The MLAC has recently renamed and restructured our groups in order to give swimmers and parents a better understanding of the requirements to swim in each group and the expectations of what a swimmer must accomplish in order to move from one group to the next. While we strive to make the criteria for participation in each group as objective as possible, these criteria are guidelines and exceptions will occasionally be made based on the best judgment of our Head Age Group and Head Senior Group coaches.

Novice
This group consists primarily of swimmers aged 10 and under. Some are new to swimming; others have been swimming for a year or two. Most of these swimmers are not legal in all four strokes and are still mastering proper race starts and flip turns. Training involves stroke instruction along with start and turn work. Parents can expect an average of 4 hours of practice per week.

Age Group 1
This group consists of swimmers aged 8 to 12. To participate in this group a swimmer must be legal in all four strokes and be able to legally complete the 100 individual medley. Age Group 1 swimmers are also capable of doing a competitive racing start and can do legal freestyle flip turns in practice and in meets. The emphasis for this group is on technique. Starts and turns are worked on as well. Parents can expect an average of 5-6 hours of practice per week.

Age Group 2
This group is made up of swimmers aged 9-12 who have achieved "B" time standards. Age Group 2 swimmers have a strong grasp of correct technique in all strokes, starts and turns and can legally complete the 200 Individual Medley. Age Group 2 swimmers are ready to build endurance and learn new training methods. Technique work and strength enhancement, including dryland training, will be included in their average of 7-8 hours of practice per week.

Junior
The Junior Group consists of swimmers aged 10-14 who have a majority of BB or better times. These swimmers are skilled in all four strokes and are capable of swimming 100 yard events in all four strokes, as well as some longer distance events such as the 400 Individual Medley and the 500 freestyle. Advanced training methods and continued stroke refinement prepare swimmers for senior swimming. Their workouts will be 8 or more hours per week with more intense dryland training.

Senior
The Senior Group consists of high school swimmers and select 13-over swimmers who have A times in multiple events. Our Senior swimmers have advanced skills and they have morning and afternoon workouts along with dryland and weight training. Senior swimmers train anywhere from 12-18 hours per week, depending on the time of year.

ABOUT COMPETING
MLAC is a competitive swim team. It is the expectation that members will compete. A balanced schedule of various types of meets is made available to all swimmers. These meets provide swimmers many opportunities to compete within their age group with others of similar ability.

Our Novice Group will be encouraged to swim in approximately 8 to 10 meets per year. All other training groups will compete in 10 or more meets per year. Novice and Age Group 1 are encouraged to swim in meets for the experience and to gain confidence in their swimming, with no undue pressure. Improved times are tangible evidence of progress, and, as such, are rewards for the many hours a swimmer logs at practice.

Swimmers should have the opportunity to experience this success. However, if a swimmer senses undue pressure to perform there is a danger of dropout. Everyone loses if a promising swimmer drops-out, the swimmer most of all. It is our coaching staff's desire to have all young swimmers maintain a keen interest in swimming so that they will have long-term success.

ABOUT MOVING AHEAD
Decisions about moving a swimmer to another group are made by the coaching staff. The majority of moves come after the summer season. Occasionally, a few moves are made before the summer season. In special cases, the coaching staff will ask an individual to move up to the next level during the season.

Swimmers are asked to move up based on readiness and maturity. It is important to determine each swimmer's ability to phycially and emotionally handle the demands of the next level. Each group has skills and practice levels that need to be achieved in order to be prepared to move up.

If you have any questions about our groups or the process for moving from one group to the next, please contact Head Age Group Coach This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Head Senior Group Coach This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .