Dorking Swimming Club

Junior Performance

An ideal guideline age is 10+ years old.

The core values of this squad are:

• Discipline – Consistent dedication and commitment to the training programme in and out of the pool.
• Respect – Having a high standard of respect for your coaches, teammates and competitors. Always exhibiting courteous and professional behaviour towards others.
• Resilience – Bouncing back regardless of the setbacks, injuries or defeats, maintaining a positive outlook and perseverance throughout your journey.
• Accountability – Having the ability to explain, be transparent and hold yourself responsible for your actions, performance and progress, to your coaches and teammates.  
• Sportsmanship – Displaying fairness, integrity and graciousness in both victory and defeat. Competing with honour and respect for all competitors.

Technique and swimming skills

• Endurance and speed training.
• Complete familiarity with FINA competition rules and regulations.
• Monitoring progression using test sets as part of the ongoing training programme.
• Continuing to develop all 4 strokes with emphasis on IM swimming using robust technique that doesn’t break down under pressure.

Attendance

• Attendance of 4 out of 6 session is expected and will be monitored to achieve a high level of progress.
• Each week, 1 land based training session should be attended.
• Swimmers will be expected to show depth in strokes and distances by having achieved times in ALL events and distances by age 12.
• Swimmers are expected to enter external competitions, working towards Surrey County Championships, South East Regional Championships and Summer Nationals.

Attitude and approach to training

• Arrive to training at least 10 minutes prior to the start time.
• Complete the pre pool and post pool routine at training and competitions.
• Swimmers must show a high level of discipline with a positive attitude.
• Work with the coaching team to maximise session effectiveness.

Training capacity

• Building on being able to complete sessions in all training zones as set out by the coaching team.
• Squad members should be working towards being able to cover at least 5500m in a 2-hour training session.

Lifestyle and training management

• Utilise the process of goal setting and working towards objectives. Engage fully in reflections undertaken termly with the squad coach.
• Show understanding of nutrition, sleep management and complete any instructed pre pool and post pool as directed by the coaching team.
• Complete a logbook and reflect on past sessions and competitions.
• Swimmers must be responsible for own hydration.

Equipment expectations: All kit must be named

• Two pairs of goggles
• A Dorking hat
• Kickboard
• Short fins
• Pull-buoy
• Paddles
• Water bottle
• Snorkel
• Skipping rope
• Thera bands
• Yoga mat
• Parachute (optional)
• Foam roller (optional)