Performance-Based Coaching Recognition
Performance Deserves Recognition
The ASCA Star Coach Awards recognize verified coaching achievement based on athlete performance. Separate from ASCA Education Certification, these awards celebrate what coaches and their athletes accomplish in competition—from age group development to national and international performance.
Coaches who meet the established performance standards may apply for a 3-Star, 4-Star or 5-Star Coach Award. No courses or education certification level are required to earn a Star Coach Award.
How to Earn a Star Coach Award
Star Coach Awards are earned through verified athlete performance. To qualify, a coach must:
- Be a current ASCA member.
- Meet at least one published performance standard for the Star level being requested.
- Be the coach of record for the athlete(s) or relay being submitted, as required by the applicable standard.
- Submit the required verification through the Star Coach Award application in their ASCA member profile.
Star Coach Awards are independent of ASCA Education Certification. A coach does not need to hold the corresponding ASCA Education Certification level nor take a Course to apply.
Star Coach Awards
Verified Coaching Performance
Education Certification
Professional Learning
Coach of Record & Verification
To earn credit for an athlete’s performance, a coach must provide:
- A letter from another coach verifying the applicant is the coach of record for the athlete who made the qualifying performance for 90% of the training during the 12 consecutive months prior to the performance.
- The official meet results with event name and date, age of swimmer and time of qualifying performance. Please only submit the page(s) for your swimmer or highlight your swimmer’s information.
- Screenshot or PDF from the corresponding website (USA Swimming/CSCAA/YMCA, etc.) showing your swimmer achieved said designation.
Performance Standards
A coach must meet at least one requirement within an applicable category for the Star Coach Award being requested, unless the published standard states otherwise.
USA SWIMMING – SENIOR
(At Least ONE of the Following is Required):
5-Star — all need to be the coach of record.
- On USA Swimming International Coaches List/1 athlete on national team roster /2 national junior team roster. Must be on the official rosters recognized by USA Swimming.
- Or 10 USA National Top 8 Finalists.
- Or Placing 2 swimmers in the Top 4 or 4 in the Top 8 in the Open Water 5K or 10K National Championships
4-Star — all need to be the coach of record.
- 2 summer JR nat qualifiers
- Or 15 Winter JR nat qualifiers.
- Or 4 Relays top 8 at Winter Juniors.
3-Star — all need to be the coach of record.
- 2 summer JR nat qualifiers
- Or 15 Winter JR nat qualifiers.
- Or 4 Relays top 8 at Winter Juniors.
USA SWIMMING – AGE GROUP
(At Least ONE of the Following is Required):
5-Star
- 20 Individuals with National Age Group (NAG) Top 10 rankings, plus 3 NAG #1 Rankings.
- Or 5 NAG #1 Rankings.
- Or 10 swimmers in USA-S All-Time Top 100 NAG Rankings
4-Star
- 10 Individuals with USA Swimming NAG Top 10 Times.
3-Star
- 1 USA Swimming NAG Top 10 ten swimmer.
Relay Disclaimer
- A relay counts as 1 submission not 4
- The primary coach record must have coached all 4 athletes for the relay to qualify
NCAA DIVISION I
(At Least ONE of the Following is Required):
5-Star
- 25 NCAA Top 16 Results, including relays.
- Or 10 NCAA Division 1 All-Americans; including relays.
- Or 3 NCAA National Champions; including relays.
4-Star
- 10 NCAA Top 16 Results, including relays.
3-Star
- 1 NCAA Division I ‘B” Qualifier as Primary Coach.
NCAA DIVISION II and III
(At Least ONE of the Following is Required):
5-Star
- 25 NCAA Division II or III All-Americans; including relays.
4-Star
- 10 NCAA Division II or III All-Americans; including relays.
- Or 3 NCAA Division II or III National Champions; including relays.
3-Star
- 1 NCAA Division II or III individual qualifier; including relays.
NAIA
(At Least ONE of the Following is Required):
5-Star
- 25 NAIA All-Americans; plus 3 National Champions; including relays.
4-Star
- 15 NAIA All-Americans; including relays.
3-Star
- 1 NAIA All-American; including relays.
Relay Disclaimer
- A relay counts as 1 submission not 4
- The primary coach of record must have coached all 4 athletes for the relay to qualify
- All 4 members of the relay must have “first team” times for the relay to count
- Honorable Mention/Second Team do not qualify
HIGH SCHOOL (PUBLIC) / PREP SCHOOL (INDEPENDENT)
(At Least ONE of the Following is Required):
5-Star
- 25 High School or Prep School All-Americans; including relays.
4-Star
- 10 High School or Prep School All-Americans; including relays.
3-Star
- 1 High School or Prep School All-American.
Relay Disclaimer
- A relay counts as 1 submission not 4
- The primary coach record must have coached all 4 athletes for the relay to qualify
- Club coaches cannot claim results of high school performances unless they are both the club and high school coach
- All 4 members of the relay must have “first team” times for the relay to count
- Honorable Mention/Second Team do not qualify
YMCA – SENIOR – all must be coach of record
(At Least ONE of the Following is Required):
5-Star
- 30 YMCA All-Americans (Top 8 at YMCA Nationals) plus 5 individual or relay national YMCA National Champions at short course or long course nationals.
4-Star
- 10 YMCA All-Americans plus 1 individual or relay YMCA Short Course or Long Course National Champion.
3-Star
- 3 YMCA All-Americans-individual or relay
YMCA – AGE GROUP
(At Least ONE of the Following is Required):
5-Star
- 50 YMCA individuals with Y-NAG Top 10 rankings.
4-Star
- 25 YMCA individuals with Y-NAG Top 10 rankings.
3-Star
- 5 YMCA individuals with Y-NAG Top 10 rankings.
Relay Disclaimer
- A relay counts as 1 submission not 4
- The primary coach record must have coached all 4 athletes for the relay to qualify
International performance recognition uses 50-meter pool performance achievement standards. Education and course requirements from the legacy certification pathway are not part of the Star Coach Awards.
As of January 1, 2025, new international time standards have been posted; therefore, ASCA will not accept any documents using the old international time standards. ASCA is only accepting performance documents that are dated within 365 days (one year) from the date the documents are submitted.
3-Star Coach Award
Coaching Performance Achievement Requirements (All times in 50M pool)
| EVENTS | 10 & Under GIRLS | 10 & Under BOYS | 11-12 GIRLS | 11-12 BOYS | 13-14 GIRLS | 13-14 BOYS | Senior WOMEN | Senior MEN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 FREE | 35.09 | 34.79 | 32.49 | 31.69 | 31.49 | 29.39 | 27.79 | 24.79 |
| 100 FREE | 1:18.19 | 1:17.19 | 1:11.09 | 1:08.59 | 1:08.39 | 1:03.89 | 1:00.19 | 53.99 |
| 200 FREE | 2:51.49 | 2:45.29 | 2:33.09 | 2:29.69 | 2:26.19 | 2:18.99 | 2:09.09 | 1:58.09 |
| 400 FREE | 5:54.29 | 5:51.49 | 5:18.49 | 5:17.09 | 5:03.49 | 4:52.89 | 4:30.69 | 4:09.79 |
| 800 FREE | 11:27.59 | 11:19.59 | 10:20.99 | 10:04.99 | 9:15.99 | 8:40.79 | ||
| 1500 FREE | 21:55.69 | 21:34.99 | 19:48.09 | 19:23.79 | 17:46.69 | 16:41.69 | ||
| 50 BACK | 41.69 | 42.19 | 37.59 | 36.99 | ||||
| 100 BACK | 1:30.79 | 1:29.49 | 1:22.29 | 1:19.69 | 1:17.09 | 1:12.39 | 1:07.89 | 1:01.39 |
| 200 BACK | 3:01.69 | 2:53.99 | 2:44.89 | 2:35.39 | 2:25.99 | 2:12.39 | ||
| 50 BREAST | 46.09 | 46.29 | 41.39 | 41.19 | ||||
| 100 BREAST | 1:42.39 | 1:41.39 | 1:29.69 | 1:29.59 | 1:25.39 | 1:20.09 | 1:16.79 | 1:08.29 |
| 200 BREAST | 3:22.89 | 3:12.79 | 3:03.99 | 2:54.79 | 2:44.99 | 2:29.79 | ||
| 50 FLY | 39.89 | 38.99 | 35.29 | 34.99 | ||||
| 100 FLY | 1:32.89 | 1:31.59 | 1:20.09 | 1:18.49 | 1:14.39 | 1:09.59 | 1:05.79 | 58.89 |
| 200 FLY | 2:59.99 | 2:54.99 | 2:42.49 | 2:34.79 | 2:24.19 | 2:10.59 | ||
| 200 IM | 3:11.79 | 3:10.29 | 2:52.69 | 2:50.19 | 2:45.19 | 2:37.69 | 2:27.59 | 2:13.59 |
| 400IM | 6:25.69 | 6:08.29 | 5:48.09 | 5:32.29 | 5:09.69 | 4:43.89 |
4-Star Coach Award
Coaching Performance Achievement Requirements (All times in 50M pool)
| EVENTS | 10 & under GIRLS | 10 & under BOYS | 11-12 GIRLS | 11-12 BOYS | 13-14 GIRLS | 13-14 BOYS | Senior WOMEN | Senior MEN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 FREE | 33.59 | 33.49 | 30.99 | 30.29 | 30.19 | 28.09 | 26.79 | 23.69 |
| 100 FREE | 1:14.49 | 1:13.69 | 1:07.99 | 1:05.69 | 1:05.39 | 1:01.09 | 57.89 | 51.99 |
| 200 FREE | 2:43.09 | 2:38.09 | 2:26.39 | 2:23.19 | 2:19.89 | 2:12.89 | 2:04.89 | 1:53.69 |
| 400 FREE | 5:38.89 | 5:36.29 | 5:04.69 | 5:03.29 | 4:50.29 | 4:40.19 | 4:21.69 | 4:02.19 |
| 800 FREE | 10:57.69 | 10:49.99 | 9:53.99 | 9:38.69 | 8:56.29 | 8:22.69 | ||
| 1500 FREE | 20:58.49 | 20:38.69 | 18:56.49 | 18:33.19 | 17:06.69 | 16:03.49 | ||
| 50 BACK | 39.59 | 39.99 | 35.89 | 35.29 | ||||
| 100 BACK | 1:26.29 | 1:25.39 | 1:18.19 | 1:15.79 | 1:13.79 | 1:09.29 | 1:05.59 | 58.49 |
| 200 BACK | 2:53.79 | 2:46.49 | 2:37.69 | 2:28.59 | 2:19.99 | 2:06.79 | ||
| 50 BREAST | 43.89 | 44.09 | 39.59 | 39.19 | ||||
| 100 BREAST | 1:37.29 | 1:36.79 | 1:25.59 | 1:25.39 | 1:21.69 | 1:16.59 | 1:13.29 | 1:05.39 |
| 200 BREAST | 3:14.09 | 3:04.49 | 2:55.99 | 2:47.19 | 2:38.09 | 2:21.99 | ||
| 50 FLY | 37.79 | 36.99 | 33.69 | 33.19 | ||||
| 100 FLY | 1:26.99 | 1:25.99 | 1:16.09 | 1:14.49 | 1:11.19 | 1:06.59 | 1:03.09 | 55.99 |
| 200 FLY | 2:52.19 | 2:46.99 | 2:35.39 | 2:28.09 | 2:17.29 | 2:04.69 | ||
| 200 IM | 3:02.89 | 3:01.69 | 2:45.19 | 2:42.39 | 2:37.99 | 2:30.89 | 2:21.49 | 2:08.39 |
| 400 IM | 6:08.99 | 5:52.29 | 5:32.99 | 4:57.79 | 4:32.69 |
5-Star Coach Award
Coaching Performance Achievement Requirements (All times in 50M pool)
| EVENTS | 10 & under GIRLS | 10 & under BOYS | 11-12 GIRLS | 11-12 BOYS | 13-14 GIRLS | 13-14 BOYS | Senior WOMEN | Senior MEN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 FREE | 32.19 | 32.09 | 29.69 | 28.89 | 28.79 | 26.79 | 25.65 | 22.62 |
| 100 FREE | 1:10.79 | 1:10.19 | 1:04.89 | 1:02.69 | 1:02.49 | 58.29 | 55.79 | 49.67 |
| 200 FREE | 2:34.69 | 2:30.89 | 2:19.79 | 2:16.69 | 2:13.49 | 2:06.89 | 2:00.34 | 1:49.39 |
| 400 FREE | 5:23.49 | 5:20.99 | 4:50.79 | 4:49.49 | 4:37.09 | 4:27.39 | 4:12.40 | 3:52.81 |
| 800 FREE | 10:27.79 | 10:20.49 | 9:26.99 | 9:12.39 | 8:38.70 | 8:07.09 | ||
| 1500 FREE | 20:01.29 | 19:42.39 | 18:04.79 | 17:42.59 | 16:59.05 | 15:21.41 | ||
| 50 BACK | 37.59 | 37.89 | 34.29 | 33.49 | 29.85 | 26.31 | ||
| 100 BACK | 1:21.69 | 1:21.29 | 1:14.19 | 1:11.89 | 1:10.39 | 1:06.09 | 1:02.53 | 55.69 |
| 200 BACK | 2:45.89 | 2:38.89 | 2:30.99 | 2:21.89 | 2:13.61 | 2:00.51 | ||
| 50 BREAST | 41.59 | 41.99 | 37.79 | 37.19 | 32.42 | 28.73 | ||
| 100 BREAST | 1:32.19 | 1:32.19 | 1:21.59 | 1:21.19 | 1:17.99 | 1:13.09 | 1:09.78 | 1:02.34 |
| 200 BREAST | 3:05.29 | 2:56.09 | 2:47.99 | 2:39.59 | 2:29.11 | 2:15.42 | ||
| 50 FLY | 35.59 | 35.09 | 32.19 | 31.49 | 27.46 | 24.47 | ||
| 100 FLY | 1:21.19 | 1:20.39 | 1:12.09 | 1:10.39 | 1:07.89 | 1:03.59 | 59.80 | 53.65 |
| 200 FLY | 2:44.39 | 2:39.39 | 2:28.39 | 2:21.39 | 2:11.85 | 1:59.03 | ||
| 200 IM | 2:53.99 | 2:52.99 | 2:37.69 | 2:34.49 | 2:30.89 | 2:23.99 | 2:16.37 | 2:02.84 |
| 400 IM | 5:52.19 | 5:36.29 | 5:17.79 | 5:03.39 | 4:47.75 | 4:21.38 |
International Coach of Record Verification
To meet the Coaching Performance Criteria, the coach must submit the following for verification:
- The Certification of Primary Coach letter proving he/she is the Primary Coach of the athlete being claimed in the submitted results. “Primary Coach” means that the coach in question has planned and executed 90% of the training of an athlete during the year (12 months) before the athlete’s new time achievement
- Proof of Time of the athlete being provided for Performance consideration. Official meet results with cover page / title header or Official local country Federation rankings are acceptable.
Proof of time must include (only times done in 50-meter-long course pools are acceptable):
- The event and time
- Age of the swimmer
- Male or female
Apply for a Star Coach Award
Ready to have your coaching achievement recognized?
Current ASCA members who meet the applicable performance standard can apply directly through their ASCA member profile.
How to Apply
- Log in to your ASCA member profile.
- Click “Apply for a Star Coach Award.”
- Select the Star Coach Award level you are applying for.
- Submit the required athlete performance documentation and coach-of-record verification.
- ASCA will review the application and supporting documentation.
Not an ASCA member?
Recommended FAQ
No. ASCA Education Certification recognizes professional learning and development. Star Coach Awards recognize verified athlete performance and coaching achievement. They are separate pathways.
No. You do not need to hold the corresponding Education Certification level nor take a Course. You must be a current ASCA member and meet the applicable performance and coach-of-record verification requirements.
No. There are no course requirements for Star Coach Awards.
No. Once earned, a Star Coach Award is permanently recognized, as long as the ASCA membership remains current.
Yes. Current ASCA members may apply using the applicable published performance standards and required verification.
Log in to your ASCA member profile and click “Apply for a Star Coach Award.”
Standards for the 1-Star and 2-Star Coach Awards are in development. Stay tuned for more information.