Practice Groups

Gray Zone: Pre-Competition Development

Prerequisite: Swimmers must be able to kick with a kickboard and move independently in the water, both on their front and back. Swimmers must also have a basic understanding of freestyle and backstroke.

Age: 5 & Up
Practice: 1-2x per week (45-60 minutes) & 1 dryland practice per week

This group is designed for swimmers who are in their early stages of learning to swim, independent in the water, and interested in developing the skills necessary to join a swim team and compete at competitive swim meets. Participants will train 1-2 days a week, focusing on improving stroke technique and building endurance. The goal is for swimmers to be able to swim at least 25 yards continuously using both freestyle and backstroke.

Blue Zone: Intro to Competition

Prerequisite: Swimmers must be able to swim 50 yards of freestyle and 50 yards of backstroke without stopping. A basic understanding of breaststroke and butterfly is also required.

Age: 5 & Up
Practice: 1-3x per week (45-60 Minutes) & 1 dryland practice per week

This group is tailored for swimmers who want to enhance their skills beyond introductory learn-to-swim levels. Participants will focus on developing fundamental skills needed to swim continuously and compete in swim meets. Through drills and stroke work, swimmers will work to become proficient in all four strokes: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. Swimmers in this group will also have the option to compete in local PVS swim meets. Swimmers must become registered members of USA Swimming.

Green Zone: Intermediate Competition Development

Prerequisite: Knowledge of all four swim strokes. Ability to swim a series of 25s and 50s continuously to complete practice sets.

Age: 5 & Up
Practice: 1-4x per week (45-90 Minutes) & 1 dryland practice every other week

This group is designed to help swimmers become accustomed to more competitive swim techniques and race concepts to advance their competition day skills. It’s ideal for those who are comfortable swimming continuously throughout practice. Swimmers will focus on refining their technique and increasing efficiency in the water to enhance personal development within the sport. Additionally, participants will be introduced to goal setting and intentional training methods to track their progress over time.

Orange Zone: Advanced Competition Development

Prerequisite: Proficiency in all four swim strokes and the ability to swim at least 500 yards of freestyle without stopping. Ability to swim a series 50s and 100s continuously to complete practice sets.

Age: 11 & Up
Practice: 1-4x per week (60-120 Minutes) & 1 dryland practice every other week

This group is intended for experienced swimmers aiming to refine advanced techniques, build strength, and increase speed in the water to achieve greater success in the sport. Participants will set individual seasonal goals to monitor their progress over time. Swimmers must become registered members of USA Swimming.