Practice Groups

PSL currently has three practice groups: Bronze, Silver and Silver II. The minimum requirements are just that and do not guarantee a child will be placed in a particular swim group.  Our goal is to place the swimmer in the most appropriate swim group that will best serve their needs and abilities. Placement has many factors and can be subjective, if you have any questions regarding your child’s placement please speak with the head coach.

Bronze
Minimum requirements: 6 years old; Legal in 2 strokes
Practices 2-3 times per week
PSL is a technique based team and it all begins in Bronze. Swimmers are introduced to basic and essential swimming concepts beginning with balance.  A majority of their time is spent drilling and learning to “feel the water”.  Racing basics are taught, but the emphasis is on technique not speed.   Principles of good sportsmanship are established in this group and reinforced at all levels.

Silver
Minimum requirements:9 years old; Legal in 3 strokes
Practices 3-4 times per week
This practice group primarily focuses on technique although a larger component of aerobic benefit is achieved through the introduction of more intense drill sets.  In Silver I aerobic and anaerobic swim sets are added to improve the swimmer’s ability to maintain proper stroke techniques during periods of increased effort and stress.  Silver I will cycle through each of the training phases just as Silver II does, but phase length and individual workouts will be tailored with less intensity. Standards of good sportsmanship are expected to be demonstrated by this group of swimmers.  The concept of lane leadership is introduced.

Silver II
Minimum requirements: 12 years old; Legal in 4 strokes
Practices 5-6 times per week (Individual Goal Sheets determine specific requirements for each swimmer)
In Silver II a greater share of the responsibility to incorporate proper technique into drill and swim is placed on the swimmer. The coaches work closely with this group to ensure there is a feedback loop, but swimmers have a greater knowledge of proper technique at this point and are expected to apply it.  Drill and swim sets are more intense, but technique is not sacrificed for speed.  As a recovery based training team, certain sets are tailored to the individual’s ability to recover from the current workout as well as previous workouts.  Good sportsmanship is expected at all times from this group of swimmers.  Team leaders are mentored and given opportunities to expand their leadership roles on the team.