T2 Practice Grading System

T2 Practice Grading System – Grading 1 through 5

Graded Items Are:

*Speed/Stamina combo, relative to the goal of the practice

*Technique during the practice, including starts & turns

*Attitude & ability to handle pressure (toughness & creativity are valued). 

A good attitude on T2 Aquatics’ team means that an athlete is focused on the daily pursuit of athletic success.  We want T2 Aquatics athletes to feel like it’s important to have a good week of practices, strung together to make a great season.  How committed are you to finding a way to improve in at least one area every day?  And how committed are you to give an honest effort at a time drop in at least one event every season? 

Also considered within the grading system:

*Consistency is valued, as it relates to Speed, Technique, and Attitude.

*Leadership.  If your practice is "out of the ordinary" for our Team, grades are shaded up.  

*Place (order) in lane.  If you are "out of order" (based off your personal performance times), grades may be shaded down.  

 Basic grading guidelines:

1- 0 of 3 on graded items

2- 1 of 3 on graded items

3- 2 of 3 on graded items

4- 3 of 3 on graded items

5- 3 of 3 on graded items, and achieved at or near a “personal best” for a certain set or a practice swim.

All grades are relative to one's self and one's own personal achievements to date.  

Some of the practices last week were graded retro-actively.   You can see the post here:  http://t2national.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-last-few-weeks.html

I've only given a few 5s, and only two 5s have been given for swimming sets (and 2 for kicking sets, which incorporate less of a technical focus I'll admit…but that's the way it goes…kicking is kicking, and it's great to kick well, but it's not swimming).  The two 5s were given for a guy who went sub 30 minutes in a 3000 and a girl who put 100s at a higher level than ever, all sub minute, while also kicking out 7.5 yards on every wall during the set.  It's gotta be a personal breakthrough and technically great!