barracudas 11 and over

This group swims from 2000 to 3500 yards each practice. This group is physically and mentally mature enough to do more yardage and conditioning.  Swimmers move into this group to increase their level of conditioning and are also introduced to advanced racing techniques, pace clock use, and basic goal setting.  There is a balance between stroke mechanics and conditioning at this level.  Swimmers can sign up for 2 days a week (Mon/Wed) or 1 day a week (Fridays) One and a half hour each. Sign Up
 

Prerequisites to join this group

For children who have passed out of the Shark level in our lesson program, or swam in the Silver group or those who pass a try out. Swimmers must be able to swim 50 yards of 3 of the strokes with proper starts and turns and be ready to learn the fourth stroke.

Affective requirements

  • Practice team spirit throughout practice and competition
  • Know the YMCA values and be able to apply them
  • Maintain positive attitude towards the sport of swimming; help others to develop a positive attitude
  • Practice good sportsmanship and ethics during practice and competition

Cognitive requirements

  • Knowledge of different competitive strokes and races used at competition
  • Knowledge of all equipment used and how to properly use it as well as pedagogy of swimming
  • Understanding of pace clock, split times, rules of swimming, and using different set work
  • Application of sports psychology and basic nutrition for swimmers

Physical requirements

  • 50-60% of practice focused on stroke development, 35-45% of practice focused on physical fitness, and 5% of practice focused on starts and turns
  • Primary focus on all four strokes with advanced drills working on turnover and improved kicking, legal starts and turns, and training to become more confident with longer events.
  • Test sets of 500 Free, 200 IM, and 100yds. of each stroke.
  • Relays in this group will be used to practice competitive skills.

Equipment:

  • water bottle
  • swim cap
  • goggles

Group 1:  defined as swimmers in fairly good shape or new, can do all the Silver skills. Aim at completing 100 yards Freestyle, 100 yards Backstroke, 100 yards Breaststroke, 25 yards Butterfly and 100 yards IM. Do flip turns, and a basic racing dive.

Group 2:  defined as swimmers who are advanced, can do all the Group 1 skills. Aim at competing 200 yards Freestyle, 200 yards Backstroke, 200 Breaststroke, 50 yards Butterfly, and 200 IM. Execute a clean dive, a good flip turn front and back. Be comfortable reading and doing the workouts independently.