Red Piranha Swim School

(SwimAmerica Curriculum)

Beginner Piranha

(levels 1-5)

Mini Piranha

(levels 6-10)

Red Piranha Swim Team

Piranha Masters (19+)

Elementary Blue Piranha

Junior Varsity White Piranha

Senior Varsity Red Piranha

RPS Championship Team

RPS Swimmer Group Level Placement

Red Piranha Swimming uses a “progressive” age group program designed to develop the child physically, mentally and emotionally in a systematic fashion. A well defined, long-term approach of gradually increasing degrees of commitment is essential to reach peak performance levels during a swimmer’s physiological prime. The emphasis in the early stages of participation is placed on developing technical skills and a love for the sport. In the later years, a more demanding physical and psychological challenge is introduced to the training program. In this respect, “advancing a swimmer too much too soon” is more often the cause of burnout and failure. Achieving maximum potential in swimming over the long journey in the sport requires a delecate balance of progression as the athlete grows and ages up. As experienced coaches, we know very well the desire of advancement. We want our RPS swimmers to be the best they can be just as our swimmers and parents do. However, we do not believe in pushing a young swimmer into a situation we do not believe they are ready for. All three training groups, Red, White, and Blue are capable of making championship meet qualifiers as many have qualified in the past and will continue into the future of our program. Each of these training groups are designed with age and grade levels in mind mainly for maturity reasons.

In addition to emphasizing age and maturity levels, it has also been important that we establish training groups who are compatible in respect to abilities, speed, commitment levels, and goals. At each level, the goals and objectives are specific to their progress at their age group and directed toward meeting specific needs of the swimmer. An example of this is training to the swimmer's specfic event time goals during a Race Pace Training set at practice. The long-term goal of peak performance and total excellence for each swimmer is always in mind. As each child is different, he/she will progress at his/her own rate. The coaching staff recognizes this fact by making team assignments based on a swimmer’s physical, mental, and emotional level of development. All swimmers are placed with their respective groups based on their age, grade, developmental skills, and training levels.

Consistency is the key to success in this sport. Practice attendance is directly proportional to a swimmer's success. The more they can attend training with their team, the better they will become. Not everyday is the same training. When a day of practice is missed, a lesson on a specific technique, skill, or stroke is potentially missed. Swimming is such a highly technical sport with so may variables to teach and learn, it may be a while before that specific lesson is coached again. With all of that in mind, make an honest attempt to be present as much as possible, ready to learn and swim at RPS practice.

If the swimmer qualifies for the RPS Championship Team by qualifying for the Southeastern Championships, they will continue training with their assigned roster groups unless specific practices are scheduled for the RPS Championship Team.

Is my swimmer in Senior or Junior Varsity?

The Senior Varsity Red Piranha group is an advanced high speed training group for High School & Middle School Southeastern Championship Qualifiers, Tennessee High School State Championship Qualifiers, and for any swimmers who are given permission by the coaches to swim with this group. Daily practice attendance is expected to keep up with the training. The Junior Varsity White Piranha group will still get similar training but practice will be able to accomodate more rest into the intervals which is needed for developmental swimming. These groups remain fluid which means swimmers can move in and out throughout the season depending on training performance, attendance, and coach's decisions. The Senior Varsity group roster will be limited in size. If a swimmer thinks they are ready and wants to swim with the Senior Varsity group, they can speak with the coaches about moving into the group.

Call us at 423-967-4264 to schedule a tryout, or send us an email request for more information.