Swim Groups

SSC takes great pride in developing its training groups to best fit the needs of its swimmers and families.The coaching staff considers many factors in determining group placement.  These descriptions are guidelines and our coaching staff reserves the right to make exceptions and will remain flexible to consider special circumstances or abilities.  This is not favoritism.  A swimmer may be moved up or held back if in the coaches opinion a deviation from these guidelines is warranted.  We consider everything in totality and have the swimmer’s best interests in mind.  Our desire is for the long term development of the swimmer.

 

SSC Training Groups and Levels of Progressions
The coaching staff wants to increase the stability of the group/level progressions and will therefore commit to the below structure for a minimum of 2 years. This document has taken months of time and has been thoroughly discussed by the coaching staff. It shows a framework, but also allows flexibility. We hope that you will see that it is a good plan for the future of SSC.


Group Name
Skills Needed to Enter Group
What is Expected of This Group
Flying Fish
  1. Coach’s discretion
  2. 25 yard Free (with side breathing)
  3. 25 Backstroke
To learn correct technique for 4 competitive strokes. Also will be taught freestyle flipturn, “open” turn for backstroke and breast/fly turns. Will be taught starts from blocks as skill level progresses.
Stingrays
  1. Coach’s discretion
  2. 200 Free w/flipturns, solid stroke technique and no stopping
  3. 2 x 100 IM (:30 RI) with consistently legal strokes
To further develop upon correct technique as taught in FF, with expectations that technique can be maintained for longer distances.. Also will be taught backstroke flipturn and the underwater pullout for breast. Continue to develop on starts as skill level progresses. Basic interval and “set” understanding will also be taught.
Sharks
  1. Coach’s discretion
  2. Have understanding and ability to use the pace clock during workouts.
  3. 12 x 50 IMO (:20 RI) with consistently legal strokes and turns
  4. 200 IM performed legally in a meet under 4:00
  5. 500 Free with proficient turns performed under 11:00
The Shark group is our top 10 & Under group and the majority of the swimmers in this group will begin to focus on championship level swimming. The focus will be on continued development of proper stroke techniques and great starts and turns. Athletes at this level will also begin to understand the concept of training and will learn the framework for workouts. This will prepare them for the next group levels but will also allow them to see rapid improvements in their ability to handle the competitive meet event list.
Marlins
  1. Coach’s discretion
  2. Have understanding and ability to use the pace clock during workouts.
  3. Minimum of 11 years of age
  4. 12 x 50 IMO (:20 RI) with consistently legal strokes and turns
  5. 200 IM performed legally in a meet under 4:00
  6. 500 Free with proficient turns performed under 11:00
The Marlins group is a transitional group that will have a range of swimmers from elite to advanced beginners that have the strength and ability to face increased challenges. Swimmers in this group will be expected to take responsibility for proper training habits. They will also be expected to have the dedication and self motivation to handle an increased aerobic workload. At all times, they will be challenged to maintain excellent strokes, starts, and turns. Marlin swimmers will focus on swimming a full 3 days at invitationals and the challenges that such a commitment brings. 
Piranhas
  1. Coach’s discretion
  2. 11 year-old – 6 AGS cuts
  3. 12 year-old – 3 AGS cuts
  4. 13 year-old – 4 USA “B” cuts
  5. 14 years or older – 2 USA “B” cuts
The Piranha swimmer will be a self motivated, mature, and disciplined athlete focused on goal achievement. Work continues on stroke mechanics, however emphasis changes from stroke education to improving stroke efficiency during long swims and competition. This is our highest pre-senior group and swimmers will be treated accordingly meaning that a great deal will be expected of them.
Seniors
  1. Coach’s discretion
  2. Incoming Freshmen in High School
This is our highest level training group and is open to all swimmers of the appropriate age. A commitment to the schedule and to serious training and improvement is required.


Parameters
  1. What does coach’s discretion mean? It means that swimmers may only join a new group if the coach of their current group releases them and the coach of the next group accepts them.
  2. In-Season movement from group to group will only take place within the following cut-off dates:
                                                              i.      SCY – December 16th
                                                            ii.      LCM – June 1st or after first long course meet
  1. For group progression, a swimmer’s age will be determined by their age on the cut-off dates.
  2. All qualifying times listed are in SCY. Depending on the time of the year, times may be converted to LCM or SCM. “AGS” cuts or “B” cuts may be in any course (SCY, SCM, or LCM).

 

Respect All. Fear None.