SUNN Practice Group Descriptions 2018-2019
The year-round team consists of approximately 300 swimmers between the ages of 5 and 18. Swimmers are instructed in each of the competitive strokes--butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle and IM --as well as their related starts, turns, and finishes.
SUNN programs offer a fun, friendly, and positive environment emphasizing correct technique for the long-range success of the swimmer. Swimmers are assigned to practice groups depending on age, skill and swimming goals.
Regular, year-round attendance is encouraged in all groups, and participation in scheduled competition is strongly encouraged for most groups.
SUNN groups are divided by skill and age level; placement into a particular group is determined by the coaching staff. Group Move-ups will be determined by the coach of the respected group based on progression and skill level.
NOVICE SILVER (NV-S)
Location: Fairbrae Swim and Tennis Club
Description: Designed for elementary school children, ages 8 & Under, who are still learning to swim. Emphasis will be put on building self-esteem, learning to practice within a group, and proper stroke technique for Free and Backstroke. In addition, swimmers will be introduced to Breaststroke and Butterfly. Making new friends and having FUN is part of the curriculum, too!
Expectations: Attendance is not mandatory at every practice; however, Novice Silver swimmers should attend practice as often as they can. Consistency is the key to progress. Swimmers are expected to attend the following swim meets:
- All SUNN hosted meets
- The group’s coach will decide which meets will be appropriate to attend
Equipment Needed: Mesh Bag, Kick Board, Sporti Floating Swim Fins
NOVICE GOLD (NV-G)
Location: Fairbrae Swim and Tennis Club
Description: Designed for children, ages 9 & 10, who are in elementary school who are still learning to swim. Emphasis will be put on building self-esteem, learning to practice within a group, and proper stroke technique for Free and Backstroke. In addition, swimmers will be introduced to Breaststroke and Butterfly. Making new friends and having FUN is part of the curriculum, too!
Expectations: Attendance is not mandatory at every practice; however, Novice Gold swimmers should attend practice as often as they can. Consistency is the key to progress. Swimmers are expected to attend the following swim meets:
- All SUNN hosted meets
- The group’s coach will decide which meets will be appropriate to attend
Equipment Needed: Mesh Bag, Kick Board, Sporti Floating Swim Fins
AGE GROUP BRONZE (AG-B)
Location: Fairbrae Swim and Tennis Club and Fremont High School
Description: Designed for swimmers who are in elementary school who can swim all four strokes with basic level of competency (legal racing strokes). Emphasis will be put on improving efficiency in all four competitive strokes while learning how to perform basic race skills, such as turns and starts. Making new friends and having FUN is part of the curriculum, too!
Expectations: No attendance requirement; however, swimmers should try to attend at least 3 practices per week. Swimmers are expected to attend the following swim meets:
- All SUNN hosted meets and Zone 1 North Championships
- In addition to the meets listed above, swimmers in this group should attend at least 3 swim meets on the Age Group Meet Schedule (check with your coach for specific meets)
Equipment Needed: Mesh Bag, Kick Board, Sporti Floating Swim Fins, Water Bottle
AGE GROUP SILVER (AG-S)
Location: Fairbrae Swim and Tennis Club
Description: Designed for swimmers in elementary school who can demonstrate an intermediate knowledge of stroke technique and attend meets on a regular basis. The emphasis is primarily to give swimmers valuable stroke and technical improvements, including starts and turns, to prepare them for the next level.
Expectations: Attendance is not mandatory at every practice; however, swimmers should attend practice as often as they can. Consistency is the key to progress. Swimmers are expected to attend the following swim meets:
- All SUNN hosted meets and Zone 1 North Championships
- In addition to the meets listed above, swimmers in this group should attend at least 3 swim meets on the Age Group Meet Schedule (check with your coach for specific meets)
Equipment: Mesh bag, Kickboard, Sporti Floating Swim Fins, and Water Bottle
AGE GROUP GOLD (AG-G)
Location: Fremont High School
Description: Designed for swimmers in elementary school who demonstrate advanced stroke technique and speed. These athletes are committed to swimming and attend meets on a regular basis. The focus of this group is on continuing proper stroke development, developing self-confidence in and out of the water, strengthening kicking power and endurance, and learning how to push when tired. Having fun and bonding with their teammates will continue to be an important aspect of this group.
Qualifications: In order to get into this group, swimmers must make both the time standards and the test set requirements. Here are those requirements:
- Three 9 – 10 “BB” cuts
- 8 x 100s Freestyle on a 1:50 interval
- 3 x 200s IM on a 4:00 interval
Expectations: This is our first “competitive group” where the expectation is that each swimmer in this group is focused on being a competitive swimmer and is actively trying to make at the very least the minimum number of practices and attend swim meets on a regular basis in order to try to achieve times to reach the next level*. Athletes in this group need to make a minimum of 3 practices per week for this group. Swimmers are expected to attend the following swim meets:
- All SUNN hosted meets and Zone 1 North Championships.
- 10 & Under Championships, Junior Olympics and Far Westerns are must attend if the swimmer qualifies.
- In addition to the meets listed above, swimmers in this group should attend at least 4 swim meets on the Age Group Meet Schedule (check with your coach for specific meets)
Equipment Needed: Mesh Bag, Sporti Floating Swim Fins, Buoy, Kick Board, Snorkel, and Water Bottle.
JUNIOR BRONZE GROUP (JR-B)
Location: Sunnyvale Middle School
Description: Designed for middle school swimmers who are either new to swimming or who are swimming for fitness, not competitive reasons. Emphasis is on stroke technique, turns and starts as well as endurance training. Participation in meets is encouraged, but not mandatory.
Expectations: There are no attendance requirements for this group, however regular attendance is encouraged.
Expectations: There is no attendance requirement for this group, but regular practice is strongly encouraged. Swimmers are expected to attend the following swim meets:
- All SUNN hosted meets and Zone 1 North Championships (if they have qualifying times)
- In addition to the meets listed above, swimmers in this group should attend at least 2 swim meets on the Age Group Meet Schedule (check with your coach for specific meets)
Equipment Needed: Mesh Bag, Sporti Floating Swim Fins, Kickboard, Buoy, and Water Bottle.
JUNIOR SILVER GROUP (JR-S)
Location: Sunnyvale Middle School
Description: Designed for middle school swimmers who can swim in all four strokes legally and are working on achieving the next level at SUNN Swimming. Some are newer members of the team or are committed to other activities in addition to swimming. Emphasis is on improving stroke efficiency, developing speed and endurance, building self-confidence and self-awareness, and learning how to set goals and how to strive to reach them.
Expectations: There is a 3-day minimum attendance requirement for this group, but 4 – 5 practices each week is strongly encouraged for the highest level of improvement. Swimmers are expected to attend the following swim meets:
- All SUNN hosted meets and Zone 1 North Championships (if they have qualifying times)
- Junior Olympics and Far Westerns if the swimmer qualifies
- In addition to the meets listed above, swimmers in this group should attend at least 4 swim meets on the Age Group Meet Schedule (check with your coach for specific meets)
Equipment Needed: Mesh Bag, Sporti Floating Swim Fins, Kickboard, Paddles, Buoy, Snorkel, and Water Bottle.
JUNIOR GOLD GROUP (JR-G)
Location: Sunnyvale Middle School
Description: Designed for our advanced middle school athletes. This group focuses on advanced stroke technique, setting and working towards goals, developing and understanding pace for distance events, and how to build a race plan. Swimmers in this group begin learning that success comes from effort and desire.
Qualifications: 6th – 8th Grade. Entry into this group is by coach’s consent. Swimmers need to have at least five 11 - 12 “BB” times in order to enter this group. In addition, they need to have a solid technique base in all four strokes, have strong social skills (working with others, respect for teammates and coaches). Swimmers should also be able to complete the following sets to qualify for this group:
- 12 x 100s Freestyle on a 1:35 interval
- 5 x 200s IM on a 3:30 interval
- 16 x 50s Kick on a 1:00 interval
Expectations: All swimmers in this group are required to make at least 4 out of 6 practices per week, but 100% attendance is encouraged in order to gain the greatest benefits of this group. Swimmers are also expected to attend the following swim meets:
- All SUNN hosted meets and Zone 1 North Championships
- Junior Olympics and Far Westerns if the swimmer qualifies
- In addition to the meets listed above, swimmers in this group should attend at least 5 swim meets on the Age Group Meet Schedule (check with your coach for specific meets)
Equipment Needed: Mesh Bag, Sporti Floating Swim Fins, Kickboard, Paddles, Buoy, Snorkel, Ankle Lock, Water Bottle.
SENIOR BRONZE GROUP
Location: Sunnyvale Middle School
Description: This group is for new high school aged swimmers or high school swimmers who are looking to swim for fitness reasons, not necessarily for competitive goals. Emphasis is placed on proper stroke technique, building endurance and speed, strengthening self-confidence, and learning how to get out of their “comfort zone”.
Expectations: There is no attendance requirement for this group, but regular attendance is encouraged in order to develop the skills and speed to move on to the next group. Swimmers should also attend:
- All SUNN hosted meets and Zone 1 North Championships
- In addition to the meets listed above, swimmers in this group should attend at least 4 swim meets on the Age Group or Senior Meet Schedule (check with your coach for specific meets)
Equipment Needed: Mesh Bag, Sporti Floating Swim Fins, Kickboard, Paddles, Buoy, Water Bottle.
SENIOR SILVER GROUP
Location: Fremont High School
Description: This group is for our high school athletes who are competitive and attend meets regularly, but are missing the swimming qualifications for Senior Gold. In this group we will focus on perfecting stroke habits, maximizing both speed and power, being self-aware to make adjustments to technique or pace while swimming, and learn to push through the pain to reach their goals. Swimmers will develop skills in time management, responsibility, and holding themselves and their peers to a high standard of excellence.
Qualifications: 9th – 12th Grade. A swimmer must achieve at least five 13 - 14 “BB” times and have a solid stroke technique base in all four strokes to move into this group. In addition, they must be able to complete the following sets:
- 20 x 100s Freestyle on a 1:25 interval
- 8 x 200s IM on a 3:10 interval
- 20 x 50s Kick on a :55 interval
Expectations: Athletes in this group are required to make at least 5 out of the 8 workouts per week, but swimmers are expected to make as many of the 8 practices as possible. Swimmers, not parents, are also expected to communicate with their coach if they are going to miss practice. Swimmers are also expected to attend the following swim meets:
- All SUNN hosted meets and Zone 1 North Championships
- Far Westerns, Sectionals and Western Zone Senior Championships if the swimmer qualifies.
- In addition to the meets listed above, swimmers in this group should attend at least 5 swim meets on the Senior Meet Schedule (check with your coach for specific meets)
- Travel meets, while not required, will be strongly encouraged to attend.
Equipment Needed: Mesh Bag, Sporti Floating Swim Fins, Kickboard, Snorkel, Paddles, Arena Elite Finger Paddles, Water Bottle.
SENIOR GOLD GROUP
Location: Fremont High School
Description: This group is for our fastest high school athletes who are focused on achieving the highest level they can in USA Swimming. In this group we will focus on developing perfecting stroke habits, maximizing both speed and power, being self-aware to make adjustments to technique or pace while swimming and learn to push through the pain to reach their goals. Swimmers will develop skills in time management, leadership, responsibility, and holding themselves and their peers to a high standard of excellence.
Qualifications: 9th – 12th Grade. Entry into this group is by coach’s consent. A swimmer must achieve at least five 15 - 16 “BB”times and have a solid stroke technique base in all four strokes to move into this group. In addition, they must be able to complete the following sets:
- 20 x 100s Freestyle on a 1:15 interval
- 10 x 200s IM on a 2:50 interval
- 20 x 50s Kick on a :55 interval
Expectations: Athletes in this group have chosen to achieve the highest levels of the sport of swimming and need to commit to attending all practices offered each week (time management becomes an important skill in achieving one’s goals and/or dreams). Swimmers, not parents, are also expected to communicate with their coach if they are going to miss practice. Swimmers are also expected to attend the following swim meets:
- All SUNN hosted meets and Zone 1 North Championships
- Far Westerns, Sectionals and Western Zone Senior Championships if the swimmer qualifies
- In addition to the meets listed above, swimmers in this group should attend at least 5 swim meets on the Senior Meet Schedule (check with your coach for specific meets)
- Travel meets, while not required, will be strongly encouraged to attend.
Equipment Needed: Mesh Bag, Sporti Floating Swim Fins, Kickboard, Snorkel, Paddles, Arena Elite Finger Paddles, Water Bottle.
