White Group - Ages 11-older

This is a competitive training group designed to prepare swimmers for AA and Zone levels of competition. The emphasis will be on introducing and mastering the basics of the following skills necessary to be successful competitive swimmers - training etiquette, advanced stroke mechanics, training and race strategies, goal setting, proper nutrition, and mental preparation. Swimmers will participate in a dryland program to help develop core body strength and coordination.

Requirements to Enter White Group

To be considered for placement into the White group swimmers must first be able to complete the Goals of the Green Group. In addition, swimmers must be able to complete each of the following practice sets:

• 10 x 100 Free on 1:50
• 8 x 100 IM on 2:20
• 10 x 50 Flutter Kick with a kick board on 1:20

Practice Attendance
Swimmers in the White group are encouraged to attend 5 out of 6 practices offered per week. Athletes who fail to meet this standard should not expect for continual improvements.

Meet Attendance
Swimmers are required to participate in at least 3 YMCA meets during the short-course season in addition all USA Swimming meets recommended by the group coach. Swimmers are also required to attend the highest-level championship meet they qualify for at the end of both the short and long-course seasons. Short-course focus meets for the White group are the SWYSL “A” “AA”, Great Lake YMCA Zone, and YMCA National Championships. Long-course focus meets for the White group are the SWOYSL Summer Championships and YMCA Long Course National Championship.

Goals of the White Group

When swimmers move out of the White group they will have two options depending on their age and coaches recommendations. The first which will lead them to the Senior group (12-older); the second which will lead them to the National Group (Head Coach Selections only).

Swimmers entering the senior group should be able to complete all of the following:

• Achieve a “AA”  and “Zone” time standards
• Demonstrate the willingness to train for and compete in all strokes and distances
• Demonstrate a proven ability to maintain a positive attitude and focus during workout and has an understanding of how their actions affect their teammates
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of goal setting skills
• Understand and demonstrate the YMCA's 4 core character values

• Display consistent practice attendance habits (4 out of 5 practices offered per week)
• Display a proven ability to maintain a positive attitude and focus during workouts and has an understanding of how their actions affect their teammates
• Display a commitment to attending all meets recommended by the group coach
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of goal setting skills