GENERAL QUESTIONS

We want to join Team Bravo. What is our first step?

Your first step is to sign up for a team evaluation. You can do so by sending us a general inquiry through the website or calling the number (305) 389–9696. Evaluations last about fifteen minutes and are used to determine your swimmer’s best placement. Once the evaluation is complete, you will receive an email from the team administrator with team registration instructions.

Who can join in?

Swimmers aged 6-18. For your convenience, all groups swim out of both our locations: Miramar Aquatic Complex and FIU Biscayne Bay Campus.

BRAVO Swimming Team Group Placement Guidelines

Bravo Rookie (12 & Under)
Suggested Age: 12 & Under

Skills

• Freestyle and legal backstroke
• Legal breastroke kick
• Basic butterfly
• Side breathing
• Streamline off every wall
• Open turns
• Basic starts
• Introduction to reading the pace clock
• Good lane etiquette

Expectations

• Attend at least 3 practices per week
• Participate in at least 2 swim meets per season

Bravo Jr. (12 & Under)
Suggested Age: 12 & Under

Skills

• Legal technique in all four strokes
• Strong open turns
• Introduction to flip turns
• Consistent streamlines and underwater dolphin kicks
• Starts from the blocks
• Strong breakouts
• Read the pace clock independently
• Follow training intervals
• Good lane etiquette

Training Standards — 50-Yard Base Intervals

• 4×50 Freestyle – 1:00
• 2×50 Backstroke – 1:10
• 2×50 Breaststroke – 1:30
• 2×50 Butterfly – 1:30
• 4×50 Kick – 1:30

100 IM

• 2×100 IM – 2:30

Expectations

• Attend at least 3 practices per week
• Participate in at least 2 swim meets per season
• Maintain a minimum of 60% attendance

Bravo Stellar (14 & Under)
Suggested Age: 14 & Under

Skills

• Consistent legal technique in all four strokes
• Flip turns
• Know stroke counts into the wall for consistent flip turns
• Legal breaststroke and butterfly turns
• Strong starts from the blocks
• Perform 6–8 dolphin kicks off every wall during sprint sets
• Perform at least 3 dolphin kicks off every wall during distance sets
• Fast, well-timed breakouts
• Complete long training sets independently using the pace clock without coach reminders
• Demonstrate good lane leadership and practice habits
• Understand basic race strategy and pacing

Training Standards — 100-Yard Base Intervals

• 4×100 Freestyle – 1:40
• 2×100 Backstroke – 1:50
• 2×100 Butterfly – 2:00
• 2×100 Breaststroke – 2:00
• 4×100 Kick – 2:10
• 3×100 Individual Medley – 1:50

Expectations

• Attend at least 5 practices per week
• Attend 2 ADAPT dryland sessions per week
• Maintain a minimum of 70% attendance

Bravo Elite (18 & Under)
Suggested Age: 18 & Under

Skills

• Fast, consistent starts, turns, and finishes
• Strong underwater work
• Race pacing
• Excellent technique under fatigue
• Strong IM skills
• Relay exchanges
• Understand race strategy
• Train independently and consistently

Training Standards — 100-Yard Base Intervals

• 8×100 Freestyle – 1:20
• 4×100 Backstroke – 1:30
• 4×100 Breaststroke – 1:45
• 4×100 Butterfly – 1:30
• 5×100 Kick – 1:50
• 4×100 Individual Medley – 1:35

Expectations

• Attend 6 practices per week
• Attend 2 ADAPT dryland sessions per week
• Maintain a minimum of 70% attendance
• Compete consistently throughout the season
• Demonstrate self-discipline and training maturity

Alpha Bravo (13 & Older)
Suggested Age: 13 & Older

Eligibility

Alpha Bravo is BRAVO Swimming’s premier performance group. Selection is by invitation only and based on demonstrated performance, commitment, maturity, leadership, and coach recommendation. Athletes are expected to meet or be working toward the following standards:

• Achieving A Time standard in at least four individual events
• Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA
• Demonstrate exceptional work ethics, accountability, and leadership
• Train year-round with consistent attendance
• Competing at championship-level meets
• Serve as positive role models for younger BRAVO swimmers

Expectations

• Maintain a minimum 80% attendance
• Attend 6 swim practices per week
• Attend all required ADAPT strength and conditioning sessions
• Complete training sets independently
• Demonstrate outstanding sportsmanship and leadership
• Participate in individual goal-setting meetings with coaches throughout the season

Athlete Development

Alpha Bravo prepares athletes for high school, college, and elite-level swimming by providing:

• Monthly one-on-one meetings with coaches to review swimming, academics, and personal goals
• Academic support and GPA monitoring
• College recruitment guidance for junior and senior athletes
• Individual race planning and season goal setting
• Leadership opportunities within the BRAVO program
• Eligibility for performance-based Arena sponsorship of up to $500 per year in team apparel and equipment

Arena sponsorship is awarded at the discretion of the coaching staff based on performance, commitment, leadership, and representation of the BRAVO program.

Bravo Fit (13 & Older)
Suggested Age: 13 & Older

Skills

• Freestyle with lateral breathing
• Backstroke with proper body position and rotation
• Basic streamlines
• Open turns

Program Focus

• Stroke development
• Swimming fitness
• Endurance
• General conditioning
• Preparation for future competitive swimming, if desired

Placement Policy

Meeting the listed standards does not automatically guarantee placement in a particular group. The coaching staff determines placement based on:

• Technical ability
• Training standards
• Attendance
• Work ethics
• Coachability
• Maturity
• Competitive performance
• Team attitude

Swimmers may be moved between groups at any time if it better supports their long-term development and success.