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From the beginning, the Bearcats have been training its athletes for competition, with a strong and constant drive for each individual success in and out of the pool. The emphasis of Bearcat Swim Club is to teach proper technique and racing skills to ensure each participant can swim at their fullest potential. So no matter where a swimmer enters this program in their "career" there are still many benefits.
The Bearcat Swim Club provides a group structure offering training for the competitive swimmer to move through their swimming careers smoothly and successfully. Placement is made by analyzing ability and progress while determining what is best for the long-term development of the swimmer. Younger groups are more instructional. Higher groups gradually shift from an emphasis on instruction to the training required to reach highest levels of swimming competition. Placement in these groups will depend upon attendance; meet performance, attitude, ability and desire. All judgments will be made by the coaching staff. Any questions are to be directed to the Head Coach.
While a swimmer’s ability may suggest a tougher training program, other factors may not. Have faith in your coach’s ability to do the long-range planning for your swimmer. They know swimming and what will happen to a swimmer if advanced before he/she is really ready to handle it. They also know your swimmer and will do what is right when it is time to do it.
All advancements to the next group are at the coaches’ discretion.
Age Group 1
This is the Bearcat’s first level of competitive swimming. It is intended for swimmers between the ages of 5 and 10 who are new to competitive swimming. Swimmers in this group will learn the basics of competitive swimming throughout the season. Swimmers in this group should be able to swim one length of freestyle and backstroke non-stop, plus have some knowledge of butterfly and breaststroke. They should be confident in the water and able to work well with others in a group setting. This group meets twice a week.
At the AG1 level, swimmers can experience the sport of swimming with its competition and training schedule without being overly committed, and still participate in other extracurricular activities necessary for a well-rounded individual. Competitions are essential to the growth and experience of the swimmer, and give the coach feedback about the training plan.
Advancement from AG1 to AG2:
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Proper execution of all four competitive strokes: Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Freestyle
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Consistent use of competitive turns: Backstroke flips, Freestyle flips, Fly turns, Breaststroke turns and pullouts
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Frequent demonstration of streamline
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Development of forward dive start from a starting block (not necessarily proficient - willing to try and learn)
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Able to do the following swims in a practice: 100 Free, 100 Back, 100 Breast, 50 Fly, 100 IM
Age Group 2
Age Group 2 is intended for the swimmer between the ages of 7 and 11 years old. At this level, more commitment toward the sport is demonstrated through increased practices and competitions attended. Swimmers learn more about time standards, different levels of achievement, goals, additional stroke techniques, race strategies, etc.
Swimmers should become more familiar to training and competitions, trying to attain state time standards, especially the higher ages. They will show more advanced skills, and train to increase cardiovascular fitness and strength.
Advancement from AG2 to AG 3:
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More competitive front dive from a starting block and more competitive backstroke start
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Consistent legal execution of Individual Medley turns: Fly/Back, Back/Breast, Breast/Free
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Consistent demonstration of the streamline push off position and kicking off the wall
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Legal execution of the following swims in a practice: 200 Free, 200 Back, 200 Breast, 100 Fly, 200 IM
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Legal execution of the following swims in a meet: 50 free, 50 back, 50 breast, 50 fly, 100 IM
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Understanding the Pace Clock and execution of training sets
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Consistent demonstration of breath control in turns, wall push offs, breakouts and strokes
Age Group 3
Age Group 3 is intended for swimmers between the ages of 8 and 12 who have several seasons of competitive swimming experience. Swimmers are expected to train daily, eliminating the inconsistency and periodic practicing. While additional training is recommended, it should not be at the expense of academics or complete elimination of extracurricular activities.
At this level, swimmers will also learn the importance of goal setting, time management, stroke technique, different phases of training. At the later stage of this level, some swimmers may show greater expertise in specific strokes and distances, and learn how to train more effectively for these races. Commitment at this level determines when a swimmer is ready for Senior Prep.
Advancement from AG3 to Senior Prep:
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1000 Free Swim Test under 14:00
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6x100 Kick on 2:00
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8x100 IM on 1:45
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10x100 Free on 1:30
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Consistent demonstration on repeat 50s and 100s, the ability to take two strokes not breathing into and out of your turns.
Senior Preps
The Senior Preps are for the 11-14 year old athlete committed to reaching their full potential. Group members must show the ability to train IM and distance freestyle. They must have the ability to handle the physical demands to uphold a rigorous training regimen to allow them the opportunity to move up to the Senior Team. Swimmers will be introduced to all aspects of swimming - including technique, dry land, psychology, nutrition, and race strategy. The coaching staff will make invitations into this group after evaluating training performance, attitude and time standards attained during the course of the previous season. Swimmers should try to attain state and age group sectional time standards while training.
Individuals will also learn to accept challenges and guidance from the coaching staff, effectively communicate questions and ideas to staff, have support of peers and family, and have a sound work ethic to endure hard times and sacrifice to achieve personal goals. To achieve success one must make some choices to participate in activities/events of importance. Swimmers are expected to compete in at least one competition per month. No less than five practices a week are offered. This group has base interval of 10x100 on the 1:30 and 5x200 IM on the 3:30.
Advancement from Senior Prep to Senior Level:
Moves from Senior Prep to the Senior Level are at the discretion of the coaching staff, based upon a cumulative demonstration of all skills and sets for all groups, plus an evaluation of career commitment (by both swimmer and coach). Athletes are consulted for their perspective and their wishes for their swimming, as their maturity, self-advocacy and personal motivation are keys to long-term success in the sport. The Senior 2 program is the highest level of swimming offered on the team and subsequently, the median commitment level among the swimmers in this group is the highest on the team. The coaching staff understands that not every swimmer will aspire to the same level of competitiveness, and supports a variety of talents and perspectives in this regard. However, athletes moving to Senior 2 are asked to commit to a higher level of expectation, practice attendance and competition commitment. Specifically defining "higher" will be on a case-by-case basis by the coaching staff, in order to meet the individual needs of the swimmer, needs of the Senior training group, and the needs of the entire team.
Senior 1
This group is designed for the "renaissance athlete" who participates in many sports or activities and wants to maintain conditioning or stroke work for their high school swimming season. This group is also intended for the 13 & over swimmer who does not qualify for the Senior 2 Team but is intent on improving their practice skills in an effort to move into the Senior 2 Team. This group meets five times per week. This group can swim all meets except Senior Sectionals, Junior Nationals and Nationals.
Senior 2
The Senior 2 group is a select squad of committed student-athletes who have the ability to exercise consistently in a high-intensity training environment year-round. This group is not for the high school swimmer who just wants to stay in shape or think that high school swimming is the most important part of the season. This group will be for the athlete who is 100% committed to their training and goals both in and out of the pool. Training will be geared toward preparing the swimmers for sectional and national competition as well as a collegiate career. This group has a base interval of 10x100 on the 1:20 and 5x200 IM on the 3:00. The Senior 2 student-athlete is expected to train daily and attend team meets. Participation in this group will be determined by the coaching staff based upon swimmer’s past season dedication and practice/meet performances. Not every swimmer will achieve this level.
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