Age Group (14 & under) Training Groups
*All group placements or group moves are the sole decision/responsibility of the SFTL Coaching Staff *
Blue Group:
Ages 11-14 years
This group is for advanced age group swimmers. Selected by Age Group Blue Coach, Age Group Yellow II Coach and Head Age Group Coach. Entrance into the AG Blue Group requires a high level of year-round commitment for age group swimming.
Attendance Goal: 80% practice attendance.
Group Goals: FGC JO's or National A Time Standards.
Group Focus: The responsibility for one's swimming is now shifting to the athlete's responsibility at this stage/level of swimming.; continued focus on the aerobic side of workouts with increased intensity and duration; continuation of developing race skills and strategies; being a team player; self-responsibility; sportsmanship; importance of nutrition and the increased importance of dryland in the weekly schedule. Athletes should strive to participate in at least one meet every month of each swim season. Recommend 5-6 practices per week.
Yellow I & Yellow II Groups:
Ages 9-12 years
These groups are for intermediate to advanced age group swimmers. Selected by Age Group Yellow Coach, Rising Stars Coach, and Head Age Group Coach. Swimmers will be introduced to endurance training with a strong focus on proper stroke technique and skills.
Attendance Goal: 4 workouts per week, consistently for best development and improvement.
Group Goals: Participants are able to complete a legal 200 IM and looking to achieve National "B", "BB", and FGC Junior Olympic qualifying times.
Group Focus: Building increased endurance (first phases of training) with the ongoing stroke work shared equally in practice time; continuation of learning how to race; self-responsibility; being a great teammate; sportsmanship and increased dryland. Athletes should strive to participate in at least one meet every other month of each swim season. Swimmers will practice 75 minutes (Yellow I) or 90 minutes (Yellow II)
Rising Stars:
Ages 7-9 years
This level/group is structured for children to become successful handling participation in the entry level competitions. Will continue to develop skills in all four strokes. Will be introduced to some endurance training. Children must be able to swim 25 yards legally of all four strokes and perform a legal 100IM. Selected by Rising Stars Coach, Starfish Coach and Head Age Group Coach.
Attendance Goal: Participate in 3 practices per week. Due to the ongoing learning stroke progressions, the athlete should maintain consistent weekly attendance throughout the duration of the season for maximum development and improvement.
Group Focus: Daily stroke work; introduction to primary racing skills and situations; being a teammate; team pride; introduction to dryland.
Starfish:
Ages 6-8 years
This is a pre-competitive group preparing the transition to first competitions consisting of team intrasquad &/or limited age appropriate (ie* & Under). Designed to introduce the basics of competitive swimming in a fun learning environment. Children should be able to swim 25 yards of freestyle & backstroke and have a working knowledge of breaststroke and butterfly. Selected by Starfish Coach, Swim School Director and Head Age Group Coach.
Attendance Goal: Participate in 2-3 classes per week.
Group Focus: Learning/acquiring of four (4) competitive strokes; handling self in a group (team) setting; team pride; introduction to dryland. *Swimmers are expected to practice independently of their parents throughout the duration of the practice session.*
SFTL Angelfish:
Ages 6-10 years
SFTL Angel Stars:
Ages 11-18 years
This group is for swimmers who know all four competitive strokes and have the ability to understand and handle basic training. Swimmers will be working on endurance training while still focusing on proper stroke technique and skills in order to legally perform all four competitive strokes during a 200 I.M. Recommended four practices per week.
Group Focus: Developing endurance with ongoing stroke work; continuation of learning race skills; self-responsibility; being a great teammate; sportsmanship and increased dryland. Athletes should consider participating in a USA Swimming meet at least two times each season.
Location: Bass Park Pool
Senior (14 & up) Training Groups
*All group placements or group moves are the sole decision/responsibility of the SFTL Coaching Staff*
Senior Gold Group:
*Admittance- Selected by SFTL Head Coach*
Entrance into the National Group requires a very special commitment aimed at success on the National and International level.
Minimum of:
- 2 Sectional cuts
- Ability to make Junior National Standards in high school
- Ability to handle strenuous aerobic workouts
- Proven workout attendance record
The purpose of the National Group is to provide athletes in the Swim Fort Lauderdale program who possess the talent & dedication, and desire, and opportunity to pursue success at the elite levels of competitive swimming. Long course training and competiition is high priority. Individuals must have proven team spirit, positive attitude, attendance commitment and leadership qualities. Goal of 100% practice attendance.
Senior Silver Group:
Ages 14-18
Entrance into this group requires a level of commitment in attendance, attitude and work ethic above what the athlete has done previously. Tougher Senior level training both in the water and dryland begins. Proper technique and skills are a must. Should have FGC State qualifying times and a desire to attain higher standards. Selection decided by Head Coach and Age Group Blue Coach.
Senior Bronze I & II Group(s):
Ages 14-18
This group is for high-school age swimmers who want to continue their training and skill work, but not at the same commitment level as Senior Silver. Senior Bronze swimmers may attend 4 practices per week. The Senior Bronze Group is one of the first steps to senior level swimming. Excellent for swimmers focused on high school swimming or first time year-round swimmers.
