Competitive Synchronized Competitive Synchronized SwimmingSwimming

How Does It Work?How Does It Work?

Updated 9/18/2013Updated 9/18/2013Note: Subject to change for 2014-2015 Note: Subject to change for 2014-2015

SeasonSeason

Part I – Basics of the Sport Part I – Basics of the Sport

StructureStructure

By AbilityBy Ability NoviceNovice IntermediateIntermediate Age GroupAge Group

JuniorJunior SeniorSenior

CollegiateCollegiate MastersMasters

By AgeBy Age 12 & Under12 & Under 13-1513-15 16-1716-17 18-1918-19

15-1815-18 15 & Over15 & Over

No age limitationsNo age limitations

NoviceNovice IntermediateIntermediate Age GroupAge Group JuniorJunior SeniorSenior CollegiateCollegiate MastersMasters

12 & 12 & UnderUnder

✔✔ ✔✔ ✔✔

13-1513-15 ✔✔ ✔✔ ✔✔ ✔✔

16-1716-17 ✔✔ ✔✔ ✔✔ ✔✔ ✔✔

18-1918-19 ✔✔ ✔✔ ✔✔ ✔✔ ✔ ✔ ✔✔ ✔✔

15-1815-18

JuniorJunior✔✔

15&O15&O

SeniorSenior✔✔ ✔✔ ✔✔

NovicesNovices First year of synchro, no prior experienceFirst year of synchro, no prior experience

Learn the basic skillsLearn the basic skills• Sculls (examples)Sculls (examples)

Torpedo scullTorpedo scull Support scullSupport scull Alligator scullAlligator scull

• Eggbeater (examples)Eggbeater (examples) ““cheater” beatercheater” beater Double arm eggbeaterDouble arm eggbeater

• Strokes (examples)Strokes (examples) BackstrokeBackstroke Side strokeSide stroke

Novices (cont’d)Novices (cont’d)

Learn components of synchroLearn components of synchro FiguresFigures

• Novice figuresNovice figures

RoutinesRoutines• SoloSolo• DuetDuet• TrioTrio• TeamTeam

Novices (cont’d)Novices (cont’d)

Become familiar with competition settingBecome familiar with competition setting Figure judgingFigure judging Routine judgingRoutine judging AwardsAwards

Novices (cont’d)Novices (cont’d)

Eligible CompetitionsEligible Competitions InvitationalsInvitationals

• Fall Figure InvitationalFall Figure Invitational• Have-A-Heart InvitationalHave-A-Heart Invitational• Capitol Classic InvitationalCapitol Classic Invitational

““Age Group” competitionsAge Group” competitions• PVA (Potomac Valley) Association (late April)PVA (Potomac Valley) Association (late April)• South Region A (mid May)South Region A (mid May)

IntermediatesIntermediates

More than one year experience, ORMore than one year experience, OR Has mastered basic skillsHas mastered basic skills

Coach determines when novice will advanceCoach determines when novice will advance Not necessary to advance from intermediate Not necessary to advance from intermediate

levellevel• Special needs swimmersSpecial needs swimmers

Intermediates (cont’d)Intermediates (cont’d)

Continue to improve basic skills Continue to improve basic skills (examples)(examples) Eggbeater height (right side up)Eggbeater height (right side up) Vertical height (upside down)Vertical height (upside down)

Develop more advanced skillsDevelop more advanced skills Increased difficulty in figuresIncreased difficulty in figures More complex routinesMore complex routines

Intermediates (Cont’d)Intermediates (Cont’d)

Eligible CompetitionsEligible Competitions InvitationalsInvitationals

• Fall Figure InvitationalFall Figure Invitational• Have-A-Heart InvitationalHave-A-Heart Invitational• Capitol Classic InvitationalCapitol Classic Invitational

““Age Group” competitionsAge Group” competitions• PVA (Potomac Valley) Association (late April)PVA (Potomac Valley) Association (late April)• South Region A (mid May)South Region A (mid May)

FiguresFigures

See Rulebook for all figuresSee Rulebook for all figures Count as 50% of scoreCount as 50% of score Some required figures change from year Some required figures change from year

to yearto year Tips you can give your swimmerTips you can give your swimmer

Smile at the judges at she swims outSmile at the judges at she swims out Go slowGo slow

FYI -- Technical ElementsFYI -- Technical Elements

Only at senior competitionsOnly at senior competitions Competed instead of figuresCompeted instead of figures

FYI -- Technical RoutinesFYI -- Technical Routines

Only at elite competitionsOnly at elite competitions Instead of figures or technical elementsInstead of figures or technical elements

Only for Senior Event Category!Only for Senior Event Category! Will be televised (with commentary) during Will be televised (with commentary) during

the Olympicsthe Olympics

RoutinesRoutines Solo – one swimmer, synchronized to musicSolo – one swimmer, synchronized to music Duet – 2 swimmers, may have 1 alternateDuet – 2 swimmers, may have 1 alternate Trio – 3 swimmers, may have 1 alternateTrio – 3 swimmers, may have 1 alternate Team – 4 to 8 swimmers – 2 alternatesTeam – 4 to 8 swimmers – 2 alternates Combo – only at US Open and some Combo – only at US Open and some

international competitions (up to 10 swimmers) international competitions (up to 10 swimmers) Time limitsTime limits

Maximum time limit of routine -- no minimum Maximum time limit of routine -- no minimum Deck work is timed.Deck work is timed.

Routines (cont’d)Routines (cont’d)

Coaches choose small routine placement Coaches choose small routine placement based on:based on: Similar ability of swimmersSimilar ability of swimmers Matchability of swimmers (appearance)Matchability of swimmers (appearance) AgeAge Other factors (i.e. can not attend specific Other factors (i.e. can not attend specific

competition; injury)competition; injury)

Do’s & Don’tsDo’s & Don’ts

For parentsFor parents

Do’sDo’s

Show support for your swimmer’s effortsShow support for your swimmer’s efforts Learn the “lingo” of synchroLearn the “lingo” of synchro Ask questionsAsk questions

Your swimmer’s coachYour swimmer’s coach Senior parentsSenior parents

Do’s at a meetDo’s at a meet

VolunteerVolunteer Caller/timerCaller/timer ScorerScorer

Wear NVN colors (red and blue)Wear NVN colors (red and blue) Make sure swimmer is ready for Make sure swimmer is ready for

competition (rested; fed; hydrated)competition (rested; fed; hydrated) Pay attention to your swimmer when she’s Pay attention to your swimmer when she’s

up (figures/routines)up (figures/routines)

Don’tsDon’ts

CriticizeCriticize Talk negatively about others (especially Talk negatively about others (especially

members of other teams) at meetsmembers of other teams) at meets

Questions?Questions?

End of Part IEnd of Part I

Part IIPart II

Age Group skill levelAge Group skill level

AgesAges

12 & Under12 & Under 13-15 13-15 16-1716-17 18-1918-19

Eligible Competitions for 12 & Eligible Competitions for 12 & Under & 13- and 14-year-oldsUnder & 13- and 14-year-olds

Same as novice/intermediatesSame as novice/intermediates Age Group National ChampionshipsAge Group National Championships

Competing with an older AGCompeting with an older AG

Any AG swimmer MAY compete with an Any AG swimmer MAY compete with an older age groupolder age group

i.e. A 14-year-old may compete on an 18-i.e. A 14-year-old may compete on an 18-19 AG team if that is the most appropriate 19 AG team if that is the most appropriate place for the individual swimmer.place for the individual swimmer.

When does this happen?When does this happen?

A younger swimmer’s skill level is higher A younger swimmer’s skill level is higher than her peersthan her peers

A small team does not have the required A small team does not have the required number of age-appropriate members to number of age-appropriate members to make up a team.make up a team.

NOTENOTE

A swimmer may not swim BELOW her A swimmer may not swim BELOW her “age.”“age.”

The Age Group is based on the age of the The Age Group is based on the age of the older swimmer in the routine. older swimmer in the routine.

i.e. 1 18-19, 3 16-17’s, 4 13-15’s = i.e. 1 18-19, 3 16-17’s, 4 13-15’s =

18-19 team18-19 team

15-year-olds15-year-olds

Compete in Age Group competitions as Compete in Age Group competitions as 13-15 (or higher)13-15 (or higher)

Eligible to compete at Junior competitionsEligible to compete at Junior competitions Junior/Senior Association ChampionshipJunior/Senior Association Championship Junior Zone Championship (qualifying score)Junior Zone Championship (qualifying score) Junior National Championship (qualifying Junior National Championship (qualifying

score)score) U.S. Open Championship (Junior Division)U.S. Open Championship (Junior Division)

15-year-olds (cont’d)15-year-olds (cont’d)

May compete for spot on Junior National May compete for spot on Junior National Team if swimmer qualifies for Phase I of Team if swimmer qualifies for Phase I of Junior Team Trials Junior Team Trials

Phase I takes place at Junior National Phase I takes place at Junior National Championship and consists of figures and Championship and consists of figures and split testingsplit testing

15-year-olds (cont’d)15-year-olds (cont’d)

Eligible to compete at Senior competitionsEligible to compete at Senior competitions Junior/Senior Association ChampionshipJunior/Senior Association Championship Senior Zone Championship (qualifying score)Senior Zone Championship (qualifying score) Senior National Championship (qualifying Senior National Championship (qualifying

PLACEMENT)PLACEMENT) U.S. Open (Senior Division)U.S. Open (Senior Division)

15-year-olds (cont’d)15-year-olds (cont’d)

May compete for spot on Senior National May compete for spot on Senior National Team I and/or II if swimmer qualifies for Team I and/or II if swimmer qualifies for Phase I of Senior Team Trials Phase I of Senior Team Trials

Phase I takes place at Senior National Phase I takes place at Senior National Championship and consists of technical Championship and consists of technical elements and split testingelements and split testing