Practice Groups
 
     
 

  Practice Times
 See front office or coach for  practice times.  Current Information on practice groups times is on NTN home page.
Practice Group Assignments
As a new swimmer, coaches place the swimmer after considering the tryout results, age and ability.  As the season progresses, coaches may ask swimmers to change groups to make sure each swimmer’s ability is matched to his or her training level.  This decision is based on the age, ability, practice attendance, effort, desire of the swimmer, and work ethic.
 
In order to guide the coaches, swimmers, and parents, the coaching staff follows basic training guidelines.  These are not the sole determinant of whether a swimmer will move up, but are helpful in assessing a move. 
Practice Groups
 Copper

NTN has  a new Novice group, Copper.  Copper was created to let Stroke Team kids onto the USA Swimming team earlier.   It was determined that there are Black Stroke team members  ready to start participating in a more competitive environment.  By creating this group, we can keep the Bronze groups working like they do but still let more swimmers participate in USA Swimming events. 

Bronze 1 and 2
 
This group is for swimmers who can perform the four competitive strokes legally and are now ready for advanced stroke instruction and an introduction to training.  Swimmers are encouraged to attend practice at least two to three times per week.
 
The minimum training requirement for bronze is to swim a 300 Free with flip turns and a legal 100 IM.
Silver 1 and 2
This is a transitional group for swimmers who are proficient in the four competitive strokes.   Careful attention is still devoted to stroke technique, but equal emphasis is also placed on training.  Swimmers are encouraged to practice at least 3 to 4 times per week.
Gold
 
The gold group is for more accomplished and motivated age-group swimmers.  Although participation in school sports and other activities is recognized, swimming at this level is usually the athlete’s primary sport.  Training emphasis will focus on perfecting individual technique and endurance.  Swimmers are encouraged to attend practice four times per week.
 
The minimum training requirement for Gold is to complete 2 x 500 Freestyles  under 10:00 and a 3 x 200 IM under 4:45.
Platinum
 
The Platinum Group includes swimmers ages 11 to 15 years who are preparing for the rigors of Senior Training.  The goal of this practice group is for each swimmer to achieve his or her highest level of age group competition with at least two “A” times in the 11 – 12 age group.   Swimmers are encouraged to attend practice at least five times per week.
 
Minimum requirements for the Platinum group are 10 x 100 Free under 1:40 and 5 x 200 IM under 4:00.
 
Senior 1 Prep Practice Group
 
This group is composed of experienced high school swimmers aged 14 and up.  Emphasis is on serious competitive training.  Swimmers at this level are provided a strong conditioning background that will prepare them to progress to higher levels of achievement. 
 
There are no minimum requirements or attendance requirements for this group.  Past training experience is helpful. 
 
Senior II
The Senior II group will practice in the mornings.  This a group designed for those who wish to continue swimming all year round, however do not want to swim competitively outside of High School swimming.
 

Senior I

The Senior Practice Group focuses on reaching the highest level of USA Club swimming.  Training requirements for the Senior group are very stringent and must be met consistently.  Participants must demonstrate goal-oriented behavior.  A commitment to year round swimming, including the short and long course seasons, is necessary. 

 
Minimum training requirements for the Senior Group are 10 x 100 Free under 1:20 and 5 x 200 IM under 3:00.

  National Group

The National Team was created for swimmers with goals of competing at the Junior National and National level.  These are swimmers are typically 15 and older, practice twice a day and swim competitively for the team at all available swim meets.