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Age Group 1
This is the
Bearcat’s first level of competitive swimming. It is intended
for swimmers between the ages of 5 and 10 who are new to
competitive swimming. Swimmers in this group will learn the
basics of competitive swimming throughout the season. Swimmers in
this group should be able to swim one length of freestyle and
backstroke non-stop, plus have some knowledge of butterfly and
breaststroke. They should be confident in the water and able to
work well with others in a group setting. This group meets twice a
week.
At the AG1
level, swimmers can experience the sport of swimming with its
competition and training schedule without being overly committed,
and still participate in other extracurricular activities necessary
for a well-rounded individual. Competitions are essential to
the growth and experience of the swimmer, and give the coach
feedback about the training plan.
Advancement from AG1 to AG2:
·
Proper execution
of all four competitive strokes: Butterfly, Backstroke,
Breaststroke, Freestyle
·
Consistent use
of competitive turns: Backstroke flips, Freestyle flips, Fly turns,
Breaststroke turns and pullouts
·
Frequent
demonstration of streamline
·
Development of
forward dive start from a starting block (not necessarily
proficient - willing to try and learn)
·
Able to do the
following swims in a practice: 100 Free, 100 Back, 100 Breast, 50
Fly, 100 IM
Age Group 2
Age Group
2 is intended for the swimmer between the ages of 7 and 11
years old. At this
level, more commitment toward the sport is demonstrated through
increased practices and competitions attended. Swimmers learn
more about time standards, different levels of achievement, goals,
additional stroke techniques, race strategies, etc.
Swimmers
should become more familiar to training and competitions, trying to
attain state time standards, especially the higher ages. They
will show more advanced skills, and train to increase
cardiovascular fitness and strength.
Advancement from AG2 to AG 3:
·
More competitive
front dive from a starting block and more competitive backstroke
start
·
Consistent legal
execution of Individual Medley turns: Fly/Back, Back/Breast,
Breast/Free
·
Consistent
demonstration of the streamline push off position and kicking off
the wall
·
Legal execution
of the following swims in a practice: 200 Free, 200 Back, 200
Breast, 100 Fly, 200 IM
·
Legal execution
of the following swims in a meet: 50 free, 50 back, 50 breast, 50
fly, 100 IM
·
Understanding
the Pace Clock and execution of training sets
·
Consistent
demonstration of breath control in turns, wall push offs, breakouts
and strokes
Age Group 3
Age Group 3
is intended for swimmers between the ages of 8 and 12 who have
several seasons of competitive swimming experience. Swimmers are expected to train
daily, eliminating the inconsistency and periodic practicing.
While additional training is recommended, it should not be at the
expense of academics or complete elimination of extracurricular
activities.
At this
level, swimmers will also learn the importance of goal setting,
time management, stroke technique, different phases of
training. At the later stage of this level, some swimmers may
show greater expertise in specific strokes and distances, and learn
how to train more effectively for these races. Commitment at this level
determines when a swimmer is ready for Senior Prep.
Advancement from AG3 to Senior Prep:
·
1000 Free Swim
Test
·
6x100 Kick on
2:00
·
6x100 IM on
1:45
·
6x100 Free on
1:30
Senior Preps
The Senior
Preps are for the 11-14 year old athlete committed to reaching
their full potential. Group members must show the ability to train
IM and distance freestyle. They must have the ability to handle the
physical demands to uphold a rigorous training regimen to allow
them the opportunity to move up to the Senior Team. The
coaching staff will make invitations into this group after
evaluating training performance, attitude and time standards
attained during the course of the previous season. Swimmers should
try to attain state and age group sectional time standards while
training.
Individuals
will also learn to accept challenges and guidance from the coaching
staff, effectively communicate questions and ideas to staff, have
support of peers and family, and have a sound work ethic to endure
hard times and sacrifice to achieve personal goals. To achieve success one must make
some choices to participate in activities/events of importance.
Swimmers are expected compete in at least one competition per
month. No less than five practices a week are offered. This group
has base interval of 10x100 on the 1:30 and 5x200 IM on the
3:30.
Advancement from Senior Prep to Senior Level:
Moves from
Senior Prep to the Senior Level are at the discretion of the
coaching staff, based upon a cumulative demonstration of all skills
and sets for all groups, plus an evaluation of career commitment
(by both swimmer and coach). Athletes are consulted for their
perspective and their wishes for their swimming, as their maturity,
self-advocacy and personal motivation are keys to long-term success
in the sport. The Senior Elite program is the highest level of
swimming offered on the team and subsequently, the median
commitment level among the swimmers in this group is the highest on
the team. The coaching staff understands that not every swimmer
will aspire to the same level of competitiveness, and supports a
variety of talents and perspectives in this regard. However,
athletes moving to Senior Elite are asked to commit to a higher
level of expectation, practice attendance and competition
commitment. Specifically defining "higher" will be on a
case-by-case basis by the coaching staff, in order to meet the
individual needs of the swimmer, needs of the Senior training
group, and the needs of the entire team.
Senior 1
This group is
designed for the "renaissance athlete" who participates in many
sports or activities and wants to maintain conditioning or stroke
work for their high school swimming season. This group is also
intended for the 13 & over swimmer who does not qualify for the
Senior 2 or Elite Team but is intent on improving their practice
skills in an effort to move into the Senior 2 or Elite Team.
This group meets five times per week. This group can swim all meets
except Sectionals and Travel Meets.
Senior 2
The Senior 2
group is a select group for junior high and high school athletes
committed to reaching their full potential. We will continue to focus on all
aspects of swimming, including technique, psychology, nutrition,
and race strategy, in addition to its heavy training load and dry
land exercises. Swimmers in this group train in preparation
for the Oregon Swimming Championships and
Sectionals.
Participation
in this group will be determined by the coaching staff and based
upon swimmers’ past season attendance and practice/meet
performance.
Swimmers will
be required to compete in at least one competition per month. 90%
attendance is expected to stay in this group. This group has base
interval of 10x100 on the 1:20 and 5x200 IM on the 3:00. All
members of this group will swim in all team meets and championship
meets. Not every
swimmer will achieve this level.
Senior Elite
The Senior Elite Team is for
the committed athlete who has the ability to train consistently in
a high-intensity training environment year-round. This is a
high-level training group with both practice and meets
requirements. Training will be geared toward preparing the swimmer
for national competition and a collegiate career. Swimmers will be
required to compete in at least one competition per month. Daily
attendance is required to stay in this group. This group has base
interval of 10x100 on the 1:10 and 5x200 IM on the 2:45. All
members of this group will swim in all team meets and championship
meets. Not every
swimmer will achieve this level.
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