Practice Information
Bradley Farm Wave practices are held at the Bradley Farm Pool. Our schedule shifts with the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) calendar:
- Afternoon practices run while FCPS is in session (late May / early June).
- Morning practices run during FCPS summer break (mid-June through mid-July).
Practices are scheduled by age group, and instruction happens in Practice Squads (Program Levels) so swimmers at different skill levels can learn and progress at the same practice.
Seasonal Practice Schedule
Afternoon Practices (May 28 – June 16)
Afternoon practices are 30–45 minutes and are a great way for swimmers to get back in the water and re-establish good habits early in the season.
There is no practice on June 17.
Afternoon Practice Times
| Age Group | Assigned Afternoon Practice Time |
|---|---|
| Junior Wave | 5:15–5:45 pm or 5:45–6:15 pm |
| Wave, 6 & Under | 5:45–6:15 pm |
| Wave, 7–8 | 5:15–5:45 pm |
| Wave, 9–10 | 4:45–5:15 pm or 5:15–5:45 pm |
| Wave, 11–12 | 4:45–5:15 pm |
| Wave, 13–18 | 4:00–4:45 pm |
Notes
- Junior Wave swimmers may attend either 5:15 or 5:45.
- 9–10-year-olds may attend either 4:45 or 5:15.
- All other age groups should attend their assigned time.
Morning Practices (June 18 – July 24)
Morning practices are held during FCPS summer break:
- Wave: 45–60 minutes
- Junior Wave: 30 minutes
Morning sessions are scheduled by age group, with earlier sessions also available for swimmers who have summer camp or other obligations later in the morning.
Practice Squads & What We Teach
To coach swimmers effectively, we organize each practice into Practice Squads based on a swimmer’s current Program Level. Each squad is assigned to a lane with a Squad Leader who leads warm-ups, instruction, and drills.
This approach allows us to teach multiple program levels at every practice, rather than limiting instruction to specific time slots.
Practice Squads (Program Levels)
- White — Freestyle Fundamentals: body position, breathing, kick timing, and efficient freestyle habits
- Yellow — Backstroke Fundamentals: strong body line on the back, steady kick, rotation, and arm recovery basics
- Green — Breaststroke Fundamentals: legal kick fundamentals, timing (pull–breathe–kick–glide), and streamlined movement
- Blue — Butterfly Fundamentals: dolphin kick rhythm, body wave timing, breathing, and arm pattern fundamentals
- Red — Stroke Development: refining technique across strokes, building consistency, and introducing more advanced skills
- Black — Conditioning: endurance, pacing, stronger sets, and meet readiness
What instruction looks like: swimmers rotate through warm-ups, skill instruction, and drills geared to their squad level, with coaches providing feedback to help swimmers improve safely and sustainably.
How Swimmers Are Placed Into Squads
Each Program Level has a clear objective based on completing a stroke or event in compliance with USA Swimming rules (rather than chasing a specific time—Bradley Farm Wave is a developmental program).
- We use recorded swim meet times to confirm readiness for a level and identify swimmers who are ready to move up.
- During the season, meet results help us track progress and adjust squad placements as swimmers master new skills.
Early-Season Calibration (Afternoon Practices)
At the start of each season, coaches observe swimmers during afternoon practices to calibrate placements—especially helpful for swimmers returning after time away, swimmers who train year-round, or swimmers new to the team. The focus is on swimmers' ability to swim a stroke, not on cut-off times! Swimmers begin to practice with their squads when we switch to morning practices.
Practice Basics
What to Bring
- Sunscreen
- Goggles
- Fins (not needed for Junior Wave)
- Swim cap (if needed)
Swimmer Expectations
Swimmers are expected to listen to coaches, follow directions, respect personal space, and treat equipment appropriately so every lane stays safe and productive.
Parent/Caregiver Note: Parents/caregivers of swimmers 11 and under, or swimmers who have not passed the lifeguard swim test, must remain in the pool area during practice.
Schedule Changes and Cancellations
Practice may be postponed, rescheduled, or cancelled due to:
- Inclement weather (including lightning procedures)
- Water quality/temperature
- Staffing or facility issues
Updates are communicated through team announcements.
