Training Groups
Steel City Aquatics offers 6 different groups of training in our swim team. Swimmers are eligible to move up in groups when their group coach deems they are ready for the next level of training.
COPPER GROUP (PRE-COMPETITIVE)
The Copper Group is a pre-competitive level that focuses on building a foundation for freestyle and backstroke. This level is designed to get swimmers more acclimated to swimming proper stroke technique before moving on to competitive swimming. Group coaches may begin in the water to help demonstrate concepts to swimmers. Practices are offered for 1 hour in the water, 2 days a week.
Required Equipment: Kickboard and fins
Entry Requirements: Completion of Level 4 Learn-2-Swim (or any program equivalency), or an evaluation by a site coach.
BRONZE GROUP
The Bronze Group is a beginner level to competitive swimming. At this level, swimmers learn proper stroke technique for all strokes and understand the fundamentals of being on a team and having fun. Bronze swimmers work to become swim meet-ready, meaning their strokes are legal. Swimmers are also preparing to swim 50s of all the strokes (back, breast, fly, free) in meets, the 100 free, and 100 IM. Practices are offered for 1 hour, 3 days a week. Basic dryland is also offered 3 days a week for up to 30 minutes at each facility.
Required Equipment: Kickboard and fins
Entry Requirements: To be eligible for Bronze, swimmers MUST be able to swim 2x25 yards freestyle with rotary breathing, 1x25 backstroke, attempt 1x25 breaststroke and 1x25 butterfly. Entry is ultimately determined by a site coach.
SILVER GROUP
The Silver Group is our athletes first foray into really beginning to train. In this group, swimmers will learn to read the pace clock, master all strokes and turns while being pushed outside of their comfort zone. They will learn to swim “sets” with intervals. Every day they will work on technique, but also work on pushing their bodies to start to develop their ability to swim longer distances faster. Silver swimmers are preparing to swim 100s of stroke, the 200 free and the 200 IM, as well as attempt the 500 free. Swimmers should attempt completing either the IMR and/or IMX Challenge. Practices are offered for 1 hour, 5 days a week. Additionally, basic dryland is offered 5 days a week for up to 45 minutes.
Required Equipment: Kickboard, fins, and pull buoy
Entry Requirements: To be eligible for Silver swimmers MUST be able to complete a 100-yard freestyle on 2:00 with flipturns, 1x50 back @ 1:00 with flipturns, 1x50 breast @ 1:10, and a legal 25 butterfly. Entry is ultimately determined by a site coach.
GOLD GROUP
The Gold Group offers the next level of training in maintaining stroke technique, building endurance, and developing consistency on a daily basis. Gold swimmers are preparing to swim 200s of all the strokes, the 500 free, and the 400 IM, as well as attempt the longer distances as recommended by the Gold coaches. In addition, swimmers should try to complete the IMX Challenge. Practices are offered for 1.5 hours, 6 days a week. Dryland is offered 3-5 days a week for 1 hour.
Required Equipment: Kickboard, fins, pull buoy, and a Finis Snorkel in a mesh swim bag
Entry Requirements: To be eligible for Gold, swimmers MUST be able to complete 8x100 IM on 2:00 followed immediately by 6x50 flutter kick on a board on 1:10. Entry is ultimately determined by a site coach.
JUNIOR TEAM
The Junior Team is the next highest level of achievement in the organization. In this group, swimmers are exposed to a more rigorous and challenging training. Constant stroke refinement is necessary for a swimmer’s success and for continuing to build endurance. Swimmers need to be prepared to set goals, regularly attend practice, attend dryland, and put in 100% effort at all practices. Practices are offered for 2 hours, 6 days a week. Dryland is also offered 5-6 days a week for up to 1 hour.
Required Equipment: Kick board, fins, pull buoy, a Finis Snorkel, hand paddles, and 3 tennis balls in a mesh bag.
Entry Requirements: To be eligible for Junior, swimmers MUST be able to complete 3x200 IM on 3:30, 4x50 free kick on 1:05, 3x200 free on 3:00 and 4x50 free kick on 1:00. Consistency is necessary throughout the entire set. Entry is ultimately determined by a site coach.
SENIOR TEAM
The Senior Team is our highest level of training and is made up of swimmers of all ages. In this group, swimmers at this level focus on consistently executing correct stroke technique while expanding their speed and endurance levels. Swimmers are challenged on a daily basis, expected to set goals, regularly attend majority of practices and drylands offered, and put in 100% effort every day. Swimmers will be expected to compete in all events, as well as compete in meets twice per month. Swimmers are expected to compete at the highest level of meets that they have achieved. Practices are offered in the morning before school, in the afternoon or evening including drylands, as well as Saturday practices.
Required Equipment: Kickboard, fins, pull buoy, a Finis Snorkel, hand paddles, and 3 tennis balls in a mesh bag.
Entry Requirements: To be eligible for the Senior team, swimmers MUST be able to complete 4x200 IM @ 3:15, 4x200 free @2:45, 5x100 flutter kick @2:00, 3x200 IM @ 3:05, 3x200 free @2:35, 4x100 kick choice @1:45.
VARSITY TEAM
The Varsity team is the same group as the Senior Team. Swimmers that will be practicing with their High School team and not with Steel City Aquatics during the 4-month varsity season, should register for the Varsity Team. There is a reduced rate offered to the Varsity Team. Swimmers not competing for their high school team are required to register for the Senior group.
Required Equipment: Kick board, fins, pull buoy, a Finis Snorkel, hand paddles, and 3 tennis balls in a mesh bag.
Entry Requirements: Once swimmers begin attending high school, they will automatically qualify for placement in the Senior/Varsity Team. Swimmers will practice with the Senior Team until high school season begins. During the high school season, swimmers that register for the Varsity Team are permitted to participate in the dryland practices, practice with the Senior Group when needed (if they miss a high school practice, ect), and continue to sign up for Club meets during the varsity season period (Coach Approved).
