Woodcreek SeaWolves

SEAWOLVES REGULAR SEASON WORKOUTS (April 19th- July 15th): 

SPIRIT FRIDAYS! Friday before Meets** 

- Coaches will go over a skill/strategy they want to see done GREAT at the next day’s meet 

- Whole Team will participate in that week’s Spirit Event 

- Big buddies help out their young friends to get ready for the meet!

**Fridays before meets are 5/13, 5/20, 6/3, 6/10, 6/17, 6/24, 7/8 and 7/15.

PRACTICE GROUP ASSIGNMENT & GOALS 

Swimmers are assigned by the coach to specific groups based on age, ability and experience. Inexperienced, lower skill level swimmers may be assigned to a lower age group until adequate skills and development take place. Advanced swimmers may be placed in a group above their age group by a coach if it is felt to be beneficial. 

NEW FOR 2022: The objective of the coaching staff is to find the right place for each swimmer on the team. Swimmers may need additional time to learn the strokes while other may need additional challenges. You will notice that our younger age groups have overlapping ages, and the younger groups have been combined into our SEAPUPS program. This will allow athletes to find the right space where they can receive the coaching and direction they need to build the foundations for a long and successful career in the pool. Swimmers still compete in their designated age groups as organized by NorCal Swim League (reviewed later in the handbook). 

Age Groups: 5–9-year-olds (First year(s) on the team) SEAPUPS Group 

1. Five to nine years of age (approximately). 

2. 4x 45 Min Sessions Clinic style a week, plus Friday Meet preps 

3. Emphasis on teaching four competitive strokes*, starts and turns. 

4. Emphasis on instilling strong team spirit and fun. 

*6 & Under swimmers do not compete in Breaststroke or Butterfly 

The SEAPUPS group will be teaching-based the first portion of the season, helping the swimmers adapt from lessons or small group training to team environment training. Swimmers will generally be divided into age groups within the group, but this set up will allow coaches to group swimmers who need to work on the same set of foundational skills as needed (IE- all the swimmers struggling with Breaststroke kick and needing more time will get that time and focus while the rest of the group can continue on with another skill). This is also a great place for swimmers who are on a competitive swim team for the first time. It is possible that a swimmer may begin in the SEAPUPS group, and then during the season advance to the 7 to 10 year-old training group. The coaching staff will make that decision and contact the swimmer’s family if that situation arises- which will be the goal of the staff! The more swimmers needing to move up, the more swimmers will have established their core swimming skills! 

Age Groups: 7-10/ 10-12 years 

1. One-hour workouts, five days per week. 

2. Increase emphasis on stroke mechanics, flexibility, and endurance. 

3. Emphasis will be placed on proper practice habits and team spirit.

NEW FOR 2022: Why the overlap and two groups have 10 year-olds in them? We want to find the right group for the right swimmer. Some 10 year-olds may need more training as they had continued in other aquatics programs through the school year (IE- year round swimming). Some may be aging up to 11 years old after the NorCal League “age up” date and the staff feels training with those peers may be beneficial. The coaching staff will make this decision and communicate it to the families that are affected. Younger swimmers in the 7-10 group will have had experience competing and training on a swim team before (EX: Previously on the SeaWolves, Year-Round experience, other seasonal program). 

Age Groups: 13-14 / 15-18 years 

1. One hour and fifteen minute workouts, five days per week, 13+ swimmers train together. 

2. Emphasis placed on improving stroke mechanics, starts and turns, strength and endurance. 

3. Swimmers consistently show good effort and attitude at practice. 

4. Possess a high level of team spirit and leadership. 

5. Group members are expected to set individual performance goals 

NOTE: Swimmers who competed in the high school swimming season will be expected to join the group by Tuesday, May 10th (first Tuesday after the completion of the High School Sections Meet). This is the date that their attendance will begin to count towards the attendance policy (Attendance Policy may be found on page 10). Swimmers MAY join this group BEFORE that date (IE- after the conclusion of their respective High School League meets, if they do not advance to Sections). 

This group will also have opportunities to participate in our SeaWolves BUDDIES program, along with assisting with the SEAPUPS group. More information will be provided as we approach the season.