Arena Club Aquatics will run six training groups in the 2012-13 swim season.  Ages for these groups are determined by the swimmer’s age as of January 1, 2013.  For all group placement coaches make final determination.

Intro Group(Ages 6-10): Swimmers in this group will build swimming skills and work on stroke, turn, and start technique daily.  Through practices the swimmers will build their confidence in the water and in competition.  The will be an emphasis on skill development and fun.  Swimmers will be challenged to swim new events as their abilities develop.  (September – March)

            To qualify for this group a swimmer must be able to:

                        -Swim 25 meters non-stop of both Freestyle and Backstroke

                        -Complete a full practice

Development Group(Ages 9-12):  Swimmers in this group will work to develop their skills in the water in order to develop as overall swimmers and build confidence in themselves as athletes.  Stroke technique will be the main focus along with the building of aerobic endurance.   Swimmers will work towards completing the IMX challenge.  (September – March)

            To qualify for this group a swimmer must be:

                        -Strong in both Freestyle & Backstroke

                        -Able to display a basic knowledge of Butterfly and Breaststroke

                        -Able to swim consistently without breaks for the entire practice

Endurance Group(Ages 10-13):  Swimmers in this group have shown commitment to the sport as well as demonstrated a positive attitude towards learning and improving during practices.  Swimmers will develop overall endurance through training and work daily on technique.  This group will develop racing and practice skills, such as learning to read the pace clock.  An emphasis is placed on training for middle distance and Individual Medley events.  Swimmers in this group will work towards completing the IMX challenge and peaking for championship meets.  (September- July)

             To qualify for this group a swimmer must have:

                        -Competed for a USA, YMCA, or Summer team (in the past season)

                        -Proficiency in all four competitive strokes

Distance Group(Ages 11+): Swimmers in this group aspire to eventually progress to the Senior training group.  This is a developmental training group that works to further build a swimmer’s endurance and race specific skills to be able to compete in middle-distance to distance events.  These swimmers will work on stroke and turn mechanics and pacing skills.  Practices are based on 100% attendance.  The group’s focus will be on several goal competitions as well as completing all the events in the IMX challenge.  (September – July)

            To qualify for this group a swimmer must have:

                        -USA ‘BB’ time

-If swimming high school, commit to attending all practices when there is no conflict with high school and attending all scheduled USA competitions.

-Coach’s Invitation

Senior Group(Ages 13+):  Swimmers in this group have demonstrated their commitment to the sport and rarely miss practice.  The focus of this group will be on training for Sectionals and beyond.  Training, meets, and practices are designed and planned towards the swimmers goals and their overall development.  Training will focus on middle-distance to distance events.  Practices are based on 100% attendance.  Dry-land, mental training, and full body health will be part of this routine.  Goal setting, meet planning, and race strategy will be highlighted.  (August – August)

To qualify for this training group a swimmer must have:

-Two 15/16 USA ‘AA’ Times

-Ability to Kick 10 X 100 Free (SCM) on 2:00 and know their times

-If swimming in high school, prioritize club swimming by attending all club meets; as well as attending all practices when there is no conflicting high school practice, keep mental and taper focus on the LSC Championships and Sectionals.

-Coach’s Invitation

High School Group(Ages 14+): In this group swimmers are generally more focused on preparing for high school level swim competition and/or more sprint oriented events.  The group will work on stroke, turn and start mechanics while developing speed and speed specific endurance for high school events.  Swimmers will learn race strategy and skills with the main focus to peak during the high school swim season.  This group will incorporate a dry-land program to supplement their training.  This group is to be used in collaboration with a swimmers high school swimming participation.  The option to compete in the LSC championships is available to those who qualify.  (September-March)