The Optimal Athlete Development Framework (OADF)
- Spencer Turner
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Parent Guide Series - February 2026
Swimming development is not about rushing results. It is about building the swimmer properly, at the right pace, for the long term.
At Basingstoke Bluefins, our pathways are guided by Aquatics GB & Swim England’s Optimal Athlete Development Framework (OADF). This framework helps ensure that young swimmers progress through training and competition in a way that is structured,age-appropriate and sustainable.
What is the OADF?
The OADF is a long-term development model designed to support young athletes through the key stages of growth, learning and performance.
In swimming, it reinforces a simple principle:
Strong foundations come before high performance.
Progress is guided not just by times but by readiness.
What the Framework Prioritises
The OADF supports swimmer development through four clear priorities:
Technical skill first Stroke efficiency, turns, streamlining and good habits come before increased intensity.
Gradual training progression Volume and workload increase only when the swimmer is physically, technically and developmentally ready.
Healthy long-term development Pathway decisions are made to reduce injury risk, burnout and early over-specialisation.
The complete athlete Swimming success depends on consistency, focus, behaviour and learning over time, not short-term results.
What This Means at Bluefins
For our Age Group swimmers, the OADF ensures that development is earned and supported step by step.
Progression through squads is based on:
Skill level and technical control
Training engagement and attitude
The ability to handle training demands independently
Long-term potential, not early speed alone
This approach builds swimmers who improve year after year, not swimmers pushed too far too soon.
Reads:
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More about our Age Group Squads below...
Skills Academy — learning skills
In the Skills Academy stage, the priority is establishing sound foundations. Swimmers focus on body position, balance, breathing control, and coordinated movement, alongside developing confidence and positive habits around training.
Racing is introduced appropriately, but results are not the primary measure of success. The emphasis remains on learning how to swim efficiently and consistently, providing a base that future training can safely build upon.
Ages 7–10
2 × 1-hour sessions per week
Typical volume: 1000m–1200m per session
Competitive Development — developing skills
As swimmers mature, training becomes more structured and demanding, while technical development remains central. Skills learned earlier are applied over longer distances and under controlled fatigue, with increasing attention given to stroke consistency, turns, finishes, and underwater work.
Training volume increases gradually and deliberately, aligned with both physical growth and emotional readiness. The aim is to develop skills that continue to hold together as demands rise, rather than chasing outcomes that outpace preparation.
Ages 8–11
2 × 1-hour sessions and 1 × 1.25-hour session per week
Typical volume: 1200m–1800m per session
County Development — refining skills
By the time swimmers reach County Development, the focus shifts toward refinement. Skills are repeated at higher speeds and under greater pressure, with swimmers learning to manage training load alongside ongoing growth and maturation.
Because earlier stages prioritised foundations rather than shortcuts, swimmers are better equipped to cope with increased demands, maintain technical quality, and continue progressing as competition standards rise.
Ages 10–13
4 × sessions per week, 5-hours
Typical volume: 1800m–2400m per session
Curated by Spencer Turner - Head of Swimming, Basingstoke Bluefins Swimming Club
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