FSA Group Descriptions
A group for every stage of the swim journey
Athletes are organized based on skill level AND age to help support the opportunity to train and compete with their peers. Each group builds on the last, from a first love of the water to race strategy and regional competition.
At a glance
Group | Ages | Practice length | Should enter able to swim |
|---|---|---|---|
Mini Falcons | 6-7 | 45 minutes | 25 yards Freestyle with rotary breathing and 25 yards backstroke |
Falcons | 7-10 | 1 hour | 50 yards of Freestyle and Backstroke; a rudimentary understanding of Breaststroke and Butterfly |
Bronze | 9-11 | 1 hour 15 minutes | 100 yards of Freestyle, Backstroke and Breaststroke; 50 yards of legal Butterfly |
Silver | 11-13 | 1 hour 30 minutes | 200 yards of Freestyle consecutively; train 100 yards Backstroke and Breaststroke and 50 yards of Butterfly |
Gold | 13-18 | 2 hours or more | Train all 4 strokes with an eye toward regional level competition |
The FSA Mini Falcons Group is designed for athletes ages 6-7. It meets for 45 minutes per practice and its goal is to teach a love of swimming and to develop a basic understanding of all 4 strokes. All Mini Falcons should enter the program with the ability to swim 25 yards Freestyle with rotary breathing and 25 yards backstroke.
The FSA "Falcons" Developmental Group is designed for athletes ages 7-10. It meets for 1 hour practices. The program focuses on development of gross motor movement through repetition and the introduction of broad swim concepts. All 4 competitive strokes are taught at this level with a particular focus on kick development. Developmental level swimmers should enter the program being able to swim 50 yards of Freestyle and Backstroke and should have at least a rudimentary understanding of Breaststroke and Butterfly strokes.
The FSA Bronze Group is designed for athletes 9-11. It meets for 1 hour and 15 minute practices. The program begins bridging coordination and gross motor movement with competitive swim concepts. It focuses on refining all 4 competitive strokes with a focus on good Body Line and Posture. Kick development continues as a foundation of the Bronze program. Bronze level swimmers should enter the program being able to swim 100 yards of Freestyle, Backstroke and Breaststroke and at least 50 yards of Legal Butterfly. Swimmers at this level are beginning to take responsibility for their own swim journey.
The FSA Silver Group is designed for athletes 11-13. It meets for 1 hour 30 minute practices. The program introduces strength development and continues the refinement of all 4 competitive strokes. Kick improvement. Focus on development of Body Line and Posture and refined motor movement. Swimmers at this level are becoming increasingly responsible for their own swim journey. FSA Silver athletes should enter the program being able to swim 200 yards consecutively of Freestyle and be able to train 100 yards Backstroke and Breaststroke while being able to train 50 yards of Butterfly.
The FSA Gold Group is designed for athletes 13-18. It meets for practices that last 2 hours or more. The program looks to refine all 4 strokes while emphasizing race strategy and nuanced swim concepts. Our gold group swims and trains with a focus of Mid-distance IM with the intention of developing a well rounded athlete. Specialization begins to take place as athletes progress through this group. The concepts of goal setting are introduced at this level and swimmers take an active role in their own swim journey. Gold swimmers should enter the program being able to train all 4 strokes with an eye toward regional level competition.
Varsity Swimmers attend Friends Select School and will swim for our school team. In some cases this will overlap with our Aquatics program. Varsity swimmers will practice at separate times. Varsity swimming is offered to FSS students of all skill levels.
Not sure which group fits?
An evaluation with our coaches places every new swimmer.
