Squad Structure 2012
This document describes the squad structures brought into use in January 2011, updated for 2012.
The current squad structure and progressions.
Stepping Stones To Competitions
The new squad structure is designed to give divers a clear stepping stone pathway from Learn to Dive through to junior and senior international level. Each squad is expected to increase the number of sessions they train as well as the intensity they train and the skill level at which they train. These stepping stones can act as targets for divers to aim for. From the Learn to Dive programme or Talent Search programme, divers will then enter one of three squads.
Entry Squad
The divers allocated to the Entry squad will be training for and competing at a Regional Novice level with the target of reaching the National Novice Finals. It is expected that divers in this squad enter competitions as part of the training to allow coaches to assess their progress and maximise their training through goal setting and physical and mental development. The entry squad divers will be coached by our junior coaching staff who will write session plans and attend competitions with these divers, whilst being overseen by the head coaches.
Mighty Minis (TID, or Talent Identification)
The divers allocated to the Mighty Minis have been selected for their potential and will be fast tracked into competing at the National Novice Finals with the view of winning medals. This squad will be coached by the head coaches and will be given a specific focus and training intensity following the long term athlete development plan. Divers must attend two pool sessions as well as one dryland session per week. Training days available for this squad are Mondays and Wednesdays. Although the aim of this squad is to fast track divers there will be no compromise on form or technique.
Novice Squad
Divers in the Novice Squad will be training and working towards age group competitions whilst competing at a novice level. Divers will be expected to push themselves and will be asked to try new skills. Skill acquisition is key at this stage of a diver's career and therefore a willingness to step outside their comfort zone is a must for any diver within this squad. The types of skills that will be trained include dives in all directions on all height boards as well as line ups from the 5m, plus preparing for 1&frac; somersaults in all directions. All divers must attend two pool sessions per week.
Age Group Squad
Divers in the Age Group Squad will be training towards the national age group championships whilst competing at an age group level. All divers in this squad will have a lead head coach who will be responsible for the diver in competition and the majority of the divers training. However, every diver will have the benefit of training with both head coaches and having their combined input into their training regime. All age group squad divers must attend two dryland sessions and a minimum of three pool sessions per week. To have a serious chance of winning medals at this level divers need to commit and take their training seriously. Divers will train in the National squad times.
National Squad
National Squad divers will have competed at national age group level and be working towards Junior Elite and Senior National competitions. National Squad divers must attend two dryland and a minimum of four pool sessions per week with the opportunity of six pool sessions per week. Training will be competition focused with annual goal setting and periodisation being produced for every individual. Access to specialised strength, conditioning and physio will also be provided.
Senior Squad
Competitions aren't for everyone and we do not want to discourage anyone from the sport of diving because they feel pressurised into competing. Therefore we have created a Senior Squad. This squad will be run under more relaxed conditions for those divers who just want to dive for fun rather than have the stresses of training for competitions. This squad will be coached by Nathaniel Doza and will be run during National Squad training on Thursdays. Due to the training times we have classed this squad as being 14+ age group.
Adults
Our adult sessions will continue to run under the current conditions with Nathaniel Doza being allocated as the masters coach. We would like to encourage adults to enter Masters competitions and represent the Cambridge Dive Team but they will be under no pressure to do so. The adult sessions will be open to beginners and experienced divers with the head coaches acting as Nathaniel's assistants.