Overview
FRANKLIN AREA SWIM TEAM (FAST) offers training, practice, and the opportunity to compete in swim meets for swimmers ages 5 to 18. Our training groups offer opportunity for every level of swimmer, from beginner to to the accomplished, competitive swimmer.
Our goal is to offer age-specific training for all of our athletes geared towards challenging and developing each individual to the best of their abilities.
Group placement in no way communicates a coach’s belief about a swimmer’s future success or value. Upward group movement is not meant to be a reward, but rather a next step in development. Our Coaching Staff views all swimmers as outstanding young people.
Returning Swimmers
The FAST Coaching Staff is responsible for the placement of each swimmer into one of the levels listed below according to their demonstrated swimming competency.
New Swimmers
All swimmers new to the team must have their swimming skills assessed by the coaches before they begin practice. This is to ensure the swimmer is ready to join the team and to place the swimmer within the appropriate skill group. To have a swimmer's skills assessed, a swimmer may attend one of the open tryouts held at the beginning of each season, join our swim school and graduate, or contact the coaching staff for an assessment.
Training Group Levels
- Bronze
- Silver
- Gold
- Junior National
- National
Our expectations are strong guidelines for group advancements, but they are not absolute. The final decision to move to another group.
Bronze Group
Ages
Primarily Ages 10 and Under
Skill Acquisition
Introduction to proper practice procedures
Introduction of basic stroke drills
Attempting all four stroke kicks with and without a board
Arm cycles coordination and stroke count
Proper use of bi-lateral breathing
Streamline development with proper underwater kicks
Performance of legal turns and starts
Introduction to interval swimming and kicking
Develop underwater swimming on starts and turns
Athletic development through basic dryland movements
Minimum Exit Requirements
Compete in at least one USA Swimming competition
Legal strokes and turns in at least 3 strokes
Can verbally display knowledge of all 4 strokes and turn rules
Swim a continuous 100 free with flip turns and bi-lateral breathing under 2:00
Can do a racing dive from the starting block
Can streamline 10 yards underwater
4x50 @ 1:15 freestyle maintaining turns and technique
4x50 @ 1:30 kick
Knowledge of meet protocol, and all rules pertaining to IM, relay, and fly-over starts
Show good sportsmanship
Practices
Practice offered two days per week, 1-hour sessions (estimated and can change)
Encouraged to attend practice regularly.
Meet Participation
Encouraged to participate in two or three USA Swimming meets per year
Must compete in at least one meet per year
Gear Required for Practice:
Fins
Goggles (2)
FAST Swim Caps (2)
Gear required for Dryland Training:
Shorts
T-shirt
Shoes
Gear required for Meets:
Team Suit
FAST T-shirt
FAST Caps (2)
Goggles (2)
Please label all equipment with your name!
Silver Group
Ages
Primarily Ages 9 - 12
Skill Refinement
Continued development of interval kicking
Continued development of stroke drills
Maintain technique through practice sets and competition
Learn to effectively use training equipment (snorkels, paddles, fins)
Develop core body strength, increase flexibility and fitness through dryland activities
Increase speed and endurance
Group Goals
3 USA Swim Meets
2, 9-10 B or 11-12 B times
4 x 100 @ 2:30 flutter
4 x 100 @ 2:00 fr maintaining turns and technique
Legal 100 IM under 2:00
500 Free under 10:00
Complete a 50 of all strokes with legal turns and technique
Knowledge of the Sport's Rules and all Swimming Events
Display Good Sportsmanship in a team and competitive environment
Practices
Practices offered 3 times per week, 1.25 hour practices offered weekly
Encouraged to attend practice regularly.
Meets Participation
Encouraged to participate in 3 meets per year
Gear Required for Practice:
Fins
Front Snorkel
Buoy
Goggles (2)
FAST Swim Caps (2)
Gear Required for Dryland Training:
Shorts
T-shirt
Shoes
Gear Required for Meets:
Team Suit
FAST T-shirt
FAST Caps (2)
Goggles (2)
Please label all equipment with your name.
Gold Group
Ages
Primarily Ages 10 - 14
Skill Refinement
Continued development of interval kicking
Continued development of stroke drills
Maintain technique through practice sets and competition
Learn to effectively use training equipment (snorkels, paddles, fins)
Develop core body strength, increase flexibility and fitness through dryland activities
Increase speed and endurance
Group Goals
4 USA Swim Meets
4, 11-12 B times or 13-14 B times
5 x 100 @ 2:15 flutter
5 x 100 @ 1:30 fr maintaining turns and technique
Legal 200 IM under 3:30
500 Free under 8:00
Complete a 50 of all strokes with legal turns and technique
Knowledge of the Sport's Rules and all Swimming Events
Display Good Sportsmanship in a team and competitive environment
Practices
Practices offered 4 times per week, 1.5 hour practices offered weekly
Encouraged to attend practice regularly.
Meet Participation
Encouraged to participate in 4 meets per year
Gear Required for Practice:
Fins
Front Snorkel
Buoy
Goggles (2)
FAST Swim Caps (2)
Gear Required for Dryland Training:
Shorts
T-shirt
Shoes
Gear Required for Meets:
Team Suit
FAST T-shirt
FAST Caps (2)
Goggles (2)
Please label all equipment with your name.
JUNIOR NATIONAL
Ages
Ages 10 - 14
Performance Building
Continued development of interval kicking
Continued development of stroke drills
Maintain technique through training sets and competition
Continued use of training equipment (snorkels, paddles, fins)
Continued development of core body strength, flexibility, and fitness through dryland activities
Increase speed and endurance
Minimum Entry Requirements
Swimmers who meet all of the Gold Group Goals can be considered for advancement to the Junior National Group
Group Goals
Complete a legal 200 IM in under 3:00
4 x 200 @ 3:00 free swim maintain turns and technique
6 x 100 @ 1:45 IM maintain turns and technique
6 x 100 @ 2:00 Flutter Kick
Strive for excellence in turns and technique during all workouts
Demonstrate good sportsmanship in practice and competition
Demonstrate behaviors for younger teammates to emulate
Routinely work with different members of the group to create team bonds.
Practices
Practice offered 5 times per week, 1.5 hour sessions
Minimum four practices per week.
Meet Participation
Encouraged to participate in one meet per month
Equipment Required for Practice:
Water bottle
Fins (preferably short fins)
Pool Buoy
Front Snorkel
Paddles
Gear Required for Dryland Training:
Shorts
T-shirt
Shoes
Gear Required for Meets:
Team Suit
FAST T-shirt
FAST Caps (2)
Goggles (2)
Please label all equipment with your name.
National Group
Ages
Ages 14 - 18
Minimum Entry Requirements
Minimum one year of swimming with the FAST or another USA Swimming Club
Must be at least starting 8th grade
Complete a legal 400 IM under 5:30 or 500 free under 6:30
Make 4 x 200 freestyle swim on 3:00
Make 6 x 100 flutter kick on 2:00
Commitment to swimming – minimum attendance of at least 4 workouts each week
Performance Refinement
Continued development of speed and endurance through specialized training
Maintain technique through training sets and competition
Additional training equipment utilization
Development of strength and endurance through structured dryland
Meets as per coach recommendation
Positive role model for all young athletes
Show leadership
Group Goals
Develop top-tier skills in starts, turns, and technique
Create a positive, supportive group environment for all athletes to feel valued and included
Strive for individual excellence in a team setting
Model best practices of Sportsmanship, Team Spirit, and Integrity during all team activities
Support and recognize the efforts of teammates in and out of the water
Strive for inclusion top to bottom daily
Communicate with coaches directly with goals, schedules, and difficulties
Practices
Practice offered six times per week, 2- to 3 -hour sessions with dryland
Attend all offered water and dryland sessions
Meet Participation
Attend meets as requested
Equipment Required for Practice:
Water bottle
Finis Tempo Trainer
Fins (preferably short fins)
Front Snorkel
Paddles
Goggles (2)
FASTSwim Caps (2)
Gear Required for Dryland Training:
Shorts
T-shirt
Shoes
Yoga Mat
Gear Required for Meets:
Team Suit
FAST T-shirt
FAST Black Caps (2)
Goggles (2)
Please label all gear with your name.
Please label all equipment with your name.