Life Time USA Swim Team has been structured on the premise that there are four basic phases of athlete development in our swimming program. At each level of the program, we continually try to evaluate and adapt to the multitude of factors, both scientific and sociological, that impact the growth and development of young athletes. Experience has taught us that the perfect developmental swimming program is a moving target that changes as the population we serve changes and as we learn more and more about the development of young people. Following is an outline description of the four phases of development and the basic premises that currently guide our thinking at each of these levels.
Swim Level Information and Swimmer Progression Life Time Swim Team
Developmental 1
Designed for the swimmer who has completed swim lessons and is looking to continue to fine-tune their technique as well as start to increase their yardage. 1:10 coach-to-swimmer ratio. Practice expectation: 2x/week.
Age: 5 and up
Practice: 2x/week @ 45min
Focus: Drills/ Technique (90%), Endurance (10%), Increase kick strength and ability across all 4 strokes Meet Attendance: One Home Meet per season and USA Swimming Meet as directed by the program and your coach.
Goals: Healthy Way of Life, Stroke improvement, Enjoyment, Ability to move to Developmental 2 or
Bronze
Equipment: Cap, Goggles, Competition appropriate one-piece suit (F) or jammer (M), Water bottle Requirements: Complete 601, 50 free, 50 back, 25 breast, 25 fly, working toward legal technique
Developmental 2
Designed for the swimmer who has completed Developmental 1 and is looking to reinforce legal technique, turns, and finishes, as well as increase their yardage. 1:10 coach-to-swimmer ratio. Practice expectation: 2x/week.
Age: 5 and up
Practice: 2x/week @ 60min
Focus: Drills/Technique (85%), Endurance (15%), Reinforce legal technique, turns, and finishes
Meet Attendance: Two Home Meet per season and USA Swimming Meet as directed by the program and your coach.
Goals: Healthy Way of Life, Stroke improvement, Enjoyment, Ability to move to Bronze, Legal technique, Familiarity with swimming terminology
Equipment: Cap, Goggles, Competition appropriate one-piece suit (F) or jammer (M), Water bottle Requirements: Complete Developmental 1, 50 free, 50 back, 25 breast, 25 fly, Legal free and back, Working toward legal fly and breast
Bronze
Designed for the swimmer who has completed Developmental 2 (or has completed a tryout and been recommended for this level) and is looking to continue to progress their technique and endurance. USA Swim Meet participation is introduced at this level. 1:15 coach-to-swimmer ratio. Practice expectation: 3x/week.
Age: 6 and up
Practice: 3x/week @ 60min
Focus: Drills/ Technique (80%), Endurance (20%) Meet Attendance: All Home Meet per season and USA Swimming Meet as directed by the program and your coach.
Goals: Gain experience racing in sanctioned meets, Ability to move to Silver, Legal technique, Continue to progress technique and endurance, Knowledge of how to use the pace clock
Equipment: Cap, Goggles, Competition appropriate one-piece suit (F) or jammer (M), Water bottle, Kickboard, Fins, Pull buoy
Requirements: Life Time Swim National Test Set Standards
Silver
Designed for the dedicated swimmer who has completed Bronze (or has completed a tryout and been recommended for this level) and is looking to continue to refine their stroke and technique. USA Swim Meet participation is expected at this level. 1:20 coach-to-swimmer ratio. Practice expectation: 4x/week. Age: 9 and up
Practice: 4x/week @ 75-90min
Focus: Refining strokes and techniques, Competition based
Meet Attendance: Minimum attendance of 75% of the meets that are available per season.
Goals: Ability to move to Gold, Attendance based (4-5 days/week unless otherwise agreed upon) Equipment: Cap, Goggles, Competition appropriate one-piece suit (F) or jammer (M), Water bottle, Kickboard, Fins, Pull buoy
Requirements: Life Time Swim National Test Set Standards
Gold
Designed for the competitive swimmer who has completed Silver (or has completed a tryout and been recommended for this level) and is looking to continue to refine their stroke and technique. USA Swim Meet participation is expected at this level. 1:25 coach-to-swimmer ratio. Practice expectation: 5x/week. Age: 11 and up
Practice: 5x/week @ 90-120min; Dryland at least 3x/week Focus: Refining strokes and techniques, Competition based
Meet Attendance: Minimum attendance of 80% of the meets that are available per season.
Goals: Ability to move to Senior, Attendance based, Work toward JO/State/Section meet cuts Equipment: Cap, Goggles, Competition appropriate one-piece suit (F) or jammer (M), Water bottle, Kickboard, Fins, Pull buoy, Paddles
Requirements: Life Time Swim National Test Set Standards
Senior
Designed for the competitive swimmer who has completed Gold (or has completed a tryout with one of our skilled coaches) and is looking to continue to refine their stroke and technique. USA Swim Meet participation is expected at this level. 1:30 coach-to-swimmer ratio. Practice expectation: 6x/week.
Age: 12 and up
Practice: 6x/week @ 120min; Dryland at least 3x/week Focus: Refining strokes and techniques, Competition based
Meet Attendance: Minimum attendance of 90% of the meets that are available per season
Goals: Attendance based, Work toward JO/State/Section meet cuts
Equipment: Cap, Goggles, Competition appropriate one-piece suit (F) or jammer (M), Water bottle, Kickboard, Fins, Pull buoy, Paddles
- Requirements: Life Time Swim National Test Set
