Practice Groups
Terrier
The Terrier group is the entry group into the program. The swimmers in this group (ages 5 - 8) are swimmers who can only swim one length of the pool. The main emphasis of this group is to learn the four competitive strokes while having fun.
(Practices will be 100% instructional in a group setting.)
Required Equipment:
Youth racing goggles, long fins, snorkel, and a practice suit that allows for minimal drag and full range of motion (boys – jammers, girls- two strap suit).
Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever group consists of swimmers who can swim 100 yards of Freestyle and have a legal time in all four strokes: 25 Fly, 25 Back, 25 Breast, and 25 Free. Most of the swimmers in this group will have at least one season of competitive swimming experience (ages 5 - 8). Swimmers in this group will work at a faster pace than the swimmers in the Terrier group. This group will continue to concentrate on mastering the four competitive strokes, but they will also be introduced to starts and turns and given their first real exposure to training in small doses throughout the swimming season.
(Practices will be 75% instructional and 25% workout.)
Required Equipment:
Youth racing goggles, long fins, snorkel, and a practice suit that allows for minimal drag and full range of motion (boys – jammers, girls- two strap suit).
Greyhound
The Greyhound group consists of swimmers who are still learning the four competitive strokes but can swim a 50 without stopping (ages 9 – 12). This group continues to work on the mastery of the four competitive strokes, the turns, the starts, and racing techniques.
(Practices will be 80% instructional and 20% workout.)
Required Equipment:
Youth racing goggles, fins, snorkel, and a practice suit that allows for minimal drag and full range of motion (boys – jammers, girls- two strap suit).
husky
The Husky group consists of swimmers who can complete a 200 IM and 500 yard Freestyle non-stop at practice or a meet, and a minimum time requirement of 50.00 or faster in the 50 freestyle (ages 9-12). In a fun atmosphere, this group builds on: sportsmanship, working alongside teammates to reach goals, the mastery of the four competitive strokes, turns, starts, and racing techniques.
(Practices will be 60% instructional and 40% workout.)
Required Equipment:
Youth racing goggles, fins, snorkel, and a practice suit that allows for minimal drag and full range of motion (boys – jammers, girls- two strap suit).
st. bernard
The St. Bernard group consists of swimmer who can swim a legal 100 IM under 2:00, complete a 200 IM in competition, 500 yards of Freestyle non-stop at practice or a meet and have a minimum time requirement of 44.00 or faster in the 50-yard Freestyle (age 9-12). This group continues to work on the mastery of the four competitive strokes, the turns, the starts, and racing techniques.
(Practices will be 50% instructional and 50% workout.)
Required Equipment:
Racing goggles, fins, snorkel, kickboard, pull buoy, practice suit, and a black or red team suit for meets.
labrador
Entry into this group requires meeting several time standards, however, swimmers are learning to create and reach goals, while helping their teammates as well in an atmosphere of camaraderie. Swimmers (ages 9-12) entering this group are ready for a bigger challenge. The following minimum time requirements are: 100 Freestyle 1:20, 100 IM 1:32, or 200 IM 3:20, and have completed a 400 IM or 500 Freestyle in competition. This group will continue to work on mastery of the four competitive strokes, turns, starts, and racing techniques.
(Practices will be 40% instructional and 60% workout.)
Required Equipment:
Racing goggles, fins, snorkel, kickboard, pull buoy, hand paddles, a practice suit, and a black or red team suit for meets.
Newfoundland
Generally, swimmers in this group are more mature and begin to learn how to lead and care for other team members participating in our Big Dog – Little Dog Program. The Newfie Group is for swimmers who display Courage, Care, and Consistency in all they do (ages 9-12). The following minimum time requirements are: 100 Freestyle 1:15, 100 IM 1:25 or 200 IM 3:00, and 500 Freestyle 7:00. This group will continue to work on the mastery of the four competitive strokes, the turns, the starts, and racing techniques.
(Practices will be 40% instructional and 60% workout.)
Required Equipment:
Racing goggles, fins, snorkel, kickboard, pull buoy, hand paddles, a practice suit, and a black or red team suit for meets.
great dane
The Great Dane group consists of swimmers who are newer (age 13 and older) swimmers still working on the mastery of all four competitive strokes, but who can do a 100 freestyle without stopping. This group is also for swimmers who are not able to make Mastiff/Bulldog times and/or who are not ready for the intensive training workload of the Mastiff/Bulldog groups.
(Practices will be 50% instructional and 50% workout.)
Required Equipment:
Racing goggles, fins, snorkel, a practice suit, and a black or red team suit for meets.
Mastiff
The Mastiff group will consist of swimmers ages 13 & older (or 12 with the Senior Head Coach approval) with the minimum time requirements (Boy/Girl): 100 Freestyle 1:06/1:08, 200 IM 2:40/2:45, and 500 Free 6:30 or 400 IM 6:00. Swimmers in this group are looking to compete at a higher level in swimming and these are swimmers who are responsible, respectful, and hard-working.
(Practices will be 20% instructional and 80% workout. Instruction will be provided on an individual basis.)
Required Equipment:
Racing goggles, fins, snorkel, kickboard, pull buoy, hand paddles, a practice suit, and a black or red team suit for meets.
Bulldog
The Bulldogs are leaders of this team and will be held to higher standards. They are team role models who have strong Communication skills, Commitment and Connection to those on the team. They will consist of swimmers aged 15 & Older (along with 13-14 with the Senior Head Coach’s approval), and the following minimum time requirements (Boy/Girl): 100 Freestyle 55.00/1:02, 200 IM 2:20/2:40, and 500 Free 5:45/6:10 OR 400 IM 5:25/5:40. Swimmers in this group wish to achieve their maximum swimming potential.
(Practices will be 10% instructional and 90% workout. Instruction will be provided on an individual basis.)
Required Equipment:
Racing goggles, fins, snorkel, kickboard, pull buoy, hand paddles, drag sox, tempo trainer, practice suit, and a black or red team suit for meets.
National Team
The National Team members are held in high regard as they are the highest level on the team. This group will consist of swimmers with at least one YMCA National Qualifying Time for the upcoming season’s YMCA National Championship Meet. Swimmers in this group wish to achieve their maximum swimming potential. Swimmers on the National Team are expected to make every single practice offered, including dryland. Those who are going to miss a practice need to get permission from the Senior Head Coach prior to the missed practice. If a practice attendance problem arises, the swimmers may be moved into the Bulldog practice group until the Senior Head Coach allows the swimmer to return to National Team. *Each swimmer wanting to join the National group will sign an agreement with the coach that they understand and agree to the terms of being a part of a higher-level group.
(Practices will be 100% workout. Instruction will be provided on an individual basis.)
Required Equipment:
Racing goggles, fins, snorkel, kickboard, pull buoy, hand paddles, drag sox, tempo trainer, personal stretch band for meet warmups, a practice suit, and a black or red team suit for meets.
