2025-2026 TAC TITANS SWIM TEAM GROUP CRITERIA
2025-2026 GROUP CRITERIA VISUAL
See 2025-2026 Criteria for Group Consideration
The “TITANS Tracks” program is geared toward the long-term development of each individual athlete. A well-defined, long-term approach of gradually increasing degrees of commitment is essential for attaining peak performance. In our younger age-groups, emphasis will be placed on developing a swimmer's technical skills and their love for the sport. As each swimmer grows through the sport, the physical and psychological demands of swimming will grow with them. If the physical and psychological demands out pace their development, any short-term gains will soon be negated and often result in athletes not reaching their maximum potential as senior swimmers.
To effect long-term results, proper training groups are essential. Swimmers need to be compatible in the following areas:
- Age
- Training Ability
- Competitive Aspirations
- Commitment Level
Please note that proper group placement is essential to each individual's development. Placement in a training group that is more advanced than a swimmer's current level of development will result in a slower rate of progression over the long-term. That said, just because a swimmer is physically capable of handling a higher level of training does not in and of itself justify participation at that level.
NOTE: Registration approval does not guarantee a placement in the group for which you registered. Each of the above four criteria will be taken into account when doing any Group Placement, Tryouts (new swimmers), or Trial Periods (if required) for every group.
TRYOUTS/TRIAL PERIODS
Tryouts for NEW swimmers will typically occur during open registration periods and are REQUIRED before registering. However, there may be additional tryouts during the season.
In the event that the number of qualified registered athletes who meet a specific group's guidelines exceeds the size cap due to space limitations, the Lead Coach for that group will invite each of the qualified athletes to a two week practice trial period. At the conclusion of that trial period, the Lead Coach will notify the invited athletes. The notification date is determined by the Lead Coach. If the athlete declines the invitation, the invitation may then be extended to next athlete on the Lead Coach’s list. Athletes who do not receive or decline an invitation will be offered a place in the appropriate open group.
MOVEMENT BETWEEN GROUPS
There are natural times in the swimming season during which group changes are typically made. The two most obvious ones are the interval between short-course and long-course season and then during the registration period when transitioning from long-course to short-course. There may also be times during a season when an athlete is consistently demonstrating, in both practice and competition, that he/she is ready to take the next step in development.
2025-2026 CRITERIA FOR GROUP CONSIDERATION
**All groups listed in GREEN (ELITE TRACK) and BLUE (CHALLENGE TRACK) require Coach invitation to join
ALL NEW SWIMMERS MUST ATTEND A TRYOUT SESSION BEFORE REGISTERING FOR A GROUP
SENIOR GROUPS
OLYMPIC ELITE (14&O) – As the top group in the program, Olympic Elite swimmers are expected to work toward achieving Olympic Trial or US Open qualifications. To be considered for this group, swimmers must achieve the following: Girls- 1 USA Swimming Winter Junior National qualifying time. Women - with 5 Futures Championships qualifying times will be considered. Boys- 1 USA Swimming Winter Junior National qualifying time. Men – with 4 Futures Championships qualifying times will be considered.
FUTURES (14&O) – The goal of the Futures group is to embrace a culture of consistency and high standards to which one trains and competes in competitive swimming. Swimmers work towards competing at the highest level at the USA Swimming Futures Championships and achieve USA Swimming Junior National qualifying times. To be considered for this group, swimmers moving from a 13&14 group must achieve the following: 1 Futures Championships qualifying time OR 6 ESSZ Sectional qualifying times. Swimmers moving from a 15&O group must achieve 1 Futures Championships qualifying time. In addition to the above criteria, swimmers must achieve the following time standard in the 200 IM or the 400 IM: Women: (Yards/Meters) 2:14.4/2:33.2 or 4:44.1/5:22.8, Men: 2:02.6/2:22.6 or 4:24.3/5:03.7.
NATIONAL (14&O) – The goal of the National group is to work toward scoring at the ESSZ Senior Sectional meet and Futures Championships. To be considered for this group, swimmers must have achieved the following: 3 ESSZ Senior Sectional qualifying times in 2 different disciplines (Strokes, IM, 200 Free & Down, 500/400 Free & Up) OR 1 Futures Championships qualifying time. Swimmers must maintain at least an 85% attendance rate.
SECTIONAL (14&O) – The goal of the Sectional group is to increase swimmers’ versatility and final at NCS Senior Championships or our respective “Primary” competition. To enter the Sectional group, swimmers must achieve the following: 4 NCS Senior Championship qualifying times OR 3 qualifying times separated as 2 NCS Senior Championships and 1 ESSZ Senior Sectional qualifying time.
SENIOR CHAMPS A (14&O) – The goal of the Senior Champs A group is to achieve USA Swimming “AA” time standards and strive to get multiple swims at the NCS Senior Championships meet. To be considered for this group, swimmers moving from a 13&14 group must have achieved 4 USA Swimming 13&14 “A” time standards in two different strokes. Swimmers moving from a 15&O group must have achieved the following: 1 NCS Senior Championships qualifying time AND 1 USA Swimming “A” time standard in two different strokes OR 3 USA Swimming “A” time standards in two different strokes. Swimmers must maintain at least an 80% attendance rate.
SENIOR CHAMPS B (14&O) – The goal of the Senior Champs B group is to strive to get multiple swims at the NCS Senior Championships meet. To be considered for this group, swimmers moving from a 13&14 group must have achieved the following: 1 USA Swimming 13&14 “A” time standard AND 2 USA Swimming 13&14 “BB” time standards. Swimmers moving from a 15&O group must have at least 1 USA Swimming “A” standard AND 3 USA Swimming “BB” qualifying time standards in two different strokes. Swimmers must maintain at least a 70% attendance rate.
SENIOR CHALLENGE (14&O) – The goal of the Senior Challenge group is to strive to achieve a NCS Senior Championships qualifying time. To be considered for this group, swimmers must have achieved 2 USA Swimming “B” time standards and 1 USA Swimming “BB” time standard or be recommended by a coach. All swimmers must maintain at least a 70% attendance rate.
13&14 GROUPS
TAG 1 (13&14) – The goal of the TAG 1 group is to final at NCS Age Group Championships and ESSZ Age Group Sectionals. To be considered for this group, swimmers must have achieved the following: Girls - 5 USA 13&14 Swimming “AA” time standards with 2 13&14 NCS Age Group Championships qualifying times in 2 different strokes. Boys - 5 USA 13&14 Swimming “A” time standards with 2 13&14 NCS Age Group Championships qualifying times in 2 different strokes.
TAG 1.5 (13&14) – The goal of the TAG 1.5 group is to achieve multiple NCS Age Group Championships qualifying times. To be considered for this group, swimmers must have achieved the following: Girls - must have 4 USA Swimming 13&14 “A” time standards. Boys - must have 4 USA Swimming 13&14 “BB” time standards and 1 USA Swimming 13&14 “A” time standard. All swimmers must maintain at least an 80% attendance rate.
PLATINUM (13&14) – The goal of the Platinum group is to work toward achieving USA Swimming 13-14 "A” and "AA” time standards and 13-14 NCS Age Group Championships time standards. Across a Platinum swimmer's first SCY and LCM seasons, they should have legally completed at least one race in each event offered at the senior level. To be considered for the Platinum group, swimmers moving up from an 11&12 group must have achieved at least 2 USA Swimming 11&12 “BB” time standards and 2 USA Swimming 11&12 “B” time standards. A swimmer coming from a 13&14 group must have achieved at least 4 USA Swimming 13&14 “BB” time standards.
GOLD (13&14) – The goal of the Gold group is to work toward achieving USA Swimming 13&14 "BB" and "A" time standards. To be considered for the Gold group, swimmers moving up from an 11&12 group must have achieved at least 2 USA Swimming 11&12 “B” time standards. Swimmers coming from a 13&14 group must have achieved at least 2 USA Swimming “B” 13-14 time standards.
11&12 GROUPS
TAG 2 (11&12) – The goal of the TAG 2 group is to embrace the technical, physical and mental facets of competitive swimming and become the best at getting better. Swimmers should strive to compete at the highest level at NCS Age Group Champs and ESSZ Age Group Sectionals. To be considered for this group, swimmers moving from a 10&U group must achieve the following: 6 USA Swimming 10&U “AA” time standards AND 1 USA Swimming 10&U “A” time standard in the 100 or 200 IM. In addition, swimmers must have achieved a cumulative power point score of 3000 points combining the following five events (100 Freestyle, 100 Backstroke, 100 Breaststroke, 100 Butterfly, and 200 IM). Swimmers moving from an 11&12 group must achieve the following: 6 USA Swimming 11&12 “BB” time standards AND 2 USA Swimming 11&12 “A” time standards including 1 NCS Age Group Championships qualifying time. In addition, swimmers must have achieved a cumulative power point score of 2500 points combining the following five events (100 Freestyle, 100 Backstroke, 100 Breaststroke, 100 Butterfly, and 200 IM).
TAG 2.5 (11&12) – The goal of the TAG 2.5 group is to train toward achieving NCS Age Group Championships qualifying times. To be considered for this group, swimmers moving from a 10&U group must achieve 4 USA Swimming 10&U “A” time standards AND 1 USA Swimming 10&U “BB” time standard in the 100 or 200 IM. In addition, swimmers must have achieved a cumulative power point score of 2500 points combining the following five events (100 Freestyle, 100 Backstroke, 100 Breaststroke, 100 Butterfly and 200 IM). Swimmers moving from an 11&12 group must achieve 4 USA Swimming 11&12 “BB” time standards. In addition, swimmers must have achieved a cumulative power point score of 2000 points combining the following five events (100 Freestyle, 100 Backstroke, 100 Breaststroke, 100 Butterfly, and 200 IM).
SILVER 1 (11&12) – The goal of the Silver 1 group is to achieve USA Swimming 11&12 “A” time standards and strive to qualify for NCS Age Group Championships. To be considered for this group, swimmers moving from a 10&U group must have achieved the following: 4 USA Swimming 10&U “BB” time standards in all 100 events AND 1 USA Swimming 10&U “BB” time standard in the 200 IM. Swimmers moving from a 11&12 group must have achieved the following: 4 USA Swimming 11&12 “B” time standards in all 100 events AND 1 USA Swimming 11&12 “B” time standard in the 200 IM.
SILVER 2 (11&12) – The goal of the Silver 2 group is to introduce athletes to the goal setting, training, and structure of being a competitive year-round swimmer. Athletes will prepare for and race in all 50 and 100 yard/meter disciplines of each stroke, as well as the 200 Freestyle and 200 IM. To be considered for this group, swimmers moving from a 10&U group must have achieved the following: 2 USA Swimming 10&U “B” time standards across two strokes AND at least 1 USA Swimming 10&U “B” time standard in an IM event. Swimmers moving from an 11&12 group must have achieved the following: 2 USA Swimming 11&12 “B” time standards across two strokes AND 1 USA Swimming 11&12 “B” time standard in an IM event.
10&U GROUPS
TAG 3 (9&10) – The goal of the TAG 3 group is to strive to compete and score at NCS Age Group Championships and ESSZ Age Group Sectionals. To be considered for this group, swimmers must have an NCS Age Group Championships qualifying time in at least 1 event. Additionally, 9 year old swimmers must have achieved the following: 4 USA Swimming 10&U “A” time standard OR 3 (or more) NCS Age Group Championships qualifying times with one being an IM event. 10 year old swimmers must have achieved the following: 4 NCS Age Group Championships qualifying times AND 1 USA Swimming 10&U “A” time standard in the 200 Freestyle or 200 IM.
TAG 3.5 (9&10) – The goal of the TAG 3.5 group is to qualify for and compete at the NCS Age Group Championships. To be considered for this group, 9 year old swimmers must achieve the following: USA Swimming 10&U “BB” time standards in three different events AND 1 USA Swimming 10&U “BB” time standard in the 200 IM. Swimmers that are 10 years old must achieve the following: USA Swimming 10&U “BB” time standards in four strokes and 1 USA Swimming 10&U “BB” time standard in the 200 IM.
TITANIUM (9&10) – The goals of the Titanium group include learning to be great students and teammates while learning the value of process. The Titanium group works to achieve multiple USA Swimming 10&U “BB” time standards and work towards USA Swimming 10&U “A” time standards and NCS Swimming Age Group Championship qualifying times. To be considered for this group, swimmers must have USA Swimming 10&U “B” times in three different strokes AND 1 USA Swimming 10&U “B” time standard in the 100 or 200 IM. Additionally, swimmers must have legal mechanics in all four strokes, working knowledge of streamline, underwater dolphin kicks, turns, starts, kicking, and breathing mechanics, quality focus, discipline, work ethic, ability to receive feedback, work towards making technical changes, and respect for teammates and self. A 70% attendance in the swimmer’s previous group is required for consideration and swimmers must maintain a 70% attendance in Titanium.
BRONZE (9&10) – The goal of the Bronze group is to take steps into the competitive side of swimming while continuing to develop stroke skills, practice habits, racing habits, and enjoyment of the sport. Swimmers in this group should have previous competitive swimming experience so they are ready to commit to a year-round swimming program. Swimmers must be able to legally race 50 yards in all four strokes and should be familiar with flip turns and starts. To be considered for this group, swimmers must have at least 1 USA Swimming 10&U “B” time standard. High practice attendance is recommended.
COPPER 1 (7&8) – The goal of the Copper 1 group is to achieve USA Swimming 10&U “BB” & “A” time standards. To be considered for this group, swimmers should have previous competitive swimming experience in a year-round program. Swimmers must legally race 50 yards in all four strokes plus 100 yards in both Freestyle and Backstroke. Swimmers must be able to dive headfirst from the starting blocks and legally complete flip turns and open turns. 7 year old swimmers must achieve the following: 50 Butterfly at 1:00, 50 Backstroke at :55, 50 Breaststroke at 1:00 and 50 Freestyle at :50. 8 year old swimmers: 50 Butterfly at :55, 50 Backstroke at :50, 50 Breaststroke at :55, and 50 Freestyle at :45.
COPPER 2 (6-8) – The goal of the Copper 2 group is to achieve USA Swimming 10&U “B” time standards. Placement into this group typically considers prior year-round competitive experience or participation in multiple seasons of a summer league team as well as consistent involvement in competitive swim meets. Eligible swimmers must legally perform all four competitive strokes (Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Freestyle) for 50 yards. Additional factors influencing group placement include coachability, training engagement, technical proficiency, and previous coach recommendations.
SEASONAL & DEVELOPMENTAL GROUPS
TEEN TITANS (14-18) – This group is designed for those swimmers who prefer a five day a week program on a month-to-month commitment level. This is a perfect program for swimmers wanting to excel at high-school swimming. An evaluation is required before registering for the group if new to the team.
Jr. TITANS 3 (9-10) - JR. TITANS 3 is a bridge program between JR. TITANS and the TITANS Challenge and Elite tracks. JR. TITANS are age specific for swimmers who have expressed a beginner level of interest in competitive swimming and want to participate in USA Swimming meets. Swimmers will work on developing their technique in all four competitive strokes. Swimmers must be able to swim two of the 4 competitive strokes proficiently and have a working knowledge of the other 2 competitive strokes. JR. TITANS practice 3 days/week for an hour. An evaluation is required before registering for the group if new to the team.
JR. TITANS 2 (8&U) (5-8) - JR. TITANS 2 is a bridge program between JR. TITANS and the TITANS Challenge and Elite tracks. Jr. TITANS are age specific for swimmers who have expressed a beginner level of interest in competitive swimming and want to participate in USA Swimming meets. Swimmers will work on developing their technique in all four competitive strokes. Swimmers must be able to swim two of the four competitive strokes proficiently and have a working knowledge of the other two competitive strokes. JR. TITANS practice 3 days/week for an hour. An evaluation is required before registering for the group if new to the team.
JR. TITANS 1 (5-10) - The goal os JR. TITANS 1 is to establish and solidify a strong base for competitive swimming. Swimmers will work to learn and develop competitive stroke skills, swimming details, turns, and enjoyment of the sport. Swimmers in JR. TITANS 1 will learn core values that will be used in and out of the water. To be considered for the group, swimmers should know freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke with a general idea of butterfly as well as know basic swimming skills including how to work in a group practice environment. JR. TITANS 1 practices 3 days/week for 45 minutes. An evaluation is required before registering for the group if new to the team.
