What is Tec-Pa

The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of a newly developed tool designed to evaluate the technique of young swimmers across all swimming strokes. The study involved 119 swimmers aged 8 to 12 years (63 boys and 56 girls). Each swimmer performed a 15-meter swim for each stroke in an individual medley sequence, with the swim sessions recorded using a digital camera positioned 5 meters above the pool.The evaluation tool, named Tec Pa, focuses on six key points of swimming technique for each stroke. The assessment was carried out by three experienced swimming coaches who reviewed the recorded videos. Notably, there were no statistically significant differences observed in the evaluation scores provided by the three coaches (p > 0.05). Additionally, a strong statistically significant association was found between the scores (τ = 0.863; p < 0.05).The study's findings demonstrate that Tec Pa is both reliable and valid for evaluating the technique of young swimmers, showing a high level of association. The tool offers coaches an effective means to supplement the commonly used free observation method in assessing young swimmers' techniques.