Practice and Training Groups
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. We do not group by age, schedule conflicts, or sibling schedules.
Mini
This is our beginner level group for 8 and younger swimmers who have minimal or summer only competitive swimming experience. This group is NOT swim lessons or pre-team. 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 a 45 minute 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 or Developmental
This group is geared toward those younger swimmers, mostly age 9-10, 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 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. This group can expect to swim 80-100 laps in one hour. 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 our more advanced practice groups. 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 coach approval if additional sports
Required equipment: mesh bag (recommended), positive drive or short/zoomer fins (no full length fins), small paddles, snorkel
Junior USA
This group is primarily for 13 & Under swimmers who must be registered USA Swimming athletes. Building quality yardage while maintaining proper technique is a major priority of this group. Swimmers in this group will be expected to compete in all SAL meets and all USA Swim meets attended by DCAA. The goal for this group is moving toward swimming as the primary sport August-March or year round and qualifying for Middle Atlantic Championship Meets. Participation in all USA Championship meets, upon qualification, is required.
Recommended attendance: every practice offered
Minimum Expectations: must attend 4-6 practices per week depending on age and additional sports
Senior
This group is primarily for high school swimmers. Building quality yardage is a major priority of this group. Swimmers in this group will be expected to compete in all SAL meets. The goal for this group is high school season prep.
Recommended attendance: every practice 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 make up.
Required equipment: mesh bag (recommended), pull buoy, short/zoomer fins (no full length fins), snorkel, and small paddles
Senior USA
This group is primarily for high school swimmers who must be registered USA Swimming athletes. Building quality yardage is a major priority of this group. Swimmers in this group will be expected to compete in all SAL meets and 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: every practice offered
Minimum Expectations: must attend 5-6 practices per week unless coach approval if additional sports
* High school USA swimmers train with DCAA from September to mid November. If a USA High School swimmer misses a high school practice during the winter session, he/she is welcome to attend a DCAA practice.
Required equipment: mesh bag (recommended), pull buoy, short/zoomer fins (no full length fins), snorkel, and paddles
Diving
All divers meeting the minimum SAL dual meet dive requirements will compete in the six scheduled dual meets. Points awarded in diving are combined with the points achieved in the swimming portion of a dual meet.