Swim Group Structure and Outlines
Our year-round program is made up of competitive swimmers of all levels of ability from novice 5 year olds, to Jr. Olympic qualifiers, to developing National qualifiers. In order to train these athletes, our swim program has been developed to challenge each swimmer's talents and capabilities. The coaching staff recognizes the importance of children learning the correct swimming skills in an enjoyable atmosphere and we strive to make swimming fun and challenging. Our program is currently divided into the following groups based on the swimmer's age and ability.
Bronze Alpha
This is the entry level to our program for young novice swimmers.
Entry requirements are that children must be at least 5 years old and be able to swim two lengths of
the pool (50 yards) freestyle while side breathing and one length of the
pool (25 yards) swimming backstroke. All swimmers must have the
desire and willingness to learn all four competitive strokes and to
compete in at least one swim meet per month. Emphasis at this level is placed on
teaching the four strokes through drills and games that make swimming
fun. Practices are one hour in length and are available 5 days a
week. However, swimmers should aim to attend 3 of the offered practice
sessions per week. Swim meets are typically calendared once a month throughout
the year.
Bronze Omega
To qualify for this group, swimmers should have times swum in an
SCS sanctioned swim meet for each of the
Fly, Back, Breast and Freestyle events, 2 of which being 25 yards and 2
being 50 yards; plus a 100 free. Swimmers should also be able to
complete a 200 Freestyle in practice without stopping. As with Bronze
Alpha,
emphasis at this level is placed on teaching the four strokes through
drills and games that make swimming fun. Practices are one hour
in length and are available six days a week.
Silver Alpha
This group is comprised of two types of swimmers:
1.) Swimmers who have times swum in an SCS sanctioned swim meet for each of the 50 Fly, 50 Back, 50 Breast, and 50 Freestyle as well as a 100 free time of 1:39.99 or faster, a 100 IM time of 1:49.99 or faster (or 200 IM under 4:00), and a legal time for a non-freestyle 100 in two different strokes.
2.) Novice swimmers 13 years and older who have not swum competitively before, but meet minimum requirements of being able to swim 100 yards of freestyle and 50 yards of backstroke.
Practice periods are one hour in length and offered six days a
week.
Silver Omega
Typically 9-12 years of age, these swimmers must have achieved 9-10
SCS “Red” time standards in the 50 or longer
of two different strokes plus the 100 or 200 IM. Also, the swimmer must
have a legal time for three non-freestyle 100 yard or meter events from
an SCS sanctioned swim meet. Although major
focus is still on improving technique, this group will begin to also
focus on over-distance and interval training as well as various
components of race-specific training. Practice periods are one and a
half hours in length and offered six days a week.
Gold Alpha
Swimmers in this groups should have 11/12 SCS
“Red” time standards in three of the four stokes plus an IM, as well as
“legal” times in two non-freestyle 200’s. Practice periods are 1 ½
hours and offered six days a week. Although the major focus of this
group is to improve on the strokes of all competitive events, this group
will also focus on over-distance and interval training as well as
various components of race-specific training. Practice periods are two
hours in length and offered six days a week.
Gold Omega
Our most advanced group, these swimmers are 13 years or older and must
have a very serious attitude and work ethic aimed at achieving peak
swimming performance. The swimmer should have times swum in an
SCS sanctioned swim meet that equal or
better 13-14 ‘Blue’ times in three different strokes (Fly, Back, Breast,
Free or IM) of any distance. The swimmer must also agree to attend
a minimum of 4 days of swim practice per week and have the dedication and
desire to reach Junior Olympic, CIF, Junior National and National time
standards. This group practices 5 days a week in the evenings as
well as 4 morning practices a week. Proper stroke technique,
concepts of race strategy, goal setting, proper nutrition and resistance
training are all utilized at this level.
Special Notice to swimmers who take extended periods of time off
Swimmers who take extended periods of time out of the water are subject to a coach’s review in placement when they return. Depending on this coach’s review, the athlete may be placed in a lower group on a temporary basis in order to return to their previous group level.
