Practice Group Placement

SMAC strives to place each individual in the group that best fits the athlete’s skill set and age. Practice group placement is not an indication of a coach’s belief about the athlete’s future success.

Fall group placement does not dictate an athlete’s group placement for the entire year. SMAC Coaching Staff is continuously evaluating the athletes and will move them based on the best interests of the athletes. The coaching staff has the final discretion regarding an athlete’s practice group placement. 

GOLD ELITE GROUP

The overall goal of the Gold Elite group is to refine and master efficient technique in all four competitive strokes. Athletes in the Gold Elite Group are highly committed to swimming, ready to qualify for Age Group Champs and Senior Champs, and are expected to act as role models for the entire swimming program at SMAC.

Gold Elite Group practices 3:30pm-5:30pm Monday-Friday and 8:00am-10:00am Saturday.  Dryland workouts are 6:30am-7:30am Tuesday and Thursday.

Participation in 90% of meets is expected for the Gold group.

GOLD GROUP

The goal of the Gold group is to refine and master efficient technique in all four competitive strokes. Athletes in the Gold Elite Group are highly committed to swimming, ready to qualify for Age Group Champs and Senior Champs, and are expected to act as role models for the entire swimming program at SMAC.

Gold Group practices 4:00pm-5:30pm Monday-Friday and 8:00am-10:00am Saturday.

Participation in 90% of meets is expected for the Gold group.

SILVER GROUP

The goals for the Silver group are to further their understanding of stroke physics, improve meet preparation and discipline, and have fun while enjoying the sport of swimming.  Silver is split into two pods (A&B).  Only the training days for the two pods differ; the instruction is the same.

Silver Group practices 5:30pm-6:30pm either Monday/Wednesday (Silver A) or Tuesday/Thursday (Silver B) and Friday 5:30pm-6:30pm (Silver A&B) and Saturday 10:00am-11:00pm (Silver A&B).

Participation in 50% of select meets is encouraged for the Silver group.

BRONZE GROUP

The goals of the Bronze group are to foster a lifelong love of swimming, introduce young athletes to the swim team, acclimate to the larger pool decks and prepare swimmers for the Silver Group.  Bronze is split into two pods (A&B).  Only the training days for the two pods differ; the instruction is the same.

Bronze group practices 5:30pm-6:30pm either Monday/Wednesday (Bronze A) or Tuesday/Thursday (Bronze B).  Bronze A&B (combined) will have an optional third practice on Saturdays 10am-11am.  If the pool is closed Saturday, the optional practice will be 5:30-6:30pm on Friday.

Participation in select meets is encouraged for the Bronze group, but participation is optional.

STROKE SCHOOL

The goals of the Stroke School are to foster a lifelong love of swimming, teach basic strokes, introduce young athletes to the swim team, acclimate to the larger pool decks and prepare swimmers for the Bronze Group.  Stroke School is split into two pods (A&B).  Only the training days for the two pods differ; the instruction is the same.

Stroke School group practices 5:30pm-6:30pm either Monday/Wednesday (Group A) or Tuesday/Thursday (Group B).

Participation in select meets is encouraged for the Stroke School group, but participation is optional.