This practice group is targeted at continuing to teach swimmers advanced skills in all four competitive strokes, starts, turns, and basic racing strategies. Skills will be taught with an emphasis on fun in order to provide an all-around positive experience for swimmers.

Requirements to enter Blue Group:
Swimmers must be able to complete each of the following:

• 3 x 100 yd Free on 1:45
• 3 x 100 yd IM on 2:00
• 3 x 100 yd Kick on 2:30

Practice Attendance
For regular improvement, swimmers are encouraged to attend all practices offered per week.

Meet Attendance
Swimmers are expected to participate in at least 3 YMCA meets during the short-course season. In addition, swimmers are strongly encouraged to attend any USA Swimming meets recommended by the group coach during both the short and long-course seasons. Swimmers are also expected to attend the highest-level championship meet they qualify for at the end of both the short and long-course seasons.

Goals of the Blue Group

• Achieve a YMCA State time standard
• Display an effective standing and backstroke start
• Perform all turns and push-offs efficiently, including streamlining and underwater kicking
• Display the ability to go 15 yards of underwater dolphin kick in a streamline body position
• Display a proven ability to listen to coaches and make effort to improve
• Display courteous behavior towards coaches and other swimmers
• Display consistent practice attendance (4 out of 5 practices per week)

Required Equipment: Water bottle, fins and pull buoy

Blue Group Team Fees for the 2011/12 Season