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How
frequently should a swimmer compete?
(James Richards, Leeds Metropolitan
University)
How
frequently a swimmer should compete is a commonly asked
question. A related issue is the level of competition.
We can
describe a competition as any meet that requires two or more
days of rest, or any meet that is expectant of a personal best
time (Sweetenham & Atkinson, 2003). An event can also be
considered as a competition if it interferes with the annual
plan/training programme.
Sweetenham
and Atkinson (2003) recommend that swimmers do not exceed 1
competition per month, or 12 competitions per cyclical year. A
competition generally occurs over two days. Swimmers should try
to avoid ‘rolling’ meets, that is, competitions that take place
on two or more consecutive weekends.
The
recommended number of competitions is an absolute maximum. Some
swimmers may compete significantly less often. Competing at
club-level that does not interfere with the training programme
of the swimmer should not be considered a competition
(Sweetenham & Atkinson, 2003).
It is
recommended (Maglischo, 1993) that swimmers should compete at
different levels. The following rules generally apply:
·
Swimmers
should compete at their own performance level in three
competitions. In most cases, the coach is critical of their
results, expects them to be extremely competitive and demands
perfection.
·
Swimmers
should race in two competitions below their performance level.
They could win whilst experimenting in performing the race in
different ways.
·
Swimmers
should compete in one competition above their performance level.
In this competition, they are out of their depth, and the coach
praises the swimmers for their results.
The above
progression repeated twice in the year will give the swimmer 12
competitions. Competing too frequently is a problem in our sport
(Sweetenham & Maglischo, 2003).
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