FAST PRACTICE GROUP INFORMATION
Click on one of our groups in the chart below to see information about that particular group and where each group is offered, or scroll down to review all of our groups' descriptions.
How swimmers progress through the FAST program can be seen after the group descriptions, or you can jump to that section by clicking here.
Tips and advice for parents discussing group placement is found at the bottom of this page, or accessed by clicking here.
Swim Lessons: At FAST swim lessons, swimmers will gain skills and build strength while enjoying their lessons. Skills are learned over time as good habits are created. FAST runs perpetual swim lessons, so participants are enrolled in a class that meets the same date and time each week, and will be enrolled in lessons until a withdrawal notice is filed. An initial commitment of at least one month of lessons is recommended to build a good relationship with your child and to begin the learning process of FAST’s teaching style.
FAST Prep & Senior FAST Prep: Our entry level group will introduce participants to their first competitive swimming experience. This session based program will be divided into a ten and under and eleven and over group. Swimmers must be able to complete 25 yards of both freestyle and backstroke in good form as well as have a basic understanding of breaststroke and freestyle.
Age Group 1: This group is designed for swimmers between the ages of six and eleven who are proficient in all four competitive strokes (butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle). Swimmers in Age Group 1 will focus on proper stroke technique and be introduced to a more focused swim practice format and style.
Age Group 2: Age Group 2 swimmers will range in ages from nine to twelve who have advanced from Age Group 1, or have transferred from another club swim team. Swimmers in this group are encouraged to participate in at least three to four practices per week as well as one meet per month. Age Group 2 swimmers will focus on proper stroke mechanics and begin learning the basics of interval training.
Age Group 3: This group is for swimmers who have advanced from Age Group 2, or have transferred from another club swim team. Swimmers in this group will typically be between ten and thirteen years old with one or more 11-12 BB qualifying time. Swimmers in this group will be more dedicated to the sport and strive to make the majority of their practices each week as well as attend all meets recommended by their lead coach.
Select: The select group is designed for twelve year old swimmers (with at least 1 AAA time) advancing from Age Group 3, and thirteen to fourteen year old swimmers who have advanced from Age Group 3 or transferred from another club swim team. Select swimmers typically will have one or more 13-14 A qualifying times and have excellent stroke mechanics. Swimmers in this group will be expected to attend and complete the majority of the practices offered and attend all meets recommended by their lead coach.
Senior 1: Designed for swimmers ages thirteen through eighteen, Senior 1 swimmers are those who have either completed an age group group, are high school swimmers, or who are just starting their competitive swimming journey at this age. The primary focus of Senior 1 is proper stroke technique, racing strategy and developing into a Senior level swimmer. Swimmers are working toward BB qualifying times in their age group. Meet participation is encouraged.
Senior 2: Swimmers in Senior 2 will have advanced from Senior 1, Select or transferred from another club team. Senior 2 is a natural progression from Senior 1 and/or Select building on the skills previously learned as well as introducing additional training and more efficient stroke techniques and racing strategies, building up training yardage and maturity of the athlete for more intensive practices. Senior 2 swimmers will range in age from 14-18 years old and typically have 2 or more BB times in their age group, or 14 year olds with 15-16 A times. The range of training in Senior 2 allows highly competitive swimmers to succeed while still being involved in other sports or extracurricular activities.
Senior Select: Senior Select swimmers advance from Senior 2 and will range in age from 14-18 years old. Swimmers in this group are expected to make and complete the majority of the practices offered to their group. Swimmers in this group will have achieved 15-18 A times, have a positive practice and meet attitude, look at the long-term goals for their swimming, and participate in all meets recommended by their lead coach.
National: FAST’s National group is reserved for swimmers at or near Sectional cuts in multiple events within the ages of fifteen through eighteen years old, and who have made swimming their primary focus in their extracurricular activities.
Group Placement
Each FAST swimmer is placed into a practice group by the coaching staff when they join the team. The group placement decision will take into consideration a variety of objective and subjective factors such as age, physical maturity, social and emotional maturity, skill/technique development, level of aerobic conditioning, experience in the sport, and the level of commitment necessary for success at the level of the program under consideration.
The FAST coaching staff takes a great deal of time making these decisions each season, and you can rest assured that the group placement decision is made with care and concern for your child’s long-term development as a competitive swimmer.
Group Progression Summary
Typically, beginner to intermediate level age group swimmers (swimmers ages twelve and under) will enter the FAST program at the FAST Prep level where they begin to focus on developing proper stroke technique in all four of the competitive strokes (butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle) along with the racing starts and turns necessary for competition. Swimmers are exposed to swim meets at this level of the program and the focus of competition is the application of proper techniques at race speed.
FAST believes in developing age group swimmers who are capable of competing successfully in all four competitive strokes in the different ranges of racing distances (yards and meters). It is for this reason that we prioritize swimming correctly from a technique perspective at each level of the program. Once a strong technical foundation has been developed, a swimmer will be moved to a training group that is appropriate for his/her age, skill, and level of commitment (practice and swim meet attendance).
The training groups will continue to focus on the technical side of the sport. However, the focus on the aerobic development of the athlete will begin to increase in importance the further the swimmer moves through FAST’s program. Swimming correctly over longer distances at faster aerobic paces will take years to develop, and the training progressions are designed with this important aspect of long term development as a priority. As the swimmer progresses through the training group structure, they will also be introduced to the appropriate levels of anaerobic training.
The focus of competition at the training group level will involve correctly executing racing strategies and approaching the swim meet environment with a clear and goal-driven purpose. We introduce the athlete to the important life skill of goal setting as early as the Age Group 1 level.
Group Advancement Protocols
Group advancement should always be initiated by the swimmer’s primary coach. The primary coach reports regularly to the Head Coach about the progress of each individual swimmer in his/her group. When the primary coach believes the athlete is ready for a group change, he/she will approach the Head Coach for approval and then approach the family to discuss the change if the group change is approved. If a group change is made, the team administrator will contact you regarding any changes to your training fees.
Tips and Advice for Parents when Discussing Group Advancement with your Child or Primary Coach
- Be patient. The happiest and most successful swimmers and parents understand that developing as a swimmer will take years and not a single season. There is no need to rush through a program and premature advancement will only stall the developmental process. Trust the professional coaches you have hired to guide your child through this exciting journey!
- Encourage your child to ask their primary coach any questions that may arise about their group placement whether regarding their current group placement or criteria for advancement to a different group.
- Ask questions. Ask questions. Ask questions. Your child’s primary coach is available to answer questions outside of practice time. While we certainly encourage the athletes to develop the comfort level and confidence to ask their coaches about their own individual progress on a daily basis, parents are encouraged to do the same from time to time.
- Do not view or allow your child to view group advancement as a primary goal for the season; the coaches don’t. Group advancement will take place when they are ready, and your child’s focus should be on mastering the skills necessary to improve as a swimmer in the group they are currently placed in at each practice and meet.
- Every kid develops and matures at a different rate, and group advancement will not be rushed to keep your child with a friend, peer group, carpool, etc.
- One of the first things a primary coach looks at when considering a group advancement is the commitment level of the swimmer (swim meet and practice attendance). If the swimmer is not displaying the necessary commitment to be successful at the next level, they should not expect to be considered for group advancement.
- There is no strict linear progression from group to group in the FAST program. There are many factors that go into group placement as mentioned above. While the more advanced groups are typically linked to the higher commitment levels, there are multiple paths a swimmer can take to advance through the program.
- Email is not the best forum for questions regarding your child’s group placement or status. Please take the time to set up an appointment with your child’s primary coach to discuss questions of this nature concerning group placement or status
