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MIDDIES SWIM TEAM LEVELS
BRONZE – Here, swimmers 8 and under will not only be learning the main components of competitive swimming during very instructional and hands-on practices, but also utilizing these skills at USS Meets geared towards their age group. To be considered for this group, swimmers must be able to swim a full lap of both Freestyle and Backstroke as well as have some knowledge of Breaststroke and Butterfly. Swimmers are encouraged to attend the three sessions offered each week.
SILVER – This group is for swimmers between the ages of 8 and 10 who have been swimming for a year or more and have built up a stronger skill base as well as stamina and conditioning at practices. Though the main focus will still be on proper technique and stroke efficiency, this group will have daily practice sets that are geared towards showing the swimmers the relationship between working hard in practice and swimming fast at meets. Swimmers are encouraged to attend at least 3 out of the four practices offered per week.
GOLD –. In this group, swimmers 9 and over will begin their preparation for age-group training and competitions. As swimmers here are still quite young, constant stroke and technique reinforcement along with strength and conditioning practice sets will be the daily routine. Throughout the season, this group will also be establishing practices goals which will inevitably lead to higher competitive achievements. Swimmers are encouraged to attend four or more practices per week.
JUNIOR – Juniors will be made up of swimmers between the ages of 10 and 12, who have at least two years of competitive training, but still need some further stroke development and technique refinement. Throughout the season, interval and endurance concepts as well as an introduction to low-level dry-land exercises will also be key elements for these swimmers as they begin to set higher and higher goals. Swimmers are encouraged to attend four to five practices per week.
SENIOR B – Here, swimmers will build upon their training and goal setting to truly focus on competing within their respective age brackets. Both endurance sets and interval training will increase as dry-land exercises also intensify. As the season progresses, swimmers will work with their coaches as well as the others in the group to foster an attitude and atmosphere geared towards the achievement of excellence. Swimmers here must average between five and six practices per week.
SENIOR A – As the oldest swimmers in the Middies Program, seniors are swimmers that have a high degree of commitment to practices as well as competitions. Daily training will call for more focus and intensity in order to master tougher intervals and longer endurance sets. These practice sessions, coupled with strength building dry-land exercises, will assist in the continual progression towards optimal race results at select meets. Senior A swimmers must average between six and seven practices per week.
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