to Compete
Female FUNdamentals Learn to Train Train to Train
Compete to Win
Long Term Athlete
Active Start
Development Stage Active for Life

Train to Compete
FUNdamentals Learn to Train Train to Train
Male
Compete to Win

Approximate growth
velocity curve for
average maturer

Agility

Balance

Primary Coordination

Training Flexibility

Emphasis Speed of limb movement

Basic Technique

Anaerobic Speed

Aerobic Endurance

Primary Tactics and Decision Making

Emphasis
Aerobic Power

Introduce or Strength Endurance

Maintain
Refine Technique
Speed Endurance

Maximum Strength

Muscular Power

Enjoyment of water, movement Cognitive understanding of training and

Will to perform, dealing with failure
recovery principles
Mental Group dynamics Identifying relationships between
Self awareness, critical quest for perfection
regular participation
Development
effort and performance

Focus Developing independence skills Striving towards independence

Goal setting, attention control emotional control

Competitive Club skills meets and time trials IM/Aerobic Entry System Individual event entry system
Format (Regional/Provincial/National)

NCCP Coaching Swimming Teacher Competition Introduction Coach High Performance Coach

Context Fundamentals Coach Competition Development Coach

Approximate hours +/- 20 hrs

of swimming-specific 0.5-2 hrs 2-3 hrs 3-5 hrs 5-7 hrs 9-12 hrs 12-20 hrs
teaching/training per week Individual

Chronological Age

Published June 2011

power
GUIDELINES FOR THE TRAINING OF ATHLETIC ABILITIES
PRE-GROWTH SPURT GROWTH SPURT POST-GROWTH SPURT
F 6 yrs 7yrs 8 yrs 9 yrs 10 yrs 11 yrs 12 yrs 13 yr 14 yrs 15 yrs 16 yrs 17 yrs 18 yrs 19 yrs 20yr+
Fundamentals Learn to Train Train to Train Train to Compete Compete to Win/Active for Life

PRE-GROWTH SPURT GROWTH SPURT POST GROWTH SPURT

Athletic M 6 yrs 7 yrs 8 yrs 9 yrs 10 yrs 11 yrs 12 yrs 13 yr 14 yrs 15 yrs 16 yrs 17 yrs 18 yrs 19 yrs 20yr+
Abilities Fundamentals Learn to Train Train to Train Train to Compete Compete to Win/Active for Life

Agility/Balance/
F  
Coordination
M  
F 
Flexibility
M 
Speed of limb F  
movement – short
intense bursts M  
F Introduce  
Basic Techniques
M Introduce  
Anaerobic Speed F  
efforts of 8 sec or
less – Fast FUN M  

Aerobic Endurance
F  Introduce  
– FUN Fitness
M  Introduce  

Tactics and
F  Introduce 
Decision-making
M  Introduce 
F  Introduce  
Aerobic Power
M  Introduce  

Strength-
F  Introduce  
Endurance
M  Introduce  

More Advanced
F Introduce  
Techniques
M Introduce  
F  Introduce  
Speed-Endurance
M  Introduce  
F  Introduce  
Maximum Strength
M  Introduce  

Speed-Strength
F  Introduce  
(muscle power)
M  Introduce  

Legend:  Should be avoided Not a priority Introduce  Optimal training age  Coach should individualize for the athlete

Guidelines for Training Athletic Abilities