Training Group

Typical Experience Level

Typical Ages

Practices and Recommended Time Commitment

Skills Needed To Enter Each Group

Educational and Physical Expectations

Piranha

Little or none

6 – 11

45 minute practices

4 times per week

(it is recommended you try to attend at least 2 times per week)

1. Coach’s discretion

2. 50 yd. Free (w/side breathing)

3. 50 yd. Backstroke

4. 25 yd. Butterfly and Breaststroke

1. Learn correct stroke, turn and dive technique. Form the technical foundations for successful competitive swimming.

2. Improve physical stamina enough to enable child to consistently complete a legal 50 of each competitive stroke.

Barracuda

1 to 3 years of competitive swimming

8 – 11

1 hour practices

4 times per week

(it is recommended you try to attend at least 2 times per week)

1. Coach’s discretion

2. 200 yd. Free (w/ flip turns and no stopping)

3. 2 x 100 IM (w/ consistent, legal strokes)

1. Expand and refine technical skills (increase the consistency and duration a child can maintain proper technique)

2. Learn how to interval train (use the pace clock)

3. Increase in aerobic training yardage

Bronze

1 to 4 years of competitive swimming

9 – 11

5 practices each week

6.5 hrs of swimming each week

(it is recommended you try to attend at least 3 times per week)

1. Coach’s discretion

2. Have understanding of and ability to use the pace clock during workouts

3. Swimmer should complete a legal 200 yd. Free under 3:00

4. Swimmer should complete a legal 200 yd. IM under 3:30

1. Continued refinement of technical skills

2. Increase in aerobic training yardage and time

3. Increased focus on competition, especially Championship Meet participation. (State, Zone, Regional)

Silver

3 to 5 years of competitive swimming

11 – 12

6 practices each week

9.5 hrs of swimming and 2 hrs of dryland

(it is recommended you try to attend at least 3 times per week)

1. Coach’s discretion

2.  Swimmer should be able to meet the Indiana State Championship Time Standard for at least five 10-under age group events

1. Continued refinement of technical skills

2. Increase in aerobic training yardage and time

3. Increased focus on interpersonal and team skills (leadership, self-accountability, goal setting, etc.)

4. Introduction and development of dryland training skills

Gold

3 to 7 years of competitive swimming

13-14

In the Fall/Winter/Spring

8 practices each week

13.5 hrs of swimming and 3 hrs of dryland

(it is recommended you try to attend at least 5 practices per week)

In the Summer

9 practice each week

15 hrs of swimming and 3 hrs of dryland

(it is recommended you try to attend at least 5 practices per week)

1. Coach’s discretion

2.  Swimmer should be able to meet the Indiana State Championship Time Standard for at least five 11-12 age group events

1. Continued refinement of technical skills

2. Increase in aerobic training yardage and time

3. Priority importance placed on interpersonal and team skills (leadership, self-accountability, goal setting, etc.)

4. Increase in dryland training skills, designed for injury prevention and life long fitness

5. Competition will be directed with an increased regional and national emphasis

Senior

3 to 11 years of competitive swimming

15-over

In the Fall/Winter/Spring

9 practices each week

16.75 hrs of swimming & 3.5 hrs of dryland

(it is recommended you try to attend at least 6 practices per week)

In the Summer

11 practices each week

17 hrs of swimming & 4.5 hrs of dryland

(it is recommended you try to attend at least 8 practices per week)

1. Coach’s discretion

2. Incoming Freshmen in High School

1. Continued refinement of technical skills

2. Increase in aerobic training yardage and time

3. Continued development and improvement of interpersonal and team skills

4. Increase in dryland training

5. Emphasis placed on regional and national competition