LFSC Practice Squads
Our practice squads emphasize the progress of each swimmer on an individual basis as they gain strength, skills, experience and maturity. Children grow and develop at individual rates and long-term athletic success requires great patience. After an initial New Swimmer Evaluation swimmers begin their journey in a practice squad appropriate for their age, ability and experience.
Competition is introduced in a progressive manner. We have developed our own competitive ecosystem starting with our Age Group Challenge Meets, progressing from intra-squad to club to championship meets. We believe in the development of all strokes and learning to compete in the full range of competitive events. Swimmers are never slotted into a particular stroke or event category as this greatly limits their full development.
Our coaches have successfully developed swimmers to all levels of swimming without overly focusing on championship swimming. LFSC swimmers are successful with all strokes and race distances, preparing them for successful high school, college and even Masters swimming. Every swimmer is not an Olympic swimmer but every LFSC swimmer receives world-class coaching and individual attention to their development.
National Squad
The National Squad is a very demanding highly specialized elite squad for swimmers striving to achieve in National level competition. This squad is by invitation only and requires a level of fitness and commitment (90% practice attendance) consistent with the demands of elite-level swimming. Competition attendance at National level competitions, if qualified, is required.
The minimum requirements for the National Squad are listed below:
- age 13
- achieve at least 1 Sectional qualifying standard
- college swimmers
- commit to the full training and competition program required for elite performance
- invitation from Coach Michael
2023 LFSC National Squad Qualifying Time Standards
Competition is required at LFSC hosted meets and other designated competitions.
Senior Squad (ages 13+)
The Senior Squad is for swimmers age 13 and older with previous swim team experience. Competition attendance and performance goals are required in the Senior Squad. Swimmers will compete in various competitions at the local, state and regional levels.
All swimmers must be able to consistently demonstrate all fundamental stroke skills and the following:
- 16 x100 scm freestyle @ 1:55 (1:45 scy)
- 12 x100 scm kick @ 2:30 (2:15 scy)
- 400 scm freestyle @ 7:00 (6:30 scy)
- 8 x200 IM scm @ 3:45 (3:30 scy)
Competition is required at LFSC hosted meets and other designated competitions.
Age Group Squad (ages 9-13)
The Age Group Squad is our "meat and potatoes" squad for swimmers ages 9-13 years. Previous swim team experience is recommended but not required. Our Age Group Squad prepares young swimmers for future success as Senior swimmers. This is the place where Olympic Dreams are forged!
All swimmers must be able to consistently demonstrate all fundamental stroke skills and the following:
- 8 x100 scm freestyle @ 2:30
- 200 scm kick for all competitive strokes
- 8 x 50 scm swim for all competitive strokes
- 5 x 200 IM with reasonable skill integrity
Competition is required at LFSC hosted meets.
Novice Squad (ages 7-12)
The Novice Squad is for swimmers ages 7-12 years. Previous swim team experience is not required. All swimmers must be able to participate in a structured group learning environment and have appropriate personal independence.
Minimum entry competencies for all swimmers in the Novice Squad are listed below:
- demonstrated competency in performing all four competitive strokes
- knowledge of all competitive starts and turns
- continuous 200 freestyle swim
Competition is not required but is recommended at LFSC hosted events
Developmental Programs
The Mighty Ducks squad is for young swimmers ages 6 -10 yrs who have progressed beyond basic swim lessons and would like to make further progress to our competitive team. Mighty Ducks swimmers participate in intrasquad meets, usually once/month.
Swimmers in the Mighty Ducks must be at least 6 years old and able to swim 25 meters of freestyle and backstroke with fundamental stroke integrity. Qualified swimmers will learn breaststroke, butterfly, competitive starts and turns, and further refine freestyle and backstroke form. Entrance competencies:
- Freestyle -- 20-second floating, air exchange (blowing bubbles underwater), windmill arms (out of the water), side breathing, kick with "ballerina toes" (pointed) on the surface
- Backstroke -- 20-second floating, windmill arms, air exchange (no breath holding), kick with "ballerina toes"
New swimmers must complete a New Swimmer Evaluation prior to registration in the Mighty Ducks.
To schedule a New Swimmer Evaluation please go ===> HERE
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The Mini Ducks is an advanced swim lesson for children ages 5+ who are comfortable (floating) in the water. Mini Ducks have not yet mastered arm strokes, kicking and breathing in freestyle and backstroke. In the Mini Ducks we build learning and listening skills, let children explore basic aquatic movements, and put them on a path to joining the swim team.
