Team Structure

The Donner Swim Club is divided into several training groups based on:

· Age

· stroke proficiency

· aerobic conditioning

· mental and emotional maturity

· commitment to swimming and to the team

The progressive structure of these groups provides a setting in which swimmers are continually challenged yet are able to experience individual and team success.

Beginning Competetive Swimmers  (BCS) (click to download more information)

This is an entry-level developing group where the focus is placed on ensuring that athletes are:

· having fun

· forming strong team bonds

· developing strong fundamental skills in all four competitive strokes

· building a kicking foundation

· learning the basics of racing skills

 We have 3 levels of Beginning Competetive Swimmers that your child will progress through.

To move up from Beginning Competetive Swimmers to Age Group Developmental.  

Age Group Developmental (AGD) (click to download more information)

This is a competitive training group aimed at developing advanced technical skills and a strong aerobic foundation. Skills will be taught with an emphasis on fun and teamwork in order to continue to ensure that all athletes develop a long-term love for the sport.

The training emphasis of this group is centered on continuing to:

· develop strong technical skills in all four strokes

· starts

· turns

· underwater work

· developing a strong aerobic base

· increasing the volume and intensity of both kicking and swimming work

· basic dryland (games) conditioning emphasizing basic core body strength

To move up from Age Group Developmental to Age Group Elite.

Age Group Elite (AGE) (click to download more information)

This is a competitive training group designed to prepare swimmers for state and Zone levels of competition. The emphasis of the Age Group Elite is on mastering the following skills necessary to be successful competitive swimmers:

· training etiquette

· advanced stroke mechanics

· training and race strategies

· goal setting

· proper nutrition

· mental preparation,

· ability to handle increasing training workloads.

· dryland program to help develop core body strength, basic strength in the shoulders and legs

· overall body control and coordination

To move up from Age Group Elite  to Gold Team.

Gold Team  (click to download more information)

Gold Team Expectations - Aug. 2010

Gold Team - Aug. 2010

Gold Team 1-     This is a competitive training group designed for swimmers ages 13 and older to train them for High School and USA Swimming state and regional levels of competition. The emphasis of the Senior 1 group will be on:

· increasing aerobic capacity through increased kicking and swimming volume and intensity

· enhance stroke mechanics and underwater kicking ability

· mastering concepts related to race strategies

· proper nutrition

· goal setting

· mental preparation

Gold Team 2 -This is a highly competitive training group designed to prepare swimmers for state, regional and National levels of competition. The emphasis will be on:

· increased aerobic conditioning

· skill development

· physical, mental and emotional preparation required for National level competition.

· advanced stroke mechanics

· perfecting race strategies

· proper nutrition

· individual goal setting

· developing an understanding of the importance of proper mental preparation.

· specifically designed dryland conditioning program

Summer Stay in Shape

This is designed for the high school and college level athlete who wishes to just stay in shape for summer. They may attend up to 5 practices a week with the Gold team, and compete.