Assessment is required in order to determine group placement for our year-round program. Our program is designed for ages 5 and up and most skill levels. SMAC training groups are designed to be age and skill appropriate. The program is designed so that each swimmer will be able to progress from one level to the next as their age, knowledge requirement, and ability levels grow and change. 

IRON (formerly “Stroke School”)

Ages: 5-10yo

Practice: 2hrs/week

Meets: Suggested, but not required (1x per quarter)

Description: This is our introductory group to the sport of swimming. This group has a blast learning drills and proper mechanics. Iron athletes enjoy all the spirit and energy that comes with being on a team.

Prerequisites for Iron: 

1. Comfortable submerging full body including head underneath the water
2. Demonstrates ability to blow bubbles
3. Floats on back and stomach unassisted
4. Ability to flip from stomach to back and back to stomach
5. Basic understanding of kicking

Advancement requirements for Bronze:

1. Awareness of all 4 strokes and what they entail OR coach approval
2. Dive comfortably off of the block

BRONZE

Ages: 7-12yo

Practice: 3hrs/week

Meets: Encouraged (1x per quarter)

Description: This group bridges the gap between Stroke School and Silver and continues to build on fundamentals and mechanics learned in Stroke School while preparing athletes to transition to Silver. This group introduces athletes to a competitive mindset and is designed to help them develop focus and determination needed for competition.

Requirements for Silver promotion:

1. Understanding of how to read and interpret sets
2. Understanding of how intervals work and how to use the clock
3. Demonstrates an ability to work hard and pay attention
4. Must have attended at least 1 travel USA swim meet (outside of Haywood County) in the past season
5. Must be able to complete the following set: (or have coach approval)
6. 10 x 50 choice on 1:20 AND complete a LEGAL 100 IM (correct order and correct turns)

Requirements for Silver Prep promotion:

1. Legal in all 4 strokes (or extremely close/aware of all 4)
2. Can read and interpret a written set
3. Demonstrates ability to do Fr & Bk flipturns
4. Must be able to complete a 100 IM in correct order and be legal or extremely close to legal

SILVER PREP

Ages: 9-14

Practice: 4.5hrs/week

Meets: Optional

Description: This group is for athletes looking to take another step in their swimming journey. This group focuses on technique and expanding on skills learned in Bronze, with competition being optional. This group will practice with Silver and is a great choice for swimmers looking forward to moving up, but might not be quite ready for Silver.

SILVER

Ages: 10-14

Practice: 6hrs/week

Meets: Expected

Description: This group is largely for athletes seeking to train harder, with the intent of qualifying for State & National Level meets. Members of Silver are focused on building their aerobic base and gaining the mental toughness and stamina needed to reach the next level. This group follows a more rigorous training plan designed to help athletes qualify for the next level meets and prepare them for success. 

Requirements for Gold Promotion:

• Mastery of reading and interpreting sets and intervals 
• Can read, interpret and keep track of intervals for an entire set
• 100% Legal in all 4 strokes
• Ability to support teammates through attitude and work ethic
• Must be able to complete the following sets: (or have coach approval)
• 4 x 100 IM on 2:00

AND

• 10 x 50 Ch on 1:05

GOLD 

Ages: 12+

Practice: 10 hrs/week

Meets: Expected

Description: This group is open for Middle & High School aged athletes looking to improve in the pool and advance their swim career. The group builds on the principles of learning and mastering proper technique across the four strokes, racing starts, and turns while building and increasing aerobic capacity and endurance. The group also focuses on developing the mental drive and focus required for next level success.

Requirements for Peak Performance Promotion:

• Family and swimmer agree to meet / practice attendance requirements
• Has at least 5x "B" times, 3x "BB "times, or 2x "A" time at current age
• Requires Coach Approval

PEAK

Age: 13+

Practice: 14hrs/week

Meets: Mandatory*

Description: Peak is for athletes searching to achieve their peak potential. These athletes follow SMAC’s most extensive training plans and are focused on doing what it takes for success at Senior Champs, High School States, Sectionals, Futures, Junior Nationals and beyond. Athletes in this group work to continue to develop a committed lifestyle. Elite athletes develop the mindset that, through hard work, focus and proper preparation, anything is possible. These athletes have aspirations of swimming in college and beyond.

*Should an athlete in Peak Performance need to skip a scheduled swim meet, they must inform a coach prior to the registration deadline.