Clinton Community YMCA

Otters Swim Team

Practice Group Placement Standards

Team Groups

The Clinton YMCA Otters Swim Team is divided into several training groups, done with the consideration of the swimmers’ development of technical skills, training abilities, maturity, competitive levels, time standards, and group availability. The progressive structure of these groups provides a setting in which swimmers are continually challenged yet are able to experience individual and team successes. All group placement decisions are made by the entire coaching staff and done so in the best interest of the swimmers and their long term development. Group placements and dues will not be finalized until both parent and coaches are in agreement with the athletes placement.

  • Otters Stroke School (5y-10y): Stroke school is for swimmers between ages 5 and 8 who are new to competitive swimming or still working on mastering the 4 competitive swim strokes. These sessions are offered twice a week and feed directly from our Starfish Swim School program. There are no competition or attendance requirements for this group and swimmers are able to commit on a month-to-month basis. The focus of this group is to work on stroke efficiency, endurance, stamina and FUN. 
  • Otters Purple (8y-10y): To be eligible for Purple group swimmers must be able to complete all four competitive strokes legally as well as a flip turn and a racing start from the block. These swimmers are ready to learn more about what it means to be a competitive swimmer.They will learn set work, how to use a time clock, how to race and refined efficiency for each stroke.They will begin learning dry-land activities to help with mind-body connection in the water. Purple group has a minimum attendance of 2x/week in order to support their growth as an athlete. Kickboard, buoy, & fins required.
  • Otters Black (11y-14y): Swimmers in this group will work on becoming well rounded swimmers through advanced technique, learning basic ideas of energy systems, nutrition, and recovery needs as well as what it means to commit to a sport. The emphasis in this group is to set each swimmer up for success and get them ready to be in the driver's seat of their athletic career. Whether these athletes have chosen swimming as their primary sport or not, they will be given the tools for success that will carry them through healthy lifestyles. Attendance 3x/water and 2x/dryland per week unless they are in other activities. These swimmers must compete in a minimum of 1 meet/month and are expected to compete at Districts & State if they qualify. Kickboard, fins, paddles, buoy, & snorkel required.
  • Otters Gold (15 & up): Gold swimmers are ready to commit to being an athlete and are in the driver's seat of their training cycle. These athletes are leaders in and out of the pool and represent their team at an elite level. Gold swimmers will get to dive into the science of being an athlete and learn how to manage training volume and intensity with their lifestyle, helping them learn core skills for adulthood. Gold swimmers must train a minimum of 3x/water and 2x/ dryland per week. These swimmers must compete in a minimum of 1 meet/month and expected to compete at Districts & State if they qualify. All equipment above required and a tempo timer recommended.
  • IHSA Only Swimmers: Due to the logistics of IHSA swimming in Central Illinois, it is common for Otters swimmers to also represent their school district at the IHSA Swimming Sectionals & State meets. In order to represent their school at the IHSA levels, Otters swimmer must maintain good academic standing, exhibit professional behavior at all times, and complete the training requirements consistent with the Gold group expectations within the limitations of their lifestyles. IHSA season membership dues will be $204, or $68/installment for 3 months. 

Equipment Requirements: We understand that not all families have the financial luxury of purchasing brand new equipment for their swimmer(s). With this transition we will be as helpful and accomodating as we can be to make sure your swimmer has what they need. The equipment standards for each practice group are what we feel meet the needs of their level and are designed to avoid shortages, damage, and sizing issues with the YMCA equipment. The idea is for each swimmer to build responsibility skills and pride for their equipment just as they would be expected to do in any other sport. We will have some equipement for borrow and rent, so please reach out to Coach Aubrey with any equipement or practice group related concerns.