LFSC Practice Squads
Our practice squads emphasize the progress of each swimmer on an individual basis as they gain strength, skills, experience and maturity. Children grow and develop at individual rates and long-term athletic success requires great patience. After an initial New Swimmer Evaluation swimmers begin their journey in a practice squad appropriate for their age, ability and experience.
Competition is introduced progressively. We have developed our competitive ecosystem starting with our Age Group Challenge Meets, progressing from intra-squad to club to championship meets. We believe in the development of all strokes and learning to compete in the full range of competitive events. Swimmers are never slotted into a particular stroke or event category as this greatly limits their full development.
Our coaches have successfully developed swimmers to all levels of swimming without overly focusing on championship swimming. LFSC swimmers are successful with all strokes and race distances, preparing them for successful high school, college and even Masters swimming. Every swimmer is not an Olympic swimmer but every LFSC swimmer receives world-class coaching and individual attention to their development.
National Squad
The National Squad is a very demanding highly specialized elite squad for swimmers striving to achieve in National level competition. This squad is by invitation only and requires a level of fitness and commitment (90% practice attendance) consistent with the demands of elite-level swimming.
Competition attendance at National level competitions, if qualified, is required. The minimum requirements for the National Squad are listed below:
- age 13; college swimmers
- have achieved published time standards
- commit to the full training and competition program required for elite performance
Competition is required at LFSC-hosted meets and other designated competitions. National Squad time standards are established each season and are available from Coach Michael.
Senior Squad (High School, College)
The Senior Squad is for high school and college swimmers who meet the training standards below. Swimmers age 13 may be considered on an individual basis. Swimmers will compete in local, state, and regional competitions.
All swimmers must be able to consistently demonstrate all fundamental stroke skills and the following performance standards:
- 16 x 100 freestyle @ 1:50/scm or 1:45/scy (maintaining at least :20 rest)
- 12 x100 kick @ 2:20/scm or 2:10/scy (maintaining at least :20 rest)
- 400 freestyle @ 6:00/scm or 6:30/scy
- 8 x200 IM @ 3:45/scm or 3:30/ scy (maintaining :20 rest)
Competition is required at LFSC-hosted meets and other designated competitions.
Age Group Squad (ages 9-13)
The Age Group Squad is our "meat and potatoes" squad for swimmers ages 9-13 years. Previous swim team experience is recommended but not required. Our Age Group Squad prepares young swimmers for future success as Senior swimmers. This is the place where Olympic Dreams are forged!
All swimmers must be able to consistently demonstrate all fundamental stroke skills and the following:
- 8 x100 scm freestyle @ 2:30
- 200 scm kick for all competitive strokes
- 6 x 50 scm swim for all competitive strokes
- 5 x 100 IM with reasonable skill integrity
Competition is required at LFSC-hosted meets.
Novice Squad (ages 7-12)
The Novice Squad is for swimmers ages 7-12 years. Previous swim team experience is not required. All swimmers must be able to participate in a structured group learning environment and have appropriate personal independence.
Minimum entry competencies for all swimmers in the Novice Squad are listed below:
- demonstrated competency in performing all four competitive strokes
- knowledge of all competitive starts and turns
- continuous 200 freestyle swim
Competition is not required but is recommended at LFSC-hosted events
The Mighty Ducks squad is for young swimmers striving to make further progress to our competitive team. All Mighty Ducks must be at least 6 years old at the start of the session and able to swim 25 meters of freestyle and backstroke.
The Mighty Ducks program focuses on refining freestyle and backstroke while learning the basics of butterfly, breaststroke, starts, and turns. Skill assessment and progress is monitored in monthly intrasquad meets.
Prospective Mighty Ducks must complete a New Swimmer Evaluation before registering.
The Mini Ducks squad is for children who have had exposure to a structured lesson program (Big Blue, British Swim School, Foss, Goldfish, e.g.). All Mini Ducks must be at least 6 years old at the start of the session.
Mini Ducks focus on basic swimming skills, strength, and safety. Swimmers able to swim 25 meters of freestyle with side breathing spend extra time learning backstroke and gaining strength in freestyle.
Prospective Mini Ducks must complete a New Swimmer Evaluation before registering.