Practice Group

Age

Description

Attendance Requirements

Tigershark Division (PCY)

National Group

13 & Up (By Invitation Only)

This group is by invitation only.  This group consists of those swimmers in high school or college, with the ability and intense interest to train at the highest level. Strict practice attendance and two-assigned strength training sessions are required.

Objectives of this group are to compete in the National YMCA Top 16, USA Championships and above levels. Emphasis is placed on very high levels of endurance, strength, and speed conditioning with technique refinement.  

Training is geared toward preparing the swimmer for national competition and a collegiate career. In addition, there will be stretching sessions, medicine ball, abdominal strengthening, running and other dryland and fitness sessions incorporated into this practice group. This is a top-level commitment to full body training and the sport of swimming.

All practices offered plus two strength training sessions per week are required during school.

A minimum of 8 practices per week in the summer.

Senior I Group

13 & Up

Training is geared to YMCA National competition and beyond. This practice group is only for athletes committed to reaching their full swimming potential. Year-round training is required.  

The emphasis for this group is on high levels of endurance, strength and speed conditioning with technique refinement. The group will work on training longer distances, IM work, interval training, aerobic base development and gearing the swimmer for a stronger emotional commitment to be invited to the National Top-16 group.  

At least 6 practices per week, including 1 morning practice per week and two strength-training sessions are required for high school students.

Senior II Group

13 & Up

The Senior II Group is the Tigersharks’ introduction to senior swimming. The polishing of stroke technique, starts and turns are important at this level, while general distance and IM work is also emphasized. This group is also for those 13 and over athletes that swim seasonally, are multi-sport athletes or who just want to swim to be involved with the sport.

Swimmers must have the ability to handle the physical demands to uphold a rigorous training regimen to allow the opportunity to move to the Senior I training group. The focus on this group will be IM and distance training.   

HS Age Swimmers - At least five practices a week required. JR HS Age Swimmers - At least four practices a week required.

White Group

10 –14

This is the Tigersharks’ top Age Group Program for 11 & Older and some Great Lakes YMCA Zone level 9-10 year old swimmers.  

Strong emphasis is placed on technique refinement with a stronger conditioning experience. General distance and IM work is also emphasized along with a strong dryland commitment and general body strengthening. Racing strategies and mental preparation are also introduced. Lanes will be assigned by timed performance.  

Three practices per week are required for 11-12 swimmers, no required practices for 9-10 swimmers. Three to four practices per week are recommended.  

Black Group

8—12

This practice group is designed for 9-10, 11-12 year olds and some experienced 8-year-olds. Stroke, start and turn techniques will be the primary emphasis in this group. It will serve as an introduction to the highest levels of age group swimming. Mild distances and endurance work will be introduced in training. Lanes will be assigned by timed performance.  

Three to four practices per week are recommended.  

Red Group

10 & Under

This group is for 8 & under swimmers and some 9-10 swimmers who are learning all four competitive strokes. A strong emphasis is placed on stroke mechanics. The groups will serve as an introductory program primarily for new swimmers.  

The emphasis is on developing the fundamentals of the four strokes by means of drills and games that create an enjoyable atmosphere for instruction. After that, the emphasis moves to stroke, starts and turns, and the basic rules of competitive swimming. Swimmers may be divided into two groups, one working on the four competitive strokes and the other for those who have mastered the four competitive strokes.  

Two to three, practices per week are recommended.

Gator Division (GNY)

Gold (Gator)

13 & Up

The polishing of stroke technique, starts and turns are important at this level, while general distance and IM work is also emphasized. Swimmers must have the ability to handle the physical demands to uphold a rigorous training regimen. The focus on this group will be IM and distance training.
 

HS Age Swimmers - At least five practices a week required. JR HS Age Swimmers - At least four practices a week required.

Silver

10-13

This is the Gator Division's top Age Group Program for 11 & Older and some Great Lakes YMCA Zone level 9-10 year old swimmers.

Strong emphasis is placed on technique refinement with a stronger conditioning experience. General distance and IM work is also emphasized along with a strong dryland commitment and general body strengthening. Racing strategies and mental preparation are also introduced. Lanes will be assigned by timed performance.

Three practices per week are required for 11-12 swimmers, no required practices for 9-10 swimmers. Three to four practices per week are recommended.

Bronze

8-12

This practice group is designed for 9-10, 11-12 year olds and some experienced 8-year-olds. Stroke, start and turn techniques will be the primary emphasis in this group. It will serve as an introduction to the highest levels of age group swimming. Mild distances and endurance work will be introduced in training. Lanes will be assigned by timed performance.

Three to four practices per week are recommended.

Copper

10 & Under

This group is for 8 & under swimmers and some 9-10 swimmers who are learning all four competitive strokes. A strong emphasis is placed on stroke mechanics. The groups will serve as an introductory program primarily for new swimmers.

The emphasis is on developing the fundamentals of the four strokes by means of drills and games that create an enjoyable atmosphere for instruction. After that, the emphasis moves to stroke, starts and turns, and the basic rules of competitive swimming. Swimmers may be divided into two groups, one working on the four competitive strokes and the other for those who have mastered the four competitive strokes.

Two to three, practices per week are recommended.

Pre-Competitive Swimming (PCY)

Sand Sharks

12 & Under

This is an introduction to competitive swimming without the full scale commitment. Swimmers, ages 5-12, practice the basics of all four competitive strokes, starts, turns and finishes. Meets are scheduled within the session. Swimmers will have the option of participating in a regular YMCA swimming meet.

One to two practices per week are recommended.