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MAKO Group Structure & Progression

MAKO believes in the disciplined pursuit of excellence — ensuring every swimmer advances only when ready, with no skipped steps in the development process.

Your coaches have designed MAKO with a natural progression from each group to the next — building technical skill, mental strength, and racing readiness at every level.

MAKO Placement Path

Each level prepares swimmers for the next stage in their development. Move forward when skills, mindset, and consistency align.

Level 1 ➜ Level 2 ➜ Level 3 ➜ Level 4  ➜ Pups B ➜ Pups A ➜ White ➜ Black ➜ Senior B ➜ Senior A ➜ Performance

Level 1

  • 1 on 1 coaching
  • Designed to help swimmers become comfortable in the water
  • Focus on blowing bubbles & breath control
  • Body control & basic water safety

Level 2

  • 1 on 1 coaching
  • Builds on Level 1 fundamentals
  • Floating, kicking & body balance
  • Intro to rhythmic breathing

Level 3

  • Small group coaching
  • For swimmers showing strong Level 2 skills
  • Introduces arm movement, sculling & coordinated body position
  • Begin freestyle and backstroke technique
  • Requirement: Must float independently on front & back

Level 4

  • Small group coaching
  • Prepares swimmers for swim team / independent swimming
  • Introduces treading water & additional stroke work
  • Builds confidence & readiness for Pups B

Pups B

  • 12 & unders new to swimming
  • Practices 3× per week
  • Fins suggested
  • Group Criteria: 50 Free & 50 Back without stopping, correct freestyle breathing

Pups A

  • 13 & unders new to swimming
  • Practices 3× per week
  • Fins suggested
  • Group Criteria: Pups B skills + legal 25 Breast & 25 Fly

White Group

  • 6–12 yrs (6–8 with State) | 12–16 new to swimming
  • Focus: Form over speed • Skill building
  • Entry Test Set: Swim 6×50 @ 1:20 | Kick 6×50 @ 1:45

Black Group

  • 11–14 Age Group
  • Focus: Form over speed • Learning to race • Learning to fail • Knowing expectations
  • Entry Test Set: Swim 5×100 @ 1:40 | Kick 5×50 @ 1:20

Senior Prep

  • Older swimmers new to club
  • Practices 2× per week
  • Form over speed • Expectation building • Mental & aerobic training

Senior B

  • 13–18 Age Group
  • Focus: Form over speed • Habit implementation • Aerobic foundation • Student of the sport
  • Entry Test Set: Swim 6×100 @ 1:30 | Kick 8×50 @ 1:10

Senior A

  • 13–18 Age Group
  • Focus: Form over speed • Expectation building • Mental training • Aerobic training
  • Understands that failing is part of success
  • Racing • Fast • Tough
  • Entry Test Set: 8×100 @ 1:20 | 10×50 Kick @ 1:00

Performance Group

  • 14+ Age Group
  • Qualifications:
    • Automatic – Sectionals times
    • 1st Consideration – Zones times
    • 2nd Consideration – 3+ times close to Zones
  • Focus: Form, speed & endurance • Expectation building • Mental & aerobic training • Racing • Fast & Tough
  • Dryland: Specificity & advanced training sessions
  • Entry Test Set: 8×100 @ 1:10 | 10×50 Kick @ :50

Requirements & Expectations

  • 95% Attendance minimum
  • Outstanding work ethic & passion
  • Ability to thrive under challenge
  • Attend at least one high-level meet (Sectionals, Zones, Elite)

Knowledge

  • Know race stats (stroke rates, splits, underwater kicks, etc.)
  • Season meet planning strategies
  • Competitive expectations & professionalism
The Disciplined Pursuit of Excellence — one level, one skill, one success at a time. Go MAKO!