The Age Group Program is for all swimmers who have a desire to enter the
competitive portion of the team. Each Age Group (8 & Under and 9 -14)
is broken down into different levels based on experience in the sport,
training ability, commitment level, practice attendance requirements, physical
maturity, and Coach's judgment. Groups will then be combined under the
leadership of members of the Coaching Staff in an appropriate manner.
One of the basic premises of the Age Group Program is that a swimmer will only feel comfortable and excel if they are allowed to be in a group that is a good fit for them. The Coaching Staff will evaluate each athlete individually before placement into a level occurs. When the Coaching staff feels that a swimmer is ready to move up to another level, or into the Senior Training Program, the Coaching Staff will meet with the swimmer and their parents to explain the reasons for the recommended move and outline the requirements of the next group.
| Focus: | To maintain a fun atmosphere while introducing the basic elements of competitive swimming. |
| Ages: | All Swimmers age 8 & Under are automatically in this level (no exceptions) |
| Practice Times And Locations: | Practice Schedules |
| Recommended Practice Attendance: | 2-3 Practices per week |
| Recommended Competitions: | Intrasquad Meets, Home Meets, YMCA Meets, USA Swimming B/C Open Meets or A/B/C Open Meets |
| Recommended Experience: | Basic Swim Lessons in the Swim School through at least the “CHAMPION” level or equivalent demonstrated through a swim test. Please note that it is the desire of the Med City Coaching Staff to ensure that all swimmers have a positive experience with the sport of swimming. If the coaches do not feel that a swimmer is ready for the Team, they will refer them to a lesson program. |
| Required Strokes for Entry: | Freestyle & Backstroke |
| Required Test Sets to be in this group: | None |
| Required Time Standards: | None |
| Focus Training Events: | 25 Freestyle, 25 Backstroke, 25 Breaststroke, 25 Butterfly, & 100 Individual Medley |
| Focus Competitions: | None |
| Possible Dryland Activities: | Stretching, Running, Relays, Playground Equipment |
| Commitment Level: | Swimming should be one of many activities for the athlete. The swimmer should be team-oriented in terms of spirit and attitude. Athletes are not expected to travel for “relay-only” performances. |
| Focus: | To maintain a fun atmosphere while introducing the basic elements of competitive swimming. |
| Age Range: | 9 - 14 |
| Practice Times And Locations: | Practice Schedules |
| Recommended Practice Attendance: | 2-4 Practices per Week |
| Recommended Competitions: | Intrasquad Meets, Home Meets, YMCA Meets, USA Swimming B/C Open Meets or A/B/C Open Meets |
| Recommended Experience: | Basic Swim Lessons in the Swim School through at least the “CHAMPION” level or equivalent demonstrated through a swim test. Please note that it is the desire of the Med City Coaching Staff to ensure that all swimmers have a positive experience with the sport of swimming. If the coaches do not feel that a swimmer is ready for the Team, they will refer them to a lesson program. |
| Required Strokes for Entry: | Freestyle & Backstroke |
| Required Test Sets to be in this group: | None |
| Required Time Standards: | None |
| Focus Training Events: | 50 Freestyle, 50 Backstroke, 50 Breaststroke, 50 Butterfly, & 100 Individual Medley |
| Focus Competitions: | None |
| Possible Dryland Activities: | Stretching, Running, Relays, Playground Equipment |
| Commitment Level: | Swimming should be one of many activities for the athlete. The swimmer should be team-oriented in terms of spirit and attitude. Athletes are not expected to travel for “relay-only” performances. |
| Focus: | To maintain a fun atmosphere while expanding upon the basic elements of competitive swimming. |
| Age Range: | 9-14 |
| Practice Times And Locations: | Practice Schedules |
| Recommended Practice Attendance: | 3-4 Practices per Week |
| Recommended Competitions: | Intrasquad Meets, Home Meets, YMCA Meets, USA Swimming B/C Open Meets or A/B/C Open Meets |
| Required Strokes for Entry: | All Strokes Must Be Legal |
| Required Test Sets to be in this group: | Swim-6 x 100 Free @ 2:30 Kick-6 x 50 @ 1:30 (only 2 of the 50's may be breaststroke kick, none are required to be breaststroke) Swim-2 x 100 IM @ 3:00 (totally legal) |
| Recommended Time Standards: | None |
| Focus Training Events: | 50 & 100 Free, 50 Butterfly, 50 Backstroke, 50 Breaststroke, and 100 Individual Medley |
| Focus Competitions: | None |
| Possible Dryland Activities: | Stretching, Running, Relays, Playground Equipment |
| Commitment Level: | Swimming should be one of many activities for the athlete. The swimmer should be team-oriented in terms of spirit and attitude. Athletes are not expected to travel for “relay-only” performances, but are encouraged to participate in relays at Minnesota State Championship meets if they are invited based on their times. |
| Focus: | To advance skills for swimmers who have shown a desire to become more involved in the sport. |
| Recommended Age Range: | 10 - 14 |
| Practice Times And Locations: | Practice Schedules |
| Recommended Practice Attendance: | 3-5 Practices per Week |
| Recommended Competitions: | Intrasquad Meets, Home Meets, YMCA Meets, USA Swimming B/C Open Meets or A/B/C Open Meets, “Qualifier Meets” if swimmer meet the times. |
| Required Strokes for Entry: | All Strokes must be legal |
| Required Test Sets to be in this group: | 10 x 100 Free@ 2:15 (flip turns mandatory) Kick – 8 x 50 @ 1:20 (only 2 of the 50's may be breaststroke kick, none are required to be breaststroke) 4 x 100 IM @ 2:45 (totally legal) |
| Recommended Time Standards: | Minnesota “C” Times in 3 events (9-10 Age Group) covering at least 2 Different strokes, or Championship times in 2 races. |
| Focus Training Events: | 50’s & 100’s of all Strokes, 200 Free, 100 & 200 IM |
| Focus Competitions: | Any meets with qualifier standards for these age groups. |
| Possible Dryland Activities: | Stretching, Running, Relays, Playground Equipment, Stretch Cords |
| Commitment Level: | Swimming should be one of many activities for the athlete. The swimmer should be team-oriented in terms of spirit and attitude. Athletes are not expected to travel for “relay-only” performances, but are encouraged to participate in relays at Minnesota State Championship meets if they are invited based on their times. |
| Focus: | To introduce advanced swimmers to qualifier meets and begin preparing them for entry into the Senior Program. |
| Recommended Ages: | 10 - 14 |
| Practice Times And Locations: | Practice Schedules |
| Recommended Practice Attendance: | 4-5 Practices per Week |
| Recommended Competitions: | Intrasquad Meets, Home Meets, YMCA Meets, USA Swimming B/C Open Meets or A/B/C Open Meets, “Qualifier Meets” if swimmer meet the times. |
| Required Strokes for Entry: | All Strokes must be legal |
| Required Test Sets to be in this group: | 12 x 100 Free@ 2:00 (flip turns) Kick – 10 x 50 @ 1:10 (only 3 of the 50's may be breaststroke kick, none are required to be breaststroke) 6 x 100 IM @ 2:30 (totally legal) |
| Recommended Time Standards: | Minnesota “B” Times in 3 events (9-10 Age Group) covering at least two different strokes (IM counts as a stroke), or Championship times in 2 races |
| Focus Training Events: | 50’s & 100’s of all Strokes, 200 & 500 Free, 200 & 400 IM |
| Focus Competitions: | Any meets with qualifier standards for this age group. |
| Possible Dryland Activities: | Stretching, Running, Relays, Playground Equipment, Stretch Cords, Medicine Balls, etc. |
| Commitment Level: | Swimming should be one of the athlete’s primary activities. Swimmers at this level should be prepared to travel to qualifier meets for “Relay-Only” swims. Swimmers in this level should begin to observe and follow the example of older swimmer in learning leadership qualities and team spirit. |
| Focus: | To bridge the gap between swimmers who have met the testing requirements for the Senior Program, but do not yet meet the minimum age standards. |
| Recommended Ages: | 10 - 14 |
| Practice Times And Locations: | Practice Schedules |
| Recommended Practice Attendance: | 4-6 Practices per Week |
| Recommended Competitions: | Intrasquad Meets, Home Meets, YMCA Meets, USA Swimming B/C Open Meets or A/B/C Open Meets, “Qualifier Meets” if swimmer meet the times. |
| Required Strokes for Entry: | All Strokes must be legal |
| Required Test Sets to be in this group: | 16 x 100 Free@ 1:50 (flip turns) Kick – 8 x 100 @ 2:15 (2 of the 100's may be breaststroke kick,none are required to be breaststroke) 4 x 200 IM @ 4:15 NOTE: Swimmers who wish to enter Titanium must have completed, or be ready, willing, and able to complete a 500 Free (400 LC) and 100 Fly in a meet. |
| Focus Training Events: | 50’s & 100’s of all Strokes, 200 & 500 Free, 200 & 400 IM |
| Focus Competitions: | Any meets with qualifier standards for this age group. |
| Possible Dryland Activities: | Stretching, Running, Relays, Playground Equipment, Stretch Cords, Medicine Balls, etc. |
| Commitment Level: | Swimming should be one of the athlete’s primary activities. Swimmers at this level should be prepared to travel to qualifier meets for “Relay-Only”swims. Swimmers in this level should begin to observe and follow the example of older swimmer in learning leadership qualities and team spirit. |
There are two elements to the Senior Program. The priority element is for
swimmers who have achieved high requirements in terms of attitude, skills,
technique, performance times, and endurance. These athletes are assigned
to the Senior Dream Team, Senior Elite, and Premiere Team Groups. Swimmers
in these groups are expected to meet more rigorous demands in practice
and preparation. No swimmer may enter these groups without a conference
with their parents, their age group coach, and the Head Coach. This meeting
will be used to present the expectations placed on swimmers in terms of
attendance at both practices and meets, attitudes toward training (both
dryland and water), effort, nutrition, etc.
The secondary element of the Senior Program is for swimmers age 15 &
Over who wish to swim solely for physical fitness without any competition
expectations or for older swimmers who join the team with no prior competitive
experience. These swimmers are assigned to the Varsity group.
| Focus: | To allow for older swimmers who are new to the sport, or not interested in regular competition to maintain physical fitness through a regular schedule of swimming in a team environment. |
| Ages: | 15 & Over |
| Practice Times And Locations: | Practice Schedules |
| Recommended Practice Attendance: | 3-5 Practices per Week |
| Recommended Competitions: | None |
| Required Test Sets to be in this group: | None—based solely on coach’s discretion and swimmers interests |
| Required Strokes | All strokes must be legal |
| Required Time Standards: | None |
| Focus Training Events: | 100’s & 200’s of all Strokes, 500 & 1650 Free, 200 & 400 IM |
| Focus Competitions: | None |
| Possible Dryland Activities: | Stretching, Running, Relays, Playground Equipment, Stretch Cords, Medicine Balls, etc. |
| Commitment Level: | Swimmers at this level are not expected to travel to qualifier meets for “Relay-only” swims. Swimmers are expected to work hard and follow workouts when at practice. |
| Focus: | To promote teamwork by allowing advanced swimmers to reach for the highest levels of state competition. |
| Recommended Ages: | 12 & Over |
| Practice Times And Locations: | Practice Schedules |
| Recommended Practice Attendance: | 5-6 Practices per Week |
| Highly Recommended Competitions: | Intrasquad Meets, Home Meets, USA Swimming A/B/C Open Meets, “Qualifier Meets” if swimmer meet the times, all other meets are optional |
| Recommended Experience: | Basic competitive experience through the Age Group Program or equivalent as demonstrated through the interview process with the Head Coach. |
| Required Test Sets to be in this group: | Freestyle - 20 x 100 @ 1:40 Kick – 10 x 100 @ 2:05 (4 of these may be breaststroke, 2 are required to be breaststroke) 6 x 200 IM @ 4:00 (totally legal) |
| Recommended Time Standards: | Minnesota “B” Times in 3 events (Appropriate Age Group) covering at least two different strokes (IM counts as a stroke), or Championship times in 2 races. |
| Focus Training Events: | 100’s & 200’s of all Strokes, 500 & 1650 Free, 200 & 400 IM |
| Focus Competitions: | State Championship Meets (A/B/C, Senior Champs, etc) |
| Possible Dryland Activities: | Stretching, Running, Relays, Playground Equipment, Stretch Cords, Medicine Balls, etc. |
| Commitment Level: | The movement to the Senior Program represents the move where swimming becomes the primary sport for the athlete. At this point, they need to commit to making 4 or more practices per week, competing in qualifier meets, travelling to State Meets and beyond for "relay-only" swims, becoming a leader on the team in attitude, stepping up the level of focus in training, and knowing the proper way to do sets with difficult intervals. Moving into Senior Dream should be viewed as a serious move that the swimmer and their family makes with the intention of becoming the best swimmer they can become. Swimmers unwilling or unable to make this level of commitment will be expected to remain at the Titanium level. This policy is in place not to exclude athletes, but in the best interest of the child. Parents and swimmers need to discuss this with Coach Billy. |
| Focus: | To promote teamwork by allowing advanced swimmers to reach for the highest levels of regional competition. |
| Recommended Ages: | 13 & Over |
| Practice Times And Locations: | Practice Schedules |
| Recommended Practice Attendance: | Consistently attending 6-9 practices per week and should give serious consideration to attending doubles practices. |
| Highly Recommended Competitions: | Home Meets, USA Swimming A/B/C Open Meets, YMCA Nationals, USA Swimming Sectionals |
| Required Experience: | Basic competitive experience through the Age Group Program/Senior Dream Team or equivalent as demonstrated through the interview process |
| Required Test Sets to be in this group: | 24 x 100 Free@ 1:20 Kick –10 x 100 @ 1:50 (5 of these may be breaststroke kick, 2 are required to be breaststroke) 5 x 200 IM @ 3:15 (totally legal) |
| Recommended Time Standards: | Minnesota State Championship times in 5 events (appropriate Age Group) covering at least two different strokes (IM counts as a stroke) or Zone/ Sectional times in one event. |
| Focus Training Events: | 100’s & 200’s of all Strokes, 500 & 1650 Free, 200 & 400 IM |
| Focus Competitions: | Minnesota State Championships, Zone, and Sectional Championships |
| Possible Dryland Activities: | Stretching, Running, Relays, Playground Equipment, Stretch Cords, Medicine Balls, etc. |
| Commitment Level: | Swimming should be the athlete’s primary activity. Swimmers at this level should be prepared to travel to qualifier meets for “Relay-Only” swims. Senior Elite swimmers will be expected to perform “homework” assignments as given by the Head Coach. Homework could include extra dryland activities on their own, maintaining a journal, etc. Swimmers at this level are expected to be team leaders in all areas. They must recognize their status in the eyes of the younger swimmers, and strive to excel in all areas of decorum, attitude, and team chemistry. |
| Focus: | To promote teamwork by allowing advanced swimmers to reach for the highest levels of national and international competition. |
| Ages: | 14 & Over |
| Practice Times And Locations: | Practice Schedules |
| Required Practice Attendance: | 6-8 Practices per Week; expected to attend double practices 2 of three days a week. |
| Highly Recommended Competitions: | USA Swimming A/B/C Open Meets, YMCA Nationals, USA Swimming Sectionals, NCSA Junior Nationals, USA Junior Nationals, USA Senior Nationals, US Olympic Trials |
| Required Test Sets to be in this group: | 30 x 100 Free@ 1:15 Kick – 10 x 100 @ 1:40 (6 of these may be breaststroke kick, 2 are required to be breaststroke) 8 x 200 IM @ 3:00 (totally legal) |
| Required Time Standards: | Minnesota Senior State Championship times in 5 events covering at least two different strokes (IM counts as a stroke) or USA Swimming Zone and/or Sectional times in at least one event. |
| Focus Training Events: | Specializing toward the longest race a swimmer excels in plus the 400 IM |
| Focus Competitions: | YMCA Nationals, USA Swimming Zone, Sectional, Junior and Senior |
| National Meets. | |
| Possible Dryland Activities: | Stretching, Running, Relays, Playground Equipment, Stretch Cords, Medicine Balls, etc. |
| Commitment Level: | Swimming must be the athlete’s primary activity. Swimmers must commit to the highest level in every area of training, goal setting, attendance, and giving back to the team and community. |