BB time in swimming indicates that a swimmer's performance ranks them within the top 35% of swimmers in their age group, of the same sex, for a specific stroke and distance. Essentially, it's a measure of achievement signifying a swimmer has reached a competitive level of skill.
Here's a breakdown:
- Ranking: BB times are a benchmark for swimmer skill level, classifying them as advanced compared to their peers.
- Age Group and Sex Specific: The standard is based on data specific to the swimmer's age and sex, ensuring a fair comparison. For example, a 12-year-old girl's BB time will be different than a 14-year-old boy's time for the same event.
- Stroke and Distance Dependent: The time required to achieve a BB ranking varies according to the swimming stroke (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly) and the distance swum (e.g., 50 meters, 100 yards, 200 meters).
Essentially, achieving a BB time is a significant milestone for a swimmer, demonstrating dedication and skill. It signifies they are performing at a high level within their age group and provides a target for further improvement and progression to higher levels, such as A, AA, or AAA times.
