BLUESHARKS, BLUEJETS & BLUELIGHTNING PRACTICE GROUP CRITERIA
The BLUE practice groups are designed to give 9-to-11-year-old swimmers a positive and technically sound swimming experience. These levels are designed to appropriately challenge your child depending on his or her experience in the sport of swimming. 
 
BLUESHARKS
The BLUESHARKS practice group is made up of swimmers ages 9-10 (and some 11-yr-olds). Swimmers at this level may be new to competitive swimming or have had some swim team experience. Swimmers will learn to train and compete in all four competitive swim strokes. They will refine stroke and kick technique; increase aerobic development and sharpen practice skills necessary to compete in the sport of swimming. Swimmers considered for the BLUESHARKS group must demonstrate their abilities using the following criteria:
  • Swimmers have completed an advanced level of swim lessons and/or have some prior swim team experience; plus a general knowledge of the four competitive swim strokes.
  • Comfortable in deep water and in a group setting away from parents and/or caretakers.
  • Legally swim two lengths (50 yards) of the pool in Freestyle and/or Backstroke; and complete one length (25 yards) in either rudimentary Breaststroke or Butterfly, without stopping or assistance
  • Kick one length (25 yards) of the pool in :50 seconds.
  • Attend a minimum of two 60-minute practices each week out of five practices offered each week (minimum 40 percent practice attendance/month).
  • Willing to participate in at least one novice event, or swim meet, in Short Course or Long Course season.
  • Swimmers also must demonstrate emotional readiness for this group through listening to coaches; grasping and applying instructions; and being a great teammate.
BLUEJETS
The BLUEJETS practice group is made up of swimmers ages 9-to-11-years-old. Swimmers at this level have experience training and competing in all four competitive swim strokes. They will refine stroke and kick technique, increase aerobic development, and sharpen practice skills necessary to compete in the sport of swimming. In addition, racing strategies and techniques will be introduced in preparation for the next level swim experience. Swimmers considered for the BLUEJETS group must be able to meet, or exceed, the following criteria:
  • Achieved MN Swim Silver or faster time standards for the 10 & under age group in 1) two 50-yard/meter events, and 2) one 100-yard/meter event. 
  • Complete challenge sets:
    • SWIM 10 x 75 @ 1:30
    • KICK 10 x 50 @ 1:15
  • Attend at least three to four 75-minute practices out of five practices offered each week (minimum 60% practice attendance/month).
  • Swimmers must work toward developing a swim meet event repertoire that combines the four competitive strokes and distances of 50s, 100s; and either (or both) the 200 FR & 200 IM; or register a USA Swimming IMX score.
  • Swimmers also must demonstrate emotional readiness for this group through listening to coaches; grasping and applying instructions; and being a great teammate.
BLUELIGHTNING
The BLUELIGHTNING practice group is made up of swimmers ages 9-to-11-years-old. Swimmers at this level have experience training and competing in all four competitive swim strokes. They will refine stroke and kick technique, increase aerobic development, and sharpen practice skills necessary to compete in the sport of swimming. In addition, racing strategies and techniques will be introduced in preparation for their next level swim experience. Swimmers considered for the BLUELIGHTNING group must be able to meet, or exceed, the following criteria:
  • Achieved MN Swim Gold or faster time standards for the 10 & under age group in 1) two 50-yard/meter events, and 2) one 100-yard/meter event.
  • Complete challenge sets: 
    • SWIM 10 x 75 @ 1:20 
    • KICK 10 x 50 @ 1:05
  • Attend four to five 90-minute practices out of the five offered each week. (minimum 80% practice attendance/month)
  • Register a USA Swimming IMX score. 
  • Swimmers also must demonstrate emotional readiness for this group through listening to coaches, grasping and applying instructions, and being a great teammate.
Please click HERE for a complete list of Aquajets Group Placement Criteria