*NEW* Practice Groups (Winter 2025-2026)
DEVELOPMENTAL GROUP
TYPICAL AGE RANGE: 8 & Under
TYPICAL PRACTICES TIME: 60 Minutes for 5 Day per week
DESCRIPTION
The Developmental Group is for those swimmers who are brand new to competitive 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 comfort in the water.
REQUIREMENTS
- Previous experience in a “competitive” swimming atmosphere (can include swim lessons).
- Comfortable holding their breath and putting their face into the water
- Ability to complete a 25 yard freestyle and 25 yard backstroke without assistance
NEEDED EQUIPMENT
- Kickboard
- Fins
- Pull Buoy
- Paddles (not often)
The above list of equipment, you do not have to purchase. We can provide any/all of the equipment listed above.
NOVICE GROUP
TYPICAL AGE RANGE: 10 & Under
TYPICAL PRACTICES TIME: 1 Hour 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
- Swimmer has the ability to legally complete three 50-Yard events of three different strokes
- If the swimmer is moving up, the swimmer must obtain a recommendation from the Developmental Coach AND approval from the Novice Coach.
NEEDED EQUIPMENT
- Kickboard
- Fins
- Pull Buoy
- Paddles (not often)
The above list of equipment, you do not have to purchase. We can provide any/all of the equipment listed above.
JUNIOR ONE GROUP
TYPICAL AGE RANGE: 14 & Under
TYPICAL PRACTICES TIME: 1.5 to 2 Hours for 5 Days per week
DESCRIPTION
Swimmers within the Junior One Group should have a working knowledge of all four competitive strokes and have the endurance to complete multiple laps of each stroke. Increasing their technical abilities and endurance will be the main focus for this group. They will begin to introduce interval training and developing racing skills needed to become a better overall swimmer.
REQUIREMENTS
- Swimmer has the ability (or desire to) complete every 50 of Stroke, the 200 Freestyle, and 100 IM
- If the swimmer is moving up, the swimmer must obtain a recommendation from the Novice Coach AND approval from the Junior One Coach.
NEEDED EQUIPMENT
- Kickboard
- Fins
- Pull Buoy
- Paddles
The above list of equipment, you do not have to purchase. We can provide any/all of the equipment listed above.
JUNIOR TWO GROUP
TYPICAL AGE RANGE: 14 & Under
TYPICAL PRACTICES TIME: 1.5 to 2 Hours for 5 Days per week
DESCRIPTION
Swimmers within the Junior Two 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. Additionally, they will master interval training and begin to develop racing strategies and racing skills.
REQUIREMENTS
- Achieve ONE of the following time standards
- TWO OR MORE USA Swimming Motivational “BB” Time Standards for the 11-12 Age Group
- THREE OR MORE 11-12 YMCA District Qualifying Times (1 of which cannot be Freestyle)
- Completed (or desire to complete) all events within the 13-14 age group [100s of Stroke, 200 Free, and 200 IM]
- If the swimmer is moving up, the swimmer must obtain a recommendation from the Junior 1 Coach AND approval from the Junior 2 Coach.
NEEDED EQUIPMENT
- Kickboard
- Fins
- Pull Buoy
- Paddles
- Snorkel*
The above list of equipment, you do not have to purchase. We can provide any/all of the equipment listed above. *Snorkels we do not provide. Swimmers must obtain their own snorkel.
JUNIOR VARSITY GROUP
TYPICAL AGE RANGE: 11-14, or older if necessary
TYPICAL PRACTICES TIME: 1.75 to 2.25 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
- Achieve ONE of the following time standards:
- TWO OR MORE USA Swimming Motivational “A” Time Standards for the 11-12 Age Group
- TWO OR MORE 13-14 YMCA District Qualifying Times (1 of which cannot be Freestyle)
- Completed (or desire to complete) all events within the 11-12 age group [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 Junior Varsity Coach.
NEEDED EQUIPMENT
- Kickboard
- Fins
- Pull Buoy
- Paddles
- Snorkel*
The above list of equipment, you do not have to purchase. We can provide any/all of the equipment listed above. *Snorkels we do not provide. Swimmers must obtain their own snorkel.
VARSITY GROUP
TYPICAL AGE RANGE: 15 & Over (High School)
TYPICAL PRACTICES TIME: 1.75 to 2.25 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
- Achieved ONE of the following time standards:
- TWO OR MORE USA Swimming Motivational “BB” Time Standards for the 15-16 Age Group
- THREE OR MORE 13-14 YMCA District Qualifying Times (1 of which cannot be Freestyle)
- TWO OR MORE 15-21 YMCA District Qualifying Times
- Ability to, mentally and physically, withstand difficult workloads
- Completed (or desire to complete) events within the 13 & Over age group [200s of Stroke, 500 Freestyle, and 400 IM]
NEEDED EQUIPMENT
- Kickboard
- Fins
- Pull Buoy
- Paddles
- Snorkel*
The above list of equipment, you do not have to purchase. We can provide any/all of the equipment listed above. *Snorkels we do not provide. Swimmers must obtain their own snorkel.
NATIONAL GROUP
TYPICAL AGE RANGE: 15 & Over (High School)
TYPICAL PRACTICES TIME: 1.75 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
NEEDED EQUIPMENT
- Kickboard
- Fins
- Pull Buoy
- Paddles
- Snorkel*
The above list of equipment, you do not have to purchase. We can provide any/all of the equipment listed above. *Snorkels we do not provide. Swimmers must obtain their own snorkel.
