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.

Minis

This is primarily our 8 and younger swimmers. The Mini groups are NOT swim lessons or pre-team.  Competition is required. The main focus involves kicking and specific stroke drills to build strength and help develop technique in all four competitive strokes.

Requirements: Mini swimmers must be able to complete two strong laps of freestyle with bilateral breathing and without stopping, swim about 20 (younger swimmers) to 40 (older swimmers) laps in a 45 minute practice, and be familiar with all four strokes. All swimmers are expected to compete in all SAL meets.

Required attendance: minimum 2 days

White

This group is mostly our 9-10s and some more experienced 8 year olds. 

Requirements:  White Group swimmers must have competitive swimming experience and can expect to swim 60 laps in a 45 minute practice. All swimmers are expected to compete in all SAL meets.

Required attendance: minimum 2 days

Black

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

Required equipment: mesh bag (recommended), short fins (no full length fins), small paddles, snorkel

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), short fins (no full length fins), small paddles, snorkel

Developmental USA and Junior USA

These groups are our 13 & Under USA Swimming registered 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, coach approval is required for registration

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 fins (no full length fins), snorkel, and small paddles

Senior USA

This group is primarily for our high school aged USA Swimming registered athletes.  Training is the 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, coach approval is required for registration

 * 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 seven scheduled dual meets. Points awarded in diving are combined with the points achieved in the swimming portion of a dual meet.