competitive team
Novice & Junior Groups:
For athletes that love the water and want to discover the fun of competitive swimming. This level (Copper/Nickel/Steel) is for the beginning/Intermediate swimmer who may not have much stroke experience. It is designed to introduce young swimmers to the sport of swimming while allowing maximum opportunity to participate in other activities. Emphasis is on teaching the fundamentals of the four competitive strokes by means of drills and games that make swimming fun. Workouts are about 70%-80% stroke work and 20-30% conditioning.
Pre-Senior Group:
This group is a transitional level in which swimmers move in to competitive training and prepare for senior-level swimming. Commitment to training increases and season planning becomes more long-term. Building the foundation for a well-rounded swimmer continues, but some specialization is introduced as individual aptitudes are discovered. Athletes continue to learn more about how to train and why they train. Goal setting is emphasized at this level and done individually with the coach. Workouts are about 50% stroke work and 50% conditioning.
Senior Groups:
These group are for swimmers with the necessary ability and desire to train and compete on a regional and national level. Senior swimmers experience an elite level of training where they learn state-of-the art stroke techniques. There is a focus on heart rates and aerobic and anaerobic cycle training. These swimmers enter national and international competitions where they compete against swimmers from all over the world. Senior swimmers should place swimming as their number one athletic activity. Morning and afternoon workouts are held to develop these swimmers to their maximum potential. As in the pre-senior group, goal setting is done individually with the coach. In keeping with team philosophy, even at the senior level, practices are still designed to help swimmers of differing abilities achieve their personal goals.
WHY SWIM FOR THE GATORS COMPETITIVE TEAM?
Gators Competitive Team philosophy focuses on long-term athlete development, which allows for gradual development of swimmers in the early stages, and adaptation as they progress — developing character traits to help them reach a higher level of athletic excellence. The program fosters self-improvement, personal growth, and goal achievement through a multi-phase process. Competition helps develop their natural abilities and pushes their teammates to do the same. Values such as hard work, self-discipline and perseverance create a culture of motivated, positive athletes and team success.
Competitive Team Phases
NOVICE GROUPS
• Discovering the Sport
For athletes that love the water and want to discover the fun of competitive swimming. This level (Copper/Nickel/Steel) is for the beginning swimmer who does not have much stroke experience. It is designed to introduce young swimmers to the sport of swimming while allowing maximum opportunity to participate in other activities. Emphasis is on teaching the fundamentals of the four competitive strokes by means of drills and games that make swimming fun. Workouts are about 80% stroke work and 20% conditioning.
JUNIOR GROUPS
• Imagining the Possibilities
Our Juniors (Bronze, Silver and Gold) are the swimmers of tomorrow. This group is for swimmers with knowledge of all legal strokes and turns who are ready to learn more advanced stroke techniques. Starts, turns, finishes, and reading the pace clock are taught. The objective of the Junior group is to reach A times. Workouts are about 70% stroke work and 30% conditioning. Swimmers in the Junior group are still encouraged to try other sports and enjoy other activities.
PRE-SENIOR GROUP
• Preparing to Achieve
This group is a transitional level in which swimmers move in to competitive training and prepare for senior-level swimming. Commitment to training increases and season planning becomes more long-term. Building the foundation for a well-rounded swimmer continues, but some specialization is introduced as individual aptitudes are discovered. Athletes continue to learn more about how to train and why they train. Goal setting is emphasized at this level and done individually with the coach. Workouts are about 50% stroke work and 50% conditioning.
SENIOR GROUPS
• High Performance
These group are for swimmers with the necessary ability and desire to train and compete on a regional and national level. Senior swimmers experience an elite level of training where they learn state-of-the art stroke techniques. There is a focus on heart rates and aerobic and anaerobic cycle training. These swimmers enter national and international competitions where they compete against swimmers from all over the world. Senior swimmers should place swimming as their number one athletic activity. Morning and afternoon workouts are held to develop these swimmers to their maximum potential. As in the pre-senior group, goal setting is done individually with the coach. In keeping with team philosophy, even at the senior level, practices are still designed to help swimmers of differing abilities achieve their personal goals.
