At the end of the school year and the end of the long course season (summer), our staff promotes a collection of swimmers to new practice groups. During each “move-up” period, there are swimmers and parents of swimmers who may struggle to understand the decision process used in determining whether or not a swimmer should be promoted. Our goal is to help you understand what that process looks like and what the means for your child as the develop through our program.
Group Assignments
The process of assigning groups is a delicate process that requires a lot of attention to several factors. Placement is based on such areas as:
- Physical and mental maturity
- Chronological age
- Meet performance
- Training effort
- Attendance
- Availability and our current and future expectations of the groups.
Advancement
Athletes are always being evaluated on their understanding of the sport. Our coaches are experts in examining strengths and weaknesses in our athletes. There is no set test that allows an athlete to move up in a group. We want to make sure we place a swimmer in a group that will give them the best opportunity to grow and develop as a positive leader. Adjustments and modifications to each group may occur based on what we see in practice and how well they perform at swim meets and competition.
Advancement in the program occurs only when a swimmer masters the skills that are taught in each group and fulfill the performance standards and personal development expectations for their current group. Advancement is dependent on availability, team makeup, and the coaching staff’s decision based on individual swimmer’s needs. There is not set standard or criteria that applies to every swimmer.
***It is solely up the coaching staff to decide whether or not a swimmer should advance***
At the end of the short course season and the end of the long course season, our staff promotes a collection of swimmers to new practice groups. During each “move-up” period, there are swimmers and parents of swimmers who may struggle to understand the decision process used in determining whether or not a swimmer should be promoted. Our goal is to help you understand what that process looks like and what the means for your child as the develop through our program.
The following is an outline of factors the coaches use when determining practice group move-ups.
1. For a swimmer to advance to the next practice group, there must be space available in the next group. The current size of the team makes this evaluation a harsh reality. With have a long waiting list of swimmers waiting to join a team where almost every single spot is full.
2. For swimmers to be eligible for a group promotion, they must have been swimming with the team for a least 1 year. This assures us that they have developed the necessary skills to progress to the next level.
3. Lane leadership experience in the current practice group is a key consideration in group promotion.
4. wimmers attending the expected number of practice sessions for their group will be considered for promotion.
5. Swimmers consistently completing all practice sets on the prescribed intervals will be considered for promotion.
6. A swimmer’s behavior at practice is considered when determining move-ups. Swimmers listening to the coach’s instructions, not disrupting practice, behaving maturely, encouraging their teammates, and giving appropriate effort during practice will be considered for promotion.
7. A swimmer’s age will be considered. When possible, an attempt will be made to keep swimmers of similar ages in the same practice groups.
8. A swimmer’s participation in swim meets such as State, TAGS, STAGS, and STX Champs are also considered.
***Be assured, the coaches will make sure swimmers are challenged regardless of their group placement.***
