Training Groups

DISCOVERY GROUPS

Discovery groups are a beginners starting place. This level will involve mental and physical discovery of the water and new motor skills in a safe and fun environment. They involve mental and physical discovery of the water and new motor skills in a safe and fun environment.

Age Group 1

The Age Group 1 program is for swimmers with limited swimming background, who want to try a swim team.  The program provides an introduction to competitive swimming by employing basic skill instruction, team building games, and physical and motor skill development. The emphasis is on having fun while learning what a swim team is all about. Requirements for this group: being able to swim freestyle and backstroke, capability to swim unassisted for 50 yds, being able to do a head first dive and submersions . Meet participation is optional for this group.

IMAGINATION GROUPS:

Imagination groups teach the swimmers to dream about future success in and out of the pool.  Swimmers will learn how to use imagery as a learning skill which is a fundamental piece of mental preparation for performance.

Age Group 2

This is a program for swimmers that may be new to United States Swimming and are interested in developing the stroke technique necessary to develop into outstanding swimmers. The emphasis is on using the imagination, building confidence, improving skills and having fun.

Age Group 3

This is a program for swimmers with some competitive experience. Great emphasis will be placed on ensuring that swimmers receive instruction in proper stroke mechanics. In addition, emphasis will be placed on using the imagination to dream, building confidence through skill work and gradually developing their conditioning and training capacity while enjoying the sport. This group requires participation in swim meets.

RESILIENT GROUPS:

Resilient groups teach swimmers how to maintain and build confidence by moving on after disappointment and success.  Resilience is a fundamental component of mental preparation for performance.  These swimmers are setting goals and making plans for achieving those goals in the future. These groups require both commitment and time standards.

Junior 1

This is the top developmental group, swimmers have already had experience competing for and training in United States Swimming. As with the Age Group 3 program, emphasis will be placed on ensuring that swimmers receive instruction in proper stroke mechanics.  In addition, swimmers will begin to learn resilient life skills like overcoming disappointment, using their imagination to increase motivation and will also place greater emphasis on conditioning and developing race strategies. Discussion topics will include physiology, nutrition, and psychological concepts that will foster future success in the sport. Swimmers are required to attend the highest level championship meet for which they qualify each season.

Junior 2

A preparatory stage for the senior program. The Junior program is designed to introduce and incorporate a number of aspects of senior training for top (elite) level age group swimmers who have attained advanced training abilities, and  to younger high school age swimmers with a sound background in competitive training who are ready to step up their level of competition and commitment to attend practice. The Junior program will emphasize resilient life skills, confidence building, stroke technique and biomechanics, aerobic (endurance) conditioning, general dry land skills, and teamwork. Each swimmer’s attendance and attitude should reflect a commitment to excelling in this program. At the Junior level of training, consistency and dedication are critical to the success of each individual and the team. Swimmers are required to attend the highest level championship meet for which they qualify.   

ACHIEVEMENT GROUPS:

Swimmers at this level have experienced some success already and love the sport. Their achievements are a result of goal setting and focused work toward improving. These swimmers will work on consistency and higher pressure situations to reach the high performance level.

Pre Senior

Similar to the Junior group, this group emphasizes life skills as well as an increase in training. This group is for kids that have already made the decision to pursue swimming with the club. They are not swimming high school or participating in other activities that conflict with scheduled training. Swimmers are required to attend the highest level championship meet for which they qualify.

Senior

These swimmers demonstrate a strong commitment to the sport of swimming. These athletes are expected to set high goals for themselves now and in the future.  The program includes extensive stroke analysis, dry land exercises, nutritional counseling and psychological preparation for competition. Goals of the Senior program are to advance the swimmer’s skills in flexibility, coordination, goal setting, mental training, and race strategy. Additional goals are to increase general endurance and swim-specific endurance, general strength and swim-specific strength, and to enhance their knowledge of physiology, anatomy, and nutrition. The program is designed to increase their awareness of the world of competitive swimming and increase their overall training capacity.  An emphasis will be placed on performance as well as resilience and confidence building. These groups allow for swimmers to do high school swimming but swimmers may not let their attendance drop below 75% at any time.Mobility from Senior 1 to Senior 2 is accomplished by demonstrating leadership of the Senior 1 group and reaching the time standards. Swimmers must attend the highest level meets for which they qualify.

HIGH PERFORMANCE GROUPS:

High Performance prepares swimmers for national and international level competition. Mental preparation is critical for delivering your best effort on any given day.  These swimmers will be taught, at an elite level, how to use imagery and resilience when it matters the most.

Bulldog

The Bulldog group is for CT Senior, US Junior and Senior National Swimmers that are committed to reaching 100% of their potential in the sport. This is the highest level of training and represents the pursuit of excellence both in and out of the water. The program includes extensive stroke analysis, dry land exercises, nutritional counseling and psychological preparation for competition. Goals of the Bulldog program are to advance the swimmer’s skills in flexibility, coordination, goal setting, mental training, and race strategy. Additional goals are to increase general endurance and swim-specific endurance, general strength and swim-specific strength, and to enhance their knowledge of physiology, anatomy, and nutrition. This program places emphasis on high performance mental preparation in addition to building confidence. This group demands a full commitment with no other activities interfering with training through the year. Swimmers must attend the highest level meets for which they qualify.

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