Stanford Girls Water Polo Swim Targets
The Stanford Girls Water Polo Club is open to all interested athletes aged 18 and younger. The club welcomes girls of all experience levels in water polo, including those trying out the sport for the first time. Our coaching staff has drawn up a set of swim target goals for girls in all age groups. This set of targets is intended for individual goal setting and selected target tests will be tracked by the coaches in the 16-under and 18-under groups throughout each season.
A player with aspirations of playing water polo at an elite level should begin by achieving one gold target. Once she has achieved one gold target, she should work toward achieving the gold target on all five tests. Once she has achieved this, she should set her sights on achieving a platinum target, then all five platinum targets.
Emphasizing and improving swim skill, conditioning and toughness will add to any water polo player’s proficiency in game situations. A widespread awareness of improving in these areas will also increase each of our teams and our club as a whole.
The coaching staff views speed and swimming ability as a valid and measurable quality when evaluating the role of each player on a team or in a practice group. The achievement of the swim targets is one part of becoming a complete water polo player. All athletes should strive to make constant and consistent progress in the areas of individual skills, awareness, understanding of team tactics, and physical strength. Improvement in all aspects of water polo is achieved through consistent attendance and high effort at practices and games.
2013 Swim Tests
All freestyle unless noted
10×100: a measure of fitness, and aerobic conditioning and endurance
5×100 best avg with 10 seconds rest between: a simulation of playing hard and fast for a great last quarter of water polo; also a test of toughness and perseverance
6×50 on 2:00: a measure of quickness, explosive speed, and strength
200 for time: a reliable measure of fitness, aggressiveness, and toughness
100 breaststroke for time: a decent translation of water polo leg strength; also measures arm strength and explosiveness