Swim Team Group Move-Up Guidelines

Waterloo Swimming divides its practice groups based upon skill level and age. Moving up to a higher level is merit based.

With our practice groups, coaches are best able to focus on techniques, skills and intervals that are best suited for our swimmers’ development. We strive to develop the athlete in place and then provide a larger training program when the athlete is ready both mentally and physically for the next level. We take a long-term approach in setting up your athlete’s developmental path. Per Waterloo’s motto of Attendance + Effort = Success, we will factor in attendance and practice effort into the decision for moving into higher level groups as each level does require an increased level of commitment.

The Waterloo coaches want their swimmers to move up to the next level. We want to know your athlete and their swimming goals. The most effective way for our coaches to know your swimmer is by watching them swim in practice and at swim meets. The best indicator of how a swimmer will perform at the next level is based upon how they swim in practice today.
 Swimmers and parents may inquire about a swimmer’s readiness for the next level at any time throughout the year. Coaches will consider the following when evaluating an athlete’s readiness for moving up:

  • Athlete’s Goals
  • Lane Leadership & Practice Attitude
  • Listening and implementing coach guidance
  • Attendance at practices & meets (please see each groups requirements)
  • Understanding drills & technique
  • Waterloo Test Set Performance
  • Perception of the athlete’s ability to handle the next level of practices

Moving to a higher level can be very challenging to athletes as well as their parents due to the increased time at the pool and/or the increased level of exertion in the new workouts. Waterloo typically moves athletes to the next level in August and April, for the beginning of the Short Course Season and Long Course Season. This is generally a good time to move kids as we ramp up for the season.

Once a swimmer is eligible to move-up, we will work with you and your swimmer to build a successful transition plan. Sometimes the move is immediate and other times it is a transition over two to three weeks up to a full season. This will vary swimmer to swimmer.

Fitness to Swim Team/Swim Team to Fitness

A Swim Fit swimmer (or parent) will need to notify the Swim Fit coach of interest moving to the swim team. The Swim Fit coach will assess the swimmer based on the above guidelines and ask the proposed Swim Team group coach to review the Swim Fit swimmer for readiness to move into the Swim Team group. The swimmer will tryout the prospective swim team group for three (3) practices to assess fit for the group per above guidelines. Moves between the groups may occur at any time of the year to Bronze 1 (at the beginning of a month), however the most seamless time is September or April for the other swim team groups.

A Swim Team member may move to a Swim Fit group at the beginning of any month.

 

What does my swimmer need to be eligible to move up?

For more information on the Time Standards and cuts, please visit our Swim Links page HERE.

Definitions:
Multiple = 3 cuts/events in at least 2 or more strokes
Full program = 5 or more cuts/events in at least 3 strokes

Bronze 1 to Bronze 2, JV 1 or JV 2

Moves happen four times throughout the year. Once at the beginning of each season and once in the middle of each season (August, November, March and June). In order to be considered for a move swimmers must complete the following:

  • Attend at least one swim meet during the season plus championship meet
  • 10&U need Multiple B cuts, 11-12 multiple B cuts
  • Maintain 50% attendance throughout the season
  • Test Sets: 20x50s Free @ 1:20 | 10x50s Kick @ 1:20 | 3x100s IM @ :20 rest

– Athletes 12&Under who complete requirements are eligible to move to Bronze 2.*
– Athletes who will be turning 13 the following season who complete the requirements will move to Junior Varsity Two.*
– Athletes who will be turning 13 the following season who do not meet the requirements will move to Jr. Varsity One.*

From JV 1 to JV 2

Moves happen four times throughout the year. Once at the beginning of each season and once in the middle of each season (August, November, March and June). In order to be considered for a move swimmers must complete the following:

  • Attend at least one swim meet during the season plus championship meet
  • One B cut
  • Maintain 50% attendance throughout the season
  • Test Sets: 20x50s Freestyle: 1:05 | 10×50 Flutter kick: 1:15 | 3×100 IM: 2:10

– Athletes who complete requirements are eligible to move to Junior Varsity 2.*

From Bronze 2 to Silver 1, JV 2 or Varsity

Moves happen four times throughout the year. Once at the beginning of each season and once in the middle of each season (August, November, March and June). In order to be considered for a move swimmers must complete the following:

  • Attend at least two swim meets during the season plus championship meet
  • 10&U Full program BB cuts or a STAGS cut, 11-12 Full program BB cuts
  • 11-12 full program BB cuts that is turning 13 next season
  • Maintain 50% attendance throughout the season
  • Test Sets: 20x50s Free @ :55 | 10x50s Kick @ 1:05 | 6x100s IM @ 2:00

– Athletes 12 & Under who complete requirements are eligible to move to Silver 1.*
– Athletes who will be turning 13 the following season and complete requirements are eligible to move to Varsity.*
– Athletes who will be turning 13 the following season and have not met requirements will move to JV 2.*

From Silver 1 to Silver 2

Moves happen two times throughout the year. Once at the beginning of each season (August and March).. In order to be considered for a move swimmers must complete the following:

  • One season away from either 13-14 STAGS or 11-12 TAGS cuts
  • Attend at least three swim meets during the season plus championship meet
  • 10&Under multiple TAGS turning 11 or 11-12 Multiple STAGS cuts
  • Maintain 75% attendance throughout the season
  • Test Sets: 20x50s Free @ :45 | 10x50s Kick @ :55 | 10x100s IM @ 1:45

– Athletes who complete requirements are eligible to move to Silver 2.*
– Athletes turning 13 the following season who have not met requirements move to Varsity.

From Silver 2 to Gold

Moves happen two times throughout the year. Once at the beginning of each season (August and March). In order to be considered for a move swimmers must complete the following:

  • One season away from 13-14 TAGS cuts
  • Attend 1 swim meet per month throughout the season plus championship meet
  • 11-12 TAGS cut, 13-14 Full program STAGS cuts
  • Maintain 75% attendance throughout the season – including dryland
  • Test Sets: 20x50s Free @ :40 | 10x50s Kick @ :50 | 10x100s IM @ 1:30

– Athletes who complete requirements are eligible to move to Gold.*
– Athletes turning 15 the following season will move to Senior.

From JV 2 to Varsity

Moves happen four times throughout the year. Once at the beginning of each season and once in the middle of each season (August, November, March and June). In order to be considered for a move swimmers must complete the following:

  • Attend at least one swim meet during the season plus championship meet
  • 3 B cuts or 2 BB cuts in two or more strokes
  • Maintain 50% attendance throughout the season
  • Test Sets: 20x50s Free @ :55 | 10×50 Kick @ 1:05 | 6×100 IMs @ 2:00

– Athletes who complete requirements are eligible to move to Varsity.*

From Varsity to Gold

Moves happen two times throughout the year. Once at the beginning of each season (August and March). In order to be considered for a move swimmers must complete the following:

  • One season away from 13-14 TAGS cuts
  • Attend 1 swim meet per month throughout the season plus championship meet
  • 13-14 Full program STAGS cuts
  • Athletes 15+ please review Varisty to Senior requirements
  • Maintain 75% attendance throughout the season – including dryland
  • Test Sets: 20x50s Free @ :40 | 10x50s Kick @ :50 | 10x100s IM @ 1:30

– Athletes who complete requirements are eligible to move to Gold.*

From Gold to SR2
Moves happen two times throughout the year. Once at the beginning of each season (August and March). In order to be considered for a move swimmers must complete the following:

  • 4+ 13-14 STAGS cuts or at least one TAGS Cut
  • Attended one meet per month plus all qualified championships
  • Maintained 60% attendance
  • Test Sets: 10 x 100 FR @ 1:15, 10 x 50 Kick @ :50, 10 x 100 IM @ 1:25

– Athletes turning 15 the following season who have not met requirements will move to Senior.
– Athletes who complete requirements are eligible to move to Elite.*

From Gold to Elite

Moves happen two times throughout the year. Once at the beginning of each season (August and March). In order to be considered for a move swimmers must complete the following:

  • Have at least one Sectionals cut
  • Attend 1 swim meet per month throughout the season plus championship meet
  • Maintain 75% attendance throughout the season – including dryland
  • Test Sets: 20x50s Free @ :40 | 10x50s Kick @ :45 | 10x100s IM @ 1:20

– Athletes turning 15 the following season who have not met requirements will move to Senior.
– Athletes who complete requirements are eligible to move to Elite.*

From Varsity to SR1/SR2

Moves happen four times throughout the year. Once at the beginning of each season and once mid season (August, November, March and June). In order to be considered for a move swimmers must complete the following:

  • Must be 15 or entering high school the following season
  • Attend at least two swim meets during the season plus championship meet
  • 13-14 Multiple STAGS cuts turning 15 or 15+ w/ multiple BB cuts
  • Maintain 50% attendance throughout the season
  • Test Sets: 20x50s Free @ :45 | 10x50s Kick @ :55 | 10x100s IM @ 1:45

– Athletes who complete requirements are eligible to move to Senior Group.*

From SR1 to SR2
Moves happen two times throughout the year. Once at the beginning of each season (August and March)

Expectations of Senior 2 swimmers are below:

  • 4+ STAGS/A cuts or at least one 15+ AA/Sectional Bonus Cut
  • Attended one meet per month plus all qualified championships
  • Maintained 75% attendance
  • Test Sets: 10 x 100 FR @ 1:15, 10 x 50 Kick @ :50, 10 x 100 IM @ 1:25

– Athletes who complete requirements are eligible to move to Senior 2.*

From Senior 2 to Elite
Moves happen two times throughout the year. Once at the beginning of each season (August and March)

Expectations of Elite swimmers are below:

  • Have at least one Sectionals cut
  • Attend 1 swim meet per month throughout the season plus championship meet
  • Maintain 85% attendance throughout the season – including dryland
  • Test Sets: 20x50s Free @ :40 | 10x50s Kick @ :45 | 10x100s IM @ 1:20

– Athletes who complete requirements are eligible to move to Elite.*

Elite Group

Swimmers who do not maintain the following group requirements each month will be moved to Senior Group the following month:

  • 75% Attendance – including dryland
  • Attend 1 swim meet per month plus championship meet

*These guidelines are used to determine eligibility in combination with the considerations mentioned above. Eligibility does not mean automatic move up. Final moves will be determined by the coaches.

Waterloo Swimming - North
12332 Ranch Rd 620 N BLDG C
Austin, TX 78750

(512) 401-3404

Waterloo Swimming - Central
3200 W Anderson Ln
Austin, TX 78757

(512) 401-3404

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