Piranha Swim Team Training Groups

 

The Piranha Swim Team incorporates seven training groups: Maia, Poseidon, Triton, Nautilus, Junior I & II, and Senior. The group a swimmer trains with is determined by commitment, age, ability and experience. Coaches place all swimmers in training groups.

Specific attendance requirements and suggestions for each training group are included in the training group descriptions below. A swimmer’s promotion and improvement is contingent on commitment; age and ability are a distant second and third on the list of reasons for promotion. Although we try to keep swimmers grouped by age, eventually a swimmer’s lack of attendance and dedication to the Team will catch up with him/her in many ways. Swimmers who are committed and attend practice as outlined for their group will find themselves rewarded in their advancement through the training groups, their development as a swimmer and improvement in their times.

Maia

The Greek goddess of growth. The Maia level consists of swimmers who are between the ages of 7-9 and have some competitive swimming experience. Swimmers must be able to legally complete at least 25 yards of freestyle and backstroke and butterfly or breaststroke. Maia swimmers will focus on stroke technique and learn the basics of competitive swimming, team spirit and fun. The Coaching Staff recommends that Maia swimmers attend at least 2 practices per week.

Triton

Greek messenger of the sea. Triton swimmers are 9/under swimmers who have some competitive swimming experience and opted to join the Team for the winter season only. This group will focus on stroke technique, swimming all four strokes and simple sets. The goal of this group is to have fun while learning about competitive swimming. Triton swimmers are offered 3 practices per week.

Nautilus

Greek word meaning sailor. Nautilus swimmers are year round swimmers who have competitive swimming experience and are usually between the ages of 8 and 11, depending on ability. This group will focus on stroke technique, swimming all four strokes and simple sets. The goal of the Nautilus group is to have fun while learning about competitive swimming. The Coaching Staff recommends that these swimmers attend 3 workouts per week. Nautilus swimmers are offered practice 5 days per week.

Poseidon

The Greek god of the sea. The Poseidon group consists of swimmers usually between the ages of 10-14. They are experienced swimmers who will focus on stroke technique, interval training, competition and fun. Poseidon swimmers will be offered practice 6 days per week with dry lands a part of practice twice per week. The Coaching Staff recommends that these swimmers attend 4 workouts per week to receive optimal training and have the opportunity to develop the necessary strength and skills for continued development.

To earn promotion into the Junior training group, a Poseidon swimmer must demonstrate he/she is committed to the Piranhas year round and has shown the coaching staff he/she can handle Junior level training and the commitment that comes with this level of training.

Junior I & II Training Groups

The Junior training groups are reserved for year round swimmers who have demonstrated the necessary skills, dedication and stamina for Junior level training. Poseidon swimmers must have shown this level of dedication and skill in order to earn promotion into one of the Junior groups.

Junior II

Junior II swimmers are 12 years of age and older (swimmers aging up before the end of the Full year season may be considered). This group will focus on building an aerobic training base, continued work on technique and building strength. The Coaching Staff recommends that these swimmers attend 5 workouts per week to receive optimal training. This group will also have dry lands at least once per week. The goal of the Junior II group is to demonstrate the necessary dedication and skills development to become a Junior I swimmer.

Junior I

Junior I swimmers are usually 13 years of age and older. This group of athletes are experienced swimmers who are focusing on attaining the necessary skills to become a Senior Swimmer. Conditioning will become more of a focus for these swimmers and stroke technique will continue to play a major role in this training group. Dry-land sessions will be available along with morning workouts. The Coaching Staff recommends these swimmers attend 5 workouts per week to receive optimal training and have the opportunity to develop the necessary strength and skills for continued development.

To earn promotion into the Senior group, a Junior swimmer must demonstrate he/she is a dedicated member of the Piranhas, can handle the dedication and commitment necessary for Senior level training and have multiple CT Senior cuts. As a prerequisite for joining the Senior group a swimmer must be able to swim 30 x 100 Free @ 1:20, 15 x 200 IM @ 3:00, have a Freestyle threshold of 1:15 or better and have swum the following events either short course or long course; 1650/1500 or 1000/800, 500/400 Freestyle, 400 IM and all 200’s of stroke and IM.

Senior

The Senior training group is reserved for year round swimmers who have dedicated themselves to the sport of swimming and the Piranhas. A swimmer in this group must demonstrate he/she is socially, mentally and physically mature enough to handle demands of an elite swimming program. This group is the highest level of swimming offered by the Darien YMCA. These swimmers receive the most practice time and resources the Piranhas have to offer. and they work directly with the Head Coach. Senior swimmers are 13 years of age and older. Criteria to be promoted to the Senior group and detailed expectations to remain in the Senior groups can be viewed by clicking on the link.