USA Swimming now has single age time standards as well as the usual 10&U, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18 version (just to confuse us even more!). I did not type in the single age standards - just the usual age group standards. I haven't given it too much thought as it was a surprise to see the single age standards at all but as of now I will not be using them. Maybe I will change my tune though? Sometimes I like swim meets that are single age competitions so maybe I will get into using the single age standards? T2 even hosts an 11&Under Single Age Meet in March!
Personally I love the USA Time Standards. I love using them to help motivate swimmers to climb up to the next step. At T2 Aquatics we have even installed 8&Under Time Standards to help swimmers understand the system. Feel free to take a look: T2 8&Under Time Standards
An interesting comment thread over at SwimSwam.com about the standards if you want to check it out: SwimSwam: Stepped Up Motivational Time Standards.
I enjoy the standards more than the power points. Taking a look at powerpoints for age groupers is interesting but in my opinion it is much easier for a kid to understand "Get your 500 Free to a 5:37.29 and you get a AAA Time!". It just sounds cooler than "Get your 500 Free to a 5:37.29 and you score 608 points!" Age Group Coaches and Swimmers can also carry around little charts that easily tell them where they rank.
Follow me @t2aquatics
Hi Tom, Would you please email a copy of the Hy-Tek file which contains the 2013-2016 Motivational Time standards for TM (and MM). It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteCoach Paul Grube at email: coach1548@hotmail.com.