Team Structure

TRAINING PROGRAM

TEAM STRUCTURE

Our goal is to provide a well-rounded, quality, competitive swimming program for swimmers of all ages and abilities. Cardinal Aquatics offers eight levels of professional technique instruction and training.

This group is composed of the youngest swimmers in the Cardinal Aquatic program, and meets only 1 time per week.  The main emphasis of this group is to teach the basic fundamentals of all four competitive strokes.  Focus will be put on kicking, stroke drills, rotary breathing, starts, proper body position and streamlining.  The most important component of this group is that SWIMMING IS FUN!!  Character Development components such as sportsmanship, good listening skills, respect for teammates, coaches and self will be addressed and encouraged.

This group is composed of swimmers who are relatively new to year round swimming and meets 2 times per week.  The main emphasis of this group is the basic fundamentals of all four competitive strokes.  Focus will be put on kicking, stroke drills, rotary breathing, starts, proper body position and streamlining.  The most important component of this group is that SWIMMING IS FUN!!  Character Development components such as sportsmanship, good listening skills, respect for teammates, coaches and self will be addressed and encouraged.  Meets are encouraged but optional.

All swimmers within this group must be able to successfully swim each of the four competitive strokes in a legal manner as deemed by USA Swimming, Inc. rules.  This group meets 3 times per week and will move into more advanced stroke drills with the primary focus still on proper stroke mechanics, body position, and kicking.  Swimmers will begin to increase the yardage while implementing small set interval repeats.  Meets are optional, but highly recommend this group compete in at least all home meets. 

All swimmers within this group must be able to successfully swim each of the four competitive strokes in a legal manner as deemed by USA Swimming, Inc. rules.  This group meets 4 times per week and will move into more advanced stroke drills with the primary focus still on proper stroke mechanics, body position, and kicking.  Swimmers will begin to increase the yardage while implementing more intense interval repeats.  We would like this group to compete in all home meets and at least two away meets.  

This group is the level in which swimmers move from primary stroke and technique instruction to more emphasis on endurance training.  Upper body and core strength will be emphasized with more dryland training.  Character Development components will continue to build with goal setting being introduced.  Swimmers will be expected to be accountable for their progress in swimming.  Consistent practice attendance is necessary for continued improvement and advancement to the next group.  It will also be important for these swimmers to learn to accept constructive criticism from coaches when needed.  We would like this group to compete in all home meets and at least three away meets.

This group is the level in which swimmers move from primary stroke and technique instruction to more emphasis on endurance training.  Upper body and core strength will be emphasized with more dryland training.  Character Development components will continue to build with goal setting being introduced.  Swimmers will be expected to be accountable for their progress in swimming.  Consistent practice attendance is necessary for continued improvement and advancement to the next group.  It will also be important for these swimmers to learn to accept constructive criticism from coaches when needed.  We would like this group to compete in all home meets.  This group is also intended for swimmers who want to focus on High School Swimming.  As we get closer to the HS State Meet, proper those focusing on HS swimming will have a different training regiment.                                 

This group is the level in which swimmers move from primary stroke and technique instruction to more emphasis on endurance training.  Upper body and core strength will be emphasized with more dryland training.  THIS GROUP IS FOR SWIMMERS THAT ARE COMMITTED TO YEAR ROUND AND HAVE AT LEAST 1 STATE A QUALIFYING TIME.  Character Development components will continue to build with goal setting playing a key role.  Swimmers will be expected to be accountable for their progress in swimming.  Consistent practice attendance is necessary for continued improvement and advancement to the next group.  It will also be important for these swimmers to learn to accept constructive criticism from coaches when needed.  We would like this group to compete in ALL MEETS!

This is the highest level at Cardinal Aquatics!!!  This group is geared for swimmers that are committed to the sport with goals being to attend:  Sectionals, Juniors, Seniors, and beyond!! Interval training is an important aspect of this group and minimum standards may be expected.  Dryland training will increase and double practices may be required.  Character Development components enhance as the athletes take on more responsibility for their own swimming: knowing times, proper attendance, performance and practice habits, and learning how to better manage their time between sport and studies.  Attendance requirement will be set.