Swim Group Descriptions

The Syracuse Chargers offers training and practice groups for swimmers of all ages and ability levels. It is the goal of the Syracuse Chargers to offer age-specific training for all of our athletes geared towards challenging each individual and developing each individual to the best of THEIR abilities.

Introduction to a Swim Team

Green Group (Recreation/Fitness)

  • The season is broken into multiple sessions.  Separate registration per session.
  • Can swim at least 2 lengths of the pool, either freestyle or backstroke.
  • Ages 12 & Under*
  • Can have prior competitive experience but not required.
  • Practices consist of stroke work and fun.
  • Attendance at swim meets is not required.
  • The goal of this group is to give the swimmers a non-competitive, fitness-based experience centered around swimming while building confidence in the water. 

Age Group Competitive Team

Blue Team

  • Can swim at least 3 of the strokes legally, and the 4th stroke is developing.
  • Ages 12 & Under recommended*
  • Introduction to competitive swimming and racing in meets.
  • Can have prior competitive experience but not required.
  • The practice consists of stroke work, training, and fun.
  • Expected to complete IM Ready events by the end of the season.
  • Expected attendance at swim meets determined by coaching staff.
  • The goal of this group is to give swimmers confidence in their strokes and to make them more comfortable with doing some basic sets, reading the pace clock, and learning to race.

Gold Team 

  • The focus of this group is the building of power in strokes through technical refinement.
  • Can swim all 4 strokes legally.
  • Previous competitive experience is highly suggested.
  • The swimmer has shown a desire to improve, and the commitment to swimming by attending practices and swim meets regularly.
  • Ages 14 & Under Recommended*
  • Expected to complete IMX events by the end of the season.
  • Expected attendance at swim meets determined by coaching staff.
  • The goal of this group is to give the swimmers confidence in competition and to teach them good practice habits as well as expanding their training with more developed sets.

Competitive Performance Team

Junior Prep

  • By Coach’s invitation only
  • The focus of this group is the building of power in strokes through technical refinement through advanced stroke corrections.
  • Can swim all 4 strokes legally.
  • Previous competitive experience required.
  • Expected attendance at swim meets.
  • The swimmer has shown a desire to improve, and the commitment to swimming by attending practices and swim meets regularly.
  • Ages 14 & Under Recommended*
  • Expected to complete IMX events by the end of the season.
  • Expected practice attendance of 75%.
  • Expected to compete at Niagara LSC Level meets.
  • The goal of this group is to give the swimmers confidence in competition and to teach them good practice habits as well as expanding their training with more developed sets.

Junior Team

  • By Coach’s invitation only.
  • The focus of this group is to add more training to the workouts and teach the swimmers how to train more intensively and with more focus. Swimmers need to be prepared to train with more commitment and attend practices more regularly.
  • Can swim all 4 competitive strokes legally and competently.
  • Mentally, emotionally and physically able to handle longer practices, more practice time, and longer, more intense practice sets.
  • Swimmers will also be expected to develop leadership skills.
  • Expected attendance at swim meets.
  • The goal of this group is to prepare swimmers for more upper-level swimming and development toward becoming senior swimmers. The focus of the group is qualifying for LSC Championship, Zones, and other higher-level meets.

Senior Team

  • By Coach’s Invitation only.
  • The focus of this group is to develop the swimmer into a mature, committed swimmer. Appropriate use of long-term and short-term goals are part of the focus of this group. Competitions are used to determine where the swimmers are in terms of training and condition, so they are not as frequent. More focused training and higher intensity are also the focus.
  • Have to meet all Junior Requirements.
  • Year-round swimming is required.
  • Swimmers are expected to be self-motivated, committed, and have demonstrated their desire to improve and work hard for improvement.
  • The goal of this group is to prepare swimmers for higher-level meets, including Niagara LSC Champs, Speedo Championships, Junior Nationals, and College swimming.

*The age range is suggested; if the athlete falls outside of this age range, please contact us.

Coaches will place the swimmers where they best fit. The above descriptions are guidelines.
If you have any questions, please email [email protected]