Motivational time standards are used as a tool to motivate swimmers. Swimmers can use these times to set goals for a season and give them away to compare themselves to other swimmers of the same age and sex. The time standards are also used to limit the number of entries in certain swim meet and to allow swimmers to compete against swimmers of the same abilities.
USA Swimming time standards defined:
AAAA – This standard means your swimmer is ranked in the top 2% of swimmers in their age group in that stroke and distance.
AAA - This standard means your swimmer is ranked in the top 6% of swimmers in their age group in that stroke and distance.
AA - This standard means your swimmer is ranked in the top 8% of swimmers in their age group in that stroke and distance.
A - This standard means your swimmer is ranked in the top 15% of swimmers in their age group in that stroke and distance.
BB - This standard means your swimmer is ranked in the top 35% of swimmers in their age group in that stroke and distance
B - This standard means your swimmer is ranked in the top 55% of swimmers in their age group in that stroke and distance.
How are the time standards determined?
Age Group motivational standards are set on a four-year (quad) basis. The current time standards are for the 2021 to 2024 time period. The motivational times are based on the historical fastest 16th place seed time of the Top 16 swimmers in that age group for each year in the previous cycle. For exact details on how they are calculated please see this Swim Swam article.
2024-2025 Age Group Time Standards
2024-2028 National Age Group Motivational Times
2024 Gulf Age Group Champs Standards
2025 TAGS Time Standards - coming soon!
2024-2025 Senior Time Standards
2024 Southern Senior Championships
2024 Texas Speedo Sectionals Standards
2025 Futures Championships - coming soon!
2024 Speedo Winter Junior Championships
2025 Speedo Summer Junior National Championships - coming soon!
