Practice Groups Description
BBA is proud to be able to offer a variety of program options to accommodate as many families and swimmers as possible based upon age and ability. In order to do this, it is BBA's policy to track attendance.
If a swimmer wishes to change practice groups, he or she may do so if the desired practice group is not full and the coach has approved it. A practice group change form must be completed. (download below)
The Head Coach will designate the final placement. Keep in mind that this may be different than the placement desired by the swimmer/parent.
The Age-Group Program divides swimmers into Speedsters, Bronze, Silver, Gold [1 & 2] and Senior [1 & 2].
Speedster:
Designed to provide beginning competitive swimmers [generally ages 6-9] the opportunity to refine and perfect their strokes, to maintain technique during races and to prepare for competition. Speedsters must be able to complete one length [25 yards] of two of the four competitive strokes [butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke or freestyle].
Bronze:
For competitive swimmers [generally ages 8-11] that have achieved "C" or "B" times. This group continues the emphasis on stroke refinement. Starts, turns, race strategy, endurance training [age/ability appropriate] and goal setting are also emphasized.
Silver:
This group provides the more advanced competitive swimmers [generally ages 8-11] that swim "B" or "A" times with more intensive development opportunities. Starts, turns, race strategy, endurance training [age/ability appropriate] and goal setting continue to be the focus of this group.
Gold:
This group focuses on the more experienced competitive swimmers [generally ages 10-12] that swim "B", "A" and "AA" and above times, and provides the opportunity for more intensive age/ability training and racing opportunities. The focus on technique and other skills continues as with the Silver group. Stretching and dry-land training [age/ability appropriate] is introduced, as well as training in a long course meter pool.
The Gold group is offered at two different levels known as Gold 1 and Gold 2. The difference in the two levels is not based upon the times the athlete has achieved, but rather the commitment level that the athlete is willing to make to BBA. There are minimum practice and meet attendance requirements for Gold 1 swimmers that must be adhered to or the Gold 1 swimmer is subject to be placed into the Gold 2 group which offers a more flexible program and schedule. The Gold 1 swimmer must attend a minimum of 5 practices per week and attend team meets as designated by the Head Coach. The Gold 2 program is a more flexible program enabling athletes that play multiple sports or have other commitments to participate in a quality competitive swim program. Both the Gold 1 and the Gold 2 group may include athletes that perform at the "B", "A" and "AA/AAA" levels.
To enroll in the Gold 1 group the athlete must be either 11 or 12 years old at certain times of the season [ 12 & Under State Meet for Fall/Winter session; LC State Meet for spring/summer session].
Senior:
This group focuses on competitive swimmers, generally ages 13 and older. The focus on technique and other skills continues. Senior swimmers are provided with the opportunity to train at levels to prepare them for state, regional and national/international competition as well as college and university swim programs. Individual Medley [IM] training and an additional focus on dry-land training and middle distance/distance training is also stressed to prepare the athlete to compete successfully at the collegiate level.
The Senior group is offered at two different levels [along the same concept as the Gold group] known as Senior 1 and Senior 2. The difference in the two groups, as is the case with the Gold group, is based upon the commitment level that the athlete is willing to make to BBA. There are minimum practice and meet attendance requirements that must be adhered to or the Senior 1 swimmer is subject to be placed into the Senior 2 group which offers a more flexible program and schedule. The Senior 1 swimmer must attend a minimum of 6 practices per week and attend team meets as designated by the Head Coach. The Senior 2 program is a more flexible program enabling athletes that play multiple sports or have other commitments to participate in a quality competitive swim program. Both the Senior 1 and the Senior 2 groups may include swimmers that perform at the state, regional and national/international levels.
To enroll in the Senior 1 group the athlete must be at least 13 years old at certain times of the season [12 & Under State Meet for Fall/Winter session; LC State Meet for spring/summer session].
Middle School:
This group permits the athlete to practice with the otherwise appropriate group for that athlete when it does not overlap with the Middle School season.