The Squad Structure.

The club currently runs eight training squads as detailed above. This is in addition to the club's teaching programme which is run separately as a course of lessons.

Cruisers and Sprinters are the so called development squads where the basic swimming skills are first acquired. Although swimmers at this level will take part in internal club competitions and novice meets, the next squad up, Challengers, is where the emphasis begins to shift to competition swimming. These three squads - Cruisers, Sprinters and Challengers - are usually known collectively as the lower club squads. Progression through these squads is by acquiring the necessary skills as detailed below. A skill list exists for each squad and the coaches for the exiting squad and the entry squad are both required to sign this before the swimmer moves up. Parents are more than welcome to discuss with the squad coach the details of the skill list

Above Challengers - the upper squads - we have a branched squad structure. This system was introduced in 2005 in order to cater for the fact that swimmers at this stage of their career are likely to have varying degrees of commitment as well as technical skills. Swimmers with the necessary commitment and who meet the criteria  will generally go from Challengers into B1 squad. B2 is the normal progression from Challengers for swimmers who wish to continue to train regularly but not at a level required for the B1.  From B1 swimmers will progress to A squad or club squad depending upon their continuing  level of commitment and achievement whilst B2 swimmers progress to Youth squad. Although this is a parallel structure it is always important to bear in mind that swimmers can switch from  B2 - club to the B1 - A route if the necessary criteria are met. Likewise some swimmers may move (or be moved!!)  from A to Youth if the criteria are not maintained.

• Click here to see  training timetable for all squads.
• If you require further information contact your squad rep or your coach.

Requirements for progression to  Intermediate lane.

1. Swim a warm up of eight lengths without stopping down the length and where possible not stopping for more than a few seconds at the end of a length.
2. Perform a mushroom float.
3. Execute a reasonably competent forward tumble from a standing position ie chin and knees tucked in without holding nose - breath out through nose.
4. Understand the concept of streamlining and why it is important to swimmers. Fold over hands, tuck chin in, squeeze in behind the head.
5. Be able to swim 1 length freestyle from a streamlined push and glide.
6. Be able to swim 1 length backstroke legally. Understand the concept of recovering past ear, little finger in first.
7. Attempt 1 length breaststroke. Does not have to be legal but swimmer should understand requirements i.e. touch with two hands, symmetrical and simultaneous, toes out.
8. Push and glide in streamlined position and perform a series of dolphin kicks just below the surface whilst maintaining the streamlined position.
9. Understand the basic safety requirements of a dive - both toes around the edge dive shallow.
10. Understand the streamlining requirements of a dive and similarity to streamlining from push and glide.
     

Requirements for progression to top lane:

1. Swim an eight length warm up without stopping.
2. Perform the first part (tumble) of a tumble turn from a walk in. Plant feet on side and push out with arms in front.
3. Understand the basics of a backstroke start. Toes beneath the surface. Throw arms around. Push - glide - kick - swim.
4. Make a reasonable attempt at a racing (grab) start from deep end. Understand the streamlining requirements for front crawl on entry. Dive - glide - kick- swim.
5. Kick 1 length legal dolphin on back with hands down by sides.
6. Understand the legal requirements of butterfly stroke. Symmetrical, simultaneous arms clear. Also understand the requirements of good technique - keyhole pull, push down from elbow, push chin forward to breathe, head down before arms enter water.
7. Dive glide and dolphin kick 1 width of pool.
8. Perform 1 length breaststroke from a streamlined push and glide. Does not have to be totally legal but timing and coordination should be more or less correct.
9. Perform 1 length backstroke legally. Understand the reason for backstroke flags.
10. Attempt a streamlined dive from the deep end on butterfly breaststroke and freestyle. The transition into each stroke does not have to be performed legally but swimmers should understand the requirements.

1. Perform a ten length warm up without stopping.
2. Swim into the side on front crawl and execute a reasonable attempt at a tumble turn.
3. Perform a legal racing (grab) start from the deep end on freestyle butterfly and breaststroke demonstrating a reasonable attempt at streamlining.
4. Perform a backstroke start showing a reasonable attempt at streamlining - push - glide (streamlined) - kick (dolphin or back crawl) - swim.
5. Understand the basic legal requirements of all four strokes i.e. what gets you disqualified!!
6. Perform a 25m swim on all four strokes from a dive - legally, or very close to legally.
7. Be familiar with the pace clock and understand its use in simple sets e.g. 6x25m kick on 1minute.
8. Demonstrate that they are ready to undertake the workload in the next squad. This may include not only technical proficiency but such things as age, attendance rate and enthusiasm.

 As a swimmer progresses through Sprinters they will acquire improved stroke skills, starts and turns. Stamina will also be developed by attending more sessions and  an increase in training volume but the emphasis is still mainly on technique skill development.

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Coach Responsible: Chris Glover

Requirements for enrty into Challengers squad

1. Complete :6 X 50 f/c kick on 90s, 6 X 100 f/c swim on 2:30, 4 X 200 f/c swim on 4:30
2. Be familiar with the different skulls and demonstrate the ability to do them over short distances
3. Execute all four strokes legally for at least 50m
Execute a reasonable backstroke start with streamlining
4. Execute a reasonably streamlined grab start from a starting block
5. execute legal turns and finishes on all four strokes
6. Familiarity with the pace clock and its use on repeat swims
7. Train regularly and be prepared to enter external meets and team events
8. Be aware of the importance and value of warming up and stretch before training and competitions.
9. Familiarity with the main warm up and stretching exercises that can be carried out on the poolside.

Challengers is the first of the competitive squads, as distinct from Cruisers and Sprinters which we regard as developments squads - although a number of these swimmers do take part in competitions, particularly junior leagues and relay events. Nevertheless Challengers is the first squad where  the majority of the swimmers are regularly competing in competitions. This is reflected in the workload which is significantly more that that experienced in Sprinters. Most sessions are 11/2 hours consisting of a mixture of endurance training, stroke technique, drills and start turns skills. Attendance at land training sessions is strongly recommended if a swimmer is to progress rapidly through this squad. Apart from acquiring enhanced core strength and power that is necessary for fast swimming, it is at these sessions that swimmers will learn the main stretching and mobility exercises and how to execute them correctly without causing injury.

 

Entry Requirements

Swimmers will have reached a requred standard and will be prepared to perform training sessions as prescribed by the coach. Progression from this squad will depend very much upon commitment and enthusiasm as well as ability. Youth  is the next squad up but swimmers can reach A squad by progressing through B1.

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Entry Requirements

Swimmers will have reached a required standard and will be prepared to perform training sessions as prescribed by the coach. From here swimmers will progress to either A or Youth depending upon commitment enthusiasm and competitive standard. To enter this squad swimmers will be expected to have at least a county IM qualifying time, be highly committed and prepared to do land training also.

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Entry Requirements

  To be a member of Youth squad swimmers are required to train at  a level prescribed by the coach. Provided they train regularly (and properly!!)  most swimmers have the potential to rise to this squad by the time they have reached the age of 15 or 16. Many Swimmers in this squad will have reached  county level or above and will be competing in competitions at all levels. Swimmers can move from this squad to A provided  they demonstrate the required level of commitment, are prepared to acquire and put into practice the necessary technical knowledge and have reached the required competitive standard. Swimmers are expected to do some form of supervised land training which for older swimmers (16+) can be gym work and light weight exercises.
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Entry Requirements

This squad consists of swimmers who have  the potential commitment and enthusiasm to compete at the highest level - Regional level, National level and possibly higher! Entry into this squad is mainly via B1  and since swimmers may have been fast tracked through this route the age range is liable to be anywhere between 12 and 18 or possibly older.  However it is possible to progress to A from Youth  if a swimmer shows the necessary commitment and ability. To be a member of this squad swimmers must show a willingness and ability to train at a level prescribed by the coach. Swimmers need to be training a minimum of 5 sessions per week plus land training which is essential to reach the highest level. Swimmers are expected to have obtained at least a Regional base time.


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Masters swim on Monday at Hungerford,  Sunday at Kennet, Thursdays at  Northcroft plus morning sessions at Northcroft and Kennet (See Timetable). There are no entry requirements apart from the fact that you need to be able to swim as we don't cater for non swimmers within the squad system. Monday is a good evening to come along to as an introduction. It lasts for 1 hour. Thursday evening , which also lasts for  1  hour, is shared with A/B   squad  at Northcroft while Sunday evening Masters are at Kenett

Over the years we have entered a number of Masters competitions and actually done quite well. All are welcome from novice up to top competition level. One of our coaches, Dave Milburn, is currently a National Masters champion and a former record holder for the 100m breaststroke.  

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