GROUPS

In keeping with the philosophy of providing an opportunity to develop each swimmer’s potential to the fullest by teaching stroke techniques, building endurance and skills for racing, and motivating each swimmer to achieve his or her best, New Trier Swim Club offers 11 levels of professional instruction and training.  Each level has specific standards, objectives and goals that follow a logical progression.  All time standards are available on the Time Standards page of the NTSC website.

Placement in any group at NTSC is at the sole discretion of the coaches.  The standards and tasks listed below are minimum requirements for consideration for each group.  Beyond these standards, coaches will consider practice attendance, meet attendance, social skills and attitude, leadership skills, group size and their own judgment in making final decisions.

Pre-Competitive 1 – This group is an introduction to the swim team.  It is completely instructional in nature and emphasizes water safety, fun and a basic introduction to competitive swimming skills.  Practice is offered once a week throughout the season and swimmers will participate in intra-squad meets.  In order to qualify for this group a swimmer must be at least 5 years old, and going to turn 6 prior to the start of the next NTSC season (Long Course or Short Course).  Swimmers in this group will be age 5-8.  In order to be considered for this group, a swimmer must complete the three following tasks: 

Pre-Competitive 2 – This group is exactly the same as Pre-Competitive 1 except the swimmers in the group will be age 9 & Over.  This group is designed for the older swimmer who has yet to have any competitive swimming experience and wishes to learn the necessary skills.  Practice is offered once a week throughout the season and swimmers will participate in intra-squad meets.  In order to be considered for this group, a swimmer must complete the three following tasks: 

Novice 1 – This level is the first of the competitive swimming program.  Emphasis in this group will be placed on teaching fundamentals of the four competitive strokes and other competitive skills by means of drills and games that make swimming fun.  Swimmers will participate in dual meets, USS meets and season ending Championship Meets.  Swimmers in the group will be age 6-9.  In a normal week, practice will be offered three times a week, and attendance at least two practices per week is encouraged.  In order to be considered for this group, a swimmer must complete three of the four following tasks:

Novice 2 – This is the first competitive level for swimmers age 10-12.  Emphasis in this group will be placed on teaching fundamentals of the four competitive strokes and other competitive skills by means of drills and games that make swimming fun.  Swimmers will participate in dual meets, USS meets and season ending Championship Meets.  In a normal week, practice will be offered three times a week and attendance at least two practices per week is encouraged.  In order to be considered for this group a swimmer must complete three of the four following tasks: 

Developmental 1 – At this level proper stroke technique remains the primary emphasis.  In addition to technique, swimmers will be introduced to the first basics of competitive training including pace clock management and swimming “sets”.  Swimmers in this group will be age 7-9 and meet participation is strongly encouraged.  Swimmers will be asked to participate in at least one meet per month throughout the season and represent NTSC at all Championship Meets for which they qualify.  In a normal week, practice will be offered four times a week and attendance at least three of the four practices is encouraged.  In order to be considered for this group a swimmer must complete four of the five following tasks: 

Developmental 2 – Swimmers at this level will continue to refine stroke technique and will get an introduction to the basics of competitive training including pace clock management and swimming “sets”.  Swimmers in this group will be age 10-12 and meet participation is strongly encouraged.  Swimmers will be asked to participate in at least one meet per month throughout the season and represent NTSC at all Championship Meets for which they qualify.  In a normal week, practice will be offered four times a week and attendance at least three of the four practices is encouraged.  In order to be considered for this group a swimmer must complete four of the five following tasks:

Age Group 1 – This group offers more advanced young swimmers an opportunity to improve stroke and turn techniques, while continuing a gradual increase in competitive training.  Athletes will learn to train the energy systems needed to become an accomplished swimmer and will have dryland included in practices on a regular basis.  Swimmers in the group will be age 7-10 and will be required to participate in meets.  Swimmers will be encouraged to compete in two meets per month and must represent NTSC at all Championship Meets for which they qualify.  In a normal week, practice will be offered five times per week and attendance at least four of the five practices is strongly encouraged.  In order to be considered for this group a swimmer must complete three of the four following tasks: 

Age Group 2 – This is the top level of the Age Group team.  Swimmers in this group will be age 9-12.  Emphasis will turn to the competitive nature of the sport, focusing more clearly on goals and striving for achievement.  Athletes will prepare for the highest levels of age group swimming.  Technique and skills remain important and will be incorporated into training objectives.  Dryland becomes a more important aspect of training, and commitment and self-motivation become emphasized.  In a normal week, practice is offered six times a week and attendance at least five of the six practices is strongly encouraged.  Swimmers will be required to participate in meets and participation in two meets per month is recommended.  Participation in all Championship Meets for which they qualify is required.  In order to be considered for this group a swimmer must complete #1 below as well as two of the three other tasks: 

Junior – Swimmers in this group will be 13 years old at the start of the season or in the 7^th grade at the start of the season.  This group is designed for athletes who desire to take their swimming beyond the age group level.  Equal emphasis on energy system conditioning, advanced skills and higher levels of competition offer the determined swimmer an excellent opportunity to evolve into a top athlete.  In a normal week, practice is offered eight times per week with daily dryland and attendance at least six (including at least one morning practice) is strongly encouraged.  Meet participation is required and swimmers are strongly encouraged to compete twice a month.  Participation in all state level Championship Meets for which the swimmer qualifies is required.  In order to be considered for this group a swimmer must complete three of the four following tasks: 

Senior 1 – Swimmers in this group must be 13 years old prior to start of the season.  Emphasis in this group will be in developing conditioning for the young athlete, while continuing to teach stroke and competition techniques.  In a normal week, practices will be offered six times a week and attendance at least four of the six practices is encouraged.  Meet participation is encouraged throughout the season.  This group will include young swimmers progressing to more advanced levels and high school age swimmers not yet ready for more advanced training.  In order to be considered for this group a swimmer must complete three of the four following tasks: 

Senior 2 – This is the top level of the Junior/Senior team and the top training group overall at NTSC.  Girls in this group will be at least 13 years old prior to the start of the season, and boys will be at least 14 years old prior to the start of the season.  This group is designed for the committed swimmer with the necessary ability and desire to train and compete on a regional/national level.  In a normal week, practice is offered 8-9 times a week with dryland and attendance at 7-8 practices is strongly encouraged.  Swimmers not attending at least six practices a week may be dropped from this group.  Meet participation is required each month and swimmers are strongly encouraged to compete twice a month.  Swimmers are required to represent NTSC at all Championship Meets for which they qualify.  In order to be considered for this group a swimmer must complete three of the four following tasks: