Mini Marlins: Chorley Marlins run a ‘learn to swim’ group which follows the National Plan for teaching swimming stages 1 -7.
This group is lead by a Level 2 ASA swimming teacher. This is the 1st level of Marlins Squad and
swimmers in this group are invited to join the Improvers squad when they are
considered to be ready and have passed a trial training session, taken by the main
Marlins coaches. It is a programme designed to teach youngsters the basic
techniques of swimming. For more info, please see the Mini Marlins page.

Improvers: This squad currently trains for one hour per week, Sunday 6pm – 7pm.
The focus for these swimmers is development of competitive skills and enhancement
of technique in all four competitive strokes. The scheme of work covers stages 8 - 10

of the National Plan.

Coaching is intensive, usually with one coach per lane and time will be spent by

coaches demonstrating different techniques and
skills, some of which may be done out of the water poolside but most will take part
in the water. When being coached swimmers are being asked to build technical
competence. Improvers will be encouraged to compete in the Clubs Internal Galas
and may on occasions be asked to compete for the club as part of the Micro-League
Squad.

Intermediates: Improver plus will progress onto the Intermediate squad when the
Head Coach feels they have reached a competent level that will support them with
the demands of the next level of swimming. This squad currently swims three times
a week for a total of 3½ hours. There is also one hour of land training available on
Sunday evening 6:00 – 7:00pm. Some of this time may be spent swimming alongside
the younger swimmers from the Junior Squad. The demands of this squad are much
higher than those of Improvers. There are fewer coaches and swimmers are
expected to be able to listen, remember, organise themselves and to be able to use
the clock to time themselves and to know when to set off. The first few weeks
training in this squad will be physically demanding and swimmers may feel extremely
tired. Swimmers will need to purchase a kick board, pull buoy, and fins to aid
their training, all of which are available from All Seasons or any good sports shops.
At this level swimmers will be expected to compete in the Clubs Internal Galas,
some swimmers may be asked to compete for the club in the Micro-League and
swimmers should consider entering certain Open Meet Competitions (see section on
competitions later in this handbook). All swimmers in this squad are expected to

achieve a minimum 75% attendance.

Juniors: The aim of this squad is the development of excellence in all the strokes,
starts and turns, building on a firm basis to move onto the District Squad. Junior
squad swimmers are expected to enter the Club Galas, North Lancs Age Group Galas
and selected Open Meet competitions. They form the bulk of the Micro-League
squad, and swim the bottom age groups in Speedo and the North Lancs leagues.
Juniors currently swim 4 times a week totaling 5 hours pool time and one hour doing
land training. The objectives of land training are to supplement the time in the
water by teaching swimmers about general fitness, building core strength and diet.
Again this squad will bring different challenges for swimmers and for the first few
weeks they will be tired. They are expected to be able to read a session plan on a
wipe board and manage themselves through a session – this allows a coach to
concentrate on addressing issues, swimmers will need to be dedicated and have a
good level of self-motivation. All swimmers in this squad are expected to achieve

 a minimum 75% attendance. 

District: This is Marlins top squad and aims to prepare swimmers for competition at
North Lancs, County, District and eventually National levels. Entry is based on
achievement of qualifying times, plus a formal commitment to train a specified
number of sessions/week. District swimmers currently swim 6 times a week,
totaling 10 hours training. Swimmers will need to be dedicated and have high levels
of motivation to succeed in this squad. The training sessions are demanding and

swimmers are expected to understand technique and to be able to experiment

and adjust to achieve their best. All swimmers in this squad are expected to

achieve a minimum 75% attendance.