The ElitSwim Club's practice groups fit the needs of swimmers of all ages and ability levels. Please keep in mind that age ranges are not absolute. Sometimes an older swimmer who is new to the sport may have to start with a predominantly younger group, and that is perfectly okay and normal. Occasionally a very advanced younger swimmer may be moved into a group of older athletes. These group descriptions are provided to give you a sense of our team's construction and the progression your child is likely to follow as they move through our program.
Senior Group Program (9th grade and older)
Lead Senior Coach: Paschalis Ntatsos
Senior Elit 1
This is our most advanced training group offered. It is designed for swimmers who have chosen swimming as their primary sport and have committed to training to compete at the National level. Swimmers in this Elit training group should plan on mandatory 6–7 practices per week, competing at the meets selected by the coach and training at the level required to qualify for National Level competitions.
This program will offer the most advanced training techniques and dry land exercises designed to help swimmers reach the highest level of competition, as well as prepare swimmers to swim in college.
AGE: (15-18 years old)
DAYS: M-F (5 practices)
DURATION: (150min practice)
Qualification: See Below
Senior Elit 2
This is our second senior-level training group offered. It is designed for swimmers that may still participate in other sports or activities but want to remain competitive at a senior level. Swimmers in this training group should plan on 5 practices per week, competing at the meets selected by the coach.
This program will offer advanced training techniques and dry land exercises designed to help swimmers reach the highest level of competition, as well as prepare swimmers to swim in college.
AGE: (15-18 years old)
DAYS: M-F (5 practices)
DURATION: (120min practice)
Space is limited.
From May through summer time we will move to earlier time slots for most groups.
The location is the Dougherty Valley Aquatic Center/DVHS.
Qualification
Swimmers may qualify to move groups at the completion of a championship season in December, March/April, or August. Only results from championship meets will be considered to place swimmers in groups for the next season. Each standard must be a different event. 50s of Fly, Back, and Breast are not considered for group placement.
Time standards are used to define groups for three reasons;
- Athletes are organized by the championship meet which they will attend/qualify for.
- Standards keep group sizes in line with what is needed to maintain a ratio for quality coaching.
- Athletes are given the opportunity to progress through the senior division groups as they get older and faster to provide appropriate and increasing stimulus.
Dryland
Dryland is considered part of practice, and swimmers should plan to attend all sessions. Dryland sessions are designed to give swimmers the required physical development to be competitive. Stretch cordz, stretch and medical bands, medicine balls, core strengthening, and, very importantly, stretching are some tools and training methods that will implement. Dryland will assist each swimmer's physical and strengthening aspects without overtraining the muscles, joints, and spine. Strengthening is directed for each individual on their stroke and distance events needs.
Group Expectations
Expectations for attendance and competition participation are based on the goals of each athlete. Athletes with goals to compete in college or at a senior championship level and beyond should expect to attend all practices as a minimum. A great attitude, work ethic, attention to detail, and competitive drive should build on a foundation of consistent attendance. Competing at a National level will require full engagement in and beyond the team’s schedule.
Mental Goals:
- Successfully balance academic and extracurricular schedules.
- Understand long-term goal setting.
- Promote teamwork.
- Develop self-confidence.
Equipment - Seniors:
- Kickboard
- Pull Buoy
- Snorkel
- Paddles
- TempoTrainer
- Fins/Zoomers (one pair of short blades & one long soft)
- Mesh Equipment Bag
- Stretch Cordz
- Two tennis balls
- Exercise mat
- Senior Elit 1: + medical bands, Parachute (square, either ~8" or ~12")
Easily Purchase Equipment Here
How to choose what size to buy:
a) the resistance levels of the Medical bands and Stretch Cordz,
b) the size of the Paddles
c) the size of Parachute
These will all be determined as soon as the swimmers are evaluated during their first couple of weeks in practice and will be communicated with parents by their coaches to purchase the right equipment levels.
Standards for EVERY senior athlete include being prompt, having good posture, being polite, acting purposefully, and arriving prepared. These are expected of swimmers of all ages and levels within the program.
