In keeping with our
philosophy of providing a
well-rounded and quality
competitive swimming program
for swimmers of all ages and
abilities, the Kansas City
Blazers offer professional
technique instruction and
training. The program
is divided into smaller
practice groups (described
below) based on skill level
and commitment. This
allows practices to be
geared toward the individual
needs of each swimmer.
Program fees vary based on
practice groups and
participation.
All of our programs are
offered at six different
pool sites in the area.
NOVICE
Requirements:
Must be able to swim 25
yards of freestyle and 25
yards of backstroke.
Proficient form is not
required. Swimmer must
be able to pay attention to
coach instruction.
Swimmer must be 6 years or
older.
Group Emphasis: The
main focus in this group
will be on increasing
efficiency of freestyle and
backstroke and teaching
breaststroke and butterfly.
Start and turn technique
will be introduced.
Expectations:
Practice session are 1 1/2
hour, twice weekly.
BLUE
Requirements:
Swimmer should be able to
legally swim freestyle,
backstroke, breaststroke and
butterfly.
Group Emphasis: The
groups primary concentration
will be on advancing stroke
technique in all four
strokes with the addition of
interval sets to better
prepare them for the next
level. A continuation
of start and turn work also
be emphasized. Flip turns
should be implemented at
every wall for freestyle and
backstroke and perform legal
turns for butterfly and
breaststroke and individual
medley transitions.
Swimmers should begin
developing leadership skills
in the pool and during
stretches and exercises.
Expectations:
Practice session are 1 1/2
hour, twice weekly.
ADVANCED BLUE
Requirements: Swimmers
demonstrate endurance,
proficiency, commitment,
leadership and meet
performance exceeding Blue
level.
Group Emphasis: The
emphasis of this group will
be stroke mechanics with
further introduction to
competition, training,
starts, turns, and dry land
exercise. Swimmers
should be willing to learn
about themselves and their
potential capabilities by
working towards achieving
the challenges set before
them. They should have
the desire to improve their
swimming. Swimmers
should encourage themselves
and others to work hard,
listen carefully to
instructions, and
demonstrate a positive
attitude about swimming.
The concepts of training and
race preparation are
introduced in this group.
Expectations:
Practice session are 2 hour,
three - five times weekly.
GOLD
Requirements: This
group consists of the most
skilled and experienced age
group swimmers and places an
emphasis on serious training
for competition.
Swimmers at this level
strive to rank among the top
swimmers in the nation in
their age groups.
Group Emphasis: The
Gold Group is a "bridge"
between the Blue Program
(Novice, Blue and Advanced
Blue) and the Elite Group.
Gold swimmers are generally
swimmers who are committed
enough to the sport to
practice at least four times
(out of six available).
The priorities in the Gold
Group are skill development
and physical conditioning,
along with the development
of mental training and race
preparation concepts.
Gold swimmers are expected
to participate in LSC
championship meet
competition.
Expectations:
Practice session are 2hour
and 45 min, four - six times
weekly.
ELITE
Requirements: This
group consists of the
highest level with the KC
Blazer team structure.
Swimmers earn their position
in the group by
demonstrating the necessary
dedication to acheive their
maximum potential as a
competitive swimmer and
young adult. It is the
purpose of this program to
provide a national class
environment of training and
competition. Up to
twelve practice sessions are
offered each week and the
attendance requirements vary
according to the individual.
Group Emphasis:
Swimming is a very high
priority in your life,
striving for personal
excellence and Elite level
performance. Swimmer
should be able to handle
time management of their
swim schedule and
schoolwork. They
demonstrate good team
sportsmanship by helping
your teammates reach their
goals by your positive
encouragement and actions.
Elite swimmers are those
with Sectional qualifying
times in events they
practice between six -
eleven times per week,
including significant cross
training with dry land
activities. Elite
swimmers strive to
participate at the National
level.
MASTERS
The Kansas City
Blazers Masters Swim Team is
part of an international
group of athletes that make
swimming a part of their
life. Masters swimming
is the largest and fastest
growing adult sport in the
United States. Many
different people swim
Masters, from those trying
to become more proficient in
the water to competitive
swimmers to triathletes to
multi-sport athletes to
swimmers that are looking
for more structure than just
swimming laps.
Everyone that is intered in
making swimming a part of
their life is welcome.
Click here for more Masters
information.
