JUNIOR 1, JUNIOR 2 & JUNIOR 3 PRACTICE GROUP CRITERIA
The JUNIOR-level practice groups are designed to give swimmers 11-to-14-years-old a positive and technically sound swimming experience, as well as appropriately challenging each swimmer’s ability based on his or her experience in the sport.
JUNIOR 1
The JUNIOR 1 practice group is comprised of swimmers ages 11-to-14-years-old. Swimmers at this level may be new to competitive swimming or have had some swim team experience. Swimmers in JUNIOR 1 will refine the basics of the four competitive strokes while focusing on technique through stroke-specific drills and kicking sets. An emphasis will also be placed on aerobic development, and racing strategies and techniques will be introduced. Swimmers considered for the JUNIOR 1 group must meet the following criteria:
The JUNIOR 1 practice group is comprised of swimmers ages 11-to-14-years-old. Swimmers at this level may be new to competitive swimming or have had some swim team experience. Swimmers in JUNIOR 1 will refine the basics of the four competitive strokes while focusing on technique through stroke-specific drills and kicking sets. An emphasis will also be placed on aerobic development, and racing strategies and techniques will be introduced. Swimmers considered for the JUNIOR 1 group must meet the following criteria:
-
Swimmers have completed an advanced level of swim lessons and/or have some prior swim team experience, including general knowledge of the four competitive swim strokes.
-
Legally swim and kick 75 yards in three different strokes without any stopping/assistance.
-
Attend a minimum of three 90-minute practices each week of the five offered. (60 percent practice attendance)
-
Willingness to participate in at least one swim meet in the short course or long course season.
-
Swimmers must also demonstrate emotional readiness for this group through listening to coaches, understanding and applying instructions, and being a great teammate. (Click HERE for a complete list of Group Placement Criteria).
JUNIOR 2
The JUNIOR 2 practice group is made up of experienced swimmers ages 11-to-14-years-old. Swimmers at this level have experience training and competing in all four competitive swim strokes. Swimmers in JUNIOR 2 will focus on refining their strokes through stroke-specific technique drills while increasing their aerobic endurance through more challenging swim and kick sets. More advanced training and racing techniques and strategies will be introduced with the goal of preparing swimmers for the Junior 3 and Senior levels. JUNIOR 2 swimmers will be expected to add distances of 200 yards/meters and higher in multiple strokes (or IM) to their swim meet event lists. Swimmers considered for the JUNIOR 2 level must meet or exceed the following criteria:
The JUNIOR 2 practice group is made up of experienced swimmers ages 11-to-14-years-old. Swimmers at this level have experience training and competing in all four competitive swim strokes. Swimmers in JUNIOR 2 will focus on refining their strokes through stroke-specific technique drills while increasing their aerobic endurance through more challenging swim and kick sets. More advanced training and racing techniques and strategies will be introduced with the goal of preparing swimmers for the Junior 3 and Senior levels. JUNIOR 2 swimmers will be expected to add distances of 200 yards/meters and higher in multiple strokes (or IM) to their swim meet event lists. Swimmers considered for the JUNIOR 2 level must meet or exceed the following criteria:
-
Legally swim and kick 100 yards in four different strokes without any stopping/assistance.
-
Achieve MN Swim “BB” times or faster in the 11-12 age group in both 1) two 50-yard/meter events and 2) one 100-yard/meter event.
-
Register a USA Swimming IMX score
-
Successfully complete challenge sets including (but not limited to):
-
SWIM 10x100 @ 1:30
-
KICK 10x75 @ 1:25
-
-
Attend a minimum of four 1.75-hour practices each week of the five offered. (80 percent practice attendance)
-
Swimmers must also demonstrate emotional readiness for this group through listening to coaches, understanding and applying instructions, and being a great teammate. (Click HERE for a complete list of Group Placement Criteria).
JUNIOR 3
The JUNIOR 3 practice group includes experienced swimmers, ages 12-to-14-years-old. Swimmers at this level have experience training and competing in all four competitive swim strokes. JUNIOR 3 swimmers will focus on refining their strokes through stroke-specific technique drills while increasing their aerobic endurance and anaerobic capacity through challenging swim and kick sets designed to prepare them for the Senior and National level. The training and racing techniques learned previously are expected to be practiced regularly, and more advanced strategies used at the Senior and National level will be introduced and practiced. Swimmers considered for the JUNIOR 3 level must meet or exceed the following criteria:
The JUNIOR 3 practice group includes experienced swimmers, ages 12-to-14-years-old. Swimmers at this level have experience training and competing in all four competitive swim strokes. JUNIOR 3 swimmers will focus on refining their strokes through stroke-specific technique drills while increasing their aerobic endurance and anaerobic capacity through challenging swim and kick sets designed to prepare them for the Senior and National level. The training and racing techniques learned previously are expected to be practiced regularly, and more advanced strategies used at the Senior and National level will be introduced and practiced. Swimmers considered for the JUNIOR 3 level must meet or exceed the following criteria:
-
Achieve MN Swim “A+” times or faster in the 11-12 age group in both 1) two 100-yard/meter events and 2) one 200-yard/meter event.
-
Register a USA Swimming IMX score.
-
Complete challenge sets including (but not limited to):
-
SWIM 10x100 @ 1:25
-
KICK 10x75 @ 1:20
-
-
Attend a minimum of four 2-hour practices each week of the five offered. (80 percent practice attendance)
-
Swimmers must also demonstrate emotional readiness for this group through listening to coaches, understanding and applying instructions, and being a great teammate. (Click HERE for a complete list of Group Placement Criteria).
