Constructing a Season Plan for High School Swimmers

The final preliminary step is establishing season goals. During the first week of practice additional goals may be set by the athletes that could require plan modification, but the coach's plan should cover most items that athletes might list. The established goals (Example 8) are based on the preliminary information, team history, and coach projections. Using the preliminary information and the season goals a sample plan can be constructed. This plan (Example 9) should be written so it can be shared with the team, staff, faculty, and parents.

Sample Preliminary Season Planning Information (Example 7)

• Athletes
  1. The approximate breakdown of this season's swimmers by skill level is 5 minimally qualified, 20 novice, 11 experienced, 13 advanced, and 9 state qualifiers.
  2. The majority of the swimmers have stayed active during their summer break and will be in adequate condition to handle the stresses of the first days of practice.

• Facility
  1. The pool will be available from 0600 to 0730 and 1530 to 1730 weekdays and 0600 to 0900 on Saturdays.
  2. Access to the weight training room is from 1730 to 1830 during the school week and from 0800 to 0900 on Saturdays.
  3. The diving team will practice with the head and assistant diving coach from 1500 to 1630 on weekdays and 0700 to 1000 on Saturday.
  4. The divers will use the weight room from 1630 to 1715 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
  5. There is an adequate inventory of hand paddles, kick boards, pull-buoys, swim flippers, weight belts, stretch cords, and swimming pails, exercise mats, and medicine balls.

• Admin
  1. All swim meets have been scheduled.
  2. All faculty have been contacted regarding swimming season and academic monitoring.

• Staff
  1. The coaching staff is all returning from last season
  2. There will be one additional new coach, who was a competitive swimmer in high school and college, for a total swimming staff of five.
  3. Seven student swimming managers and two student diving managers have been recruited.

• Prior Season
  1. The prior season plan was generally effective at improving the swimmers' fitness levels.
  2. The team as a whole did not have good technique when compared to other teams at the conference level last season.
  3. The two week taper was effective.
  4. The team did not improve in the weight room as much as desired.

Season Goals for Planning Purposes (Example 8)

• Team Building
  1. Develop a unified team as evidenced by spontaneous cheering and athlete to athlete support at practices and competitions.

• Academics
  1. Maintain a team "C" average.
  2. Place 30% of the team on the dean's list.

• Sport Psychology
  1. Have each athlete establish at least three individual goals for the season during the first week of practice.
  2. Meet with parents of swimmers to discuss season plans and goals.
  3. Teach and use mental sport skills to all swimmers, including relaxation and visualization drills.

• Individual Performance
  1. Improved swimmer skill level in practices and meets compared to previous season.
  2. Achieve 85% average best times for the team from the first to final meet of the season.

• Team Conditioning
  1. Improve general team fitness from beginning to end of season based on athlete performance and in-practice tests.
  2. Increase general team strength from beginning to end of season.

• Team Performance
  1. Achieve a positive win-loss record.
  2. Finish in the top two at conference.
  3. Qualify at least 12 swimmers for the state championship.

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4