Mesa Aquatics Club - Training Groups

Mesa Aquatics Club Team Training Groups

Athletes will be placed in training groups based on an evaluation by our staff or at the coach's discretion. A swimmer’s age for placement in this group is determined by the age they will be at the end of the championship season based on when the Arizona Age Group State Championship & Senior State Championship.

AGE GROUP

Pre-Team Base Camp (Skyline): $100

Entrance into group: Age 5-10 years old. Swim freestyle and backstroke across the length of the pool unassisted. Swimmers new to the team must be evaluated by a MAC coach. Coaches discretion based on what we believe is best for the child.

Group Dynamic: The main focus of this group is to develop the basic stroke fundamentals and to build a solid foundation of the 4 competitive strokes. This group places a large focus on kicking and using innovative drill progressions. and are ready to take the steps toward competitive swimming in all four strokes. Swimmers will be introduced to all four strokes, streamlining, developing body awareness, body position/line within the water and encouraged to develop an interest in competitive swimming.

Group Goal: strong understanding and execution of streamlines and the 4 competitive strokes and the swimmers acquire the skills necessary for efficient swimming.

3x1 hour practices per week (encouraged to attend 2-3)

Narwhal: $100

Entrance into group: Age 5-11 years old. Swimmers must be able to swim 25 yards of each competitive stroke and a 100 freestyle without stopping. Swimmers new to the team must be evaluated by a MAC coach. Coaches discretion based on what we believe is best for the child.

Group Dynamic: Main focus will be on increasing efficiency in all 4 strokes, through skills and drills, streamlines, and underwater work. Proper stroke technique is emphasized, and a continuation of body position/body line. This group places a large focus on kicking and using innovative drill progressions to acquire the skills necessary for competitive swimming. Swimmers will receive basic instruction for racing starts and relay starts and turns. Swimmers will be introduced to workout etiquette, body awareness in the water, alternate breathing, timing fly/breast, distance per stroke, and the use of a pace clock. A growth mindset and the importance of practice will begin to be incorporated.

Group Goal: Prepare swimmers for success in swimming meets and introduce competition through fun meets and MAC-hosted meets. Swimmers will learn about team environment and team pride. Begin striving to achieve Arizona Regional championship qualifying times.

5x1.25 hour practices per week (encouraged to attend 3)

White: $120

Entrance into Group: Age 8-12 years old Swimmer must demonstrate the ability to keep up with the current White Group. Be able to swim a 50 of all 4 strokes legally and swim a 300 without stopping. Coaches discretion based on what we believe is best for the child.

Group Dynamic: The White Group is primarily athletes ages 10 & under. Swimmers will continue stroke development to build endurance and racing skills (starts, turns, finishes) to legally compete in 100's of Stroke/IM, 200 free, and 200 IM. Swimmers will foster the ability to kick, build underwater dolphin kicks, learn workout etiquette, build upon body awareness within the water, and core body development. Swimmers in the group are encouraged to attend meets regularly with the goal of achieving Regional, Age Group State, SWAGR, Far Western, and Zone qualifying times. Swimmers will participate in dryland to increase strength, body awareness, and flexibility.

Group Goal: Swimmers will begin to understand the effect practice has on meet performance. Attend MAC meets and other AZ-hosted meets. This group will build on learning the value of teamwork and be introduced to goal setting, and build on a growth mindset. Introduction to race strategy and the value of consistency.

5x1.5 practices per week (encouraged to attend 3-4)

Red: $120

Entrance into Group: Swimmers must be between 12 and 17 years of age and be able to swim a 50 freestyle and backstroke. This group is for middle school and high school athletes new to the sport of swimming. Coaches discretion based on what we believe is best for the child.

Group Dynamic: The swimmers in the group are focused on achieving mastery of the fundamental skills needed to perform all four competitive strokes. Emphasis on building an aerobic base, proper stroke development, use of a pace clock, and competitive skills will be introduced. A focus on team building, community, and the value of the team. A daily dryland component will be incorporated into practices to increase body awareness and build core strength and flexibility. Swimmers will be introduced to competition through MAC fun meets and MAC home meets.

Group Goal: This group will prepare swimmers to transition into the Black Group or the Senior 2 group. Swimmers will develop a strong understanding of each of the 4 competitive strokes and execute each legally. Swimmers will develop the ability to execute starts and legal turns, pull outs, and streamlines.5x1.5 practices per week (encouraged to attend 3-4)

Black: $140

Entrance into group: swimmers must demonstrate the ability to keep up with the current Black Group. Be able to swim a 100 of all 4 strokes legally and swim a 500 without stopping. If the swimmer is new to the team: must be 11 yrs old and be able to swim a 50 Free, 100 Free, 50 back, and 100 back as well as a 50 Breaststroke or 50 Butterfly. Coaches discretion based on what we believe is best for the child.

Group Dynamic: Ages: 11-14 years old Swimmers in this group attend swim meets regularly with a focus on competing at Regionals, Age Group State, SWAGR, Far Westerns, and Zones. Building of endurance with ongoing stroke work; continuation of learning how to race, accountability, and sportsmanship. Competing regularly in swim meets, streamlining, fostering the ability to kick, building the ability to dolphin kick off all walls in a streamlined position, and proper stroke technique is emphasized. Seasonal goal meetings conducted with Black Group Coach.

Daily training: 1.75-2.0 hours, 6x per week

Group Goal: Develop a strong understanding of competitive skills, the use of a pace clock, the value of hard work, and a growth mindset. Develop an understanding of teamwork and build an encouraging and fun and competitive community.

Gold: $165

Entrance into group: Ages 11-14 swimmers must demonstrate the ability to keep up with the current Gold Group swimmers. This group is dedicated to improving stroke efficiency, training capacity, and racing skills. Swimmers in this group attend swim meets regularly and participate in a seasonal championship meet for the team and are committed to attending a minimum of 6 practices per week. Coaches discretion based on what we believe is best for the child.

Group Dynamic: This group is offered 7 workouts per week. Athletes are committed to stroke mechanics while building on endurance, working underwaters, starts, and turns. Swimmers in this group are expected to compete in all home meets and a season-ending championship meet for the team. This group will participate in dryland workouts to help with body awareness, athleticism, and strength gains, and flexibility. An introduction to stroke rate and stroke efficiency will be utilized. Swimmers in this group are encouraged to swim the IMX events every season. Individualized goal setting with monthly check-ins, as well as videotaping/analysis throughout the season. Swimmers must exhibit leadership skills in and out of the pool as they are leaders of MAC’s age group program.

Ages: 11 – 14 years old. Daily training: 1.5--2.5, 7x per week. (weekday morning 1.5 )

Goal: Swimmers will understand the value of consistency and dedication. Swimmers will become knowledgeable of race strategy and lead our other age groups with positive attitudes, commitment, and discipline. Swimmers will build team unity and accountability with others in their group and invest in the younger MAC swimmers.

SENIOR GROUP

Senior 2: $175

Group Emphasis:

Swimmers actively pursuing or already achieving Senior State level qualifying times or better.
Athletes are expected to attend a high percentage of the workouts offered on a year-round basis.
Local meets including Arizona Senior States should be attended and out-of-state championship meets up to Far Westerns level are highly encouraged.
A swimmer’s age for placement in this group is determined by the age they will be at the end of the championship season based on when the Arizona Age Group State Championship & Senior State Championship.

Swim Equipment:

Mesh Bag (to carry equipment)
Fins
Kickboard
Snorkel
Pull-buoy
Band
Paddles
Team Cap for competitions
Team Suit for competitions

Dryland Equipment:

Mesh Bag (to carry equipment)
Exercise mat
Foam roller (18-inch)
Lacrosse ball (2-pack)
Mini-bands (5-pack)
Resistance Band (1 - #0, 5-10 lb., yellow band)
Jump rope

Senior 1: $205

Group Emphasis:

Participation must be approved by the head coach.
Athletes in this group are approaching or have achieved Far Western qualifying times.
Athletes are expected to maintain 80%+ attendance on a year-round basis and commit to attending select local meets on our meet calendar as well as the highest level, out-of-state/championship meet they are qualified for.
Must be able to travel to different pools for combined S1 workouts as needed.
A swimmer’s age for placement in this group is determined by the age they will be at the end of the championship season based on when the Arizona Age Group State Championship & Senior State Championship.

Swim Equipment: