FAST Swim Team

The FAST competitive program offers a structured pathway with five divisions and nine distinct training groups. Beginning with FUNdamentals, swimmers establish foundational skills in a fun environment. Learn to Practice focuses on refining skills, implementing them in practice sets, and building good habits. Learn to Train integrates training philosophies, including aerobic/anaerobic training and dryland preparation. In Train to Compete, swimmers challenge themselves and prepare for senior-level competition, while Compete to Excel emphasizes individual goal ownership, national-level competition, and mentoring opportunities. Join FAST for a journey of swimming excellence and personal growth.

Athletes in the FUNdamentals Division are new to the sport of swimming. The focus of our FUNdamental groups is to establish a strong foundation of skills and techniques in a fun environment that encourages continued participation in the sport.

Tiger Cubs 1 - Tiger Cubs 1 are FAST's 7 & Under competitive swimmers. Stroke fundamentals and a love for the sport are emphasized. To enter Tiger Cubs 1, swimmers must be able to complete a 25 Free, 25 Back, and 25 Kick. Training sessions are offered 4 times per week and 75% attendance will afford the opportunity for continued improvement.
Tiger Cubs 2 - Tiger Cubs 2are FAST's 8 year-old and new 9 year-old competitive swimmers. Stroke fundamentals and a love for the sport are emphasized. To enter Tiger Cubs 2, swimmers must be able to complete a 50 Free, 50 Back, and 50 Kick. Training sessions are offered 4 times per week and 75% attendance will afford the opportunity for continued improvement.
Tiger Cubs 3 - Tiger Cubs 3 are FAST's returning 9 year-old and all 10 year-old competitive swimmers. Stroke fundamentals and a love for the sport are emphasized. To enter Tiger Cubs 3, swimmers must be able to complete a 50 Free, 50 Back, 25 Fly, 25 Breast, and 50 Kick. Training sessions are offered 4 times per week and 75% attendance will afford the opportunity for continued improvement.

FUNdamentals

Athletes in the Learn to Practice Division are continuing to develop and refine a strong foundation of skills and techniques in a fun environment that encourages continued participation in the sport. They will progress to an advanced level of learning that requires implementing specific skills in practice sets. Establishing good habits in a training setting translates to better performances at meets, as well as long-term development in the sport of swimming.

Tiger Stripes - The Tiger Stripes swimmers build on the fundamentals introduced in Tiger Cubs. Tiger Stripes swimmers continue to focus on stroke mechanics with advanced drills and efficiency techniques. Basic interval training and new skills are also introduced. To be placed in Tiger Stripes, swimmers must have achieved an acceptable IM Ready (IMR) score. The IM Ready scores are based on 100 Free, 50 Back, 50 Breast, 50 Fly, and 100 IM (SC) or 200 IM (LC). Training sessions are offered 5 times per week and 80% attendance will afford the opportunity for continued improvement.

Learn to Practice

Athletes in the Learn to Train Division are further refining their strong foundation of skills and techniques, while integrating training philosophies. The foundation for aerobic/anaerobic training, increased training volume, and the development of underwater training will be laid, as well as how out-of-the-water responsibilities, such as nutrition, hydration, and dryland training, affect performance in the pool.

Tigers 1 - Tigers 1 swimmers are the 11-12 year-old swimmers. While stroke mechanics are refined, a shift to competition training begins to be emphasized. Tigers 1 swimmers must be able to successfully complete a 100 Free, 50 Back, and 50 streamlined Kick. Training sessions are offered 6 times per week and 85% attendance will afford the opportunity for continued improvement.
Tigers 2 - Tigers 2 swimmers are the 13-14 year-old swimmers who are refining stroke mechanics. This group is shifting to a competitive training focus. Tigers 2 swimmers must be able to successfully complete a 100 Free, 50 Back, and 50 streamlined Kick. Training sessions are offered 6 times per week and 90% attendance will afford the opportunity for continued improvement.

Learn to Train

Train to Compete

In the Train to Compete Division, the athletes will learn about how their decisions and behavior outside of the pool affect their performance in the pool. Athletes continue to build on good practice habits with progressive skills, drills, and a variety of techniques, and work to challenge themselves and prepare for the senior level. These swimmers compete at the local, state, regional, and possibly national level. They begin to see a glimpse of their future swimming experiences by competing at the highest level meet for which they qualify.

Tigers 3 - This group will be composed of 11-14 year old athletes who are focused on developing training habits through interval training, dryland (including but not limited to weights, running, and agility exercises), and goal setting. Training sessions are offered 7 times per week and 85% attendance will afford the opportunity for continued improvement.
- IMX scores for 11-12 year olds are based upon the 400 Free (LC) or 500 Free (SC), 100 Back, 100 Breast, 100 Fly, and 200 IM.
- IMX scores for 13 and over athletes are based upon the 400 Free (LC) or 500 Free (SC), 200 Back, 200 Breast, 200 Fly, 200 IM, and 400 IM.
- At least one National Motivational “B” TIME Standard in IMX event.
Tiger Pride - Our Tiger Pride swimmers are the 11-14 year olds that have met the minimum IM Xtreme (IMX) scores. This is the swimmer's final step in age group swimming. These swimmers are continuing to refine all aspects of their swimming, while learning how their decisions and behavior affect their performance in the pool. Training sessions are offered 7-8 times per week and 95% attendance will afford the opportunity for continued improvement.
- IMX scores for 11-12 year olds are based upon the 400 Free (LC) or 500 Free (SC), 100 Back, 100 Breast, 100 Fly, and 200 IM.
- IMX scores for 13 and over athletes are based upon the 400 Free (LC) or 500 Free (SC), 200 Back, 200 Breast, 200 Fly, 200 IM, and 400 IM.

In the Senior division, FAST athletes continue to learn and be taught progressively, but emphasis is placed on taking ownership of their individual goals and the path to achievement. SENIOR division swimmers compete at the local, state, regional, and national level. Competing at the highest level meet for which they are qualified is a priority. Swimmers will be introduced to collegiate opportunities, mentored through goal setting, and encouraged to be positive role models for the younger age group swimmers.

Excel Tigers - The Excel Tigers are a year-round training group for high school-aged swimmers. These athletes continue to learn and be taught progressively, but emphasis is placed on taking ownership of their individual goals and the path to achievement. Training sessions are offered 7 times per week and athletes are expected to attend all training sessions.
Elite Tigers - The Elite Tigers are a year-round training group for high school-aged swimmers who have earned at least one 13 & Over State Cut. These athletes continue to learn and be taught progressively, but emphasis is placed on taking ownership of their individual goals and the path to achievement. Training sessions are offered 8-9 times per week and athletes are expected to attend all training sessions.
National Tigers - The National Tigers are a year-round training group for high school-aged swimmers who have earned at least one NCSA cut. These athletes continue to learn and be taught progressively, but emphasis is placed on taking ownership of their individual goals and the path to achievement. Training sessions are offered 9-10 times per week and athletes are expected to attend all training sessions. Each season, these athletes will have one major focal area to further develop their training base. These athletes, due to additional benefits received, will sign a commitment agreement to belong to this group.