Sharks Plus

“Sharks Plus” is a concept developed by the Sharks coaching staff in order to help swimmers who are ready to take competitive swimming to the next level and are SERIOUS about improving. It focuses on outside-of-the-pool work.

Requirements Include:

  1. Swimmer desire –
    1. MUST be swimmer driven
    2. Is a method for building self-determination and personal agency
    3. While parents/guardians may suggest "Sharks Plus" to their swimmer, we will only accept swimmers who have independent concrete swimming goals
    4. It's easy to do well on your good days, but much harder to keep that effort up when things get tough. Only swimmers who can be trusted to keep high effort even on their bad days will be accepted into the Sharks Plus program.
  2. Development of Mental Strength
    1. Sharks Plus swimmers will be required to keep a swimming journal
    2. Sharks Plus swimmers will be required to make Goal Setting plans as part of their journal
    3. Sharks Plus swimmers must participate in discussions of their journaling and goal setting, along with race psychology, individually and in small groups
  3. Dryland Strength Work
    1. Sharks Plus swimmers will be required to attend additional workout sessions to develop their strength
    2. These sessions will be OUTSIDE of practice time and will either be before or after their practice, depending on practice group
    3. Sharks Plus swimmers are expected to take this strength training seriously and respect the equipment that is used. 
    4. Sharks Plus swimmers will be expected to complete strength work with limited supervision after they have learned the required techniques.
  4. Attending extra invitational meets* (if feasible)
    1. Sharks Plus recognizes that Rec league meets are limited in scope, and as such, we want to give swimmers the opportunity to compete in a larger variety of events.
    2. The ultimate goal is to have Sharks Plus swimmers attend additional meets outside of our league meets
    3. *This tenet of Sharks Plus is still in the planning stages and may only come to fruition in later seasons.

Please note: Sharks Plus is NOT limited to Level 4. ANY Shark in the competitive branch can qualify for Sharks Plus if they demonstrate the desired mindset. Interested swimmers should inquire directly with Coach Teresa.

Contact Info

High School of Science and Technology
1250 State Street
Springfield, MA 01109

Questions? Email us or message us on Facebook!

springfieldsharks413@gmail.com