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Developmental Levels

Green Group

Ages 12 & Under

The Green Group focuses on learning the basics of the four competitive strokes, understanding the basics of clock reading and intervals, and working on turns and starts. 

Keeping practices short (60 minutes) but effective this is a great group for athletes just out of lessons or those interested in learning more about competitive swimming. 

The minimum ability of a swimmer joining this is group is: the completion of “Guppy” level lessons in the YMCA swim lessons program (or the equivalent).

Age Group Levels

White I Group

Ages 8 - 12

The White I group continues to build on the basic fundamentals of the four competitive strokes, including starts and turns and will begin basic set and endurance training.  White I members should be attending meets and starting to look toward YMCA and USA State meets.  Practices are a little longer (75 minutes); this group will be for swimmers that are beyond the basics of the Green group and they will be working on building their endurance in each of the four strokes. 

The minimum ability of a swimmer joining this group is: legally swimming 50 yards of each of the four competitive strokes.

White II Group

Ages 10 - 12

Emphasizes longer distances and individual medley training.  Stroke mechanics, along with learning the basics of a dry land program, continues as a major part of the overall program.  Practices are 90 minutes; this group is for swimmers between the ages of 10 – 12 that are committed to the sport of swimming. Advance stroke technique, specialty training, and race strategy become very important for continued improvement.  This group will be introduced to training methods based on T – 30 test swims. 

The minimum ability of a swimmer joining this group is: Having at least two times that meets the USA B standard in motivational times, or the coach’s discretion.

Senior Group Levels

Black I Group

The Black I group is the first of senior training levels.  This group is for the swimmer moving up from the White Groups level or a beginning swimmer from ages 13 – 18.  Beginning at this level, a swimmer should be making more of a commitment to swimming or accept that the improvements may/will be compromised. Swimmers are offered 5 practices per week.  Workouts are 120 minutes per day. Advance stroke technique, specialty training, and race strategy become very important for continued improvement. 

Black II Group

13 & Over

The Black II group is the top group of the St. Cloud YMCA Swim Team and its stature is reflected in its requirements.  Two-a-day practices and dry land workouts are expected.  Practices range from 120 to 180 minutes.  The Black II group also does core strength exercises, med-balls, dyna-bands, and plyo-metrics. All swimmers in this group must have routinely shown a commitment to attend a National Level meet: YMCA Nationals, Jr. Nationals, and/or Senior Nationals.  A swimmer in the Black II group should have at least one A standard cut from the motivational times, or the coach’s discretion.  Because of the above requirements, it is suggested that swimmers are not placed in this group too early. They need to be sure they are ready to totally commit to swimming and continue to train at a high level for their tenure with the St. Cloud YMCA Swim Team.