Sailfish Swim Meet Goals and Expectations:

All Sailfish athletes are expected to compete in meets regularly throughout each season, aiming for one full meet each month. Your coaches consider one full meet to be 6-10 events over two or three sessions. Two one days meets equal one full meet, most of the time. It is beneficial to practice swimming for a full weekend, however. All our championships are at least 3 consecutive days; try not to make your first state championship your first full meet of the season!  Championship meets are typically held in March for short course and July for long course.

Winter/Championship Competitive Goals: January - April

  • Begin to determine the races you will focus on at Championships. Get more swim qualifying times.
  • Fine tune your best events by experimenting or practicing different strategies. 
  • Solidify and practice your "meet routine" including warm-up, pre-race imagery, cool down and post-race analysis with your coaches. 
  • Practice giving every race your full focus, attention and energy output. 
  • Practice swimming hard and focused when you are tired.
  • Swim at ALL championship meets in which you qualify, including all relays, in March.
  • Important - Take spring vacations in April to avoid championship meet participation disruption.

Spring Competitive Goals: April - June

  • Acclimate to the long course (50m) racing pool. 
  • Restart your training in April with focus on aerobic and technique practices.
  • Practice adjusting your race strategy. 
  • Swim as many different events as possible, making a point to swim distance events early. 
  • Practice being efficient through the middle of the pool. 

Summer Competition Goals: July - August

  • Focus on your Championship events. Get qualifying times.
  • Practice dialing in your race strategies; have a plan before every race! 
  • Solidify and practice your "meet routine" including warm-up, pre-race imagery, cool down and post-race analysis with your coaches. 
  • Practice swimming hard and focused when you are tired.
  • Swim at ALL championship meets in which you qualify, including all relays, in July. 
  • Important - Take summer vacations in August to avoid training and competition disruptions.

 

Fall Competition Goals: September through December

  • Compete in as many different events as possible, broadening your competitive skill set. Coaches will expect experienced athletes to swim every event offered for their age group, including IMX and IMX-Ready events. 
  • Start you training focused on aerobic work and technique in September.
  • Focus on applying practice skills during competition; these are meets where you can practice new skills and strategies and work with your coaches to make adjustments for later in the season. 
  • Consider every meet equivalent to a challenging practice; race 3-4 events per day, use great warm-up and cool down procedures and communicate with your coaches.