The Framework

An Introduction to the Pathway

This pathway has been devised with the support of the National Coaching and Training Centre, based in Limerick, funded by the Irish Sports Council. This particular document has been based upon the NCTC’s LTAD model for team sports and the consultation paper produced namely “ Building pathways in Irish sport” of which the Swim Ireland pathway has been suitably adapted. Other literature that has been reviewed and researched to formulate the Swim Ireland Pathway has included the Canadian “Sport for Life” LTAD document paper which has been specifi cally written for late-specialisation sports and the Amateur Swimming Association’s Swimming LTAD framework that has also both been produced by both Scottish Swimming and Swim Wales for use within their own countries to provide similar pathways.

This particular Swim Ireland Pathway is a conglomeration of all research carried out by Istvan Bayli. To date the LTAD model/framework which forms the basis of this pathway has been adopted across many different countries and has also been adopted by many Sports Institutions and National Governing Bodies in some format across the world.

The Swim Ireland Aquatic Pathway as presented within this document will be further developed and adapted to suit Swim Ireland’s needs and evolution although similar principles will apply.

The Swim Ireland framework lists 7 stages and these are clearly detailed from page 6 onwards.

Swimming as a discipline has been classed as a mid specialisation sport. The ASA and British Swimming have worked upon a 5 phased model, this has been taken into account for the development of this particular model. Due to joined up thinking across all governing bodies for a similar teacher and coach education pathway, it was very important that we all share similar thoughts for the LTAD principles moving forwards.

It is hoped that this pathway will form the basis for many new and exciting programmes and innovations within the aquatic sports in the years to come.

Training toTrain

Training toCompete

Training toWin

Retention

Swim Skills

AquaBabies

FundamentalsFundamentals

Aquatics For Life

Long Term Athlete Development

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Swim Ireland Aquatic Pathway:Aqua Babies

Girls age 0-5 (years): Boys age 0-6 (years)

Active play is the way young children are physically active. Physical Activity should be fun and it should provide the ideal platform for learning fundamental movements. Once these movements have been learnt this is then the right time to start to link these movements together into play. Basic movement skills should include running, jumping, twisting, wheeling, kicking, throwing, and catching, these motor skills are the building blocks for more complex movement. All of these actions can take place both outside and inside the water environment.

Parents would be encouraged to familiarise their children with the water as soon as possible. Within the water again the same principles such as basic movements, building confidence and getting used to the water environment all provides great building blocks for the future involvement and progression within a learn to swim programme. Governing Bodies for swimming have designed and encouraged parent and child swimming to encourage and familiarise a child in the water based environment, there are many programmes that are organised across Ireland that caters for this young age group.

Parents should also be encouraged to place their child in a quality learn to swim programme as recommended by their National Governing Body in the child’s early development, this will ensure that swimming potential is maximised.

The focus of aqua babies section is to provide physical activityand hopefully activity in the water daily to promote fitness and movement skills and to help children to feel competent and comfortable participating in a variety of fun and challenging activities, including those in the water.

Ensure games for young children are non competitive and focus on participation. Activities must begender neutral and inclusive so that active living is equally valued and promoted for all children.

DISABILITY: Organised PA and active play are equally important for the healthy development ofchildren with a disability if they are to acquire habits of lifelong activity.

Swim Ireland Initiatives and Programmes: Swim a Song (on stream in 2008)

Aquatic Pathway

SWIM IRELAND LTAD FRAMEWORK FOR SWIMMING

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FUNDAMENTALSChronological / Biological Age:Male 6-9 yearsFemale 5-8 years

Development PhasesMovement Literacy

Progression• FUN and participation.• General, overall development.• ABCS: Agility, Balance, Co-ordination and Speed.• RJTs: Running, Jumping and Throwing.• KGBs: Kinesthetics, Gliding, Buoyancy and Striking.• CKS: Catching, Kicking and Striking.• Speed power and endurance through FUN and games.• Introduction to simple rules and ethics of sport.

Growth and Development ConsiderationsEmphasis on development of skills.A first speed window of opportunity that occurs at this stage of development means that agility, quickness and relevant skills should be developed. This window is girls 6-8 years and boys 7-9 years.

Swimming Specific Skills - Development of all 4 strokes

Periodisation - No periodisation, but well structured programmes with proper progression.

Session Numbers - General sport participation 5-6 times per week. This should include land work and multi sport activity.

Session Length - 30-45 minutes

Training Hours - Sessional

Training Volume - Skill acquisition

Competition Events 25m all strokes;4/8/16 x 25m relays all strokes.Multi-sports festivals and events offered through Local Sports Partnerships or similar reputable organisations.

Competition TypesClub championshipsIntra club competitions.Local/mini leagues.

Swim Ireland Initiatives and Programmes - National Teaching Plan Swimming Awards (coming on stream in 2008)

SWIM SKILLSChronological / Biological Age:Biological Age:Male 9-12 yearsFemale 8-11 years

Development PhasesSkill Development

Progression• Peak motor development.• Shoulder, elbow, core, spine and ankle stability.• Participation in complementary sports (similar energy system and movement patterns).• FUNdamental technical skills progressively more specific skills towards the end of the stage.• Medicine ball, Swiss ball and own body exercises for strength.• FUNdamentals of ancillary capacities (knowledge and experience).

Growth and Development ConsiderationsPeak motor co-ordination (PMCV), therefore, emphasis should be on skill development beforeage 11 yrs for girls, age 12 yrs for boys.

Swimming Specific Skills - Improvement of all 4 strokes- Sculling and “feel for water”- Development of Starts & Turns

Periodisation - Single Periodisation (1 x 48 weeks)

Session Numbers - Sport specific training 4-6 times per week, plus participation in other sports.

Session Length - 60-90 minutes

Training Hours - 4-7 hours per week in water; 1-2 hours per week land work.

Training Volume - 8,000m – 16,000m/week

Number of Competitions -75% training to 25% competition ratio

Competition Types- Club Championships- Open meets- Graded/Division competitions- Regional Championships(Age-group)

Swim Ireland Initiatives and Programmes - Swim Link programme Development of club programmes

SWIM IRELAND LTAD FRAMEWORK FOR SWIMMING

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