Practice Groups


Westfield Aquatics uses a progressive multi-level team structure designed to challenge each swimmer’s development physically and mentally.  At each level all swimmers are encouraged to achieve the objectives and goals set out by the swimmer and coach.  This structure promotes long-term success and enjoyment of the sport of swimming.  The coaching staff encourages parents to embrace the fact that each child is different and progresses at their own individual rate.  All group assignments are made by the coaching staff.

See the "Practice Schedules" Page for exact and most up to date practice times.

Developmental
(K-2nd grade), Ages 5-7

  • Must swim 1 25-yard length of Freestyle or Backstroke to be eligible for team.

  • Participation in local meets is recommended.

  • This group will generally practices 4 days a week for 45-50 minutes.

  • Athletes are recommended maintain 50% practice attendance for this group.

 

Age Group 2
(2-4 grade), Ages 7-9

  • (2nd grade), 7 year old - must be returning USA Swimming athletes or summer league experience, must be proficient at Freestyle and Backstroke, and have working knowledge of all 4 strokes.

  • (3-4th grade) 8-9 year old - Must be able to swim 25 Freestyle and 25 Backstroke.

  • (4th grade) 9 year old - New to swimming. Must be able to swim 25 Freestyle and 25 Backstroke

  • Participation in local meets is highly recommended.

  • This group will generally practices 5 days a week for 60 minutes.

  • Athletes are recommended maintain 50% practice attendance for this group.

 

Age Group 1
(3-5 grade), Ages 9-11

  • (3rd grade), 9 year old - Must be returning swimmers. Must have 4 (9-10 age group) divisional times or 9-10 Age Group State Qualifying times. Must be able to practice effectively in all 4 strokes, kick and IM.

  • (4th grade), 9-10 year old - Must be returning swimmers. Must have divisional times. Must be able to practice effectively in all 4 strokes, kick and IM.

  • (4-5th Grade) 10-11 year old - New swimmers to the sport, must be able to swim 100 Feestyle and 50 Backstroke to be eligible for the team.

  • Participation in meets is a very important part of their continued development.

  • This group will generally practices 6 days a week for 90 minutes.

  • Athletes are recommended maintain 50% practice attendance for this group.

 

Age Group Advanced - NEW

(5-7 Grade) Ages 10-13

  • (5th grade), 10-11 year old - Must be a returning swimmer.  Must have divisional time standrards. Must be able practice effectively in all 4 strokes, kick and IM.

  • (6th grade), 12-13 year old - New swimmers to the sport, must be able to swim 100 FR and 100 BK to be eligible for team.

  • Participation in Meets is a very important part of their continued development.

  • This group will generally be offered 6 practices per week for 90 minutes, including dryland.

  • Athletes are recommended maintain 50% practice attendance for this group.

 

Age Group Elite
(6-8 Grade) Ages 12-14

  • (6th grade) 12 year old - Must have a state qualifying time in the 11-12 age group. Must be able to train all 4 strokes, kick, IM and for the 500 Freestyle.  Must be able to train 8x100 Freestyle on 1:50; 6x100 IM on 2:20.

  • (6-7 Grade) 12-13 year old - Must have 6 or more Divisional Qualifying times and be able to train all 4 strokes, kick, IM and for the 500 FR. Must be able to train 8x100 Freestyle on 1:40; 6x100 IM on 1:50; 6x100 kick 2:00

  • (7th grade) 13 year old - Must have Divisional Qualifying times and be able to train all 4 strokes, Kick, IM and for the 500 FR. Must be able to train 8x100 FR on 1:40; 6x100 IM on 1:50; 6x100 kick 2:00

  • (8th grade) 13-14 years old - Must be able to swim 200 Freestyle and 100 Backstroke to be eligible for the team.

  • Participation in Meets is critical for the continued development.

  • This group will generally practices Monday-Saturday for 2 hours 30 minutes, including dryland.

  • Athletes are recommended maintain 80% practice attendance for this group.

 

Senior 

High School Freshman or Beyond.

  • Must be able to meet the physical demands and times of the Senior practices.

  • All Athletes are expected to compete in meets.

  • This group will generally practices three mornings a week and most afternoons, including dryland.

  • Athletes are recommended maintain 80% practice attendance for this group.