DESCRIPTIONS OF TRAINING GROUPS
The MCDA Swim Team is divided into several practice groups according to both age and ability level. Each practice group has distinct objectives and goals, which help the swimmer develop their skills to their full potential and move from one practice group to another with ease. Group changes are made by coaches on an as-needed basis, when changes are deemed beneficial for the swimmer. For each group, a typical practice involves a combination of stroke technique and physical conditioning, with the emphasis on stroke instruction for the younger more developmental swimmers and conditioning becoming more important for more experienced swimmers. Specific groups will also participate in dry-land training.
PRE COMP
SPARTAN PREP: (Minimum age: 5)
Participants must be able to swim 25 yards unassisted. Swimmers will improve their strength in the water, improve confidence and learn the four competitive strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly). Recommended 2 practices/week.
AGE GROUP
BRONZE: (Age 6-10)
Bronze Development / Bronze Challenge / Bronze Elite
This developmental training group emphasizes on the fundamentals of the four competitive strokes. We focus on making swimming a fun experience while improving swimming technique with the use of drills and introducing interval training and swimming competition. Recommended 3 practices/week.
SILVER: (Age 9-11)
Silver Development / Silver Challenge / Silver Elite
Participants must be able to complete 50 yards of each of the four competitive swim strokes and a 100 IM continuously. This is a more structured practice routine which not only emphasizes technique, interval training and introduces endurance based training sets. The focus is on competition preparedness geared towards long-term success. Recommended 3-4 practices/week.
GOLD: (Age 11-14)
Gold Development / Gold Challenge / Gold Elite
This training group is for the advanced age group swimmer. Training in this group is for committed and motivated young swimmers and emphasizes serious training in preparation for higher levels of swimming. The group will focus on stroke refinement, aerobic training and strength building. Gold level swimmers have or are striving for Junior Olympics (JO's) qualification times. Recommended 4-5 practices/week.
SENIOR GROUP (14 & Over)
SENIOR DEVELOPMENT:
This is the highest-level age group squad. Senior Development’s purpose is to train beginner and intermediate level swimmers with long-term goals. More emphasis is placed on stroke technique and training adaptations. Swimmers in Senior Development will be held to a high standard of consistency, effort, and attitude. Swimmers in the Senior Challenge group strive to achieve an FGC Senior Championship Cut. To be considered for this group, swimmers must have achieved 2 USA Swimming BB qualifying time standards or be recommended by a coach. All swimmers will practice 4-5 times per week.
SENIOR CHALLENGE:
The more advanced 14 and over squad, Senior Challenge’s purpose is to train swimmers with higher long-term goals in the sport of swimming. More emphasis is placed on training adaptations and following a season plan designed for higher achievement. This training group is designed for high school swimmers who are experienced and proficient, qualify for FHSAA Regional & State level meets, FGC Senior Championships, Speedo Sectionals and are working towards achieving national level time standards as well as have a desire to swim at the college level. Swimmers must practice 5-6 times per week and maintain at least an 85% attendance rate.
SENIOR ELITE: "National Team"
As the top group in the program, Sr. Elite is for the most advanced swimmers who have shown the highest level of commitment, dedication, and readiness to train consistently. This National Level training group is designed for high school swimmers who are experienced and proficient, qualify for FHSAA State level meets, USA Speedo Sectionals and Futures and are working towards achieving US Open and Olympic Trial qualification time standards as well as have a desire to swim at the college. The practice and competition schedule reflect the aspiration to reach the highest levels of achievement in the sport. To be considered for this group a swimmer must have 4 USA Sectional qualifying time standards and 1 Future cut. Swimmers must practice 7-8 times per week and maintain at least an 90% attendance rate.
WHEN CAN AN ATHLETE MOVE UP?
Moving to the next level in the MCDA program involves several factors. A child's technical competence, physical stamina, mental preparedness, swim meet attendance and performance, as well as many other subjective factors, all play a role. Your coach is the individual best able to assess a swimmers readiness to make this next step.
An athlete might get a trial period in the group above, but official group move ups for Pathways - Senior Development groups occur four times a year (December, March, June, and September). The progress of athletes swimming at these levels can be large in both technical efficiency and speed. Group adjustments are made accordingly.
At the most advanced level in MCDA's age group program the Senior Elite level, move ups occur only two times each year (after the Florida Gold Coast Senior Championships in March, and at the beginning of the year in September).
Talk to your coach about your goals on a regular basis. He/she is the person who can help you make that jump to the next level!!
All adjustments to the groups must go through the Head Coach. The Head Coach has the final word on all movements on the team.
