Train to Train Squads
After the Learn to Train section comes the two Train to Train Squads of Development 1 and Development 2.
The lead coach for these squads is Sarah Young, who is supported by a number of volunteer helpers, the majority of whom are parents of club swimmers or older swimmers. In addition to working poolside during training sessions, coaches also support swimmers at competitions.
DEVELOPMENT 1
To progress from Development 1, swimmers are expected to:
Reinforce all Learn to Train skills techniques and practices as well as:
Swim:
- 800m efficient frontcrawl in under 13m0s to HHSC expected standard with correct turns, underwater phase and transition into stroke with no breathing on 1st arm cycle on breakouts
- 200m IM in under 3m30s with legal and effective start, turns, underwater phase, transition into stroke and finish
- Complete 10 x 100m freestyle with turnaround time under 2m15s, maintaining good technique and consistent pace throughout
- Complete kick sets on all 4 strokes, with varying speeds and distances on set turnaround times
- During specific training sets, endeavour to execute skills such as, negative split, descending and ascending pace, stroke count
- Understand how to take heart rate during specific training sets
- Have good knowledge and understanding of a range of drills and their functions for all 4 strokes
- Following the starting procedure used in competitions perform both a legal grab and track start using a starting block, demonstrating an effective take off, flight, entry and underwater phase
- Following the starting procedure used in competitions perform a legal backstroke start using the block and starting ledges (where appropriate), demonstrating an effective take off, flight, entry and underwater phase
- Be consistent in executing legal turns, including approach, underwater phase, breakouts and transition into stroke throughout training sets and competition, aiming for >5m underwater phase for freestyle, backstroke and butterfly and >10m for breaststroke
- Perform legal and effective finishes on each of the 4 strokes whilst maintaining race speed
- Achieving 1 or more county consideration/qualifying times
- Aiming for multiple county consideration/qualifying times in a range of strokes and distances
Other:
- Act as a positive role model at all times, following HHSC codes of conduct
- Arrive promptly to training sessions with correct equipment including water bottle
- Independently, complete at least 10 minute pre and post pool routine at all training sessions and understand why this is important
- Understand the process of transferring skills into race situations and the importance of this
- Be entering HHSC Club Champs and at least 2 other targeted meets on the HHSC competition calendar
- Support team galas when selected
- Communicate with coaches at training and galas, responding to feedback and asking relevant questions
DEVELOPMENT 2
To progress from Development 2, swimmers are expected to:
Reinforce all previous skills, techniques and practices as well as:
Swim:
- 800m efficient frontcrawl in under 12m00s to HHSC expected standard with effective turns, underwater phase and transition into stroke with no breathing on 1st arm cycle on breakouts
- 200m IM in under 3m00s with legal and effective start, turns, underwater phase, transition into stroke and finish
- Complete 15 x 100m freestyle with turnaround time under 2m00s, maintaining good technique and consistent pace throughout
- Complete kick sets on all 4 strokes, with different speeds and distances on set turnaround times
- During specific training sets, execute skills such as, negative split, descending and ascending pace, stroke count
- Be able to take heart rate during specific training sets and know how to calculate maximum HR
- Have good knowledge and understanding of a range of drills and their functions for all 4 strokes
- Following the starting procedure used in competitions perform both a legal grab and track start using a starting block, demonstrating an effective and explosive take off, flight, entry and underwater phase
- Following the starting procedure used in competitions perform a legal backstroke start using the block and starting ledges (where appropriate), demonstrating an effective and explosive take off, flight, entry and underwater phase
- Be consistent in executing legal turns, including approach, underwater phase, breakouts and transition into stroke throughout training sets and competition, aiming for 10m underwater phase for freestyle, backstroke and butterfly and 15m for breaststroke
- Perform legal and effective finishes on each of the 4 strokes whilst maintaining race speed
- Achieving county consideration/qualifying times in a range of strokes and distances
- Aiming for regional qualifying times
Other:
- Act as a positive role model at all times, following HHSC codes of conduct
- Arrive promptly to training sessions with correct equipment including water bottle
- Independently complete at least 10 minute pre and post pool routine at all training sessions and understand why this is important and how this impacts training and racing
- Understand the intents of different sessions and the process of race planning and the importance of race skills and knowledge
- Be entering HHSC Club Champs and other targeted meets on the HHSC competition calendar, including one Long Course meet (where entries allow)
- Support team galas when selected
- Communicate with coaches at training and galas, responding to feedback and asking relevant questions
Total training time
6 hours 45 minutes
Your aim should be to use all these hours.
Total training time
9 hours 30 minutes
Your aim should be to use all these hours.
Swimmers who assist with the Development Squads coaching include Jonny, Mattias, Sam and Kyle
Matt Rafiq-Craske, who has two daughters and swims with our Masters section, assists on a Sunday morning. Matt has taken the Level 1 Award in coaching.
James Ball, who has two sons with the club, has also been seen poolside assisting with these squads.