Cincinnati Marlins
Group Restructuring
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the Performance training groups?
Each swimmer will be assigned to Mini Marlins, Bronze, Silver, or Gold by the coaching staff. As swimmers age and mature as athletes the amount of practices they attend becomes a more prominent factor in their success. That is why the Marlins have added what we are calling performance practices to our current practice schedule of the Gold and Silver groups. We realize not everyone can make those commitments, but for those who can, the Marlins are obligated to provide them with additional training opportunities to proper challenge their additional efforts. Swimmers can choose whether to participate in the performance group or not. There are two main differences. One, there is a minimum attendance requirement to participate in the performance portions of the Silver(3) and Gold (4) groups while Silver and Gold have no practice requirements. Two, the Performance group is offered additional practice times in order to provide further instruction & flexibility for swimmers to meet their minimum requirements.
2. Can I change from Gold/Silver to the performance groups during the season?
Absolutely. If you are unable to attend practice regularly due to another sport, a play, or other commitments, you can swim with the main group until those commitments are finished. By informing your coach that you would like to move to the Performance group and are able to meet the required attendance you may begin adding performance days to your weekly schedule.
3. Why are there no additional fees for the performance groups?
As a competitive team, the Marlins want to encourage swimmers to commit as much as possible to the team and the training we are doing. Although we understand the many demands placed on our young members, the Marlins are still bound by our mission to prepare our swimmers to compete at the highest levels. Practice is a key component of what we do. It would be inconsistent to add financial burdens to athletes that want to commit to the Marlins. We are hoping to provide additional practices for our swimmers that are taking advantage of all we currently offer. Everyone is eligible for the performance groups and we encourage everyone to take advantage of these opportunities. As it is designed and described, swimmers may change groups as their schedule changes. This would not be possible if there were billing implications to every group change.
4. What are my choices if I cannot attend minimum practices for the Senior and/or the National Group at Central?
As we have stated the Senior & National Groups will include 13 & over swimmers at all locations. Both of these groups have attendance requirements. Those high school aged swimmers not wishing to attend these minimums will be invited to swim in our Varsity Group. Those 13-14, junior high swimmers will stay in our Gold Group. (see group description).
5. What are my choices if I cannot attend many Senior practices at a satellite?
Our junior high (13-14 years-old) swimmers will be asked to swim with the Gold Group. Our high school swimmers will swim with the Senior group and the Marlins will rely on our member’s good sense that performance improves faster the more practices that are attended. Our satellites do not currently have the pool time and membership to make it practical to separate these groups. Central has over 80 high school swimmers at its site so this separation was necessary. Satellites will see similar grouping as membership grows in the senior program.
6. Why is there no National Group at the Satellites?
One of the strengths of the Marlins has been its National Group of swimmers. More important than coaching or pool time is the opportunity to train with others that share your goals and abilities. Swimmers pushing each other is a key component of this group. Therefore it is important to bring those swimmers together in one location to work toward their dreams.
7. What if Bronze practice is offered M/W/F/Sat. and I have Soccer M/W/Sat? Can I come Tues. & Thurs?
No. Unfortunately we do not have unlimited pool space or coaching resources. We are not able to meet everyone’s individual scheduling needs. If you are otherwise occupied on days practice is offered you have a couple of options. In the example above, this person could either, attend practices on Fridays until soccer is over, then come more often through the rest of the swim season or join the Performance group by committing to come all three days that are available (Tues, Thurs, Fri). Remember all Bronze Group swimmers are eligible to join the Performance Bronze provided they are able to attend the minimum of 3 practices a week.
8. What if I am sick or have limited conflicts that would not allow me to meet minimum practice requirements?
The coach will make the ultimate decision as to acceptable absences from practice. Reasonable thinking will be our guide. However, two consecutive weeks of missed requirement will prompt a coach to review a swimmer’s group assignment. The best approach is to be proactive. Communicate regularly with your coach to address any special circumstances. Nevertheless, if it is deemed by the coach that a swimmer is not consistently attending the required practices that swimmer will no longer be able to take advantage of the performance, senior, or national programs.
9. I am a 13 year-old, junior high swimmer. It looks like I can choose from 3 different training groups. Is this true?
You are eligible for 3 groups. The coaches will work with swimmers and parents to choose the best group for each swimmer. Swimmers this age have a wide range of physical and emotional maturity. One group cannot meet all of the needs for swimmers going through this period of development. A swimmer’s level of commitment will be our first consideration. Performance Gold requires 4 practices each week, Senior requires 5, and National requires 6 for Junior High swimmers, while the Gold Group requires none. We will then look at a swimmer’s goals, abilities, maturity, and motivation to make appropriate group assignments.
10. I noticed ages on the Group Description Chart, do I change groups automatically when I have a birthday or “age-up”?
No. All of our group assignments are made by coaches’ judgments on a swimmers abilities and readiness for a new group. The coaches will consult with parents and swimmers to find the best fit for the athlete and make a final determination. The chart we have list is a guide for you to estimate where you child will be swimming and what path he or she will be taking with the Marlins.
11. Do I change groups as soon as I meet all the group’s goal sets?
No. The goal sets are designed to let swimmers and parents know what kinds of work we will be doing in the groups and where we are hoping to lead the kids over the course of a season.
12. Am I stuck in the same group until I can accomplish all goal sets?
No. For the same reasons as above, these are guidelines for the groups. All group assignments are made at the coaches’ discretion. Coaches will use their experience to take into account swimmers’ ability, maturity
13. How will I know which group I am in?
For the most part it will be done as it always has been. Swimmers will be evaluated at the end of the season by the coaching staff and assigned the group that best meets their needs. No age groupers will be assigned to the performance portions of the Silver & Gold Groups. Swimmers will ask their coach to be included in the performance program and agree to the terms and conditions of that program. Senior swimmers will be assigned based on their attendance from the previous season. Swimmers may request to move to a different group, but as a starting point we will look at past commitments to guide us in future group assignments.
14. Do I have to do dryland?
Yes. Dryland is an important part of performance practices. As many of you have noticed, swimming requires your head and face to be underwater a great deal of the time. Dryland is an opportunity for a great deal of team building and time for our swimmers to get to know one another. Swimming also requires a great deal of strength, particularly core strength. Much of this is very difficult to do in the water. In addition, school gym classes are not what they used to be. Many of our swimmers have not learned to be athletes. For many, Marlins’ dryland is the only source of basic coordination, aerobic conditioning, and flexibility our swimmers will receive. I often hear “I’m not missing practice, only dryland”. Don’t let this be you.