Skills and Attributes

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I am working on an award for my scout group. The question that I have is what are the skills and attributes to be proficent?

ANSWER: Amber--
This is a very vague question, but I'd like to help if I can.  What type of award are you working on, and What type of skills/attributes are you looking to reward?  There are a lot of aspects of swimming that can be rewarded, from beginning swimmers to more advanced swimmers.
Let me know some specifics and I will give you some ideas.
Looking to hear from you soon,
George

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The requirement is to the award:
Develop a profile of a typical athlete in your chosen sport, listing skills and attributes necessary to be proficient. Examples: hand-eye coordination, running speed, quick responses, heavy/light weight, tall/short.

Maybe this will help you.

Thank you

Answer
Amber--
For swimmers, the main attributes are flexibility in all joints, quick reflexes, lean body type(low body fat index),and well toned muscles.  Also, most successful swimmers tend to be a little taller.  Some coordination is also necessary to be able to keep the timing needed to perform the various strokes proficiently.  Watching the olympic swimming events you can see all of these aspects in action.
Many of these same attributes can be seen in springboard and platform diving with more emphasis on flexibility, coordination and timing.  Lesser attributes are height and weight(shorter and stockier).
Hope this helps.
George