WAVES Handbook 2023-2024
The goal is for long term development in the sport of swimming as a supplement to growing in life
Group Progressions and Their Meaning
Welcome to Weymouth Waves swim club. Below are the defined expectations of each training group for the competitive team. As always, there are always gray area exceptions to the expectations, however, the goal for competitive team is to be a fun and challenging environment to train and learn to swim fast and building the foundation towards loving to compete.
Philosophy for Move Ups and Group Placements: Group placements are primarily age based as it ties into ability of the athlete. "Moving up" is coach discretionary and based on age as well as ability. When coaches decide an athlete is ready to move up into a different group, a private conversation will be had with both swimmer and parent. We do not base move ups on times at swim meets, even if the swimmer has a streak of times that exceed well outside the bounds of their particular age group (i.e. an 11 year old swimming faster than some 13 year old swimmers). We want those swimmers to be at the top of their age group and shine and be a leader to their peers. Fast times at a meet also does not constitute visiting a group outside of the age group. If a swimmer has an age up birthday within 3 months of the next age up level and they are swimming at the top of their group then visitation is opened up as well as potential early move up (i.e. a 12 year old swimming exceedingly well in practices as well as meets can visit Senior group to begin the transition forward). Ultimately, learning to practice and building racing habits with their peers of like age will benefit the athlete far greater than being inappropriately placed in an age group where the age/ability and maturity gap varies to the detriment of the development of the athlete.
Swim Meet Philosophy: We choose meets based around appropriateness of the age group and ability of the athlete. Within a season there are "in season meets" as well as championship meets and/or invitationals and sometimes even travel opportunities. For 14-unders primarily, we are learning how to race and building confidence being independent away from parents on deck and really relying on the coaches to help manage them. Race selection for this age group is at coach discretion even at the suggestion of the parent, the coach always has final say based upon what has been worked on in practices. Even if the swimmer is close to a "cut or qualifying time" sometimes, the swimmer may be directed to do another race they havent tried yet. Although we want swimmers to qualify for championship meets, we are not "cut chasing" in this age group, this is the level where swimmers are trying all races and are being introduced to 100's, 200's and above. For 15-18 swimming, racing gets more challenging and is proportionate to the practice volume and intensity. Races are still coach discretionary, however, as swimmers mature, one on one conversations may happen where the swimmer is making requests. At this level, we encourage going after qualifying times and putting faster, higher level meets on the radar is the focus.
Swimming IQ= much like intellectual IQ- a swimming IQ is being able to recognize certain language, patterns, workout structures that are unique to the sport and/or team culture. This IQ includes understanding how to break down work out sets when given at practice, understanding time "splits" as well as when and where to use certain equipment. Swimming IQ helps in a swimmer's long term development in the sport, which, the more advanced the level, the trickier it can be to navigate.
Junior B
The Junior B program will allow each swimmer to go more in depth with the development of strokes and technique.
The swimmers will gain the basic knowledge of the sport.
Swimmers will also compete in USA Swimming competitions. USA Swimming Membership is required.
The goal for each member of Junior B is to complete a 100 IM legally at a meet.
Age cut off: 9-12 years old
*this group also acts as a placeholder group for swimmers coming out of JV and/or newer swimmers to the team who need to catch up on skills before advancing into higher level groups.
4 Days of practice are offered. 2-3 days are expected.
Group Expectations:
Swimmers in this group must have gone through JV or 101 and/or Summer Waves and had approval from the instructor or Head Coach. **Exceptions from Level 6 swim school are made at the discretion of the Head Coach.
Prospective swimmers from outside teams/clubs must go through a tryout assessment and may be guided to join JV/101 at the discretion of the Head Coach to strengthen needed skills for this group.
Required:
-100 yards of freestyle comfortably
-50 yards of basic backstroke
-50 breaststroke with legal breaststroke kick
-2x25 length of fundamental butterfly comfortably
-Basic standing dive from the edge of pool
Junior A
The Junior A program will still concentrate on stroke development, while providing more training for the swimmers. Another essential part to this program is beginning to talk about race strategy for their competitions.
The intensity of practice is increased, but the focus is still centered on technique, turns, and kick.
All swimmers are expected to be able to compete in all 4 strokes, and begin competing in events 200 and longer.
Swimmers ages 13 and older will begin to visit the Senior B/A group at least once a week at Coach's advisement
Group Expectations: Compete in 100 distance or longer of all 4 strokes legally. Ability to train 100 freestyle sets on 1:45/1:50 or faster for 15-20minutes at a time. Swimmers in this group are building their swimming IQ in regards to learning and memorizing workout sets, breaking down the basics of pacing and splits. SWIMS verified times in 50yd distance races at swim meets with 100's of freestyle, backstroke, as well as 100 IM times. 3-4 Days of commitment are expected.
Swimmers in this group begin to learn independence away from the parent at swim meets and practice habit. Ownership of their sport is learned.
Age Cut Off: 8-14
Senior B
The Senior B Group is focused on swimmers that want to achieve a higher level of swimming within USA Swimming.
This group begins working on more advanced stroke mechanics, incorporating paddles and resistance training. Dryland focuses mainly on movement and core training.
The group trains mostly aerobically, but begins to work in threshold and pace training.
1 morning of dryland a week
Group Expectations: Proficient and experienced training at a capacity of over 5000-6000yds (or more) in a single session. Evolved swimming IQ in regards to understanding pacing, workout sets, navigating swim meets without a parent. To get the most out of practice, training and learning: 5 Days of practice is expected. 100 freestyle repeats on 1:40/1:35 or faster for durations of up to 30 minutes or more. SWIMS verified times in 200's of all strokes, 400IM, 100's of all strokes, 500 freestyle races. Ownership of their sport is expected.
Age Cut Off: 11-16
Senior A
The Senior A Group is the highest level on the Waves.
You are expected to attend most if not all evening practices with the focus on high level swimming goals and continuing swimming in college*.
*Swimming in college is not a requirement to be in this group, however, a strong desire to pursue college swimming is welcomed.
Morning practices are available and optional, but strongly encouraged if able.
In this group, the focus is racing and competing at the swimmers' highest potential.
Senior A (15 and older) will begin to learn how to lift weights properly with a certified lifting instructor and attend dryland
Group Expectations: Proficient and experienced training at a capacity of over 5500-7000yds (or more) in a single session. High swimming IQ in regards to understanding pacing, workout sets, navigating swim meets. 100 freestyle repeats on 1:20 or faster for durations of up to 40 minutes or more. SWIMS verified times in 200's of all strokes, 400IM, 100's of all strokes, 500 freestyle races. Multiple qualifying times/finaling at NES Champs, Sectionals and Futures and beyond.
Ownership of their sport is required. 6 Days are expected.
Age Cut Off: 13-18
*13 with discretion of the Head Coach
*USA SWIMMING REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED WITHIN 48 HOURS OF REGISTERING FOR WEYMOUTH WAVES
