Good Evening Everybody,

I want to start off by saying thank you to everyone who showed up to the Knoebel's End-of-Summer Picnic tonight. It was great to see so many faces to celebrate everything that we accomplished throughout the summer season! I also want to say thank you to everyone that brought food and drinks to tonight's picnic I know I didn't leave on an empty stomach!

Before we all dispersed into the park, I had mentioned to keep an eye out for an email throughout the next week regarding Registration for the Winter Season. While registration information is still being finalized, I wanted to get some information out to everyone regarding the Winter Season.

We intend on continuing to run a stellar program that provides our swimmers the opportunities to grow as an athlete and a person. With that in mind, the coaches have been working on a new group structure throughout the summer to roll out this upcoming winter. You can find this information on the SwimTopia Website under the "About" Header by clicking on the "*NEW* Practice Groups" Tab, but the new groups are as shown below:

DEVELOPMENTAL GROUP

TYPICAL AGE RANGE: 8 & Under

TYPICAL PRACTICES TIME: 45 Minutes for 5 Day per week

DESCRIPTION

The Developmental Group is for those swimmers who are almost brand new to swimming and are getting accustomed to the team, practice, and meet atmosphere. Within this group they will focus on learning practice structure (i.e. circle swimming), meet structure, and lane etiquette while developing knowledge of the four strokes and gaining comfortability in the water.

REQUIREMENTS

• Previous experience in a “competitive” swimming atmosphere (can include Swim Lessons).
• Comfortability of holding their breath and putting their face into the water
• Ability to complete a 25 yard Freestyle and 25 yard Backstroke without assistance

NOVICE GROUP

TYPICAL AGE RANGE: 10 & Under

TYPICAL PRACTICES TIME: 1 Hour & 15 Minutes for 5 Days per week

DESCRIPTION

Within the Novice Group, swimmers will focus on developing their technical abilities with each stroke. The coaching staff will break down the strokes and be very attentive with drills and sets to develop strength and endurance with all four strokes. The swimmers will also develop some racing skills and swim endurance.

REQUIREMENTS

• Swimmers achieves the HY-TEK’s Power Point Standards (PPS) for the following age groups
  • 8 & Under: PPS > 750
  • 9 - 10: PPS < 1,500
• If the swimmer is moving up, the swimmer must obtain a recommendation from the Developmental Coaching Staff AND approval from the Novice Coaching Staff.

JUNIOR GROUP

TYPICAL AGE RANGE: 14 & Under

TYPICAL PRACTICES TIME: 1.75 to 2 Hours for 5 Days per week

DESCRIPTION

Swimmers within the Junior Group should have a working knowledge of all four competitive strokes and have the endurance to complete multiple laps of each stroke. Training with proper stroke technique will be the main focus in this group. They will continue to develop their swim endurance while developing skills necessary to compete in all levels of competition.

REQUIREMENTS

• Meet the HY-TEK’s Power Point Standards (PPS)
  • 9-10: PPS > 1,500
  • 11-12: PPS < 3,500
  • 13-14: PPS < 500
• Completed (or desire to complete) all events within the 13-14 AG IMR [100s of Stroke, 200 Free, and 200 IM]
• If the swimmer is moving up, the swimmer must obtain a recommendation from the Novice Coaching Staff AND approval from the Junior Coaching Staff.

JUNIOR VARSITY GROUP

TYPICAL AGE RANGE: 11-14, or older if necessary

TYPICAL PRACTICES TIME: 2 Hours for 5 Days per week

DESCRIPTION

Swimmers within the Junior Varsity Group are those within the 11-14 age range who exceed the requirements of the Junior Group but are not yet in high school. The main emphasis within this group will be continued stroke refinement with increased endurance training. Racing Strategies, Goal-Setting, and Accountability in the water will also play a significant role within this group.

REQUIREMENTS

• Meet the HY-TEK’s Power Point Standards (PPS)
  • 11-12: PPS > 3,500
  • 13-14: PPS > 500
• Completed (or desire to complete) all events within the 11-12 IMX [500 Free, 100s of Stroke, and 200 IM]
• If the swimmer is moving up, the swimmer must obtain a recommendation from the Junior Coaching Staff AND approval from the Varsity Coaching Staff.

VARSITY GROUP

TYPICAL AGE RANGE: 15 & Over (High School)

TYPICAL PRACTICES TIME: 2 Hours for 5 Days per week

DESCRIPTION

This training group is primarily for High School aged swimmers. This group will have many areas of focus including stroke refinement, goal-setting, accountability, responsibility, and commitment to the sport. Swimmers will be asked to train at a high level and have a desire to advance their skills and plan on competing in the higher-level invitational meets (i.e. PIAAs, YMCA States, YMCA Nationals). Members of this group will also be expected to act as a role model of the younger swimmers on the team.

REQUIREMENTS

• Meet the HY-TEK’s Power Point Standards (PPS)
  • 13-14: PPS > 5,000
• Ability to, mentally and physically, withstand difficult workloads
• Completed (or desire to complete) events within the 13 & Over IMX [200s of Stroke, 500 Freestyle, and 400 IM]

NATIONAL GROUP

TYPICAL AGE RANGE: 15 & Over (High School)

TYPICAL PRACTICES TIME: 2 to 2.25 Hours for 5 Days per week

DESCRIPTION

This is our highest-level training group. This group will have many areas of focus including stroke refinement, goal-setting, accountability, responsibility, and leadership. They will be asked to train at a high level over an extended period of time. Each individual within the Nationals Group will look to pursue their swimming goals with a single-minded focus to be the best competitive swimmer they can be. Members of this group will also be expected to act as a role model of the younger swimmers on the team.

REQUIREMENTS

SWIMMER MUST OBTAIN ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA

• Swimmer must obtain THREE 15-16 AA Motivational Time Standards.
• Be within 5% of TWO OR MORE YMCA National Championship Qualifying Times.
• Achieved YMCA National Championship Qualifying Times

Many of you might have questions regarding which group(s) to sign up for. Myself and the rest of the coaches will be placing swimmer into the group(s) that fits best with what the swimmer needs and/or is capable of. I am happy to answer any/all questions you may have regarding the new groups as we head into the Fall/Winter Season. Please don't hesitate to reach out and ask.

Registration for the Winter Season will be done right through SwimTopia. Please note, whenever registration opens, if you have an existing account and sign in before registering, all of the information from the previous season will load onto the registration form. You may have to make some alterations or fixes, but you won't have to individually type everything out again. When it comes to paying the monthly fees, that will have to be done through the YMCA.

Hopefully, we will have registration open within the next week (fingers-crossed). We will send out an email as soon as possible for when registration opens and when the season will officially begin.

Thank you everyone for a great summer and let's get ready for the Winter Season!

Sincerely,

Coach Nick

[email protected]

412-925-5974

P.S. I will be sending this email out through the Google Group too, so sorry to everyone who will be receiving this email twice.