SWIM LEVELS
The following descriptions briefly outline the training groups of Crimson Tide Aquatics. The coaching staff determines placement within the program and advancement through the different levels. All groups practice at the Don Gambril Olympic Pool throughout the year.
This first competitive level of the Crimson Tide Aquatics program begins with an emphasis on building a strong foundation on technique. Competition for these swimmers will primarily focus on individual technique and what needs to be corrected. The focus is not on achieving certain times. The main focus of this group is proper stroke mechanics while having fun.
The emphasis for this group is to continue learning proper technique. In addition,, they will be introduced to mild aerobic training. However, technique is still the foundation of all training. Competition will still focus on individual technique and correcting what needs to be addressed, but these swimmers will start to set goals for achieving certain times in all four strokes. The main focus of this group continues to be proper stroke mechanics while having fun.
At these levels, the swimmers will notice an increase in expectation on the part of the coach regarding effort and participation. Fundamentals are still stressed, but these swimmers are exposed to varying forms of training which not only prepare them for their current races, but will also provide a solid foundation for future performances in later years.
Swimmers at this level do not have the physical demands placed on them as the Senior group swimmers do. Practices are generally lighter in volume than those of the Senior group. Emphasis is on training for preparation in becoming a Senior level swimmer. In some cases, a Gold swimmer may feel that he/she is very happy with just being in the Gold Group and preparing for either the High School State Meet or the Southeastern Championships only. A swimmer in this group has the option to join the Senior group at a later time if he/she is willing to commit to the training regimen of that group and meet the criteria.
Swimmers at this level are given further demands and are taught how to internalize these higher expectations. Practices become more specific and additional emphasis is placed on performance criteria for practice and meets. The program becomes more individualized and swimmers are expected to accept responsibility for their improvement.
Swimmers on the National Team have reached the pinnacle of Crimson Tide Aquatics. They have demonstrated a dedication and commitment to the sport and have met performance expectations for practice and meets. National Team athletes are also expected to serve as mentors and role models for the younger athletes in the program. Having reached the highest level of the program, they are expected to encourage others along the same path.
ADVANCEMENT WITHIN THE PROGRAM
The process of assigning groups always proves to be one of the most difficult things coaches must do. Our decisions are based on a number of factors such as meet performance, training performance, attendance, maturity, lane space, and our future expectations of the groups. Swimmers and parents must understand that we realize the social factors such as the desire to be with friends, the competition, the comparing, and the multitude of other approaches or views swimmers and parents have about swimming and other athletes. Please remember that over one hundred swimmers have been split up into training groups and that lines must be drawn. However, every swimmer will be given the opportunity to grow and develop over the season. Please be patient and realize that there may be adjustments to groups based on what we see in practice and how individual swimmers perform.
In general, swimmers are grouped according to ability level. At the entry level, age is also a consideration. We want our swimmers to feel comfortable within their peer group. As they develop, however, ability takes precedence. It is important that the upper groups contain swimmers of similar ability to encourage the development of the athletes and to make the training environment more uniform.
Coaches are in the best position to decide when swimmers are ready for advancement. They are familiar with the demands and expectations of the next group and observe the swimmers daily in the practice environment. Parents, on the other hand, have a natural bias which often precludes an objective analysis. In some cases, the swimmer really wants to move up, but such feelings often have a large social component. When the decision is made to move swimmers from group to group, they are based on the developmental needs of the athletes. Sometimes those needs are in conflict with what the child wants. Parents can identify with the necessity to explain to children the difference between wants and needs.
All swimmers satisfying the prerequisites, performance standards, and personal development expectations for a particular group will be considered for advancement within the program. Advancement could take place depending on group numbers, team breakdown, and the coaching staff's decision based on an individual swimmer’s needs. Advancement will first be discussed with the swimmer and parents/guardian before it actually takes place. The coaching staff will make all final decisions regarding group assignments.
NATIONAL
I. Guidelines
A. Minimum Age: 13 for girls/14 for boys
B. Attendance: 90% for season in previous group, all practices
II. Performance
A. Several Sectional Standards, Junior National Time Standard
B. National Training Minimums
III. Personal
A. Commitment and Desire
B. Demonstration and Comprehension of Technique
C. Physical, Psychological, and Social Readiness
SENIOR
I. Guidelines
A. Minimum Age: 11-12 for girls/12-13 for boys
B. Attendance: 80% for season in previous group, 6-8 practices per week
II. Performance
A. National "A"/ "AA" time(s) for appropriate age group and approval of Head Coach
B. Meets minimum training intervals: Freestyle 1:20, IM 1:30, Kick 2:00
A swimmer must descend, build, negative split, etc. on these intervals and not just “make it”.
III. Personal
A. Commitment and Desire
B. Demonstration and Comprehension of Technique
C. Physical, Psychological, and Social Readiness
GOLD
I. Guidelines
A. Age: 10 and up, ability to handle the workload
B. Attendance: 75% for season in previous group, 5 practices per week
II. Performance
A. National "B" Time(s) or better and Head/Gold Coach approval
B. Meets minimum training intervals: Freestyle 1:30, IM 1:45, Kick 2:10
A swimmer must descend, build, negative split, etc. on these intervals and not just “make it”.
C. Ability to build upon the Silver guidelines for long term improvement
III. Personal
A. Commitment and Desire
B. Demonstration and Comprehension of Technique
C. Physical, Psychological, and Social Readiness
SILVER
I. Guidelines
A. Age: 9 years and up
B. Attendance: Willing to commit to 4 practices per week
II. Performance:
A. National “B” Time(s) for current age group
B. Legal starts, turns ("flipping" on all freestyle and backstroke turns), and finishes in all strokes
including IMs
C. All four strokes are, without question, legal and efficient for a minimum of 100 yards.
D. Ability to effectively use the pace clock for "send-offs".
E. Perform and have knowledge of all developmental stroke drills, knows stroke terminology and
can relate to what the coach asks for.
F. Be able to complete successfully the following sets:
10x100FR on 1:30-1:40, 6x200IM on 3:30-3:45, kick 12x50FR on 1:10
G. Ability to swim 1000FR and 400IM
III. Personal
A. Commitment and Desire
B. Demonstration and Comprehension of Technique
C. Physical, Psychological, and Social Readiness
D. Demonstrate team accountability and motivation by helping others in achieving goals
BRONZE II
I. Guidelines
A. Age: 8 years and up
B. Attendance: Willing to commit to 3-4 practices per week
II. Performance
A. Legal starts, turns (“flipping” all freestyle and backstroke turns), and finishes in all strokes,
including IMs
B. Must be able to complete 500FR, 200BK, 200BR, 100FL legally
C. Be able to complete successfully the following sets:
8x100FR on 1:45, 3x200IM on 3:40, kick 8x50FR on 1:15
D. Ability to use the pace clock for “send0offs” and calculate intervals
E. Perform and have basic knowledge of all developmental stroke drills and knows stroke terminology
III. Personal
A. Commitment and Desire
B. Demonstration and Comprehension of Technique
C. Physical, Psychological, and Social Readiness
BRONZE I
I. Guidelines
A. Age: 6 years and up
B. Attendance: Willing to commit to 3-4 practices per week
II. Performance
A. Must have elementary understanding of all four strokes. Freestyle and backstroke must be performed legally.
B. Must be able to swim 100FR, 50BK without stopping. Breaststoke and butterfly kicking must be legal
with respective arm movement in line with the child’s strength.
C. Swimmer must have been introduced to freestyle and backstroke turns.
D. Swimmer must have knowledge of streamlining, circle swimming, and starts.
E. Swimmer must be able to complete 6x50FR with 10 seconds rest interval.
III. Personal
A. Commitment and Desire
B. Demonstration and Comprehension of Technique
C. Physical, Psychological, and Social Readiness
CRIMSON
I. Guidelines
A. Age: 5 years and up
B. Attendance: Varies, 2 practices per week is recommended to see improvement
II. Performance
A. Swim 25 yards of freestyle unassisted
B. Freestyle should be performed with head in the water and attempted breathing to the side.
C. Be willing to learn all four strokes that personal strength will allow.
D. Ability to listen and participate in a practice session for 55 minutes.
ATTENDANCE RECOMMENDATIONS
· Crimson: 3 practices per week are offered. Swimmers should participate in at least 2
practices per week to see improvement.
· Bronze I/II: 5 practices per week are offered. Swimmers should participate in at least 3-4
practices per week to see improvement. .
· Silver: 5 practices per week are offered. Swimmers should participate in at least 4
practices per week to see improvement.
· Gold: 6 practices per week are offered. Swimmers should participate in at least 5
practices per week to see improvement.
· Senior: 6-8 practices per week are offered. Swimmers should participate in at least 6
practices per week to see improvement.
· National: Crimson Tide swimmers training at the National level are expected to
attend every practice offered. Exceptions will be made and handled
on an individual basis.