This publication is an update of an article published in NSWIMMING Coaching Science Bulletin: Volume 1 Number 8 - February, 1993. It's content: 1.Introduction Basic assumptions 2.Factors To Be Considered Length of time Work volume Type and intensity of work Physiological effects Psychological content Recovery Factors which moderate taper effects Self-questions a coach should ask 3.Implications 4.References Summary: The general length of a taper should be three weeks but certain events can intervene and warrant shortening its duration. Taper effects can be extended by the judicious use of quality training stimuli on a maintenance training schedule. For a taper, training volume should be reduced to 60% of normal heavy training volume. The number of training sessions should be reduced in a taper rather than reducing session loads. The major purpose of a taper is to allow athletes to recover from various forms of fatigue. The work performed in a taper should either be race-specific quality or of a recovery nature. Psychological factors are the major ingredients of performance that can be changed and improved during a taper. Positive thinking, self-concept, self-efficacy, and performance predictions should be developed to assist in developing a healthy approach to recovery and the impending competition. Intimidating athletes to perform better is a risky strategy that can often have more detrimental than positive effects. Mental skills development and refinement are the major activities of tapering that will have the most direct transfer to the competitive situation. A large section of taper program content should focus on psychological skills, specific mental control rehearsals, and the development of a group or team orientation. Activities that assist recovery between races and competitive sessions/days should be planned and practiced during the taper period. If athletes are expected to prepare better and pay attention to important details of their everyday life during a taper, the coach should model similar alterations and increases in attention to detail by planning better and communicating more frequently with swimmers. Circadian rhythms need to be synchronized with the demands of the competitive schedule for maximum performances to be achieved. Training at altitude as part of or for the full taper will not enhance performance and is more likely to cause it to be degraded. Remove all non-specific training activities so that maladaptation will not occur.