Firstmates
Objectives
and Goals
The
Introductory Program, Firstmates, has the following
objectives:
To develop the skills needed to progress to the MAG Age
Group program:
- Swimmers will consistently improve their stroke technique
- Swimmers will grow up in the sport trying to be their
best
- Swimmers will be a part of a team atmosphere
- Swimmers will make friends with their teammates
- Swimmers will ENJOY swimming!
-
SWIMMERS WILL WANT TO COME TO PRACTICE!
As early as possible in an athlete’s swimming career, it is
important to understand that athletes will continue to
improve with poor or average stroke technique while they
are growing. Once athletes stop growing, they often have
trouble swimming faster if their technique is not
exceptional. Good practice attendance and attitude at an
early stage in an athlete’s swimming career can go a long
way in ensuring long-term success. Swimming is a learned
response sport, just like Pavlov’s dog. So the more often
good training habits are repeated, the sooner they become
habit and the swimmer can move on to the next skill.
Workouts
Workouts
are offered three days a week. It is recommended to come to
at least two practices per week for regular improvement.
Practice duration is one hour.
45 minutes of practice time will be spent in the water. 15
minutes will be dedicated to dry-land exercises.
There is no attendance requirement for this group, but
athletes will improve more quickly, and make more friends
(which will make them want to come more), the more often
they attend workout.
Quick fact: A study sponsored by USA Swimming found that
swimmers are more likely to stay in the sport when they
become good friends with other swimmers on the team.
Requirements to be a Firstmate.
Swimmer
must be able to complete the following:
- Swim 25 yards of freestyle
- Swim 25 yards of backstroke
- Able to jump into water
Goals
of Firstmate Group
Upon
completion of a the Firstmate group, swimmers should be
able to successfully perform the following:
- Swim a 100 IM legally (regardless of time)
- Do a flip turn
- Kick 4x25 @ :45
- Push off and streamline to flags with dolphin kick
- Acquire basic understanding of the pace clock
Competition
Apparel (on team apparel order form)
Required:
- MAG team suit
- White MAG cap (silicon or latex)
- MAG t-shirts (1 grey and 1blue)