Skills Development

This is the entry and foundation level for swimmers who have achieved as a minimum of Stage 7 of the Swim England Learn to Swim Framework. This is the most important programme as it is where vital development skills, technique and character building are taught for swimmers to use throughout their athletic career. Theo’s squad focuses on skills, skills and more skills! A fast swimmer with poor technique and skills will only go so far. A swimmer with great skill and technique can go on to achieve great things. 

Swimmers will have achieved as a minimum of Stage 7 of the Swim England Learn to Swim Framework or equivalent. Swimmers should have a basic understanding of all four competitive strokes. 

Swimmers in the Skills Development programme will in general be between 7 and 10 years of age to fit with the long term athlete development guidelines. Swimmers are expected to compete in all strokes, distances and Individual Medley events. Progression both within and from the Skills Development programme will be based on skill set, technique, enthusiasm, behaviour and attendance. All squad moves will be at the discretion of the Coaching Team. 

The Skills Development squad is the entry level for the Club Programme. Swimmers should have a basic understanding of all four competitive strokes.  The main focus of the squad is on skill development, technique and body position 

Swimmers in Skills Development will:  

• Develop basic drill movements on all four strokes 
• Understand lane discipline 
• Be introduced to use of the pace clock     
• Learn to consistently perform legal skill movements on all four strokes 
• Display a basic understanding of the skills expected for Skills Progression
• Demonstrate streamline positions off all walls, with correct legal underwater phases 
• Be able to kick 100m with correct legal technique on all four strokes at a basic level 
• Show progression on competitive starts, turns and finishes 
• Building on an aerobic capacity whist maintaining great skills and technique

Development Skills List: 

Freestyle 

• No breathing on breakout 
• No breathing last 5m 
• 2-3 or more kicks off every wall 
• Breathe every 3 or 4 strokes

Backstroke 

• Breakout at the flags on competitive push offs 
• Finish on back (count strokes from flags every time)

Breaststroke 

• Hold each underwater phase for 2 seconds 
• Turn and finish with 2 hands

Butterfly 

•  Breathe every 2 strokes 
• 2-3 kicks or more off every wall 
• Turn and finish with 2 hands

Other Key Skills 

• Perform a legal competitive start with the correct use of the appropriate underwater phase 
• Be able to perform a relay takeover at race pace
• Be in a streamlined position off every wall
• Be able to perform fast, competitive kicks across all strokes over a 600m set without standing up in between for rest
• Criteria to move into Skills Progression Squad
  • Swimmers must commit to attend regular training sessions
  • Swimmers must be qualifying for, and competing at level 2/3 swim meets
  • Swimmers must be able to maintain the skills set
  • Swimmers must be able to perform 2 different stroke drills efficiently for all four competitive strokes to a high standard.
  • Be able to perform a competitive start, to a progressive standard with the use of competitive underwater phase
  • Be able to perform a legal backstroke start to progressive standard with the use of a competitive underwater phase
  • Be able to consistently perform legal competitive turns with the appropriate underwater