MLA Practice Groups
Age Group
Typically for 10 & Under swimmers.
Practices are 1 hour and 15 minutes, with 3–4 practice options offered each week.
This group is designed for young athletes who are entering or early in their competitive swimming journey and are focused on building a strong technical foundation.
This group is built around swimmers with developmental goals, including:
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learning all four competitive strokes, starts, and turns, and
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gaining early competitive experience in a positive and supportive environment.
Training in this group is 100% skill-development focused, with an emphasis on technique, drills, coordination, and fun. Swimmers may compete at local, Regional, State, and Zone levels as appropriate. The primary objective is to provide MLA athletes with a strong foundation of skills and confidence that supports long-term growth, enjoyment, and success in the sport of competitive swimming.
Navy Group
Typically for 10–13 year old swimmers.
Practices are 1 hour and 30 minutes, with 5–6 practices offered each week.
This group is designed for developing athletes who are progressing beyond foundational skill work and beginning to train with greater consistency and purpose.
The Navy Group is built around swimmers with developing competitive goals, including:
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athletes working toward Michigan Swimming Regional Championship qualification, and
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athletes beginning to pursue MAGS qualifying standards while gaining experience at higher levels of competition.
This group represents an important intermediate stage in a swimmer’s development. Training maintains a strong emphasis on stroke technique and skill development (approximately 90%), while gradually introducing aerobic training concepts (approximately 10%). Swimmers may compete at local, Regional, State, and Zone levels as appropriate. Athletes in this group will continue to refine all four strokes, begin learning basic goal-setting skills, and prepare for successful participation at local championship meets and beyond.
White Group
Typically for 11–14 year old swimmers.
Practices are 1 hour and 45 minutes, with 5–6 practices offered each week.
This group is designed for advanced middle school–aged athletes and is intended for swimmers who have demonstrated a high level of commitment and competitive ability.
The White Group is built around swimmers with competitive championship goals, including:
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athletes aiming to perform at a high level at local and regional championship meets, and
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athletes who have achieved or are working toward MAGS and/or ULTRA qualifying standards, with progression toward Zone-level competition and long-term Sectional goals.
This group serves as an age-appropriate introduction to Senior-level swimming. Training begins to emphasize greater training responsibility, consistent attendance, technical refinement, and early event specialization while continuing to build the foundation needed for success in Zone, Sectional, and future Senior-level competition.
Senior Group
Typically for 15 & older swimmers; some 14-year-old swimmers may be permitted with coach approval.
Practices are 2 hours and 15 minutes, with 5–6 practices offered each week.
This group is further divided into two or three training sub-groups based on athlete skill level and practice attendance.
The Senior Group is designed around swimmers with multiple competitive pathways, including:
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athletes preparing to compete for their high school teams, and
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athletes pursuing USA Swimming State Finals, Sectionals, and/or national-level qualifying standards.
This is the first level of true specialization in an athlete’s career, with training plans increasingly geared toward each swimmer’s primary events, strengths, and long-term goals. Swimmers in this group are expected to take a more active role in their development and begin learning how to own and manage the trajectory of their swimming careers.
