On Track

Tracking is a big thing at the moment isn't it? However, you'd be surprised at the coaches who don't have data on their best swimmers.


This graphic shows every long course 50 freestyle by Orinoco F-B since early 2002 when he was 11. (I know the picture above is not Ori but it's someone almost as fast.) Bless him, can you imagine that happy Ori smile and enthusiastic attack in an 11 year-old body?


The lesson to be learned here is about the line of approach to 1,000 FINA points; in his early AG years (12-15), Ori improved every swim - as they (age groupers) do. Nothing to do with coaching or training, just a function of mother feeding them and regular immersion in water where the body adapts to 'feel'. As he starts maturation (15+) the improvement rate slows (expected, because that's life) but continues towards 1,000 (good coaching), however it becomes less consistent (again, life). The consistency tells us a story; if you want to hit 1,000 points (and who doesn't?) you need to restrict the fluctuation in performance level to the minimum possible. If you go slow in heats and medium in non-important finals you are not staying on-track for the big 1,000, you are setting yourself up for good, but not good enough status.

Orinoco appears to have the 'goods' to hit the big time and he is obviously motivated to swim fastest! He is also being magnificently mentored by Glenn Hamblyn and associated alumni. How big a range do your swimmers display in their season-wide performances?

Big Bill Sweetenham has espoused a 3-2-1% model as maximum margins outside PB's for various levels of racing. But, 3% off your PB is a pretty low level of performance and most swimmers and coaches won't know what that 3% limit is. It makes sense to go instead with a 25 point difference for each 1% of performance. The models don't match exactly but the 25 point model is easier to administer given results sheets should be produced with FINA points included. Staying within 50 points (let's ditch the 75 point possibility, eh?) even if unrested, unshaved and untapered guides you towards 1,000. There are many swimmers who are over 900 and are never going to hit 1,000 because they mess around with slow swimming in 'easy' heats or low-level competitions. Great swimmers don't do that. They swim purposefully every time.