Practice Groups

This is the breakdown of each group that the Grosse Pointe Gators have to offer. In order to run an efficient and streamlined team, the coaches place swimmers in specific groups designed with their enjoyment and success in mind. We hold lifelong swimming in high regard, so our goal is for swimmers to enjoy their swimming career from start to finish. To accomplish this, we place swimmers in the group that is appropriate for their skill level. The idea of “being in a higher group means higher quality coaching and training” does not hold up in reality. Gators coaches have the training and experience to know what group swimmers should be in. Coaches discretion is what the team uses to dictate whether a swimmer moves groups or not. 

 

If you have any questions about group placement, please contact Head Coach John Fodell at [email protected].

 

Core:

Group Description: 

  • The Grosse Pointe Gators are excited to assist younger swimmers in their interest of competitive swimming with our Core group.
  • Core is ideal for those with little experience on a swim team. If your child has participated in Lakefront League or MICSA, Core is a great place to start.
  • Practices will be 30 minutes long and be offered 4 days a week. We recommend swimmers attend practice at least twice a week.
  • Core will be swimming approximately 1000 yards at each practice.
  • Most of, if not all, the swimming will be done on intervals of 25 yards while introducing 50 yards (two lengths) of Freestyle.
  • Core swimmers are encouraged to participate in our two home meets, “Romp in the Swamp” in October and "Fast and Furious" in December.

Group Standards:

  • Swimmers must be able to swim a length of the pool (25 yards) without fins on.
  • Swimmers must be able to swim a continuous 25 Backstroke: swimming on their back without stopping or turning over onto their stomach.
  • Swimmers must show a basic working knowledge of rhythmic breathing (taking a breath every two or more strokes while swimming)

 

Green:

Group Description: 

  • The Grosse Pointe Gators are enthusiastic to see young swimmers have a growing interest in competitive swimming with our Green group.
  • Green is ideal for those with experience on a swim team. If your child has participated in Lakefront League or MICSA for a couple of years, Green is the group for them.
  • Practices will be 60 minutes long and be offered 5 days a week. We recommend swimmers attend practice at least twice a week.
  • Green will be swimming approximately 1500 yards at each practice.
  • Most of the swimming will be done on intervals of 50 yards while introducing 100 yards of Freestyle.
  • Green swimmers are encouraged to participate in a few USA Swimming meets over the course of the season (September to July).

Group Standards:

  • Swimmers must be able to perform a flip turn.
  • Swimmers must be able to circle swim (swimming down the right side of the pool away from the starting side and swimming on the opposite side of the pool on the way back)
  • Swimmers must show a basic working knowledge of the breaststroke and butterfly strokes.
  • Swimmers must have our Core Standards fulfilled as well.

 

Pink:

Group Description: 

  • The Grosse Pointe Gators are ready to help young swimmers take their competitive swimming to the next level with our Pink group.
  • Pink is ideal for those with a couple of years of experience in USA Swimming. If your child has participated in Lakefront League or MICSA for a few of years, Pink is the group for them.
  • Practices will be 60 minutes long and be offered 5 days a week. We recommend swimmers attend practice at least three times a week.
  • Pink will be swimming approximately 2000 yards at each practice.
  • Pink swimmers will be introduced to the 200 Freestyle and 100 stroke events (100 Backstroke, 100 Butterfly, 100 Breaststroke).
  • Pink swimmers are aiming to achieve 10 & Under Regional Meet Qualifying Times. 

Group Standards:

  • Swimmers must be comfortable using the starting blocks.
  • Swimmers must have a strong knowledge of all four strokes (Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly).
  • Swimmers must be able to read the pace clock and understand its function to a swim practice.
  • Swimmers must have our Green Standards fulfilled as well.

 

Sonic:

Group Description: 

  • The Grosse Pointe Gators are eager to develop young swimmers into strong contenders in the world of swimming with our Sonic group.
  • Sonic is ideal for those with a few years of experience in USA Swimming.
  • Practices will be 90 minutes long and be offered 6 days a week. We recommend swimmers attend practice at least three times a week.
  • Sonic will be swimming approximately 3000 yards at each practice.
  • Sonic swimmers will be introduced to the 500 Freestyle and 200 Individual Medley events.
  • Sonic swimmers are aiming to achieve 11-12 Regional Meet and/or 10 & Under MAGS State Meet Qualifying Times.

Group Standards:

  • Swimmers must be able to perform a dive off the blocks.
  • Swimmers must be able to perform all four strokes efficiently.
  • Swimmers must be able to understand the pace clock and perform sets on a given interval with assistance from a coach.
  • Swimmers must have our Pink Standards fulfilled as well.

 

Supersonic:

Group Description: 

  • The Grosse Pointe Gators are thrilled to bring out the best of our young swimmers with our Supersonic group.
  • Supersonic is ideal for those with many years of experience in USA Swimming.
  • Practices will be 90 minutes long and be offered 6 days a week. We recommend swimmers attend practice at least four times a week.
  • Supersonic will be swimming approximately 4000 yards at each practice.
  • Supersonic swimmers will be introduced to the 200 stroke events (200 Backstroke, 200 Butterfly, 200 Breaststroke).
  • Supersonic swimmers are aiming to achieve 11-12 MAGS State Meet Qualifying Times.

Group Standards:

  • Swimmers must be able to complete 50 yards of each stroke legally.
  • Swimmers must be able to perform sets on a given interval with little assistance from a coach.
  • Swimmers must have our Sonic Standards fulfilled as well.

 

Carbon Pro:

Group Description: 

  • The Grosse Pointe Gators are taking swimmers to a higher level of competition with our Carbon Pro group.
  • Carbon Pro is ideal for those with many years of experience in USA Swimming. Carbon Pro will prepare swimmers for high level performance for their high school swimming career.
  • Practices will be 120 minutes long and be offered 6 days a week. We recommend swimmers attend practice at least four times a week, ideally five times a week.
  • Carbon Pro will be swimming approximately 6000 yards at each practice.
  • Carbon Pro swimmers are aiming to achieve 13-14 Regional Meet Qualifying Times.

Group Standards:

  • Swimmers must be able to perform sets on a given interval with no assistance from a coach.
  • Swimmers must have our Supersonic Standards fulfilled as well.

 

 

Ultra:

Group Description: 

  • The Grosse Pointe Gators are determined to build up swimmers to their highest potential with our Ultra group.
  • Ultra is ideal for those with many years of experience in USA Swimming. Ultra will prepare swimmers for college-level swimming.
  • Practices will be 120 minutes long and be offered 6 days a week. We recommend swimmers attend practice at least five times a week.
  • Ultra will be swimming approximately 7000 yards at each practice.
  • Ultra swimmers are aiming to achieve 13-14 ULTRA State Meet and/or Open Regional Meet Qualifying Times.

Group Standards:

  • Swimmers must be high school age OR have achieved at least two Michigan Swimming Open State qualifying times, one MHSAA D2 State qualifying time or one Speedo Sectional qualifying time.
  • Swimmers must be able to perform sets on a given interval with no assistance from a coach.
  • Swimmers must have our Carbon Pro Standards fulfilled as well.

 

Elite:

Group Description: 

  • Elite is the Grosse Pointe Gators’ most premiere training group for the highest level of competition. 
  • Elite is ideal for those with many years of experience in USA Swimming. A swimmer must be asked by Head Coach John Fodell to join this group.
  • Morning pracrices will be 90 minutes long and evening practices will be 120-150 minutes long. Practice is offered 9 times a week. We expect swimmers to attend at least 6 practices during a week.
  • Elite will be swimming approximately 8000 yards at each practice.
  • Elite swimmers are aiming to achieve Open ULTRA State Meet Qualifying Times, MHSAA Swimming State Meet Qualifying Times, and/or qualifying times for national swim meets.

Group Standards:

  • Perfect attendance and being in the pool on time with all necessary equipment is required.
  • Swimmers must be able to perform sets on a given interval with no assistance from a coach.
  • Swimmers must have our Ultra Standards fulfilled as well.