Bluefins Grouping Progression
Pre: Longfin Tuna 3
Level 1: Longfin Tuna
Level 2: Pacific Bluefin
Level 3: Atlantic Bluefin
Level 4: Junior
Level 5: Senior - Prep
Level 6: Senior
Level 7: Senior - Performance
Level 1: Longfin Tuna
Longfin Tuna is the entry-level group in the Bluefin age group progression. This group is an introduction to competitive swimming, where we teach and emphasize technique in all four strokes while fostering a love for swimming. Swimmers in this group also learn body balance and gain a better understanding of feel in the water. This group teaches the value of hard work, dedication and fun.
Requirements: 50 Free, 50 Back, 50 kick on back, and basic skills in breast and butterfly.
Level 2: Pacific Bluefin
Pacific Bluefin is the intermediate group in the Bluefin age group progression. Swimmers in this group have an understanding of the technical fundamentals in each stroke, starts, and turns. Swimmers also enter this group with some experience racing at local meets and will begin to attend multi-day competitions. Swimmers in this group will learn and master an understanding of basic “sets” and intervals. Swimmers in this group will continue to progress with their technical skills and also begin to develop endurance.
Requirements: 100 free, 100 back, 100 breast, 2x50 butterfly, 100 IM in addition to legal starts, turns, and transitions.
Level 3: Atlantic Bluefin
Atlantic Bluefin is the top developmental group in the Bluefin age group progression. Swimmers in this group have already had experience competing for and training in the USA and YMCA swimming environment. Emphasis is placed on advanced stroke technique and the progression towards competitive training. This group comes to practice ready to work hard and stay focused. Emphasis is also placed on a strong commitment to attendance. Swimmers in this group will work together as a group to become better BYB teammates.
Requirements: 200 freestyle, 200 IM, 200 backstroke, 100 breast, and 100 butterfly. Swimmers must be able to complete legal turns for all four strokes, dive off of the blocks, and have a basic understanding of the pace clock.
Level 4: Junior Group
Junior group is the bridge between age group and senior level swimming. The Junior group is for highly committed and motivated athletes and teaches the fundamentals of serious training in preparation for higher levels of swimming. The Junior group will continue to focus on technique in all four strokes while learning to train both aerobic and anaerobic energy systems. The group will focus on stroke refinement, aerobic training, and strength building. Swimmers are required to swim a minimum of 5 practices per week. Dryland training is a requirement and will be focused on strength and conditioning.
Requirements: Ability to swim a 500 freestyle, 200 backstroke, 200 IM, 200 breast, and 200 butterfly. Swimmers must maintain a minimum of 80% attendance. Move-up test set at coach’s discretion.
Level 5: Senior - Prep
The Senior Prep group is for swimmers who are training and competing at high school swim meets or are in high school and would like to participate in other sports or activities. This group will be offered the same number of practices per week as our Senior group, but with no practice attendance requirements. Swimmers will focus on stroke refinement, aerobic training, and strength building. Dryland training is also offered and will be focused on strength and conditioning.
Requirements: Ability to swim a 500 freestyle, 200 backstroke, 200 IM, 200 breaststroke, and 200 butterfly. Swimmers must be able to complete legal turns for all four strokes, dive off of the blocks, and have an advanced understanding of the pace clock.
Level 6: Senior
The Senior group is for committed and goal-oriented high school aged athletes. The Senior group is for swimmers who are looking to take the next step and pursue a higher level of swimming. It is expected that swimmers in this group attend a minimum of 80% of practices offered. Swimmers in this group are goal-oriented and aspire to continue their swimming career after high school. Swimmers in this group will work towards building their aerobic base, training all energy and heart rate zones, as well as specific race-pace training. Swimmers in this group are required to attend dryland practices when offered.
Athletes in this group should aspire to qualify and perform meets such as YMCA New Englands, Age Groups, and Seniors.
Requirements: Ability to swim a 500 freestyle, 200 backstroke, 200 IM, 200 breast, and 200 butterfly. Swimmers are expected to maintain a minimum of 80% attendance. Move-up test set at coach’s discretion.
Level 7: Senior - Performance
The Senior Performance group is top level group on the Bluefins swim team. The Senior Performance group is for swimmers that are devoted to a high-level of commitment and are in the pursuit of excellence in competitive swimming. It is expected that swimmers in this group attend every practice with limited absences. Swimmers in this group are goal-oriented and aspire to continue their swimming career after high school. Swimmers in this group will work towards building their aerobic base, training all energy and heart rate zones, as well as specific race-pace training. Swimmers in this group are required to attend dryland practices when offered.
