YWCA MIDDIES SWIMMING

P H I L O S O P H Y   O F   C O M P E T I T I O N

The Middies Swim Team engages in a multi-level competition program with United States Swimming that, like our training program, attempts to provide challenging, yet success-oriented competitive situations for swimmers of all ages and abilities.   The following policies outline our philosophy:

1.         The Middies emphasize competition with oneself.  Winning ribbons, medals or trophies is not our main goal.  Even if the swimmer finishes first, but has swum poorly for his/her own capability level he or she is encouraged to do better.  The individual’s improvement is our primary objective.

2.         Sportsmanlike behavior is of EQUAL IMPORTANCE to improved performance.  Respect for officials, congratulations to competitors, encouragement to teammates, determined effort, and mature attitudes are examples of proper behavior praised and rewarded by the Middies Coaching Staff.

3.         A swimmer is praised for improving his/her technique, strategy, time, etc.   It is the Coach’s job to “critique” the swimmer’s performance.  It is the parent’s responsibility to provide love and encouragement to the swimmer.

4.         Swimmers are taught to set realistic, yet challenging goals for meets and to relate those goals to practice to direct their training efforts.

5.         Swimmers are prepared and encouraged to compete in all swimming events, distances and strokes.  This policy promotes versatility and encourages the swimmer to explore his/her potential in the wide range of events offered in competitive swimming.

The growth, acceleration and accomplishments of our Middies swimmers over the past eight years have far exceeded our expectations.  As the strength of our team grows so does the caliber of our competitions.