Swimming Levels

MAAC offers a variety of swimming levels.  Each level is designed to promote the sport of swimming by providing age specific training.  Each level is created with the purpose of creating a long term passion for competitive swimming as well as developing and challenging each swimmer to the best of their ability.

Level requirements are designed to allow our coaches work more effectively during the practice, not to isolate or segregate.  Our coaches always have the swimmers best interest and long term development in mind.  The decision to consider or initiate a move is the responsibility of the coaches.  As always if you have any questions please contact any of the MAAC staff.

Practice: Sundays 5-6pm and Thursdays 6-7pm [No Summer Season]

Practice sessions designed to introduce swimmers to the four competitive strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly). Swimmers in the Guppies group should be comfortable in the water and be able to go underwater. Focus will be on developing correct freestyle and backstroke technique and introducing swimmers to the breaststroke and butterfly techniques. Flip turns and competitive starts will be introduced.

To advance from Guppies to Bettas, swimmers must be able to swim 500 yards non-continuous during a 1-hour practice and be proficient in freestyle and backstroke. Swimmers must also demonstrate a working knowledge of breaststroke and butterfly techniques, be able to dive from the side, and do a somersault. To move up, the swimmer must be able to complete a continuous 50 of both freestyle and backstroke.

Bettas include the continuation of the Guppy objectives with an emphasis on improving stroke techniques and introducing competitive starts and turns in all four strokes. We recommend swimmers attend 2-3 practices a week to maintain muscle memory and endurance, and attend at least 1 meet per season.

To advance from Bettas to Rays, swimmers must be able to swim 1,500 yards during practice, understand basic swimming vocabulary, and have legal stroke technique in 3 of 4 strokes. Bettas must be able to swim a 100 of freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and a 50 butterfly starting off the blocks.

Rays include the continuation of the Bettas objectives with an emphasis on perfecting stroke techniques and increasing endurance and speed. Rays will be introduced to alternate breathing and use of the pace clock. We recommend swimmers attend all practices to maintain muscle memory and endurance, and attend 1 meet per month.

To advance from Rays to Dolphins, swimmers must be able to swim 2,500 yards during practice, be able to alternate breathe, and be proficient in all strokes. Additionally Rays swimmers must be able to complete a continuous 200 freestyle under 3:45 and a legal 200 IM.

Practice: Sundays 5-7 pm, Mondays 6-7:30pm, Tuesdays 6-7:30pm, Thursdays 6-7:30pm

Dolphins include the continuation of the Rays objectives with an emphasis on continuing to increase swimmer endurance and improving stroke, turn, and start technique. The Dolphin group will have an increased competitive emphasis, with racing specific training. Swimmers in the Dolphin level are encouraged to swim all days per week to maintain their endurance and to see improvement. Swimmers at this level are highly encouraged to compete on a regular basis, and attend a finals meet.

To advance from Dolphins to Sharks, swimmers must be able to swim 3,500 yards during practice, understand sets, competitive technical drills, as well as be able to use the pace clock correctly.  Dolphin swimmers must be able to complete 10×50 yard freestyle swims on the 55-second interval.

Practice: Sundays 5-7 pm, Mondays 6-7:30pm, Tuesdays 6-7:30pm, Thursdays 6-7:30pm

Sharks includes the continuation of the Dolphin objectives with an increased emphasis on building the swimmer’s endurance, refining proper stroke technique of all four competitive strokes, improving technique of competitive starts and turns, and preparing for competition. Swimmers in the Shark level are encouraged to attend all offered practices, as the group’s focus is building endurance. Swimmers at this level are highly encouraged to compete on a regular basis and attend a finals meet. The swimmer must show dedication to the team and consistently demonstrate excellent practice habits.

To advance from Sharks to Senior, swimmers must be able to swim 4,000 yards in one practice, and complete 10×100 yard freestyle swims on the 1:30 interval. Swimmers must also display leadership skills as well as have a drive for higher-level competition.

The Senior level includes a continuation of the Junior level objectives with an emphasis on increasing endurance and refining competition technique of all four strokes, turns and starts. This group also focuses on mental preparedness and physical conditioning for more competitive swimmers. Senior level swimmers are expected to attend practice nightly with a maximum of 2 missed practices per month. Swimmers in the Senior level must show leadership skills and have the ability to swim a set with minimal interval supervision. Seniors are highly encouraged to compete on a regular basis, register for the 200 fly, back or breast, 400 IM, and 1000 or 1650 freestyle during a season and are expected to attend A/B/C finals and/or state.

MAAC provides kick boards, flippers, pull buoys and hand paddles to assist learning and practicing different techniques.

At the Junior and Senior levels swimmers are encouraged to purchase their own fins for a more comfortable fit, and bring a water bottle to practice to stay hydrated.

Coaches will have the final decision regarding moving to the next group.