Bluefish Practice Group Descriptions
Bluefish Swim Club has designed its practice groups to function as a progressive model allowing members to develop skills at each level that will continue to be built upon as they progress through the entire program. Curriculum is developed with Individual Medley development in mind, this is achieved through development of the core 4 competitive swimming strokes along with the additional skill of underwater dolphin kicking. As swimmers progress through the program they will learn drills to help them develop different skills that they will continue to use throughout the entire program. Swimmers progress will be continually evaluated through a number of metrics including participation in USA Swimming’s IMR/IMX Program. Swimmers within the program will be moved up to higher levels once the primary group coach and the incoming group coach agree that they are ready to begin making the transition to the next level, this may happen at anytime within the year and not just at the start of the Short Course Season (Aug/Sept) and Long Course Season (Mar/Apr). Swimmers skill comprehension, times, training ability, practice attendance, age, and social dynamics will all be used when making decisions regarding group placement and advancement.
Mini-Fish - Our introductory group is designed for younger (11 and under) athletes who are new to competitive swimming and still need to learn the basic fundamentals and stroke technique for the 4 competitive strokes. The focus in this group is developing a love for the sport and good habits in the water that will benefit swimmers as they move up through the program. The developmental group offers practice 4 days a week for 75 minutes. Swimmers are not expected to attend all 4 practices but we encourage them to attend at least 2 or 3 to ensure consistent development and progress. Meet Participation is not required but strongly encouraged. Swimmers in this group will graduate to Age Group 2 when they are ready to move up.
Age Group 2 - The first level of our age group program is for athletes who have some competitive experience and a solid understanding of racing starts, turns, and the 4 competitive strokes. At this level, swimmers will still primarily work on stroke development in a more structured fashion while kicking for aerobic development also begins to become a primary focus. Swimmers in this group will also be introduced to intervals and learn to read the clock. Athletes in this group will be required to compete in ABF hosted meets and encouraged to compete in meets on a regular basis in distances of 50-100 yards of all 4 competitive strokes along with the 100/200 IMs and Freestyle events up to 500 yards. Swimmers will learn about initial goal setting while striving to qualify for end of season meets such as Silvers, B-Champs, and 12 & Under Age Groups. Swimmers are offered 5 practices a week at 90 minutes each and encouraged to attend 3-5. Swimmers in this group will graduate to either Age Group 1.5 or Age Group 1 when they are ready to move up.
Age Group 1.5- The second level of our age group program is for athletes who have shown great understanding of all four competitive strokes and are able to preform repeats with great consistency of technique at distances of 100 and above. Swimmers at this level have demonstrated an understanding of interval training and the skill of reading a clock and are ready for more advanced training sets. While technique is still a primary focus of this group swimmers will also begin to see more aerobic training sets that are both swimming and kicking. All athletes in this group will be required to compete in both 50s and 100s of all 4 competitive strokes in addition to the 200 IM and Freestyle events of 500 yards and up. Athletes in this group are competing regularly in swim meets striving to qualify for end of season meets such as B-Champs, Age Group Championships, and Zones. Practices are offered 5-6 days a week for 90-105 minutes each, swimmers should attend 4-6 practices a week to maintain steady progression throughout the program. Swimmers in this group will graduate to Age Group 1 when they are ready to move up.
Age Group 1 - The top level of our age group program is for advanced 14 & Under swimmers who have shown complete understanding in all four competitive strokes while maintaining proper technique while swimming regular repeats of 100-200 yards and above. Swimmers at this level will consistently work on developing aerobic capacity and begin anaerobic development through an IM based training model with a heavy amount of kicking. Technique is still a primary focus and will be touched on daily while preparing the athletes to handle the rigors of training at our senior level. All athletes in the group will be required to compete in a wide array of USA meets in all events offered for their age group including 200s of stroke, 200/400 IM, and Freestyle in distances up to 1650 yards. Athletes in this group are encouraged to set lofty goals for themselves that include qualifying for not only New England LSC Championships (Age Groups) but also Zone and Sectional Level Championships, and some Senior Competitions. Practices are offered 6 days a week for 105-120 minutes with swimmers being encouraged to attend 5-6 days a week to maintain steady progression throughout the program. Swimmers in this group will graduate to either the Senior 2 or Senior 1 groups when they are ready to move up.
Senior 2 - This is the first level of our senior program for swimmers aged 14 & up who have shown basic understanding of all four competitive strokes while being able to maintain technique and pr oficiency on repeats ranging in 50-200 yards and above for some strokes. There is also a place within this group for older swimmers who are new to competitive swimming at a high school age. Technique is still a primary focus of this group while building on the skills learned and done throughout the age group program in addition to seeing some Senior 1 level sets to help swimmers within this group continue to progress to that level if that is something they are hoping to do. Senior 2 is also a great group for high school aged athletes who enjoy swimming along with their other high school activities including other sports and extra curricular activities. All athletes in this group participate in all team hosted swim meets while being encouraged to participate in additional USA swimming opportunities while competing in the full spectrum of competitive events offered for all four strokes and IM. Coaches work with athletes in this group to develop realistic goals for their swimming based on their commitment level and involvement. Swimmers in this group are striving to qualify for Silver, Age Groups, and New England Senior Championships. Practices are offered 6 days a week for 105-150 minutes with swimmers being encouraged to attend 3-6 days a week depending on their individual goals within the sport. Swimmers in the group will graduate to Senior 1 when they are ready to move up.
Senior 1 – This is the top level within our program with swimmers aged 14 & Up (Select 12 & 13 year olds may be offered a spot in this group at the request of the head coach) who have achieved a minimum of (1) New England Swimming Senior Championship qualifying time. Swimmers in this group will train in a wide array of methods centered around swimming all distances for all competitive strokes including the 200/400 IM. All athletes in this group will compete in both local competitions and LSC Championships such as Age Groups and New England Seniors along with competitions hosted around the country including such events as USA Sectionals, Futures, Junior Nationals, Nationals, US Opens, Pro Series Meets, and Olympic Trials. Athletes in this group have achieved at all levels of the sport including receiving the honor to compete as a member of Team USA at international competitions. Swimmers in this group are goal centric, motivated, and internally driven individuals who hope to achieve at the highest level of the sport. Practices are offered 7 days a week for 150-180 minutes and may also include additional training opportunities outside of the standard schedule. Swimmers are encouraged to attend as many practice session as possible to keep their development in line with their specific goals. Swimmers graduating from this program will be prepared to swim at the highest competitive levels in the sport including collegiate and professional ranks.
