Swimmers are assigned to a group first by age, then by skill level, based on coach’s assessment. The goal is to have each athlete in a group that provides the best potential for growth.

Coaches will assess new swimmers at their first practice unless a specific assessment time is designated.

AMTS Training Groups
Expectations/Requirements & Checklists

White Group: Ages 5-10 - Novice swimmers who are able to swim at least one unassisted length of the pool in both freestyle and backstroke. This group focuses on the basics of all four strokes (freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke) and will also work on proper dives and turns. Swimmers will be taught proper lane etiquette. 

  • Requirements to join group:
    • Ages 5-10
    • Can swim 25 yards of freestyle continuously and unassisted
    • Can swim 25 yards on backstroke continuously and unassisted
    • Kick 50 yards with a kickboard continuously & unassisted
  • Skills to master
    • Ready position
    • Streamline
    • Complete dive progression from deck
    • Proper breathing
    • Understand IM order
    • Proper finishes/touches for all 4 strokes
    • Circle swimming
    • Intro to pace clock
  • Competition/Attendance Expectation
    • Regularly attend at least 2 days a week, can practice up to 4 times a week
    • Attends all home meets & at least 1 of 3 Super STAR Series meets
  • Threshold Expectations to Move to Orange
    • Can swim 300 yards without stopping

Orange Group: Ages 8-12 - Intermediate swimmers learning to master each of the four competitive strokes. Swimmers are given a more structured practice. The goal for this group is to be able to legally compete in all four strokes. Swimmers complete workouts based on the pace clock. Sets consist of 50s and eventually 100s. 

  • Requirements to join group:
    • Ages 8-12
    • All skills & threshold expectations from White complete
    • Skills to master
    • Underwater Body dolphin
    • Able to Dolphin at least 15 meters (no fins) our 25 yards (with fins)
    • Can legally execute each of the 4 competitive strokes
    • Consistently using Legal finishes & turns for all 4 strokes during practice & meets
    • Become familiar how to utilize a pace clock & interval training
    • Introduction to Goal Setting
  • Threshold expectations to move to Teal
    • Can swim consistently perform 10x100’s Freestyle on 2:00 interval or 8x100 IM 2:15
    • Can perform a repeat of 8x50’s kicking on a 1:20 interval
    • Can Dolphin Kick 25 yards Underwater (no fins)
  • Competition/Attendance expectations
    • Attends all home meets & at least 2 of 3 Super STAR Series meets
    • Regularly attend 2 days a week, can practice up to 4 times per week
    • Can legally finish the 200 IM
    • Complete IMR
    • Compete in and finish the 500 Freestyle

Teal Group: Ages 10-14 - Our junior competitive team. Swimmers will experience challenging sets and practices while honing their technical skills. Sets include longer distances, such as 100s and 200s. Swimmers must be able to legally compete in all events. 

  • Requirements to join group:
    • Ages 10-14
    • All skills & Threshold expectations from Orange complete
    • Demonstrate Core Values of AMTS: Courage, Conscientiousness, Commitment, Resilience, and Passion
    • Focus on process over outcome
    • Understand standard drills of the team
  • Skills to master
    • Proper IM transitional turns
    • Back to Breast Crossover turn (introduction)
    • Underwater Body dolphin
    • Able to Dolphin at least 25 yards (no fins)
    • Fully understand how to utilize a pace clock
    • Consistently understand goal setting
    • Knowledge of qualifying times for Championship meets
    • Knowing their swim GOLF Score (Stroke counts)
  • Threshold expectations to move to Black
    • Can consistently perform a repeat of 10x100’s on 1:30 (Freestyle) or 10x100 IM on 1:45
    • Can perform a repeat of 8x50’s kicking on a 1:00 interval
  • Competition/Attendance Expectation
    • Competes in all home meets
    • 12 & under athletes - Competes in 2 of 3 Super STAR Series meets
    • Competes once per month
    • Regularly attend 3 times per week, can practice up to 5 times per week
    • Can legally finish the 400 IM
    • 200 of each stroke
    • Complete IMX
    • Compete in and finish the 1000 Freestyle

Black Group: Ages 13 & Up - Our senior competitive team. High school swimmers who compete at the varsity level. Swimmers execute challenging practices and improve their technique. Practice up to six times a week.
 

  • Requirements to join group:
    • Ages 13 & up or one year of High School varsity experience
    • All skills & threshold expectations from Teal complete
    • Demonstrate Core Values of AMTS: Courage, Conscientiousness, Commitment, Resilience, and Passion
    • Focus on process over outcome
  • Skills to master
    • Proper IM transitional turns
    • Back to Breast Crossover turn mastered
    • Meet preparation
    • Positive thinking
    • Visualization
  • Threshold expectations
    • Athletes expected to maintain thresholds during the entire time with Black group.
  • Competition expectations
    • Competes in all home meets
    • Competes once per month
    • Practice 3x a week, can practice up to 6 times per week
    • Complete IMX
    • Compete in and finish the 1650 Freestyle