GROUP DESCRIPTIONS

Dolphin 2

The D2 group is OSHY's entry level group. It is for younger swimmers learning the basics of competitive swimming - freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, starts, turns, and finishes - and developing the strength and endurance necessary to move to the D1 group.

D2 Practice Prerequisites:

All entry level swimmers need an OSHY evaluation. For the D2 Group, what is being looked for is that the swimmer can swim a length on their front with their face in the water, a length on their back, and a length kicking with a kick board. 

D2 Practice Schedule:

Our Dolphin 2 (D2) group will meet on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday for 40 minutes. Practices will start at 4:20 PM and go until 5:00 PM. The Dolphin 2 group will be divided during practices as the coaches see fit.

D2 Practice Attendance Requirements:

Expected attendance is 2-3 times per week.

D2 Equipment:

Kickboard and fins. When a swimmer first joins the team, they may use the YMCA’s equipment during practice, but within the first month they need to purchase their own. Swimmers may only borrow equipment during practices, and should not bring borrowed equipment home with them.

D2 Swimmer Responsibilities:

Show up on time, be prepared with your equipment, learn the structure and order of practices, attend the meets designated for your group, and most importantly, HAVE FUN!

Dolphin 1

The D1 group is OSHY’s 2nd level group. It is for swimmers that are legal in all four strokes, know how to read the pace clock, and understand intervals and send offs.

D1 Practice Prerequisites:

All swimmers will need an OSHY evaluation. For the D1 group, what is being looked for is that the swimmer can swim a legal 25 of each of the four strokes- freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly- and a length of kicking with a board or on their back. They also need to show that they are willing to commit to the D1 practice schedule and that they understand how to read basic sets and use the pace clock.

D1 Practice Schedule:

Our Dolphin 1 (D1) group will meet on Monday through Thursday with an occasional Friday practice from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. 

D1 Practice Attendance Requirements:

Expected attendance is 3-4 times per week.

D1 Equipment:

Kickboard and fins. 

D1 Swimmer Responsibilities:

Show up on time, be prepared with your equipment, know how to use the clock, know your best times, and attend the meets designated for your group. Be willing to push yourself, and if you are falling behind the group show initiative to improve, whether that’s through attending more practices or giving your all during the practices you do attend. If you are still struggling to keep up then we may want to consider a different group.

 

Senior 3

The SR3 group is for experienced swimmers. This group emphasizes stroke drills/progressions and light training progressions. The group is for swimmers transitioning from the Dolphin 1 group to the Senior levels AND for swimmers that don’t want the commitment level of the SR1 and SR2 groups.

SR3 Practice Prerequisites:

All swimmers will need an OSHY evaluation. For the SR3 group, what is being looked for is that the swimmer can swim a legal 50 of each of the four strokes- freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly- and a 50 of kicking with a board and on their back. They also need to show that they are willing to commit to the SR3 practice schedule and that they understand how to read advanced sets and use the pace clock.

SR3 Practice Schedule:

Our Senior 3 (SR3) group will meet on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. This group will also have the opportunity to practice with the SR1 and SR2 groups on Tuesday and Friday.

SR3 Practice Attendance Requirements:

Expected attendance is 2-3 times per week.

SR3 Equipment:

Kickboard, fins, pull buoy, paddles (not too big), and a swim snorkel. 

SR3 Swimmer Responsibilities:

Show up on time, be prepared with your equipment, know how to use the clock, know your best times, attend the meets designated for your group, and know the appropriate intervals (kicking and swimming) for you. Be willing to push yourself, and if you are falling behind the group show initiative to improve, whether that’s through attending more practices or giving your all during the practices you do attend. If you are still struggling to keep up then we may want to consider a different group.

 

 

Senior 2

The SR2 group is for our younger senior level swimmers. 

SR2 Practice Prerequisites:

All swimmers will need an OSHY evaluation. For the SR2 group, what is being looked for is that the swimmer can swim a legal 50 of each of the four strokes- freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly- and a 50 of kicking with a board and on their back. They also need to show that they are willing to commit to the SR2 practice schedule and that they understand how to read advanced sets and use the pace clock. They must know their best times and know what intervals are appropriate for them.

SR2 Practice Schedule:

Our Senior 2 (SR2) group will meet on Monday through Thursday from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM, Friday from 4:15 PM to 6:15 PM, and Saturday from 8:15 AM to 10:15 AM.

SR2 Practice Attendance Requirements:

Expected attendance is 4-6 times per week.

SR2 Equipment:

Kickboard, fins, pull buoy, paddles (not too big), and a swim snorkel. 

SR2 Swimmer Responsibilities:

Show up on time, be prepared with your equipment, know how to use the clock, know your best times, attend the meets designated for your group, and know the appropriate intervals (kicking and swimming) for you. Be willing to push yourself, and if you are falling behind the group show initiative to improve, whether that’s through attending more practices or giving your all during the practices you do attend. If you are still struggling to keep up then we may want to consider a different group.

 

Senior 1

The SR2 group is for our older, experienced senior level swimmers that are looking to really push themselves to be better. They must know their best times and swim a full range of events. 

SR1 Practice Prerequisites:

All swimmers will need an OSHY evaluation. For the SR1 group, what is being looked for is that the swimmer can swim a legal 100 of each of the four strokes- freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly- and a 100 of kicking with a board and on their back. They also need to show that they are willing to commit to the SR1 practice schedule and that they understand how to read advanced sets and use the pace clock. They must know their best times, be willing to swim a wide range of events, and know what intervals are appropriate for them.

SR1 Practice Schedule:

Our Senior 1 (SR1) group will meet on Monday through Saturday with Tuesday/Thursday AM practices. On Monday through Thursday the group meets from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, Friday from 4:15 PM to 6:15 PM, and Saturday from 8:15 AM to 10:15 AM. Additionally, on Tuesday/Thursday they meet from 5:45 AM to 7:00 AM.

SR1 Practice Attendance Requirements:

Expected attendance is 5-6 times per week if only attending PM practices and 7-8 times per week if attending AM and PM practices.

SR1 Equipment:

Kickboard, fins, pull buoy, paddles (not too big), and a swim snorkel. 

SR1 Swimmer Responsibilities:

Honor your commitment - minimum of 5 practices a week if you are a PM-only swimmer, minimum of 7 practices a week if you are an AM and PM swimmer. If you are going to miss a practice, let your coach know beforehand. Show up on time, be prepared with your equipment, know how to use the clock, know your best times, attend the meets designated for your group, and know the appropriate intervals (kicking and swimming) for you. Expect to be challenged, and learn to enjoy things that are hard.