Practice Group Levels
The Johnson Ranch Barracudas Practice in Group Levels (not Age Groups) to ensure all swimmers receive the most appropriate technique & training with other swimmers that similar in ability, speed, and/or development stages.
The coaches will assign swimmers to their swim group prior to the beginning of the first day of practice. Parents will be notified of their child's swim group by email. Swimmers may be moved to higher or lower swim levels as the season progresses based on continued assessment by the coaching staff.
| 2025 Swim Practice Level / Grouping Realignment | |||
| Group | Ages | Pool Time | Experience / Ability Expectations |
| Level 1 | ~5-7 | 30 Min | Level 1 is for children who are water safe, able to swim at least 25 yards unassisted, and have never been on a competitive team. This is a beginner-level program that guides young athletes looking to make the transition from swim lessons into team competitions. Primarily 5–6-year-old, first time swimmers. Entry-level expectations for Level 1 swimmers: Water safe. Able to swim 25 yards of Freestyle without holding on to the wall or walking on the bottom of the pool. Able to float on back unassisted for at least 10 seconds. Able to pay attention to their coach and not distract others in the group. |
| Level 2 | ~6-7 | 30 Min | Level 2 is for beginners with some experience that can side-breathe during freestyle and swim backstroke. Swimmers will be focused on freestyle & backstroke during the season and introduced to other strokes by the end of the season. Ages of swimmers are primarily 5-7 years old with some swim team experience. Entry-level expectations for Level 2 swimmers: Able to swim 25-yard lap of freestyle unassisted. Able to swim 25-yard lap of backstroke unassisted. Able to push and glide off walls. Able to comprehend instruction from a Coach in a group setting |
| Level 3 | ~7-9 | 45 Min | Level 3 swimmers focus on stroke technique, body position, and kicking. Level 2 swimmers have not yet mastered the basic rhythm of all 4 strokes but are proficient in Freestyle and Backstroke. They learn the fundamentals of each stroke as the season progresses (streamlined underwater kick, butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle), flip turns and begin learning how to use a pace clock. Entry-level expectations for Level 3 swimmers: Able to swim multiple 50-yard laps of freestyle unassisted. Able to swim multiple 50-yard laps of backstroke unassisted. Able to push and glide off walls. Able to comprehend instruction from a Coach in a group setting |
| Level 4 | ~8-11 | 50 Min | Level 4 will still focus on stroke technique, body position, and kicking while building endurance to set themselves up for future success. Level 3 swimmers have mastered the basic rhythm of 3 of the 4 strokes and close to mastering the 4th stroke. Working to perfect the flip turn and legal IM turns. Be able to read a pace clock and follow coaches’ instructions. Entry-level expectations for Level 4 swimmers: Begin each lap from the ready position. Be legal in at least 3 strokes. Able to streamline and do the proper kicks off every wall. Able to complete the following set: 4 x 50s freestyle @ 1:10 8 x 25 freestyle @ :40 4 x 25s scull @ 1:00 6 x 25 kick @ :45 |
| Level 5 | ~10-14 | 60 Min | Level 5 continues the gradual building of workout intensity as swimmers progress as they progress from Level 4. Swimmers maintain focus on stroke technique, body position, and kicking to set them up for future success. Entry-level expectations for Level 5 swimmers: Begin each lap from the ready position. Be legal in all 4 strokes Able to streamline and do the proper kicks off every wall. Reads pace clock (basic intervals) Can perform legal turns consistently Able to complete the following set: 6 x 50s freestyle @ 1:00 8 x 25 freestyle @ :30 4 x 25s scull @ :45 6 x 25 kick @ :35 |
| Level 6 | ~13-18 | 75 Min | Level 6 continues the gradual building of workout intensity as swimmers progress. Swimmers maintain focus on stroke technique, body position, and kicking to set them up for future success. This group will primarily be made up of High School age kids and Junior High kids that have the strength & discipline to be successful in Level 6. Entry-level expectations for Level 6 swimmers: Begin each lap from the ready position. Be legal in all 4 strokes Able to streamline and do the proper kicks off every wall. Reads pace clock (basic intervals) Can perform legal turns consistently Able to complete the following set: 6 x 50s freestyle @ :55 8 x 25 freestyle @ :25 4 x 25s scull @ :40 8 x 25 kick @ :30 |
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