Year Round
Read More about Group Placement under Team Procedures Section HERE
BLUE Group:
This group is for the advanced swimmers ages 13 to 18 years of age. The highest group in Crawfish Aquatics age group program. Swimmers in this Group must be willing to make the commitment to training necessary for elite performances on a state, regional and/or national level. Practice attendance of 90% or higher is encouraged. Training plans are designed with an expectation of elite performances at the end of each cycle. All six energy systems are stressed and trained during a cycle, and the swimmer needs maximum dedication to the highest level of performance. A complex program is offered as well as advanced training plans. Goal setting and intrinsic motivator are vital items as are the willingness to sacrifice and try innovative techniques. Nutrition, strength and rest are stressed as they affect swimming success. Leadership and commitment to elite performances two to three times per year are goals for crawfish swimmers in this group.
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RED Group:
This group is for swimmers ages 13 to 18 years of age and is the first level senior group for swimmers advancing from other CA programs or high school swimmers new to CA. Swimmers in this group have the necessary experience and possess the stroke skills to undergo intense physical training while continuing to develp stroke technique, start, turn, and racing skills. Advanced practice sessions are planned and cycled throughout the year to produce elite performances. Swimmers are expected to understand the training of weaker and stronger strokes as well as the importance of training medley. Communication with coaches concerning training and mental outlook is vital at this level. The Swimmers are given the tools they need to move into the highest levels of age group swimming.
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WHITE Group:
Advanced swimmers ages 10 to 12 years old participate in this group. Swimmers In this group exhibit advanced skills in the four competitive swimming strokes and have progressed to a level to handle increased practice demands, increased intensity and more complex training. Total body conditioning in conjunction with aerobic fitness is emphasized and kicking demands are increased. A program of dryland training is introduced and allowed to aid power development and overall body conditioning. Swimmers are introduced to more advanced training methods and advanced stroke technique drills and instruction in all strokes and events. The ability to modify strokes and utilize advanced starting, turning, race tempo techniques and race strategy are also reinforced at this level. Swimmers are encouraged to attend regular practice sessions (4-5 practices/week) to advance their swimming success.
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YELLOW Group:
Swimmers ages 9 to 12 years old participate in this group. Swimmers in this group can legally perform all four of the competitive strokes and are physically ready to be introduced to competitive swim training. Practice plans are designed to incorporate continued stroke technique instruction for all 4 strokes and use of stroke correction drills with competitive swimming training methods. Aerobic training, race pacing, sprint training are introduced in this group, while racing starts and turns are refined to increase speed around the walls. Kicking is an another skill of focus in this group. Swimmers utilize the pace clock as nearly all sets involve some type of interval training. Swimmers in this group are encouraged to attend practice sessions regularly (3-4 per week) to gain the benefits from solid practice habits.
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GREEN Group
Swimmers ages 7 to 10 years old participate in this group. This group is a transitional group for developmental swimmers and those new to the Crawfish program. Swimmers in this group can legally perform all four of the competitive strokes and are technically ready for more advanced stroke drills to continue stroke development. Drills and interval sets are used during practice for these swimmers and the pace clock is introduced and used for interval training. Stroke technique is further refined by the use of techniques such as distance per stroke, use of core movements and sculling. Beginning racing skills, racing starts and turns are taught and increased speed of stroke technique is encouraged for racing speeds. The importance of maintaining proper stroke technique, in combination with an increase in the speed and distances swum, is continually reinforced. Swimmers in this group attend 3 days/week.
