NTC Swim Team Group Descriptions
Note: All swimmers will be assigned groups by the coaching staff based on their age, maturity and emotional readiness. Tryouts for all groups are carried out after Saturday practice at 11am.

National Group
These athletes are a select group of junior-high, high school, and collegiate-level swimmers committed to excellence and reaching their full swimming potential. Coaching, training, and preparation will be geared toward achievements at the National and International levels. Year-round training is a requirement, and attendance is mandated at 98-100%. If Codes of Conduct and group requirements are not adhered to, it is the discretion of the coach for athlete dismissal.
National Group:
Age: 13-18 yrs.
Cuts: Junior Championship Cuts / National Championship Cuts / Olympic Trial Cuts
Attendance: 98%

Gold Group
This group is dedicated to junior-high & high school level swimmers still fine tuning their base training, stroke techniques, and utilization of power and speed. These athletes will focus on great performances at Sectionals, High School Championship meets, and Junior Olympic competition. Attendance requirements for this group are defined as committing to 85-90% of the scheduled workouts weekly. Coaching, training, and preparation will be geared toward National level competition, and eventually making the jump to a higher level of commitment in the National Group.
Gold Group:
Age: 13-18 yrs.
Cuts: AA Cuts / AAA – Zone Cuts / Junior Olympic Cuts
Attendance: 85-90%

Silver Group
This group is for swimmers 11-14 years of age. This is a pre-high school group where swimmers begin to make the transition from technique training to interval / endurance training. Swimmers will continue to focus on improved technique, but will begin to develop a background in distance freestyle and IM training. Group members will also begin to make commitments to their swimming. Decisions about attendance, quality of work, and attitude will be made by each athlete and his or her parents. Attendance and attitude will be used to determine advancement to the next group. Attendance requirements for this group are defined as committing to 80-85% of the offered workouts a week.
Silver Group:
Age: 11-14 yrs.
Cuts: A Cuts / AA Cuts
Attendance: 80-85%

Bronze Group
This group is for swimmers 8-10 years of age, who can complete training sets in all four competitive strokes. Technique improvement will continue to be the emphasis of this group along with maintaining good technique over the course of longer swims. In addition, the swimmers will develop a passion for swimming and sports in general. Many alternative games and activities will be scheduled each week. Attendance requirements for this group are defined as committing to 75-80% of the offered workouts a week.
Bronze Group:
Age: 8-10 yrs.
Cuts: B Cuts / BB Cuts / A Cuts / AA Cuts
Attendance: 75-80%

Blue Ribbon Group
This group is designed for 8 under novice swimmers. This is an instructional group. Swimmers will be introduced to all of the basic skills associated with competitive swimming. Technique instruction will focus on learning legal breaststroke and butterfly, polishing freestyle and backstroke skills, competitive turns, and safe starting procedure. Attendance requirements for this group are defined as committing to 70-75% of the offered workouts a week.
Blue Ribbon Group:
Age: 5-8 yrs.
Cuts: N/A
Attendance: 70-75%

Blue Dolphin Group
This Group is designed for swimmers aged 4-8 years who have not had exposure to swimming, but who are interested in receiving lessons based on the competitive strokes required for swimming competition. This swim team group will gradually work up into the ranks of the Blue Ribbon Group and enter into swim meet competitions.
Blue Dolphin group:
Age: 4-8
Cuts: N/A

Masters Group
This group is designed for swimmers who want to swim more efficiently with better form.  This program will also help you get in better shape as well as swim faster.  You will be training with other athletes keeping you motivated.  Swimmers will receive professional coaching and have more fun in a team environment.  Competition is optional and Triathletes are welcome.
Masters Group:
Age: 19-100+