Arden Park Dolphins

Readiness Assessment and Swim Team Requirements

The first priority of the Arden Park Dolphins is the safety of all swimmers. Therefore it is imperative that all swimmers be confident, secure, and independent in the pool.

All swimmers new to the Arden Park Dolphins will be asked to demonstrate their safety and ability in the pool. Readiness Assessments for new swimmers 10 and under will take place on MARCH 13, and March 20, 2026, at the Arden Park pool during the March Swim Clinic. Assessments for new swimmers 11 and up will be at a later date to be determined. Swimmers need to come prepared to get in the pool and show the Coaching Staff the following:

6 & Under Competitive Swim Team Readiness Assessment

This assessment is designed to determine whether a 6 & Under swimmer has the skills, independence, and water safety required to safely participate in a competitive swim team environment.

Required Swimming Skills

To be considered competitive team ready, 6 & Under swimmers must demonstrate the following skills independently:

Freestyle Swimming

• Swim one full length of the pool (25 yards) using freestyle arms and flutter kicks, demonstrating:
• Arms recovering out of the water
• Eyes in the water
• Continuous bubble blowing
• Attempt at side breaths
• Flutter kicks with feet
• Horizontal body position
• Hands entering the water in front of the shoulders
• The swimmer must show forward progress for the entire lap.

Breathing & Endurance

• Swimmers must be able to swim at least half the pool unassisted.
• Once the halfway point is reached unassisted:
• The swimmer may briefly touch the lane rope or wall to catch their breath.
• After resting (no more than 20 seconds), the swimmer must resume swimming immediately.
• The swimmer may not stop and wait on any part of the lane rope or wall.
• The full lap must be completed in a reasonable amount of time.(Time standards may apply.)

Back Floating & Water Safety

• Swimmers must be able to float on their back for 10 yards without assistance.
• While floating, swimmers must:
• Use a flutter kick
• Keep their body afloat independently
• Eyes looking up towards the sky
• No physical support from a coach is allowed during the float.

Assessment Conditions

• A coach will be in the water for safety purposes only.
• During the assessment, swimmers may NOT:
• Receive physical help from a coach
• Hold onto lane lines or the side of the pool
• Use kickboards, flotation devices, or “floaties”
• Swim goggles and swim caps are highly recommended and encouraged.

7–10 Year Old Competitive Swim Team Readiness Assessment

This assessment evaluates whether swimmers ages 7–10 possess the technical skills, endurance, and independence required to safely and successfully participate in a competitive swim team environment.

Required Stroke Knowledge

To demonstrate basic knowledge of all four strokes freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly, 7–10 year old swimmers must show understanding and execution of the following components:

Freestyle Knowledge & Skills

Swimmers must demonstrate:

• Body Position
• Horizontal body position at the surface of the water
• Head in a neutral position with eyes in the water
• Arm Movement
• Alternating arm action
• Arms recovering out of the water
• Hands entering the water in front of the shoulders
• Kicking
• Continuous flutter kick
• Kicks initiated from the hips (not knees only)
• Breathing
• Ability to breathe to the side or lift head minimally
• Continued forward movement while breathing
• Ability to blow bubbles while face is in the water

Backstroke Knowledge & Skills

Swimmers must demonstrate:

• Body Position
• Horizontal body position while floating on the back
• Hips and stomach at or near the surface
• Head Position
• Head still, facing upward
• Eyes looking toward the ceiling or sky
• Arm Movement
• Alternating arm action
• Straight or slightly bent arms during recovery
• Arms entering the water above the head, not across the body
• Kicking
• Continuous flutter kick
• Toes at or near the surface of the water

Swimming Skills

To be considered competitive team ready, 7–9 year old swimmers must be able to:

• Swim one full lap (25 yards) freestyle (with the above expectations)
• Swim one full lap (25 yards) backstroke (with the above expectations)
• Swimmers may rest at the wall after completing the first lap (no more than 30 seconds).

Independence in the Water

• Swimmers should complete both laps without assistance from:
• Coaches
• Lane lines
• Pool walls
• Swimmers must demonstrate the ability to:
• Regain composure independently
• Resume swimming promptly after resting
• Maintain forward progress without stopping mid-length

• Swim goggles and swim caps are highly recommended and encouraged.

Requirements for All Swimmers (Ages 4–10)

All swimmers must demonstrate the following non-negotiable readiness skills:

Water Independence

• Ability to enter and exit the pool from the side without assistance(not using a ladder)
• Parents may observe from a marked area. They will not be allowed to be next to the pool or at the finish area.

Behavior & Practice Readiness

• Ability to pay attention in a large group practice environment
• Ability and willingness to listen to coaches and follow instructions
• Ability to participate safely, respectfully, and independently in a team-based setting

Purpose of This Assessment

This assessment ensures swimmers:

• Are safe and confident in deep water
• Possess the foundational skills required for competitive swimming
• Can participate productively in group practices without one-on-one instruction
• Are developmentally ready for structured team training

Probationary Period & Final Team Placement

If the coaching staff determines that a swimmer has met the above criteria during the swim assessment, the swimmer will be placed in a probationary period of up to one month. During this time, the coaching staff will further evaluate the swimmer’s overall readiness for participation on the competitive swim team.

Evaluation during the probationary period will include, but is not limited to:

• Ability to follow the direction of all coaches
• Ability to understand and complete assigned drills
• Ability to safely complete required laps and practice sets
• Ability to pay attention and remain engaged during practice
• Ability to be safe in the pool
• Hands/body to self
• Eyes and ears above water

If, at any point during the probationary period, the coaching staff determines that a swimmer is not yet ready to participate on the swim team for any reason, the swimmer will be asked to try again during a future season when they are better prepared.

In such cases, all registration fees for that swimmer will be fully refunded.

11 up New Competitive Swimmer Readiness Assessment

This assessment evaluates whether swimmers ages 11–18 who are new to competitive swimming possess the technical foundation, endurance, and independence required to safely and successfully participate in a competitive swim team environment.

This assessment is designed for swimmers who may be strong recreational swimmers but have limited or no prior competitive team experience.

Required Stroke Knowledge

To demonstrate readiness, swimmers must show basic knowledge and execution of all four competitive strokes: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.

Technical perfection is not required; however, swimmers must demonstrate recognizable stroke mechanics, control, and continuous forward movement.

Swimming Skills & Endurance

To be considered team ready, swimmers must be able to:

• Swim 50 yards freestyle continuously
• Swim 50 yards backstroke continuously
• Swim 25 yards breaststroke continuously
• Swim 25 yards butterfly continuously

Swimmers may rest at the wall between swims for no more than 45 seconds.

Freestyle Knowledge & Skills

Swimmers must demonstrate:

Body Position

• Horizontal body position at or near the surface
• Head in a neutral position with eyes in the water

Arm Movement

• Alternating arm action
• Overwater recovery with relaxed arms
• Hands entering the water in front of the shoulders (not crossing midline)

Kicking

• Continuous flutter kick
• Kick initiated from the hips (not knees only)

Breathing

• Ability to breathe to either side or forward with minimal head lift
• Ability to exhale continuously while face is in the water
• Ability to maintain forward momentum while breathing

Backstroke Knowledge & Skills

Swimmers must demonstrate:

Body Position

• Horizontal body position while floating on the back
• Hips and chest at or near the surface of the water

Head Position

• Head still and facing upward
• Eyes looking toward the ceiling or sky

Arm Movement

• Alternating arm action
• Straight or slightly bent arms during recovery
• Arms entering the water in line with the shoulders (not across the body)

Kicking

• Continuous flutter kick
• Toes and knees at or near the surface

Breaststroke Knowledge & Skills

Swimmers must demonstrate:

Body Position

• Streamlined body position during glide
• Ability to maintain forward progress without stopping

Arm Movement

• Simultaneous arm pull
• Hands sweeping out and then in toward the chest
• Recovery of arms forward together under or at the surface

Kicking

• Simultaneous breaststroke kick
• Heels drawing up toward the hips
• Feet turned outward during the kick

Timing

• Clear pull–breath–kick–glide sequence
• No flutter or dolphin kick used as primary propulsion

Butterfly Knowledge & Skills

Swimmers must demonstrate:

Body Position

• Horizontal body position with controlled body undulation
• Hips remaining near the surface

Arm Movement

• Simultaneous arm recovery over the water
• Arms entering the water in front of the shoulders

Kicking

• Continuous dolphin kick
• Kick initiated from the hips (not knees only)

Breathing & Timing

• Ability to coordinate arm pull, kick, and breath
• Breathing forward or slightly to the side is acceptable
• Swimmer may demonstrate butterfly over shorter distances

Independence in the Water

Swimmers must complete all swims without assistance from:

• Coaches
• Lane lines
• Pool walls (other than legal turns and finishes)

Swimmers must demonstrate the ability to:

• Regain composure independently
• Resume swimming promptly after resting
• Maintain forward progress without stopping mid-length

Swim goggles are required. Swim caps are strongly recommended.