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ISSAQUAH SWIM TEAM TRAINING GROUP STRUCTURE, PLACEMENT
AND QUALIFYING CRITERIA
The Issaquah Swim Team offers a progressive age group program designed to develop the athlete technically, physically and mentally in a systematic, safe and fun fashion. Emphasis at all levels of the program will be placed on healthy training activities that help the swimmer progress through their career injury free. At the early levels technique is the top priority and as each athlete matures more emphasis is placed on maintaining technique and efficiency while progressively developing the athlete's physiological and psychological capacities. At each level of our program we continually try to evaluate and adapt to the multitude of factors that impact the growth and development of young athletes.
Qualifying Sockeye swimmers who are willing to abide by the IST Code of Conduct and training requirements will be placed in the appropriate training group based on tryout performances and/or training and competitive capabilities.
All Sockeye swimmers satisfying the prerequisites and/or achieving the automatic performance standard for a particular group will be invited to join that group on a provisional basis.
Prerequisites for group advancement include: a positive attitude, a desire to advance within the IST program, and a willingness to upgrade commitment levels as required in respect to workload and attendance.
Swimmers will be routinely moved onto the National Squad Team in September/March of each year and into the other groups in December, April and September of each year. The following information is subject to revision as deemed appropriate by the coaching staff.
The progression from one training group to another is solely the coaching staff's decision and is based on many variables. Such prioritized variables include: Knowledge of the IST curriculum, Stroke Technique, Competitive Times, Meet Attendance, Work Ethic during practices, Coachability, and Attendance.
STEELHEAD
AGE RANGE: 6+
TYPICAL SCHEDULE: 2 Sessions per week (possible 1 day/week in the summer months)
DESCRIPTION: Pre-competitive group where athletes are introduced to the Issaquah Swim Team curriculum while beginning to refine stroke technique prior to joining a competitive squad.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: Learn and become familiar with the beginning aspects of the Issaquah Swim Team philosophy and teaching techniques. Swimmers will address primary aspects of body awareness, water rhythms and general athleticism. Additionally, swimmers will begin to experience the physiological factors of being in the aquatic environment. Steelhead swimmers will become legal in all four competitive strokes and begin to learn the basic movement essential to competitive swimming such as starts, turns and breathe control.
SOCKEYE SURGE
BLUE, WHITE, RED
AGE RANGE: 7-12
TARGET AGE: BLUE: 6-9; WHITE: 10-12; RED: 9-12
TYPICAL SCHEDULE: 3-4 Workouts per week
ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS: The swimmer will be selected and invited to join the Sockeye Surge program by the respective Steelhead Coach after the swimmer proves legal in all four competitive strokes and shows a desire to become part of a competitive team.
DESCRIPTION: Entry level competitive group designed to teach the core facets of the Issaquah Swim Team Philosophy and curriculum as well as the critical aspects of becoming a competitive swimmer. The Sockeye Surge program introduces team building skills such as group games, group socials and group challenge activities. Emphasis will be placed on stroke technique and learning skills that will enable the healthy physical development of the swimmer as they progress through their swimming career.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:
Continue to develop competitive swimming fundamentals including aquatic postures, body awareness, aquatic rhythms, listening skills, coachability and the core values of being a part of Issaquah Swim Team. Starts, Turns, and efficient use of the body in the aquatic environment will be introduced as essential pieces of fast swimming. To earn PNS Silver Times in all four competitive strokes in the swimmers respective age group.
Sockeye Surge Swimmers are expected to attend 75% of workouts to achieve both retention and progression within the Issaquah Swim Team curriculum. Sockeye Surge Swimmers are expected to attend at least 4 Swim Meets in the SCY season and 2 Swim Meet in the LCM Season including all IST hosted Meets as well as all qualified Championship Meets.
SOCKEYES
SOCKEYE A, SOCKEYE B, SOCKEYE C
AGE RANGE: 9-14
TARGET AGE: SOCKEYE A: 11-12; SOCKEYE B: 13-14; SOCKEYE C: 9-10
TYPICAL SCHEDULE: 4 Workouts per week
ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS: The Swimmer will be selected to move into the Sockeye program by the respective Sockeye Surge coach as well as the Head Age Group Coach. Candidates for these groups must have mature competitive strokes and ample swim meet experience. Swimmers must have proven competitive races in the 100IM, 200FR and the willingness to strive for competing in 200IM, 500FR.
DESCRIPTION: The Sockeye program is geared towards athletes that wish to improve all aquatic skills as well as to increase the athlete’s own personal knowledge of the sport. The Sockeye program specifically targets young athletes who are willing to explore additional training activities. This training group is designed to allow athletes an opportunity to mature physically and emotionally within their peer and/or ability groups. The Sockeye groups will continue to foster team building skills into sessions. The Sockeye program swimmer will continue to learn the core facets of the Issaquah Swim Team Philosophy and curriculum. Goal setting as well as dryland activities will be introduced. Continued emphasis will be reinforced on developing the athlete’s skill in the water through healthy activities. Efficiency in technique will be taught as a primary attribute to fast swimming.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: Continue to refine all four competitive strokes and add depth to knowledge of competitive swimming including aquatic postures, body awareness, aquatic rhythms, listening skills, coachability and the core values of being a part of Issaquah Swim Team . Work to become efficient in all four competitive strokes. Work to improve identified weaknesses in the athlete’s aquatic abilities. Starts, turns, and efficient use of the body in the aquatic environment will become more prevalent. To earn PNS gold times in at least 3 of the competitive strokes in their respective age group.
Sockeye Swimmers are expected to attend 75% of workouts in order to retain conditioning and to progress through the Issaquah Swim Team curriculum. Sockeye Swimmers are expected to attend at least 5 Swim Meets in the SCY season and 2 Swim Meet in the LCM Season including all IST hosted Meets as well as all qualified Championship Meets
REGIONALS:
AGE RANGE: 9-12
TARGET AGE: 10-12
TYPICAL SCHEDULE: 5-6 Workouts per week
ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS: The Swimmer will be selected to move into the Regional Squad by the respective Sockeye Surge coach as well as the Head Age Group Coach. Swimmers must have proven competitive races in the 200IM, 200FR, 500FR and have demonstrated the ability and willingness to compete in the 400IM and 200’s of BK, BR. Automatic qualification is considered two11-12 PNS standards in the swimmers respective gender.
DESCRIPTION: The Regional Squad is geared towards athletes who wish to continue to improve all aquatic skills as well as expand the athlete’s own personal knowledge of the sport on a higher level. The Regional Squad specifically targets the athlete that wishes to utilize and incorporate more advanced training techniques. The Regional Squad swimmer will begin to apply the core facets of the Issaquah Swim Team Philosophy and curriculum. The Regional Squad introduces mental training as well as more advanced dryland activities. The success of each individual is based on increased commitment level in attendance and practice effort. Goal setting will be applied throughout the year.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:Continue to refine all four competitive strokes in more dense training sessions. Strong focus on efficiency in the water and adding to their knowledge of competitive swimming including aquatic postures, body awareness, aquatic rhythms, listening skills, coachability and the core values of being a part of Issaquah Swim Team . Starts, Turns, and efficient use of the body in the aquatic environment will be prioritized. Swimmers in this group will also identify and practice new activities with peer swimmers that promote team spirit, by recognizing and praising each other. Regional Swimmers will recognize and learn the primary aspects of what is necessary to compete at a high age group level. Athletes will become more familiar with safe and healthy training activities that foster injury prevention as the swimmer progresses through their career. Swimmers will recognize and understand that efficiency in the water is essential to fast swimming. To earn Age Group Regional times in their respective age group.
Regional Swimmers are expected to attend 80% of workouts in order to retain conditioning and to progress through the Issaquah Swim Team curriculum. It is understood that any break in training prior to the swimmers championship meet is not creating the most optimal preparation for competitive goal achievement. Regional Swimmers will begin to understand the level of trust and relationships that are conducive to high end age group swimming. Regional Swimmers are expected to attend all Squad assigned competitions in addition to all qualified Championship meets.
JUNIOR HIGH
AGE RANGE: 11-14
TARGET AGE: 12-14
TYPICAL SCHEDULE: 5-6 Workouts per week
ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS: The Swimmer will be selected to move into the Junior High Squad by the respective Sockeye Surge/Regional coach as well as the Head Age Group Coach. Swimmers must have proven competitive races in the 200IM, 200FR, 500FR and have demonstrated the ability and willingness to compete in the 400IM and 200’s of BK, BR, FLY. Automatic qualification is considered PNS Gold Time standards for 11-12 Girls in all four competitive strokes for either gendered swimmer.
DESCRIPTION: The Junior High Squad is geared towards athletes that wish to advance all aquatic skills in preparation for elite age group swimming. Dryland will become a part of the training regime in the Junior High Squad. This training squad is designed to allow athletes an opportunity to mature physically and emotionally within their peer group. The Junior High Squad swimmer will have strong knowledge of the basic principles of the Issaquah Swim Team philosophy and curriculum. The success of each individual is based on increased commitment level in attendance and practice effort. Goal setting will be applied throughout the year.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: Continue to refine all four competitive strokes in more dense, physical training sessions, add to their knowledge of competitive swimming including aquatic postures, body awareness, aquatic rhythms, listening skills, coachability and the core values of being a part of Issaquah Swim Team. Work to improve identified weaknesses in the athlete’s aquatic abilities. Starts, turns, and efficient use of the body in the aquatic environment will continue to be prioritized. Athletes will become more familiar with safe and healthy training activities that foster injury prevention as the swimmer progresses through their career. Swimmers will recognize and understand that efficiency in the water is essential to fast swimming. To earn PNS Champs times in their respective age group.
Junior High Swimmers are expected to attend 80% of workouts in order to retain conditioning and to progress through the Issaquah Swim Team curriculum. Junior High Swimmers are expected to attend at least 5 Swim Meets in the SCY season and 3 Swim Meet in the LCM Season including all IST hosted Meets as well as all qualified Championship Meets. Junior High Swimmers will gain skills that allow positive and progressive actions in preparation for goal achievement.
JUNIORS
AGE RANGE: 10-14
TARGET AGE:11-14
TYPICAL SCHEDULE: 6-7 Workouts per week
ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS: The Swimmer will be selected to move into the Junior Squad by the respective Regional/Junior High Squad coach as well as the Head Age Group Coach. Swimmers must have proven competitive races in the 400IM, 500FR, 200BK, 200BR and have demonstrated the ability and willingness to compete in all competitive events offered. Automatic qualification standard is considered two 12 Year Old Female Age Group Regional standards for either gendered swimmer.
DESCRIPTION: The Junior Squad is geared towards athletes that wish to make swimming a high priority in their lives. The Junior Squad specifically targets the athlete that has goals to perform on the most elite age group level. The Junior Squad utilizes mental, physical and psysiological training. Dryland will be a part of the training regime in the Junior Squad. The Junior Squad swimmer will have strong knowledge of the basic principles of the Issaquah Swim Team philosophy and curriculum. The Junior Squad understands the success of each individual is based on increased commitment level in attendance and practice effort. Goal setting will be applied throughout the year.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:Continue to refine and advance all four competitive strokes in more intense training sessions. Junior Swimmers will be expected to be competent in aquatic postures, body awareness, aquatic rhythms, listening skills, coachability and the core values of being a part of Issaquah Swim Team . Starts, Turns, and efficient use of the body in the aquatic environment will be executed. Be familiar with and apply the primary aspects of what is necessary to compete at a elite age group level. Athletes will continue to develop safe and healthy training activities that foster injury prevention as the swimmer progresses through their career. To execute efficiency in the water in all facets of training and racing. To earn Age Group Regional time standards in their respective age group.
Junior swimmers are expected to attend 80% of workouts to achieve both retention and progression within the Issaquah Swim Team curriculum.It is understood that any break in training prior to the swimmers championship meet is not creating the most optimal preparation for competitive goal achievement. Junior swimmers will understand the level of trust and relationships that are conducive to elite age group swimming. Junior Swimmers will learn to accept and give feedback with their coach in a beneficial manner to produce higher level training. Junior swimmers are expected to attend all listed competitions for their squad including all qualified Championship meets.
Senior Prep (age range 14-18) Typical schedule - 5 days a week includes morning training
This group, geared to our HS aged athletes wishing to continue their development within the IST curriculum, will help athletes improve fitness, add density to their training, fine tune technique and establish higher level racing strategies while supporting High School swimming.
Jr Nationals (age range 13 and over) Typical schedule - 6 days per week includes morning training.
This advanced competitive group is working in preparation for the National Training group, Senior Sectional and Junior National competitions.
Seniors (age range 14 and over ) Typical schedule - 6 days per week includes morning training
This competitive training group will have an emphasis on developing physical qualities and refining stroke technique that will be geared towards advancement in the program.
Nationals (age range 14 and over) Typical schedule - 6 days per week includes morning training
This intense group will focus on the elite athlete striving for National and International level competition. By invitation only.
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