Practice Groups
We are a private not-for-profit age group competitive swim team with six different training groups. Our mission is to help swimmers improve their competitive swimming abilities as well as develop confidence, strength, and discipline while having fun through swimming. Our team is open to youth who are interested and willing to learn how to become a competitive swimmer. Our professional coaches are educated and experienced in competitive swimming and have created an atmosphere that is safe, fun, and educational. Swimmers are expected to attend practice 3 or more times per week depending on their group assignment. We strongly encourage our swimmers to attend recommended practices and to compete.
HOSC Group Descriptions and Participation Expectations: 2011-2012
The Hornet Swim Club (HOSC) offers a comprehensive program of instruction and training in competitive swimming for youth ages five and older. Swimmers are placed in groups (and moved up or down, as appropriate) at the coaches' discretion based on the swimmer's instructional needs in stroke/technique, strength and stamina, attendance record (both practices and meets), age, attitude, and ability to practice without being disruptive/distracting to other swimmers. Placement is not driven by "best times", but instead is based on the best fit for that swimmer.
Stroke refinement is a major emphasis of the Hornet Swim Club throughout every level of the team.
Hornet Swim Club requires these things from its swimmers and their families:
- A positive attitude and appropriate conduct
- Regular practice attendance as noted below
- Meet attendance as noted below
- Parent participation, particularly at home meets, and in other roles as needed to support the team.
All Swimmers who currently have or achieve championship meet time standards will automatically be signed up for championship meets, and are expected to attend. The Green and White groups are primarily instructional with an increasing emphasis on training once a swimmer progresses through the structured program. Stroke refinement is a major emphasis of the Hornet Swim Club throughout every level of the team.
Click here for detailed information on practice groups and swimmer development.
Green: M/Tu/W/Th/F - 6:00 to 6:45 pm
The Green group is generally for age 8 & under swimmers who can demonstrate at least two competitive strokes for one length of the pool and are mentally and physically ready to be part of a team. The focus for the Green group is to refine the existing strokes, to develop the kick for all four competitive strokes, to introduce the fundamentals of the arms of the remaining strokes, to develop diving skills, and, of course, to have fun! Our two "Home" ISIs, Swim Your Age in the Fall and Bee My Valentine in February are highly recommended and dual meets are available based on coach recommendation. Green group swimmers are only to attend a maximum of THREE practices per week. Managing attendance in this way will ensure a quality educational experience for the swimmers while minimizing lane overcrowding and maintaining flexibility for families. Attendance will be tracked to ensure that Green swimmers are not exceeding three practices per week.
White: M/Tu/W/Th/F - 6:00 to 7:00 pm
The White group is generally for age 9 & under swimmers who have demonstrated at least three competitive strokes and know how to do a competitive start and a somersault in the water (the building block of a flip turn). The White group will focus mainly on stroke, turn, and start refinement. Training sets and the pace clock are introduced at this level. Swimmers in this group must participate in all Home ISIs and any intrasquad or dual meets offered. White group swimmers are only to attend a maximum of THREE practices per week. Managing attendance in this way will ensure a quality educational experience for the swimmers while minimizing lane overcrowding and maintaining flexibility for families. Attendance will be tracked to ensure that White swimmers are not exceeding three practices per week.
Bronze: M/Tu/W/Th/F - 6:00 to 7:00 pm
The Bronze group is generally for age 10 & under swimmers who have passed out of the White group or equivalent program, and who demonstrate all four strokes legally as well as correctly demonstrating all competitive turns and starts. The Bronze group continues to refine strokes and also will have structured training sets designed to improve their conditioning, speed, and confidence. Swimmers in this group must participate in all Home ISIs and any intrasquad or dual meets offered. Swimmers must attend at least three practices per week.
Silver: M/Tu/W/Th/F - 6:00 to 7:15 pm
The Silver group is generally for age 11 & over swimmers who have passed out of the Bronze group or equivalent program. These swimmers demonstrate four legal strokes, are proficient in starts and turns, and like to compete. The Silver group will continue to refine strokes using detailed drills and advanced training techniques. The focus of the Silver group is to build the endurance and speed necessary to complete the sets used at the Gold and Senior levels. This group is expected to attend four to five practices a week and participate in at least 75% of the meets.
Gold: M/Tu/W/Th/F - 7:00 -8:45pm
The Gold group is generally for age 11 & over swimmers who have passed out of the Silver group or equivalent program and have the ability to complete rigorous sets on demanding intervals. These swimmers usually have one or more current regional cuts (unless they have recently aged up after having cuts in the previous age group). The Gold group continues to refine strokes using detailed drills designed for the experienced swimmer. Swimmers will be introduced to different types of competitive training such as distance swimming, sprinting, and other specific training philosophies. The Gold group begins to focus on race strategy and mastering the skills needed to compete in every event offered in competitive swimming. The Gold group is expected to attend almost every practice with an occasional miss and participate in at least 75% of the meets offered.
Senior: M/Tu/W/Th/F - 7:00 to 9:00 pm
The Senior group is for age 13 & over swimmers who have passed out of the Gold group or equivalent program. The Senior group continues refinement of strokes using advanced drills specially designed for the experienced swimmer. Practices will focus on all aspects of training including distance, sprint, stroke, IM, and resistance. Advanced training concepts will be introduced slowly throughout the season. Practices will not only be physically challenging, but also mentally challenging. The Senior group is expected to attend almost every practice with an occasional miss and participate in at least 75% of the meets offered.
Group criteria may change at any time depending on the needs of the program/swimmers.
revised 8/3/11