Practice Groups

The Y Swim Team is divided into several training groups, done with the consideration of the swimmers’ development of technical skills, training abilities, maturity, competitive levels, time standards and group availability. The progressive structure of these groups provides a setting in which swimmers are continually challenged yet are able to experience individual and team successes. All group placement decisions are made by the entire coaching staff and done so in the best interest of the swimmers and their long term development. All practice groups are expected to learn and exhibit the YMCA's 5 core values: Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsiblity, and Equity.

Time Standards

Some groups may have time standards used as reference for team member placement in the practice groups.

Novice 

The Novice Group provides younger swimmers with the opportunities to develop the fundamental skills of the four competitive strokes, turns and starts, plus to learn basic racing skills. Generally, swimmers will be placed in training groups based upon their age and ability. Although participation in other sports and activities is normal.

Placement into Novice

• Ages 5+
• Can swim in deep water
• Able to swim 50 yards freestyle demonstrating breathing to the side and good body position
• Able to Swim 25 yards Non-Freestyle
• Swim evaluation, after evaluation (swimmer may stay rest of practice as a trial).

Goals & Expectations

• Willingness to learn & have fun.
• Learn basics of Competitive Swimming (Technique, starts from blocks, streamline, and turns)
• Learn Basic lane etiquette
• Build endurance & learn stroke technique for next level.
• Learns to read pace clock.
• Learns and understands the Y core values.
• Attends practices 1-4 times a week.

Age Group

Age group focuses on continued development in stroke technique and efficiency plus the introduction of aerobic training to build a foundation for moving to Juniors.

Placement in Age Group

• Ages 8+
• Has demonstrated on a daily basis the desire and ability to perform at a higher level.
• All strokes are legal in meets, completes 50’s in all strokes with legal turns.

Required Intervals:

• 5x50 Flutter kick @ 1:15
• 5x50 Non-free swim @ 1:30
• 3x100 IM @ 2:30
• 3x100 Free @ 2:20

Goals & Expectations

• Willingness to learn & have fun.
• Learns the value of goal setting.
• Continues to learn & improve on stroke technique, starts, & turns.
• Builds on lane etiquette skills, important to have awareness in our lanes.
• Follows intervals on pace clock.
• Demonstrates the Y's core values.
• Average practice yardage: 2,500 yards.
• Attends practices 1-4 times a week.

Juniors

Juniors continues to refine stroke technique and efficiency, plus sets a strong foundation for aerobic training with longer freestyle sets and IM sets as the staples for the workouts. Strong workout habits are taught. 

Placement into Juniors

• Ages 10+
• Demonstrates interest in Competitive Swimming.
• Compete in all events offered in their age group.

Required Intervals:

• 6x50 Flutter kick @ 1:05
• 6x50 Non-Flutter Kick @ 1:15
• 6x50 Non-Free Swim @ 1:15
• 4x100 IM @ 2:00
• 4x100 Free @ 2:00 holding under 1:40

Goals & Expectations

• Willingness to learn & have fun.
• Demonstrates interest in Competitive Swimming.
• Demonstrates lane etiquette skills, important to have awareness in our lanes.
• Expansive knowledge of list of drills.
• Understands the value of goal setting.
• Role models the Y's core values for all.
• Average practice yardage: 4,000 yards.
• Practices 2-4 times a week.

Seniors

Seniors continues to refine stroke technique and efficiency. Plus builds on a strong foundation for aerobic training with longer freestyle sets, IM sets, and short interval sprint sets as the staples for the workouts. Strong workout habits are expected. This group is best suited for swimmers who are commited and serious about competing in Swim Meets and pushing themselves to better their best. 

Placement in Seniors  

• Ages 11+
• Acts as a leader/demonstrates leadership by completing workouts without sitting out, sets a strong foundation for aerobic training with longer freestyle sets and IM sets as the staples for the workouts out.
• Encourages teammates in a positive manner.
• Has an ability to compete in all events from 500 Free and below.

Required Intervals:

• 8x50 Flutter Kick @ 1:00
• 8x50 Non-Flutter Kick @ 1:05
• 6x50 Non-Free Swim @ 1:00
• 3x200 IM @ 3:30
• 6x100 Free @ 1:40 holding under 1:20

Goals & Expectations

• Enjoys hard sets & seeing progress with workouts.
• Takes feedback from Coaches is willing to try and mindfully apply it to their swimming.
• Develops & works on long term goals.
• Able to self-guide through workouts, only stopping when receiving feedback from coaches or for medically cleared injuries.
• Expected to compete in at least 3 swim meets during the competitive season.
• Role models the Y's core vaules of all. 
• Average practice yardage: 4,500 yards.
• Practices 3-4 times a week.  

A Note to our Members: In our desire to have group placement more visible to our members, we are in the process of making some adjustments in the group placement procedures. For this next season our procedure for group placement will be an on-going process. What you have read above is different than we have done in the past. Though some current swimmers may not qualify by the following standards for the group they are presently in, we will work to make everyone fit. The standards set forth below will apply to all swimmers, new swimmers and future placements.