Practice Level Descriptions & Expectations

UNDER CONSTRUCTION!  Please check back for final information

The core practice group structure of Marlins Swimming is divided into two important parts to accomodate the developmental and training needs of athletes at various levels, ages, and experience.  Our program, and it's practice groups, are designed to ensure that swimmers are regularly instructed in proper stroke technique, which is a long-term endeavor for the athlete as they mature and grow in the sport.  We are commited to ensuring all swimmers are taught each of the competitive strokes and are exposed to both sprint and mid-distance freestyle events to have the broadest experience possible.  As the swimmer moves through the various practice levels, training and conditioning for competition is added to ensure the individual swimmer continues to progress.  The Junior program is for swimmers aged 12 and under, and has 4 practice groups, while the Senior program is for swimmers aged 13 and over, and is currently composed of 3 practice groups.  Both the Junior and Senior programs have groups for experienced, elite swimmers, and for athletes who are new to competitive swimming.

  • Junior 1
  • Junior 2
  • Junior 3
  • Junior 4
  • Senior 1
  • Senior 2
  • Senior 3

Junior 1 (Jr. 1):

This level is for beginning competitors and the focus is on development of skills in each of the four competitive strokes. 

Swimmers will develop competitive freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. Racing starts and turns will be introduced. Swimmers are encouraged to participate in developmental swim meets (as directed by the coach only). This level practices for 45 mins each practice at a maximum of 3 practices a week.  

Required Equipment:  

  • Bathing suit o Girls – 1 piece (no ties)  
    • Boys – jammer or speedo (no trunks)  
  • Caps (if hair is past chin)  
  • Goggles 
  • Water Bottle
  • Flippers are suggested (pool supply is limited)

Exit requirements for this level: 

To advance from L1, swimmers must be able to safely complete the following:  

  • Be able to use a bilateral breathing pattern in freestyle
  • Swim legal breaststroke and butterfly for half a length
  • Dive from a the side 
  • Swim 200 yards’ freestyle continuously
  • Familiar with underwaters off the wall
  • Demonstrate the ability to receive group instruction with minimal distraction 
  • Exhibit sportsmanlike conduct and maturity 
  • Receive approval from the coaching staff to advance


Junior 2 (Jr. 2):

 

This level is for swimmers who have advanced from the Level 1 program and are ready to begin low intensity training.  

Basic aerobic conditioning is introduced at this level. Emphasis is on developing stroke mechanics, starts and turns for all four strokes. Swimmers in L2 are encouraged to participate in monthly competitions. This level practices for 1 hour each practice at a maximum of 4 practices a week.  

Required Equipment:  

  • Bathing suit o Girls – 1 piece (no ties)  
    • Boys – jammer or speedo (no trunks)  
  • Caps  
  • Goggles 
  • Flippers
  • Water Bottle

Exit requirements for this level: 

To advance from L2, swimmers must be able to safely complete the following:  

  • Dive from the block (certified)
  • Using underwater of the wall consistently to or beyond the flags
  • Swim 300 yards freestyle continuously with flip turns and underwaters
  • Legally complete a 100-yard individual medley 
  • Be able to read basic send offs from pace clocks 
  • Receive approval from the coaching staff to advance

 

Junior 3 (Jr. 3):

This level is for swimmers who have advanced from the Level 2 program and are prepared for aerobic training with an emphasis on conditioning, stroke technique and racing skills.  

L3 athletes train to be proficient in all four strokes and work in preparation for age group competitions. Swimmers are expected to compete over the short course season and are highly encouraged to compete during the long course season. Athletes in the L3 program are encouraged to attend team travel meets (for qualifiers). This group practices for an hour and 15 minutes, is recommended to attend a minimum of 3 practices per week up to a maximum of 5 practices per week.

Required Equipment:  

  • Bathing suit o Girls – 1 piece (no ties)  

o Boys – jammer or speedo (no trunks)  

  • Caps  
  • Goggles 
  • Water Bottle 
  • Flippers (brand on team store)  
  • Pull Buoy

 

Exit requirements for this level:  

To advance beyond the L3 program swimmers must be able to safely complete the following:  

  • Swim 500 yards freestyle continuously with flip turns and underwaters 
  • Demonstrate the ability to lead lanes and basic sets 
  • Be able to read pace clocks 
  • Show consistent dedication to the sport with a minimum of 65% attendance (3/4 practices a week)  

Receive approval from the coaching staff to advance

 

 

 

Junior 4 (Jr. 4):

 

This level is for swimmers who have advanced from the Level 3 program and are prepared for aerobic training with an emphasis on advanced conditioning, stroke technique, racing skills and minimal goal setting.  

L4 athletes train to be proficient in all four strokes and work in preparation for age group competitions. Swimmers are expected to compete over the short course season and are highly encouraged to compete during the long course season. Athletes in the L4 program are encouraged to attend team travel meets (for qualifiers). This group practices for an hour and thirty minutes up to a maximum of 5 days per week. L4 athletes are recommended to attend 4 practices per week.  

Required Equipment:  

  • Bathing suit o Girls – 1 piece (no ties)  

o Boys – jammer or speedo (no trunks)  

  • Caps (if hair is past chin)  
  • Goggles 
  • Water Bottle 
  • Flippers (brand on team store)  
  • Pull Buoy

Exit requirements for this level:  

To advance beyond the L4 program swimmers must be able to safely complete the following:  

  • Demonstrate the ability to lead lanes and basic sets 
  • Demonstrate a consistent and high level aerobic base – necessary to be able to maintain sets for extended periods of time 
  • Be able to read pace clocks 
  • Show consistent dedication to the sport with a minimum of 75% attendance  
  • Receive approval from the coaching staff to advance

 

Senior Prep (Sr. 1):

The Senior Prep program is for dedicated swimmers who are prepared for an advanced training and conditioning program. Swimmers must be proficient in all four competitive strokes and be prepared for individual and team goal setting.  

Swimmers are expected to compete over both the short course and long course seasons. Athletes in the SP program will be required to participate in team travel meets (upon qualifying). Regular attendance is required to be a part of the SP group. Athletes who fall below 50% attendance records monthly may be asked to move to the L4 practice group. This group practices anywhere from 1 and a half hours to two hours per practice at a maximum of 5 times per week it is recommended to attend a minimum of 4 practices per week.

Required Equipment:  

  • Bathing suit o Girls – 1 piece (no ties)  

o Boys – jammer or speedo (no trunks)  

  • Caps 
  • Goggles 
  • Water Bottle 
  • Flippers (brand in team store) 
  • Pull Buoy 
  • Paddles (recommended brand in team store)  

 

Exit requirements for this level:  

  • Be a minimum of 13 years old (Consideration given to advanced 12 year olds)  
  • Show consistent dedication to the sport with a minimum of 85% attendance (7/8 practices per every 2 
  • weeks) 
  • Demonstrate the physical maturity to be able to handle the increased workload 
  • Receive approval from the coaching staff to advance 

 

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Performance Team (Senior 2):   

 

The PERFORMANCE TEAM training group is being developed for committed and dedicated swimmers who are prepared for high intensity workouts with an emphasis on increased endurance and growth.  

Swimmers will be challenged with more rigorous forms of training and advanced racing techniques. Drylands will be a component of this program.  

The level commitment and dedication is at the highest on the PERFORMANCE TEAM as are coaches’ expectations of athletes. In joining this training group, swimmers MUST commit to the following:  

  • Attendance: 90% weekly attendance  o This will be measured monthly. Athletes will return to Senior Prep training group if they do not meet this. 
  • Effort: 100% effort at all practices o This will be measured via test sets and interval training. Athletes who consistently show a lack of effort will return to Senior Prep training group.   
  • Respect: 100% respect towards all coaches AND athletes o Athletes must show sportsmanship and respect to their teammates and coaches. o This will be measured by their discipline, obedience and sportsmanship at practices and competitions 

In addition, athletes on the PERFORMANCE TEAM will be asked to commit to specific meets, as they will fall into the training cycle of the athletes. This will be presented as athletes are invited to the PERFORMANCE TEAM.  

The PERFORMANCE TEAM is designed for the hard-working athletes, not just the fastest.  

This group practices two hours at a time with a recommended minimum of 5 practices per week. Double practices in the summer months may be available. If they are, coaches will indicate the level of attendance they expect to see from the PERFORMANCE TEAM athletes.  

Required Equipment:  

  • Bathing suit o Girls – 1 piece (no ties)  

o Boys – jammer or speedo (no trunks)  

  • Caps   
  • Goggles 
  • Water Bottle 
  • Flippers (recommended brand in team store)  
  • Pull Buoy
  • Paddles (recommended brand in team store)  

 

*If an athlete does not continue to meet the expectations and requirements of their current level; coaches may consider moving them down to a more appropriate practice group.