Group Descriptions

Midgets - This group is the youngest of our swimmers. The Midget Group consists of swimmers  8 years of age & under. This group uses fun to introduce swimming to young children, doing so in a safe and controlled atmosphere. The group is designed to have fewer swimmers per coach than the other groups, which provides more individual attention to each child. The primary goal of this group is to develop proper swimming skills, helping to prepare the swimmers for transitioning to the next level.  Swimmers will increase endurance and strength in an enjoyable and confidence building environment. 

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Cadets - All swimmers in this group are 9-10 years of age. The main emphasis of this group is teaching the basic fundamentals of the competitive strokes. This consists of kicking, drilling, and developing the skills necessary for competitive swimming. Additional focus is on further stroke development, including the key components of swimming all four strokes. Introduction to the Individual Medley (Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Freestyle), including proper transitional turns will be provided within this group. Swim practice etiquette and introduction to the pace clock occurs in this setting. Starts and turns are also highly emphasized.

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Preps - The Prep Group consists of swimmers from 11-12 years old. Swimmers are trained to focus their attention on swimming all four competitive strokes in a legal manner as deemed by YMCA Swimming rules. Further, sharpening of competitive strokes through drills and kicking will be a main focus. Starts, turns, and mental skills for further training will also be emphasized. Swimmers will be introduced to understanding interval training and will learn how to train at different levels and speeds. There will also be a greater emphasis on race strategies. Usage of the pace clock to structure race techniques will be utilized in this group.

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Juniors - This group consists of swimmers 13-14 years of age. The junior group focuses a large majority on stroke and technique instruction. Drill work and kicking will continue to make up a large portion of this group; however, more advanced swimming sets will be added for the purpose of improving speed and endurance. More time will be spent on concepts such as balancing in the water, body and head position, refined stroke techniques, distance per stroke, pacing, basic race tactics, starts, turns, and finishes. At this level, goal setting will be introduced and swimmers will be expected to be more accountable for their progress during competitions throughout the season. Swimmers will be encouraged to compete in swim meets as this venue helps athlete and coach gauge improvement in the sport and map further training. Consistent practice attendance is necessary for continued improvement and advancement.

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Seniors – The Senior group consists of swimmers ages 15-18. This group takes on higher yardage requirements with each practice, yet still focusing on the basics of technique. The senior swimmers will work on furthering their foundational swimming and life skills in order to advance to the highest levels possible. Swimmers will be expected to understand interval training and will learn how to train at different levels and speeds. There will also be a greater emphasis on race strategies.  Swimmers in this group learn to do something all serious athletes do: set challenging goals based on personal improvement and focus on what it takes to achieve them. Mastery of stroke technique, development of the aerobic base while continuing to improve distance per stroke, refining race tactics and threshold training will also be a main focus. In addition, High School swimmers will be taught the concept and importance of tapering for high profile/championship swim meets.