Practice and training groups are assigned by the head coach. Practice groups are based on several criteria including focus, maturity, experience, attendance, and skill. As our swimmers are constantly evaluated by the coaching staff, the opportunity to move up to the next level does arise at certain times throughout the season.
Maroon
This is our beginner level group for 8 and younger swimmers who have minimal competitive swimming experience. Maroon
Group is NOT swim lessons. The main focus involves kicking and specific stroke drills
to build strength and help develop all four competitive strokes.
Requirements: Swimmers must be able
to complete two strong laps of freestyle with bilateral breathing and without stopping, swim about 20 laps in one hour of practice, and be familiar with all
four strokes. Swimmers in this group are expected to
compete in all SAL meets.
Required attendance: minimum 2 days
White
This group is geared toward those
9 and younger swimmers with some competitive experience. The main focus involves
refining technical swimming skills with emphasis on all four strokes, starts,
turns, and some conditioning. This group can expect to swim 40-50 laps in one hour. Swimmers in this group are expected to
compete in all SAL meets.
Required attendance: minimum 2 days
Black
These swimmers have moderate
competitive swimming experience. The main focus here is the progression from
strictly technical to more interval and endurance based training. Our emphasis
is to maintain good technique during timed interval sets but continue to
develop stroke work. Swimmers in this group are expected to
compete in all SAL meets.
Required attendance: minimum 2 days, 3 suggested
Red
This group is prep for the intensity of Bronze Group. The main focus here is the progression to longer timed sets and introducing the idea of committing to DCAA's USA Swim Team. Swimmers in this group are expected to
compete in all SAL meets.
Required attendance 3 days, 2 with coaches approval if additional fall sports
Required equipment: mesh bag (recommended), positive drive fins (no full
length fins)
Bronze
These swimmers have significant
competitive swimming experience. The main focus involves interval and
endurance training. Our emphasis will be on maintaining good technique during
timed interval sets while still dedicating time to starts, turns, or finishes daily. Swimmers will be educated on goal setting and race planning.
Dryland training is introduced at this stage. Swimmers in this group are expected to
compete in all SAL meets.
Required attendance: 3 out of the
5 practices offered.
Required equipment: mesh bag (recommended), positive drive fins (no full
length fins)
Silver
Swimmers in this training group are more serious
about training and competition as conditioning is a major priority of this
group, as well as dryland training at least 1 time per week. Swimmers in this group are expected to
compete in all SAL meets and are strongly encouraged to attend most USA Swim
meets attended by DCAA. The major goals for swimmers in this group will be
qualifying for SAL A Champs and Middle Atlantic Junior Olympics. Participation
in all USA Championship meets, upon qualification, is required.
Recommended attendance: 4 out of the
5 practices offered.
Minimum Expectations: must attend 3
practices per week
Required equipment: mesh bag
(recommended), pull buoy, zoomer fins (no full length fins), snorkel, and paddles
Gold
This training group is the highest
level of age group swimmers. The continued conditioning of each athlete is a
major priority of this group, as well as dryland training 2 times per
week. Swimmers in this group will be
expected to compete in all SAL meets, and most, if not all, USA Swim meets
attended by DCAA. The goals for this group are preparation for high school
swimming, scoring at SAL A Champs, placing at Middle Atlantic Junior Olympics,
and qualifying for Eastern Zone Championships. Participation in all USA
Championship meets, upon qualification, is required.
Recommended attendance: 4 out of the
5 practices offered.
Minimum Expectations: must attend 4
practices per week
Required equipment: mesh bag (recommended),
pull buoy, zoomer fins (no full length fins), snorkel, and paddles
Senior
This group is primarily for High
School Swimmers. Building quality
yardage is a major priority of this group, as well as dryland training 2-3 times
per week. Swimmers in this group will be
expected to compete in all SAL meets, and most, if not all, USA Swim meets
attended by DCAA outside of high school season. The goals for this group are preparation for college swimming
and qualifying for Middle Atlantic Senior Champs. Participation in all USA Championship meets,
upon qualification, is required.
Recommended attendance: 5 out of the
5 practices offered.
Minimum Expectations: must attend 4
practices per week
* High School swimmers train with
DCAA from September to mid November. If a High School swimmer misses a high school
practice during the winter session, he/she is welcome to attend a DCAA practice
as long as registered for the practice/meet option.
Required equipment: mesh bag
(recommended), pull buoy, zoomer fins (no full length fins), snorkel, and paddles
Diving
All divers meeting the minimum SAL dual meet dive requirements will compete in the seven scheduled dual meets. Points awarded in diving are combined with the points achieved in the swimming portion of a dual meet.
