Fun and learning is the focus for our Developmental Group.  This is our introductory group, come to any practice time to see if this group is right for you.   Coaches teach, demonstrate, and promote proper technique for all four strokes.  Swimmers should be able to swim 25 yards (the length of the pool) freestyle and backstroke to enter the group (comparable to completing the yellow group at BCC lessons).  Swimmers will focus on continuing Free and Back skills such as correct side breathing on Free and correct head position on Backstroke.  The primary focus for Breast and Fly is learning legal kicks while introducing arm technique.  Developmental Swimmers are allowed to compete in meets with coach approval.  All swimmers are encouraged to attend Pizza Meets which are introductory meets aimed at Fun, and learning about swim meets (a "Practice" Meet).  Swim Team is the only sport with Professional/Certified/Year-Round Coach's at the introductory level.  Ages range from 5 to 12. Racing events focused on: 25's of every stroke, 50's of every stroke. Developmental Group Practices twice/week - we offer four different groups at two different pools at 4 different times to offer many opportunities to fit any schedule.

Red Cudas continue their technique development of all four strokes and learn racing skills to become Meet Ready.  Swimmers will create consistency for their legal Free and Back strokes focusing on maintaining correct skills at all times during practice.  Legal Breast and Fly Strokes will be developed by focusing on correct arms and timing.  Swimmers purchase their own set of fins and will use them daily (order from MI sports).  Swimmers are introduced to Video Analysis using above and under water filming of basic skills.  Red is our first competitive group where swimmers are introduced to racing skills.  Coaches focus on racing skills daily such as Starts, Turns, and Finishes.  Swimmers develop legal racing skills for all four strokes to ensure a positive introduction and confidence at swim meets.  Stroke Technique Improvement is rewarded with Swimmer of the Month - where coaches encourage the value of changing and improving strokes throughout every practice.  Red Cudas swim in Pizza Meets and are encouraged to enter USA Swimming Meets based on their Meet Schedule.  USA Meets are chosen that are the next step up from Pizza Meets and are a great progression.  Typical meets include Silver Circuits, Cuda Hosted Meets, 12 & under meets, and meets that offer 8 & under events.  To be a member of the Red Cudas, a swimmer must be able to swim legal Free and Back for 100 Yards and have legal Breast and Fly kicks (all move-ups are based on Head Age Group Coach approval only).  Racing events focused on: 25's of every stroke, 50's of every stroke, 100 Free, 100 I.M.

Red Cudas have 5 practices offered each week and are welcome to come as much as they want.  For this ability level, 3 minimum practices should be attended each week to continue improvement.

This group dramatically refines all four strokes.  Swimmers focus on strokes that are not just correct and legal but are FAST as well.  To be a member of the Silver Cudas, swimmers must be able to perform legal Fly, Back, Breast, and Freestyle strokes, and have 100% legal racing skills (correct starts/turns/& finishes).  In addition, swimmers must be able to physically perform basic Silver practice sets (move-ups based on Head Age Group Coach decision only).  New Practice skills are taught and performed daily such as clock management, introduction to pacing, intro to race strategy, and practicing perfect.  Stroke Tempo is a primary focus for creating strokes that are FAST as well as legal.  Consistent Practice Performance is rewarded with Swimmer of the Month - where coaches encourage the value of consistency throughout every practice.  Underwater filming is used more frequently as every swimmer's technical knowledge of strokes advance.  Silver Cudas are encouraged to follow their group specific meet schedule and attend every meet when possible.  Remember, Meets are a swimmers reward for their effort and builds confidence through consistent participation (consistent participation = consistent improvement).  Swim Meets are Fun and are a swimmers best chance to hang out with their peer group. Racing events focused on: 50's of every stroke, 100's of every stroke, 200 Free, and 200 I.M.

Silver Cudas have 5 practices offered each week and are welcome to come as much as they want.  For this ability level, 3 minimum practices should be attended each week to continue improvement.

This is our first high level Age Group that practices at FRCC.  Swimmers continue to make all four strokes faster while being able to maintain effort longer.  Advanced above and underwater film analysis occurs on a monthly basis to improve every detail of strokes, starts, turns, and finishes.    Practices have increased distances for every set and are designed with each swimmers physiology and skill level in mind.  Based on USA Swimming research and physiological study, this age group is the critical time to increase endurance and begin swimming more challenging races (distance races).  Goal setting is a monthly focus for this group and each swimmer focus on goals for Best Times, Stroke improvement, and other mental skills (visualization, focus/refocus, proper goal setting techniques, etc.)  White Cudas have higher competitive needs and are expected to attend all possible meets based on the group specific meet schedule.  Higher level Championship Meets are attainable such as the State Championships and swimmers set goals to reach meets with time standards. White Cudas should have near perfect stroke technique prior to moving to Advanced White or Senior. 

The White Cudas have 1.5 hour practices and 5 practices are offered per week at Front Range Community College.  This group does not have practice requirement - attending 4 practices/week have shown an exponential increase in improvement but swimmers can still improve with a minimum of 3 practices/week.  Please create a consistent weekly routine so that swimmers can maintain progression.  We understand swimmers have other activities and do not discourage them, please talk with your coach to work out a schedule for both sports.  We highly encourage swimmers to swim year round even during your other activities.  It is especially critical at this advanced level to swim year round in order to continue to improve.

This is our Elite Age Group that practices at FRCC. Swimmers should have advanced skills in all four strokes and be able to constantly perform them with near perfection in practice.  Advanced above and underwater film analysis occurs on a monthly basis to improve every detail of strokes, starts, turns, and finishes.    Not only should their technique skills be highly developed, but they should be able to perform superior stroke skills at FAST speeds.  Stroke Rate and Distance Per Cycle sets are regularly practiced and introduced in their goal setting process. Goal setting is a monthly focus for this group and each swimmer will focus on goals for Best Times, Stroke improvement, and other mental skills (visualization, focus/refocus, proper goal setting techniques, etc.).  Advanced White Swimmers are groomed to become Senior/National Training Group level swimmers with a focus of attaining State, National, and International qualifying times.  To reach this level, Advanced White swimmers participate with the Senior group for the last 30 minutes each day to ensure experience and a smooth progression to the Senior Level.

Advanced White Cudas have very high competitive needs and are expected to attend all possible meets based on the group specific meet schedule.  Higher level Championship Meets are attainable such as the State Championships and swimmers set goals to reach meets with time standards.   Advanced White Swimmers have 5 afternoon practices per week for 2 hours a piece - and are encouraged to attend every practice.  There are no practice # requirements, but 5 practices per week are physically needed to transition towards Senior swimming and continue to make time improvements.  12 year old Advanced White Cudas should attend 1 Senior morning practice per week I addition to the 5 afternoon practices to gain critical morning practice experience and continue to foster the transition to High School Age swimming.  Advanced White swimmers that earn National Training Group time standards can leapfrog the Senior Group - and go straight into NTG when they turn 13.

The Senior Group is our primary HS age group.  13 and older swimmers of all ability levels are welcome below National Training Group Standards.   Practices are geared towards individual ability with a focus on Personal Training Paces.  Training paces allow swimmers to set practice goals to gauge their progress.  The Senior program is perfect for High School swimmers that want to take the next step and join a year round club program for the first time.  These swimmers will improve dramatically between high school seasons and learn the intricacies of advanced swimming.  The goal of this group is to excel on the local and state level and pursue National Training Group Time Standards.  Goal setting is a monthly focus for this group and each swimmer will focus on goals for Best Times, Stroke improvement, and other mental skills (visualization, focus/refocus, proper goal setting techniques, etc.).

Senior Cudas do not have practice requirements, but practices are designed based on everyday attendance.  Improvement at the Senior level is based on physical practice attendance needs.  13 & over swimmers are developing endurance and muscle far beyond what they had as 12 & Unders - and require more training to stay in shape.  In order to continue improvement at the Senior level, swimmers should be practicing 6-7 times per week.  It is unreasonable to expect improvement with less than 5 practices per week.

This is the fastest group on the team, where swimmers have earned time standards that are within 5% of Sectional Time Standards and have dedicated themselves to the sport of swimming.  This level of swimming is geared towards national level competitions including Senior Travel Meets, Zones, Sectionals, Junior Nationals, Senior Nationals, and Olympic Trials.  This elite Cuda group is the only group with Practice requirements.  Swimmers are required to attend 7 Cuda practices per week during the regular season and 4 Cuda practices during the High School Season.  Individual swimmers will work out a practice schedule with Coach Jon and their high school coach that will meet the needs of a National Training Group Swimmer.  To compete at this level, swimmers need 7 minimum practices per week to continue to improve.   NTG swimmers are required to swim with the team year round especially during the High School Season.   National Training Group swimmers are expected to be positive influences on their High School teams and fully support them at competitions and team events.  National Training Group swimmers ability level demands year round participation with the Cuda's to continue improvement towards their national level goals (High School is geared towards Local level swimming only).  National Training Group swimmers train towards College swimming and are well prepared for the transition.  Remember, college program's come to club coaches to recruit their swimmers.  Swimmers at this level focus on the absolute details of swimming and work towards world class technique, national level yardages, and advanced mental skills. Advanced above and underwater film analysis occurs on a monthly basis to improve every detail of strokes, starts, turns, and finishes.   National Training Group swimmers create goals based on swimming for life and balancing academics with swimming.

NTG swimmers have 8 practices offered per week and should miss only 1 practice per week to continue to physically develop