Training Groups

Each TRAC swimmer is assigned to a training group that matches his or her own capabilities. The coaches place a great deal of importance on the placement of each swimmer. Proper placement enhances the performance and the fun of training, and prepares each young swimmer for their best competitive effort. The following is a brief description of each group.

The following descriptions are stated in general terms. The descriptions are only guidelines that coaches use for placement of swimmers in their respective groups. Reference to ages is based on the swimmer’s age as of the championship season. In the final analysis, coaches will choose which groups are the best for all swimmers. Selection of groups is based on age, maturity, ability, and motivation.

Swim School
Swimmers in this group are generally 5 to 8 years old. They must be a minimum of 5 years old and able to swim 25 yards to enroll. Emphasis is placed upon stroke mechanics especially with the freestyle and backstroke strokes. Swimmers are schooled in taking direction, following instructions, and having fun with emphasis on doing the strokes correctly. Swimmers will stay in this group until they can successfully swim freestyle and backstroke for 25 yards as well as be introduced to breaststroke and butterfly.  See the training schedule.

Equipment required: None

Red
Swimmers in the Red Group are in a transition phase between stroke instruction and training. Limited time is spent on training (swimming length after length for time). Ages in this group are usually 7 to 9 year olds. Emphasis in this group is placed on stroke instruction. Swimmers need to learn the drills, terminology, and methods of all the strokes, starts, and turns.   See the training schedule.

Equipment required: Mesh bag and fins. Please put your name on all items.

Blue
Swimmers begin to actually train when they reach this level. Emphasis is placed on doing the strokes correctly as they train. Ages in this group are generally 8 to 10. Learning to read a competitive clock is also introduced. Drills that are more stroke specific and more complicated are learned. These drills are the cornerstone of swimming correctly. In order to successfully train in this group, swimmers must have a strong commitment to attendance at practice and a desire to learn. See the training schedule.

Equipment required: Mesh bag and fins. Please put your name on all items.

Bronze
Swimmers in the bronze group will spend more time in the water than previous groups. The emphasis is on stroke efficiency and effectiveness. This group is also the first step toward emphasizing training which includes endurance. Ages in this group are generally 9 to 11. Swimmers in this group are expected to learn to read a pace clock successfully, commit to practice attendance and commit to behaviors that enhance learning . Swimmers in this group will also learn how to set and reach goals. Swimmers are encouraged to both have fun and train hard.  See the training schedule.

Equipment required: Mesh bag and fins. Please put your name on all items.

 Silver
The silver group is the first big step towards state wide competition. Swimmers in this group will spend more time in the water to sharpen the efficiency of their strokes as well as increase their strength and endurance. Swimmers must make a time and behavior commitment in order to achieve this. Swimmers must be willing to train hard and be consistent with their attendance. The swimmers have fun in this group but there is no getting past the fact that it is hard work. Ages of this group usually are 11 to 13. See the training schedule.

Equipment required: Mesh bag, fins and paddles. Please put your name on all items.

Gold/High School
These two groups train at the same time in the same location. The only difference between the groups is set intervals and intensity. Swimmers in this group have decided that swimming is their primary focus relative to other sports and extra curricular school activities. Swimmers in this group understand that if they are going to competitive with other swimmers across Indiana, they must train in a similar fashion. The High School label is given to those swimmers who swim with TRAC before and after the high school season and swim with their high school teams during the high school season. Swimmers need to be at least 12 years old to handle the rigors of this training group. See the training schedule.

Equipment required: Mesh bag, fins, paddles and pull buoy. Please put your name on all items.