The Barracuda Swim Club takes a long-term, progressive approach to a swimmer's career. Swimmers are placed in practice groups based on their swimming skill set and their preparedness to successfully meet the expectations of each group. Once a swimmer has shown the ability, endurance, and desire to move forward with his/her training, the coach will invite him/her into the next level.
If you have a question about a swimmer's placement ask the coach.
Green Group
The Green practice group is our most novice level. Swimmers should be comfortable in the water and willing to learn the fundamental skills necessary to improve their swimming. Focus is on Freestyle and Backstroke skills. Practices are held one or two times a week on specific days at each site. Swimmers are limited to their specifically designated practice days. A request to change practice days must be made in the month prior to the anticipated change
Green 2 practices two days per week on specifically designated days. The days they practice is designated after the group name. For example: Green 2 MW practices on Mondays and Wednesdays only. Green 2 TTH practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays only.
Green 1 practices only one day per week. Again, the day of the week is designated in the group heading. For example, Green 1 F practices on Friday only.
Blue Group
The Blue group is our beginning group for novice swimmers, ages 6 - 13. These children have shown an interest in swimming, are comfortable in the water, and are willing and able to follow the coach’s instructions. The swimmer can already complete one pool length (25 meters) of both freestyle and backstroke with reasonably good form. The technical goals of the group include learning and refining the four competitive strokes (Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly), proper turns, and starts.
Practice sessions: 45 minutes to 1 hour. Attendance requirements: None
Attendance recommendations: 3 times per week average.
Other sports activities outside of swimming are both accepted and encouraged, especially those that emphasize body awareness and cardiovascular conditioning (eg: gymnastics, karate, soccer).
Silver Group
The Silver group is designed for beginning swimmers who have mastered the basics of all four competitive strokes to the extent that they can legally swim 50 meters of each plus a 100 Individual Medley (IM). The swimmer should understand the importance of respecting and supporting his/her teammates and coaches, and be able to use the pace clock in training. The goals of the group include refinement of strokes, starts, and turns. Basic race strategy is also introduced.
Practice sessions: One hour to 1:15. Attendance requirements: None
Attendance recommendations: 3 - 4 times per week.
Other sports activities outside of swimming are both accepted and encouraged, especially those that emphasize body awareness and cardiovascular conditioning (eg: gymnastics, karate, soccer).
Pre-Senior Group
The Pre-Senior level is designed for children ages 11 and older who enjoy the sport of swimming and wish to continue to improve. Some have decided that they wish to give the sport of swimming a priority in their lives. When determined appropriate by the coach, additional training enhancements such as dryland exercises may be added to the swimmer’s training program. The swimmers are encouraged to set goals and strive to reach them. Each swimmer assumes personal responsibility for choices and actions which impact his/her training and progress.
The Pre-Senior group is designed for swimmers ages 11 and up. They must be able to successfully complete 100 meters of each stroke, as well as a 200 IM and 500 Freestyle.
Practice sessions: 1:15 - 2:00.
Attendance requirements: The coach will recommend how many practices a child should attend, based on his or her ability and commitment level.
Attendance recommendations: 5 - 6 practices per week.
Note: At times during the year, a site location may have both a PreSenior 1 and a PreSenior 2 group. The designation is mostly along age and/or scheduling criteria, but the expectations and general training plans are the same.
Senior Group
The Senior level is designed for more experienced athletes who enjoy the sport of swimming and wish to continue to improve. Some have decided that they wish to give the sport of swimming a priority in their lives. When determined appropriate by the coach, additional training enhancements such as morning practices, dryland exercises, and strength training may be added to the swimmer’s training program. The swimmers are encouraged to set goals and strive to reach them. Each swimmer assumes personal responsibility for choices and actions which impact his/her training and progress.
The Senior group is our top training group. These young men and women show highly-motivated levels of dedication and commitment to the sport. Technically, they are able to successfully complete 100 meters of all four strokes, a 400 IM, and a 1000 freestyle
Practice sessions: 1:30 - 3:00
Attendance requirements: The coach will recommend how many practices a child should attend, based on his or her ability and commitment level.
Attendance recommendations: 5 or more practices per week, including some morning and Saturday practices when offered.
