The Youngstown YMCA Neptune Swim Team offers training and practice groups for swimmers ages 5-18. It is the goal of the Y Neptunes to offer specific training for all of our athletes geared towards challenging each individual and developing each individual to the best of THEIR abilities. Neptune practices are grouped based on swimming ability. This is done so our coaches can provide the best education and exercises for all of our swimmers. Swimmers will be placed into groups by the Head Coach, and can only be moved up by the Head Coach if there is space to accommodate additional swimmers.

All swimmers are expected to attend practice on a regular basis, with swimmers aiming for 100% attendance in all groups. Each day, the coaches give valuable instruction and carefully planned workouts. In the world of swimming, there is no such thing as “make up work”. Consistently missing practice will mean missing out on specific work each day. This can seriously hinder a swimmers long term development when it comes to stroke technique and fundamentals. In the situation of a prolonged illness, please notify the Head Coach.  Swimmers are not permitted to attend practices outside of their assigned practice group or attend more than the prescribed number of practices for the group.

The practice structure and schedule is listed below.

New and beginner swimmers should plan to attend the Group 1 practice unless they have been assigned to a different practice group by a coach.  

Practice Structure

Group 1

For entry level swimmers who can swim 50 yards non-stop of two strokes, but are working on mastering the other two strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breastroke, butterfly). 

Practice yardage: 500-1500 yards daily

Time load: 45 minutes/day

Attendance: 2-3 days per week. More is always better.

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Group 2

For swimmers with 1-2 years of competitive swim team experience who have mastered or are very close to swimming all four strokes legally (freestyle, backstroke, breastroke, butterfly). 

Practice yardage: 2000-2900 yards daily

Time load: 60 minutes/day

Attendance: 3-4 days per week. More is always better.

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Group 3

For swimmers with more than 2 years of competitive swim team experience who understand racing, workouts, clock management, and need very little in-water instruction. Swimmer must be able to handle repeated long swims (200, 400, 600) without alot of breaks, as well as 10 x 50yds on 1:00 for long periods of time with 2 or more strokes. Must be selected by Head Coach to attend.

Practice yardage: 3000+ yards daily

Time load: 75 minutes/day

Attendance: 4 days per week. More is always better.

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Group 4

This group is reserved for Zone/National level swimmers who want to get better. Work and more work is what this group is all about! Swimmers are expected respond to instructions with ease and to score points at all major competitions. Must be selected by Head Coach to attend.

Practice yardage: 4000-5000 yards daily

Time load: 90+ minutes/day

Attendance: 5 days per week.