GMA:  Training Information and Training Groups

 

 

GMA Training

        Green Mountain Aquatics uses a "progressive" age group program designed to develop the child physically, mentally and emotionally in a systematic fashion. A well-defined, long-term approach of gradually increasing degrees of commitment is essential to reach peak performance levels during a swimmer’s physiological prime. The emphasis in the early stages of participation must be placed on developing technical skills and a love of the sport. In the later years, a more demanding physical and psychological challenge must be introduced to the training program.

        In addition to emphasizing long-term rather than short-term results, it is also important that we establish training groups of swimmers who are compatible in respect to abilities, commitment levels, and goals. Unfortunately, this is not always the most convenient approach to take, but it is always the most productive.

        At each level, the goals and objectives are specific and directed toward meeting the needs of the swimmers. The long-term goal of total excellence is always in mind. As each child is different, he or she will progress at his or her own rate. The coaching staff recognizes this fact by making team assignments based on a swimmer’s physical, mental, and emotional levels of development.

        Training sessions are the most important aspect of competitive swimming. Consistent training is needed to progress from one training group to another. Training schedules are designed to provide only slightly more time than is required for a swimmer to accomplish this. Therefore, it is important that swimmers attend as many practices as possible in order to derive the full benefits of the program. In addition, all of the training time is needed to get through the daily training goals.  Swimmers must be on time and attend the entire length of the practice.  Pool availability is our most limiting factor. Please take full advantage of the pool time that we have.

        As a swimmer’s level of swimming ability increases so does his or her responsibility to the team and their personal goals. The program is designed to encourage all swimmers to be National Team bound.  National-level swimming involves a deep commitment and requires great  effort. Swimmers have responsibilities to the team, the coach, their parents, and most importantly to themselves. Swimmers need to prepare themselves for a 100% effort each time they come to practice.

        Swimmers are required to bring their suits, caps, goggles, water bottles, dryland clothing and running shoes to all workouts. It is the swimmers’ responsibility to make sure these items are properly adjusted and that spares are readily available. Equipment adjustment and repair will not be accepted as an excuse to miss part of a training session.

 

GMA Training Groups

Technique Clinics -  Throughout the competitive swimming season, Green Mountain Aquatics Coaching Staff will offer specific technique classes for groups of swimmers. A full schedule of the technique clinics is available in the team flier. Swimmers who are struggling with a particular stroke or with starts are encouraged to attend.

State Groups -  Skill Requirements: The GMA State Group is open to all swimmers thirteen and under who can complete 50 yards of non-stop freestyle with side breathing and 50 yards of non-stop backstroke. Swimmers must also have a familiarity with butterfly kick and breaststroke kick, and a working knowledge of flip-turns and racing dives. Meets: All State Group team members are required to attend the GMA Winter Knights Invitational Meet in January 2009 and at least one other GMA-run meet.  State Group team members may sign-up for any of the GMA-run meets and meet fees will be assessed for any non-GMA hosted meets in which swimmers compete. Team Activities: All State Group team members are required to attend at least three team activities during the season, one of which must be a whole team practice.        1-hour practices, up to 3 times per week on M, W, F or Tu, Th, F

Regional Groups -  Skill Requirements: The GMA Regional Group is open to all swimmers between the ages of ten and eighteen who can complete 100 yards of non-stop freestyle with bilateral breathing and flip turns, 100 yards of non-stop backstroke with flip turns, 200 yards of non-stop swimming and a legal 100 yard Individual Medley. Additionally, swimmers must be able to complete open turns and flip turns for all strokes as well as racing starts. Swimmers must have a familiarity with wind-up relay starts, short term goal setting and using the pace clock. Finally, swimmers in this group must be great sports and approach every team practice, meet and activity with a positive attitude and great effort. Meets: All Regional Group team members are required to attend the GMA Winter Knights Invitational Meet in January 2009 and at least two other GMA-run meets. Regional Group team members are encouraged to attend at least one out-of-state travel meet. Meet fees will be assessed for any non-GMA hosted meets in which swimmers compete. Team Activities: All Regional Group team members are required to attend at least three team activities, one of which must be a whole team practice.             1.5-hour practices with dryland, up to 3 times per week on M, W, F or Tu, Th, Sa           

Age Groups Group -  Skill Requirements: The GMA Age Groups Group is open to all swimmers between the ages of ten and eighteen (fifteen and older swimmers by Head Coach permission only) who can complete 200 yards of non-stop freestyle with bilateral breathing and flip turns, 200 yards of non-stop backstroke with flip turns, 100 yards of legal butterfly, 100 yards of legal breaststroke, 1000 yards of non-stop swimming and a legal 200 yard Individual Medley. Additionally, swimmers must be able to complete open turns and flip turns for all strokes as well as racing starts.  Swimmers must be able to complete the following test set: 8 x 100 Free @ 1:45. Swimmers must have a familiarity with wind-up relay starts, using the pace clock, short term goal setting, long term goal setting, practice commitment concepts, USA Swimming meets and the championship meet structure. Finally, swimmers in this group must be great sports and approach every team practice, meet and activity with a positive attitude and great effort. Practice attendance: Swimmers must attend a minimum of 4 practices per week and may attend a maximum of 6 practices per week. Meets: All Age Group team members are required to attend the GMA Winter Knights Invitational Meet in January 2009 and at least two other GMA-run meets. Age Group team members are required to attend at least one out-of-state travel meet. Meet fees will be assessed for any non-GMA hosted meets in which swimmers compete.  Team Activities: All Age Group team members are required to attend at least four team activities, two of which must be a whole team practices.               2-hour practices with dryland, up to 6 times per week                  

Senior Group -  Skill Requirements: The GMA Senior Group is open to all swimmers aged thirteen and older who are striving to achieve New England 13-19 Championship and/or New England Senior cut times. Swimmers must be able to complete the following test sets: 10 x 100 Free @ 1:20; 5 x 100 Pull Free @ 1:30; 5 x 100 Pull Back @ 1:40; 10 x 100Streamline flutter kick @ 2:00; 10 x 100 I.M. Streamline kick @ 2:00; 4 x 25 no breath SLUDK @ :40. Swimmers must have the ability to complete the following races: 1650 Free with bilateral breathing, 400 I.M., 200 Fly, 200 Breast, 200 Back and a timed 3000 yard swim.  Finally, swimmers in this group must be exemplary student athletes willing to serve as leaders and positive role models for their teammates.  Practice attendance: Swimmers must attend a minimum of 5 practices per week with a 90% attendance rate during the course of the entire season in order to be eligible to represent GMA at New England Championship Meets. Saturday practices are required and must be one of the swimmer’s practices each week. Meets: All Senior Group team members are required to attend the GMA Winter Knights Invitational Meet in January 2009 and at least two other GMA-run meets. Senior Group team members are required to attend at least one out-of-state travel meet. Meet fees will be assessed for any non-GMA hosted meets in which swimmers compete. Team Activities: All Senior Group team members are required to attend at least four team activities, two of which must be a whole team practices.       2.5-hour practices with dryland, up to 8 times per week.  Saturday practices REQUIRED                                                                                                               

Sectional Group -  Skill Requirements: The GMA Sectional Group is open to all swimmers aged thirteen and older who are striving to achieve Speedo Championship (Sectional) cut times. Swimmers must be able to complete the following test sets: 10 x 100 Free @ 1:15; 5 x 100 Pull Free @ 1:20; 5 x 100 Pull Back @ 1:30; 10 x 100 Streamline flutter kick @ 1:50; 10 x 100 I.M. Streamline kick @ 1:50; 8 x 25 no breath SLUDK @ :30. Swimmers must have the ability to complete the following races: 1650 Free with bilateral breathing, 400 I.M., 200 Fly, 200 Breast, 200 Back and a timed 3000 yard swim. Finally, swimmers in this group must be exemplary student athletes willing to serve as leaders and positive role models for their teammates. Practice attendance: Swimmers must attend a minimum of 6 practices per week with a 90% attendance rate during the course of the entire season in order to be eligible to represent GMA at Speedo Championship (Sectional) Meets. Saturday practices are required and must be one of the swimmer’s practices each week.  Meets: All Sectional Group team members are required to attend the GMA Winter Knights Invitational Meet in January 2009 and at least two other GMA-run meets. Sectional Group team members are required to attend at least two out-of-state travel meets. Meet fees will be assessed for any non-GMA hosted meets in which swimmers compete. Team Activities: All Sectional Group team members are required to attend at least four team activities, two of which must be a whole team practices.        2.5-hour practices with dryland, up to 10 times per week.  Saturday practices REQUIRED                                                                                                             

National Group - Skill Requirements: The GMA National Group is open to all swimmers aged fourteen and older who are striving to achieve USA Swimming Junior National, U.S. Open and/or Senior National cut times. Swimmers must be able to complete the following test sets: 10 x 100 Free @ 1:10; 5 x 100 Pull Free @ 1:15; 5 x 100 Pull Back @ 1:20; 10 x 100 Streamline flutter kick @ 1:40; 10 x 100 I.M. Streamline kick @ 1:40; 10 x 25 no breath SLUDK @ :25. Swimmers must have the ability to complete the following races: 1650 Free with bilateral breathing, 400 I.M., 200 Fly, 200 Breast, 200 Back and a timed 3000 yard swim. Swimmers in this group must be exemplary student athletes willing to serve as leaders and positive role models for their teammates. Finally, swimmers in this group must be great sports and approach every team practice, meet and activity with a positive attitude and great effort. Practice attendance: Swimmers must attend a minimum of 7 practices per week with a 90% attendance rate during the course of the entire season in order to be eligible to represent GMA at any USA Swimming National level Meets. Saturday practices are required and must be one of the swimmer’s practices each week. Meets:  All National Group team members are required to attend the GMA Winter Knights Invitational Meet in January 2009 and at least two other GMA-run meets. National Group team members are required to attend at least two out-of-state travel meets. Meet fees will be assessed for any non-GMA hosted meets in which swimmers compete. Team Activities: All National Group team members are required to attend at least four team activities, two of which must be a whole team practices.             2.5 or 3-hour practices with dryland, up to 12 times per week.  Saturday practices REQUIRED         

 

 

 

 

 

 

                          

 

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