TRAINING GROUPS
Swim Birmingham YMCA (SBY) is divided into several training groups based on age, stroke proficiency, aerobic conditioning, mental and emotional maturity, and commitment to swimming and to the team. The progressive structure of these groups provides a setting in which swimmers are continually challenged yet are able to experience individual and team success.
Each practice site for SBY most of the same training groups. There are
some sites that can offer more training groups than other. Below is a
complete description of all the training groups and the practice sites
where they are available. If you have any questions about what training
group your child fits into please contact the Aquatics Director/Coach at
your practice site.
(Greystone=GS, Pelham=PH, Shades Valley=SV, Trussville=TV, Vestavia=VS)
(Note: In the descriptions below SCY=Short-Course Yards.)
Super Squad(all branches)
This is an entry-level developmental group where the focus is placed on ensuring that athletes are having fun, forming strong team bonds, developing strong fundamental skills in all four competitive strokes, building a great kicking foundation, and learning the basics of strong racing skills.
Requirements to enter Super Squad Group – swim 25 yards of freestyle and 25 yards of back stroke.
Bronze Group(all branches)
This is an entry-level developmental group where the focus is placed on ensuring that athletes are having fun, forming strong team bonds, developing strong fundamental skills in all four competitive strokes, building a great kicking foundation, and learning the basics of strong racing skills.
Requirements to enter Bronze Group
Swimmers must be able to complete each of the following:
• Swim 50 yards of continuous freestyle demonstrating a mastery of rotary breathing and good balance in the water
• Swim 50 yards of continuous backstroke demonstrating good balance in the water
• Swim 25 yards of legal breaststroke or Butterfly
• Perform 50 yards of strong freestyle kick
Practice Attendance
For regular improvement, swimmers are strongly encouraged to attend a minimum of 2 out of the 3 practices offered per week.
Meet Attendance
Swimmers are encouraged to attend one meet per month and at least three (3) YMCA meets throughout the season.
Goals of the Bronze group
By the time swimmers move out of the Bronze group they should be able to complete all of the following:
• Demonstrate courteous behavior towards coaches and other swimmers
• Demonstrate a strong technical understanding of all four competitive strokes and turns
• Demonstrate a strong technical understanding of forward and backward racing starts
• Demonstrate consistency in going at least 5 yards of underwater kick in a streamline body position off of all starts and turns
• Demonstrate an ability to read the pace clock and understand basic intervals
• Achieve a legal time in the following events in either a YMCA or USA Swimming sanctioned competition – 50 freestyle, 50 backstroke, 50 breaststroke, 50 butterfly, 100 individual medley
Silver Group (all branches)
This is a competitive training group aimed at developing advanced technical skills and a strong aerobic foundation. Skills will be taught with an emphasis on fun and teamwork in order to continue to ensure that all athletes develop a long-term love for the sport. The training emphasis of this group is centered on continuing to develop strong technical skills in all four strokes, starts, turns and underwater work, as well as developing a strong aerobic base through gradually increasing the volume and intensity of both kicking and swimming work throughout the season.
Requirements to Enter Silver Group
To be considered for placement into the Silver group swimmers must first be able to complete the Goals of the Bronze Group. In addition, swimmers must be able to complete each of the following training sets and performance criteria:
• 8 x 50 Free with flip-turns on 1:10 (SCY)
• 6 x 50 Choice Kick on 1:30 (SCY)
• 6 x 25 on :40 (SCY) – 2 Butterfly, 2 Backstroke, 2 Breaststroke
Practice Attendance
For regular improvement, swimmers are strongly encouraged to attend 3 out of the 4 practices offered per week.
Meet Attendance
Swimmers are expected to participate in at least one meet per month and 3 YMCA meets during the short-course season, as well as the highest level championship meet they are qualified for at the end of each season.
Goals of the Silver Group
By the time swimmers move out of the White group they should be able to complete all of the following:
• Achieve an 11-12 BB time standard in at least 2 different strokes
• Demonstrate a mastery of the track start and backstroke start
• Demonstrate consistency in going at least 7 ½ yards of underwater kick in a streamline body position off of all starts and turns
• Demonstrate a proven ability to listen to coaches, learn and make continuous effort to improve in all areas of technical, training and racing skills
• Achieve a legal time in the following events in either a YMCA or USA Swimming sanctioned competition – 100 Freestyle, 100 Backstroke, 100 Breaststroke, 100 Butterfly, 200 Individual Medley, 500 Freestyle
• Demonstrate courteous behavior towards coaches and other swimmers
• Demonstrate consistent practice attendance (3 out of 4 practices per week)
Swimmers ages 13 and older that have not successfully demonstrated all of the goals of the Silver group should move into the Senior swimming group, which is the casual swim team for ages 13 and up.
Silver I Group (PH)
This is a competitive training group aimed at developing advanced technical skills and a strong aerobic foundation. Skills will be taught with an emphasis on fun and teamwork in order to continue to ensure that all athletes develop a long-term love for the sport. The training emphasis of this group is centered on continuing to develop strong technical skills in all four strokes, starts, turns and underwater work, as well as developing a strong aerobic base through gradually increasing the volume and intensity of both kicking and swimming work throughout the season.
Evaluation Guidelines
Only swimmers ages 9-14 will be evaluated for the Silver group. Swimmers who will turn 9 within 3 months of the evaluation date may be evaluated at the discretion of the coaching staff.
Requirements to Enter Silver Group
To be considered for placement into the Silver group swimmers must first be able to complete the Goals of the Bronze Group. In addition, swimmers must be able to complete each of the following training sets and performance criteria:
• 8 x 50 Free with flip-turns on 1:15 (SCY)
• 6 x 50 Choice Kick on 1:30 (SCY)
• 6 x 25 on :40 (SCY) – 2 Butterfly, 2 Backstroke, 2 Breaststroke
Practice Attendance
For regular improvement, swimmers are strongly encouraged to attend 3 out of the 4 practices offered per week.
Meet Attendance
Swimmers are encouraged to participate in at least 2 YMCA meets during the short-course season, as well as the highest level championship meet they are qualified for at the end of each season.
Goals of the Silver I Group
By the time swimmers move out of the Silver group they should be able to complete all of the following:
• Achieve a B time standard in at least 2 different strokes for appropriate age group
• Demonstrate a mastery of the track start and backstroke start
• Demonstrate consistency in going at least 7 ½ yards of underwater kick in a streamline body position off of all starts and turns
• Demonstrate a proven ability to listen to coaches, learn and make continuous effort to improve in all areas of technical, training and racing skills
• Achieve a legal time in the following events in either a YMCA or USA Swimming sanctioned competition – 50 Freestyle, 50 Backstroke, 50 Breaststroke, 50 Butterfly, 100 Individual Medley, 200 Freestyle
• Demonstrate courteous behavior towards coaches and other swimmers
• Demonstrate consistent practice attendance (3 out of 4 practices per week)
Silver II Group (PH)
This is a competitive training group designed to prepare swimmers for state and regional levels of competition. The emphasis of the Silver II group is on mastering the following skills necessary to be successful competitive swimmers – training etiquette, advanced stroke mechanics, training and race strategies, goal setting, proper nutrition, mental preparation, and the ability to handle increasing training workloads.
Evaluation Guidelines
Only swimmers ages 11-13 will be evaluated for the Silver II group. Swimmers who will turn 11 within 3 months of the evaluation date may be evaluated at the discretion of the coaching staff.
Requirements to Enter Silver II Group
To be considered for placement into the Silver II group swimmers must first be able to complete the Goals of the Silver I Group. In addition, swimmers must be able to complete each of the following training sets and performance criteria:
• 10 x 100 Free on 1:50 (SCY)
• 8 x 100 IM on 2:00 (SCY)
• 10 x 50 Choice Kick on 1:15 (SCY)
• Swimmers must have achieved a BB time in at least two different competitive strokes in their appropriate age group.
Practice Attendance
Swimmers in the Silver II group are required to attend 3 out of 4 practices offered per week. Athletes who fail to meet this requirement, evaluated over each month, will be moved to the group that best matches their ability level.
Meet Attendance
Swimmers are encouraged to participate in at least 3 meets during the short-course season. Swimmers are also encouraged to attend the highest-level championship meet they qualify for at the end of the short course Short-course championship meets for the Silver II group are the YMCA Regional's and Southeastern Championships.
Goals of the Silver II Group
When swimmers are ready to move out of the Silver II they will have two possible tracks to follow. The first is the Competitive Track, which will lead them to the Junior Varsity group. The second, if they are not going to be serious is the Senior group.
Competitive Track
The first track from the Gold group is the Competitive Track, which will lead athletes to the Junior Varsity group. In order to move into the Junior Varsity group, swimmers must be able to complete all of the following:
• Demonstrate consistency in going at least 10 yards of underwater kick in a streamline body position off of all starts and turns
• Demonstrate a proven ability to listen to coaches, learn and make continuous effort to improve in all areas of technical, training and racing skills
• Demonstrate an ability and willingness to train and compete in all strokes and distances
• Demonstrate a proven ability to maintain a positive attitude and focus during workout and has an understanding of how their actions affect their teammates
• Demonstrate respect for all members of the coaching staff
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of goal setting skills
• Swimmers must have achieved a legal time in either YMCA or USA Swimming competition in the following events – 100 Butterfly, 100 Backstroke, 100 Breaststroke, 100 Freestyle, 200 Individual Medley, and 500 Freestyle
• Demonstrate consistent practice attendance habits (4 out of 5 practices offered per week)
• Demonstrate a commitment to attending all meets recommended by the group coach
Gold Group (all branches)
This is a competitive training group designed to prepare swimmers for state and regional levels of competition. The emphasis of the gold group is on mastering the following skills necessary to be successful competitive swimmers – training etiquette, advanced stroke mechanics, training and race strategies, goal setting, proper nutrition, mental preparation, and the ability to handle increasing training workloads. At some practice site this group may be broken down to 2 groups. See your practice site for more information.
Requirements to Enter Gold Group
To be considered for placement into the Gold group swimmers must first be able to complete the Goals of the Silver Group. In addition, swimmers must be able to complete each of the following training sets and performance criteria:
• 10 x 100 Free on 1:45 (SCY)
• 8 x 100 IM on 1:55 (SCY)
• 10 x 50 Choice Kick on 1:15 (SCY)
• Swimmers must have achieved an 11-12 BB time in at least two different competitive strokes.
Practice Attendance
Swimmers in the Purple group are required to attend 4 out of 5 practices offered per week. Athletes who fail to meet this requirement, evaluated over each month, will be moved to the group that best matches their ability level.
Meet Attendance
Swimmers are encouraged to participate in at least one meet per month and 3 YMCA meets during the short-course season. Swimmers are also expected to attend the highest-level championship meet they qualify for at the end of both the short and long-course seasons. Short-course championship meets for the Purple group are the Southeastern Championships.
Goals of the Gold Group
When swimmers are ready to move out of the Gold group they will have two possible tracks to follow. The first is the Competitive Track, which will lead them to the Junior Varsity group. The second, if they are not going to be serious is the Senior group.
Competitive Track
The first track from the Gold group is the Competitive Track, which will lead athletes to the Junior Varsity group. In order to move into the Junior Varsity group, swimmers must be able to complete all of the following:
• Demonstrate consistency in going at least 10 yards of underwater kick in a streamline body position off of all starts and turns
• Demonstrate a proven ability to listen to coaches, learn and make continuous effort to improve in all areas of technical, training and racing skills
• Demonstrate an ability and willingness to train and compete in all strokes and distances
• Demonstrate a proven ability to maintain a positive attitude and focus during workout and has an understanding of how their actions affect their teammates
• Demonstrate respect for all members of the coaching staff
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of goal setting skills
• Swimmers must have achieved a legal time in either YMCA or USA Swimming competition in the following events – 100 Butterfly, 100 Backstroke, 100 Breaststroke, 100 Freestyle, 200 Individual Medley, and 500 Freestyle
• Demonstrate consistent practice attendance habits (4 out of 5 practices offered per week)
• Demonstrate a commitment to attending all meets recommended by the group coach
Senior Group (GS, TS)
This group is for older kids who want to swim for fitness, not necessarily to compete. Kids that are not able to meet the obligations of Junior Varisty and Varsity are also placed in this casual group.
Junior Varsity Group (GS, VS)
This is a competitive training group designed to train them for YMCA and USA Swimming state and regional levels of competition. The emphasis of the junior Varsity group will be on increasing aerobic capacity through increased kicking and swimming volume and intensity, continuing to enhance stroke mechanics and underwater kicking ability, and mastering concepts related to race strategies, proper nutrition, goal setting, and mental preparation.
Requirements to Enter Junior Varsity Group
To be considered for placement into the Junior Varsity group swimmers must first be able to complete the Goals of the Gold Group. In addition, swimmers must be able to complete each of the following training sets and performance criteria:
• 10 x 100 Free on 1:40 (SCY)
• 6 x 100 IM on 1:50 (SCY)
• 10 x 50 Choice Kick on 1:05 (SCY)
Practice Attendance
For regular improvement, swimmers are strongly encouraged to attend a minimum of 5 out of the 6 practices offered per week.
Meet Attendance
Swimmers are strongly encouraged to attend at least one meet per month as recommended by the group coach. Swimmers should attend at least 3 YMCA meets during the short-course season in addition to the highest-level championship meet they qualify for.
Goals of the Junior Varsity Group
The primary goals of the Junior Varsity group are to physically prepare swimmers for the highest level of competition possible according to their personal goals and to physically and emotionally prepare swimmers for eventual movement to the Varsity group.
Varsity Group (GS)
This training group is for those swimmers who are committed to competing on the national and international level. Training is geared towards preparing swimmers for success at the YMCA National, U.S. National, and Olympic Trials levels of competition. The highest level of commitment and attendance are required in order to participate in this group. Swimmers will participate in a specifically designed strength and conditioning program focused on building functional strength and muscular endurance. Team and individual goal setting, as well as mental preparation, will also be stressed in this training group.
Requirements to Enter Varsity Group
Swimmers will enter the Varsity group only upon invitation of the Head Coach/Director of Competitive Swimming. Swimmers will be expected to train at a level that will not hinder the practice performance of other swimmers in the group from both a physical and mental standpoint. Swimmers must be able to complete all of the following training sets and performance criteria:
• 10 x 100 Free on 1:30 (SCY)
• 4 x 500 Free on 6:45 (SCY)
• 8 x 200 IM on 3:30 (SCY)
• 10 x 100 Choice Kick on 1:55 (SCY)
Practice Attendance
In order to reach the highest level of competition, Varsity group swimmers are expected to attend at least 8 practices per week, including all dryland sessions, unless otherwise specified by the coach. Swimmers not meeting this requirement will be moved to the Senior group. Varsity members not yet in high school are not required to attend morning practice, so there required attendance is six per week.
Meet Attendance
Varsity group swimmers are required to attend all meets prescribed by the Varsity coach. Significant travel may be involved for Varsity group members. The focus meets for this group will be the highest national-level championship meet for which each individual swimmer is qualified.
Goals of the Varsity Group
At the High-Performance level, the goals of the group are:
• Varsity group swimmers are expected to do everything prescribed by the Varsity coach, both in and out of the water, in order to reach the highest level of swimming possible. Ultimately, the goal is for Varsity group swimmers to compete successfully at YMCA Nationals, U.S. Junior Nationals, U.S. Nationals, and Olympic Trials.
• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of nutrition and psychology in order to develop the best possible environment for success
• Demonstrate a proven commitment to attending all meets prescribed by the Varsity group coach
• Allow for limited interference from high school practices and competitions
• Participate fully in any team activities prescribed by the Varsity coach to benefit younger swimmers on the team
• Participate in community service projects prescribed by the Varsity coach
• Demonstrate a proven ability to excel in both the pool and the classroom and to balance both activities effectively
• Demonstrate the ability to limit distractions outside of school and swimming that will possibly hinder practice and meet performance
• To prepare each swimmer for success in collegiate swimming