Marlins Group Descriptions and Guidelines

Our team is geared to teach our children to be competitive swimmers. This requires a commitment of time in order for them to learn the necessary skills and build the conditioning needed to be competitive. If your swimmer has not attended the attendance standard of their group over the space of a month, you will be contacted to determine if you and your swimmer are still interested in this program.

Zoomers

Description

The Zoomers practice group will orient the swimmer to the world of competitive swimming. The swimmers will be introduced to and receive instruction in the fundamentals of the four competitive strokes, along with basic introduction to starts and turns. Emphasis on stoke development.

Minimum Requirements

Swimmer must be water safe and be able to swim one length of the pool. Ages 5-12. A child must have the emotional maturity to be independent of parent (s) &/or Caretaker throughout the time allotted for the practice. Must be able to pay attention in a group setting.

Attendance Standard + Practice Schedule

Expectation: Able and willing to commit to attend two practices per week. Due to the on-going learning stroke progressions, the child should maintain weekly attendance throughout the duration of the season for maximum development and improvement. Attend home meets and meets close to home. Encouraged to attend away meets as recommended by coach Mon/Wed: 6-6:45pm Summer schedule varies

Additional Information

Most children will stay in this group from 1-2 years. Coach: Suzi King These are some of the skills that will be considered when deciding on group advanced to the Jammer group upon the ability to:

• Complete a 100 IM in a meet.

• Compete in the 100 Free and 50 Back in a meet.

 • Willingness to compete in meets.

• Regular attendance at practice.

• Age and maturity of swimmer.

The final decision will be at the discretion of the coaching staff.

Fees

Annual: Pool Pass and $57 USA Swimming Membership Monthly: ** Fund Raising Obligation: $150/family

Jammers

Description

Swimmer must be able to swim a 50 back and 50 free and will progress to a legal 100 IM. Ages 12 & Under depending on skill. Attend home meets, and away meets as recommended by coach. Must be able to pay attention in a large group setting.

Minimum Requirements

Swimmer must be able to swim a 50 back and 50 free and will progress to a legal 100 IM. Ages 12 & Under depending on skill. Attend home meets, and away meets as recommended by coach. Must be able to pay attention in a large group setting.

Attendance Standard + Practice Schedule

Expectation: Able and willing to commit to attend 75% of the two practices per week. Due to the on-going learning stroke progressions, the child should maintain weekly attendance throughout the duration of the season for maximum development and improvement. Attend Home Meets Encouraged to attend away meets as recommended by coach. Tues/Thurs: 6-7:00pm Summer schedule varies

Additional Information

Most children will stay in this group from 1-2 years. Coach: Lars Stangebye

Advancement to the Bronze Group will be based on

• Complete a 200 IM in a meet.

• Compete in the 200Free and 50 Fly in a meet.

• Willingness to compete in meets.

• Regular attendance at practice.

• Age and maturity of swimmer.

The final decision will be at the discretion of the coaching staff.

Fees

Annual: Pool Pass and $57 USA Swimming Membership Monthly: ** Fund Raising Obligation: $150/family

Bronze

Description

Bronze continues working on and refining all strokes. In addition, race and pace strategies are developed. Emphasis on stoke development, while introducing the basic concepts of conditioning; building increased endurance (first phases of training) with ongoing stroke work; continuation of learning how to race; self-responsibility; sportsmanship and introduction to dryland training.

Minimum Requirements

Swimmers should be able to swim a legal 100 IM and have a developing start and turn for group membership. Need to purchase a snorkel for practices. Ages: 8-13, depending on skill *The coaching staff reserves the right to make exceptions for the good of the individual athlete development. ***

Attendance Standard + Practice Schedule

Expectation of 75% practice attendance. (Recommend 3-4 practices per week). Athletes should strive to participate in at least three meets during the winter season, and four during the summer season. Swimmers are expected to attend meets to the highest level they qualify. Mon-Thurs: 5:45-7:15pm Summer schedule varies Note: Can only swim on scheduled Bronze practice days. No exceptions can be made.

Additional Information

Positive interaction with peers, and goal-oriented behavior will be stressed and eventually required before consideration to the Silver practice group. Most children will stay in this group from 1-2 years. Coach: Clint Livermore

Advancement to the Silver Group will be based on

• Complete a 500 Free in a meet.

• Compete in the 200's of stroke in a meet.

• Willingness to compete in meets.

• Regular attendance at practice.

• Age and maturity of swimmer.

• Ability and willingness to train at the higher levels seen in the silver group.

The final decision will be at the discretion of the coaching staff.

Fees

Annual: Pool Pass and $57 USA Swimming Membership Monthly: ** Fund Raising Obligation: $150/family

Silver

Description

Silver is our top age group. Entrance into the Silver Group requires a high level of year-round commitment for age group swimming. The responsibility for one's swimming is now shifting to the athlete's responsibility at this stage/level of swimming; continued focus on the aerobic side of workouts with increased intensity and duration; continuation of developing race skills and strategies; being a team player; self-responsibility; sportsmanship; importance of nutrition and the increased importance of dryland in the weekly schedule. Mastery of all strokes, turns, and starts.

Minimum Requirements

Age: 9-13, depending on skill

Attendance Standard + Practice Schedule

Attend a minimum of 14 practices per month. (Recommend 4-5 practices per week). Individuals must maintain commitment level (based on monthly attendance) to continue long-term in this group. Athletes should strive to participate in at least three meets during the winter season, and four during the summer season. Swimmers are expected to attend meets to the highest level they qualify. Mon-Fri: 4:30-6:00pm Summer schedule varies

Additional Information

Most children will stay in this group for 1-2 years. Swimmers are encouraged to compete and work toward swimming all strokes and distances and are working towards achieving silver state and state qualifying times. Advancement to the Gold Group will be based on the mental and physical maturity and passion necessary to handle the demands of senior/gold group This will be at the discretion of the coaching staff. Coach: Ellen Erickson

Fees

Annual: Pool Pass and $57 USA Swimming Monthly: ** Fund Raising Obligation: $150/family

Gold

Description

This group is designed to prepare athletes for Senior Swimming. Training will be a balance of mature technical instruction and conditioning designed to prepare for local and state level competitions.

Minimum Requirements

Age: 11+, depending on skills, conditioning, and motivation *The coaching staff reserves the right to make exceptions for the good of the individual athlete development. ***

Attendance Standard + Practice Schedule

Expectation: Attend 3-5 practices per week. Athletes should strive to participate in at least three meets during the winter season, and four during the summer season. Swimmers are expected to attend meets to the highest level they qualify. Mon-Fri: 4:20-6pm Summer schedule varies

Additional Information

Advancement to the Senior Group will be based on commitment and attendance and will be at the discretion of the head coach. Coach: Silas Almgren

Fees

Annual: Pool Pass and $57 USA Swimming Membership Monthly: ** Fund Raising Obligation: $150/family

Senior

Description

Training requirements for this group are very stringent and must be met on a consistent basis. Participants must consistently demonstrate goal-oriented behavior, striving to reach high school state qualifying times and club state qualifying times. A commitment to year-round swimming, including short and long course seasons, is expected. Program will provide short and long term goal setting and introduce and develop strength training. Technique improvements and conditioning levels will be designed to challenge each individual.

Minimum Requirements

Swimmers must demonstrate proficiency in all four competitive strokes in order to join this group, and be at least 12 years old. Athletes must be approved by Head Coach to participate in this group

Attendance Standard + Practice Schedule

Expectation: Swimmers should demonstrate a commitment to their personal and team success with a 90% attendance, including weekly weights and any other dryland training. Coach should be notified about absences with a call or text. Athletes should strive to participate in at least three meets during the winter season, and four during the summer season. Swimmers are expected to attend meets to the highest level they qualify. Mon-Fri: 4-6pm Summer schedule varies

Additional Information

Members of the Senior group will be considered first for travel trips, distance camp, and any other extra practice opportunities.

Fees

Annual: Pool Pass and $57 USA Swimming Membership Monthly: ** Fund Raising Obligation: $150/family