Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Techniq Group Swimming Services
General Information
Q: What is Techniq Group Swimming Services?
A: Techniq Group is a technique-focused swim coaching service near Ann Arbor, Michigan, specializing in private lessons, underwater video analysis, and small-group programs. We work with all levels, from beginners learning to swim to competitive athletes refining race-ready technique. Unlike traditional swim schools that focus on water safety basics, our programs emphasize stroke mechanics, efficiency, and measurable improvement through personalized, technique-driven instruction.
Q: Who are the coaches?
A: Our coaches are former competitive swimmers and elite-level instructors, including NCAA All-Americans, Olympic Trials qualifiers, and coaches who have trained USA Swimming National Team members. Every Techniq coach has years of competitive coaching experience and specializes in technique analysis, not just water safety certification. Our staff includes Coach Danielle Tansel (coach of multiple Olympians and NCAA Champions), Coach Ali Deloof (World Record holder, 2016 Olympic Trials 4th place), and founder Jeff Gross (20 years of coaching experience, former Head Coach of Saline Swim Team).
Programs & Lessons
Q: What types of lessons do you offer?
A: We offer four main program types: private lessons, group programs, video analysis, and virtual coaching.
Private Lessons are one-on-one sessions customized to your specific goals, whether that's learning to swim, improving competitive times, or refining technique for a triathlon.
Group Programs are age- and skill-based sessions that emphasize technique progression. Current offerings include elementary school swim groups, middle school programs (The Middle Lane), high school swim clinics (The Details), and adult training groups.
Video Analysis uses underwater and above-water footage to identify stroke inefficiencies invisible from the pool deck. Available in-person at our Ann Arbor and Saline locations or remotely for swimmers anywhere.
Virtual Coaching gives swimmers outside Michigan access to Techniq expertise through online consulting sessions. Work one-on-one with our elite coaches via video call to review technique, build training plans, or get ongoing guidance—no matter where you're located.
Q: Do you work with adults as well as kids?
A: Yes, we work with swimmers of all ages, from young children to adults. Our adult clients include complete beginners building water confidence, triathletes improving swim efficiency, Masters swimmers refining technique, and competitive athletes up to the USA National Team level. Adults often see faster improvement than children because they can immediately apply coaching feedback; many of our adult triathletes have dramatically improved race times through focused technique work rather than just swimming more laps.
Q: How do I know which group or program is right for my swimmer?
A: Contact us, and we'll recommend the right program based on your swimmer's current ability, age, and goals. For competitive swimmers supplementing team training, our clinics (The Details, The Push-Off) provide focused technique work. For younger swimmers ready to progress beyond basic lessons, Take Your Mark builds competitive foundations. For adults, private lessons offer the fastest path to improvement. We're happy to discuss your specific situation. Email jeff@techniqgroup.com or call 848-702-3011.
Registration & Scheduling
Q: How do I book lessons?
A: Book directly through our online booking page at techniqgroup.com. You'll receive a confirmation email with session details, location information, and what to bring. For questions about which program fits your needs before booking, contact us at jeff@techniqgroup.com.
Q: How far in advance should I book?
A: Book as early as possible. Fall and spring sessions typically fill within days of opening. Returning clients receive early registration access before sessions open to the public. For private lessons, coach availability varies; popular time slots (evenings and weekends) book up 2-4 weeks in advance. If your preferred session is full, contact us to join the waitlist.
Q: The swim coach I want to work with is not available?
A: Every Techniq coach meets our high standards for competitive experience and teaching ability; you'll receive excellent instruction from any member of our staff. We carefully vet all coaches and only hire experienced professionals with competitive swimming backgrounds. If you have a specific scheduling need or want to discuss coach specialties (some focus on competitive stroke work, others on adult beginners, etc.), contact us and we'll help match you appropriately.
Locations
Q: Where are swim programs held?
A: We operate at three pool locations in the Ann Arbor area:
Saline High School — Sundays and Tuesdays
Whitmore Lake Community Pool — Saturdays
Saline Rec Center — Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday
Each program page lists its specific location and schedule. Private lesson locations vary depending on the coach's availability. For in-person video analysis filming, we use our Saline and Ann Arbor facilities with professional underwater camera equipment. Swimmers outside the Ann Arbor area can access our expertise through virtual coaching. Submit your own video for remote stroke analysis or schedule online consulting sessions with our elite coaches from anywhere in the world.
Policies
Q: What is your cancellation policy?
A: Lessons canceled with less than 72 hours' notice are billed at the full lesson cost. This policy ensures fairness to our coaches (who reserve time for your session) and to clients on our waitlist who could have taken the spot. Cancellations made more than 72 hours in advance can be rescheduled or refunded. For illness or emergencies, contact us directly—we handle these situations on a case-by-case basis.
Q: How does billing work for private swim lessons?
A: Private lessons are billed automatically after each session—your credit card is kept securely on file and charged upon lesson completion. Group programs are billed per session, cohort, or full season depending on the specific program. All payment information is processed securely. You'll receive an email receipt after each charge.
Other Common Questions
Q: What should my swimmer bring to lessons?
A: Bring a swimsuit, towel, goggles, and water bottle to every session. Swim caps are recommended for long hair. Competitive swimmers should bring their full kit bag, including any equipment they use in regular practice (fins, paddles, snorkel, etc.); coaches may incorporate these tools into technique drills. Arrive 5-10 minutes early to use the restroom and be pool-ready at your scheduled start time.
Q: What makes Techniq Group different from other swim programs?
A: Techniq Group focuses exclusively on technique development, not fitness or yardage. Three things set us apart:
1. Technique-first coaching: We believe mastering stroke mechanics, starts, turns, and underwater phases creates faster, more efficient swimmers than simply swimming more laps. Every session includes specific technical feedback.
2. Elite-level coaches: Our staff includes former NCAA All-Americans, Olympic Trials competitors, and coaches who have trained National Team swimmers. We hire competitive coaching experience, not just lifeguard certifications.
3. Video analysis technology: We use underwater filming to show swimmers exactly what they're doing—something most programs can't offer. Visual feedback accelerates improvement dramatically.
4. Virtual coaching for swimmers anywhere: Through our consulting service, swimmers worldwide can access Techniq expertise remotely. Submit your own video for professional stroke analysis, or schedule virtual coaching sessions with our experts. You don't have to live in Ann Arbor to train with Olympic-level coaches.
We serve competitive swimmers and serious adult athletes, not just beginners learning water safety. If you want to swim faster and more efficiently, that's what we specialize in.
VIDEO ANALYSIS
Q: What is swimming video analysis?
A: Swimming video analysis is a coaching method that uses underwater and above-water footage to identify specific technique inefficiencies invisible to the naked eye. Coaches review the footage frame-by-frame to pinpoint issues with stroke mechanics, body position, breathing timing, and kick patterns. At Techniq Group, our video analysis is conducted by coaches with elite competitive backgrounds—including former NCAA All-Americans and coaches of Olympic-level swimmers—who can translate what they see into actionable improvements.
Q: How does underwater video help improve swimming technique?
A: Underwater video reveals what swimmers can't feel and coaches can't see from the pool deck. It captures hand entry angles, pull patterns, body rotation, and kick mechanics that directly impact speed and efficiency. Swimmers who see their own technique on video understand corrections faster and retain changes longer than those who only receive verbal feedback. Our coaches use this visual feedback to create personalized drill sequences targeting each swimmer's specific inefficiencies.
Q: Can I get swim video analysis remotely?
A: Yes. Techniq Group offers remote video analysis for swimmers anywhere in the world. You can submit your own footage—recorded at your local pool using a smartphone or underwater camera—and receive a detailed breakdown from our expert coaches. For swimmers in the Ann Arbor area, we also offer in-person filming sessions at our Saline and Ann Arbor locations using professional underwater equipment. Both options include a recorded video review you can reference during practice.
Q: What's included in a Techniq Group video analysis session?
A: Each video analysis session includes underwater and above-water filming of all four strokes (or specific strokes you want to focus on), a frame-by-frame breakdown identifying 3-5 priority corrections, a recorded coach commentary video explaining what to change and why, and specific drills matched to your technique issues. In-person sessions at our Ann Arbor and Saline locations use professional underwater cameras. Remote analysis clients receive the same detailed feedback based on their submitted footage.
Q: Who benefits most from swimming video analysis?
A: Video analysis helps swimmers at every level, but delivers the biggest impact for three groups: (1) Competitive swimmers who have plateaued and need to identify subtle technique flaws limiting their speed. (2) Adult triathletes who learned to swim later in life and have ingrained inefficiencies draining energy. (3) Age group swimmers whose coaches don't have time for individual stroke analysis during team practice. If you can already swim but want to swim faster or more efficiently, video analysis accelerates improvement more than simply swimming more laps.
Q: How is video analysis different from regular swim lessons?
A: Traditional swim lessons focus on teaching swimmers what to do through verbal instruction and demonstration. Video analysis shows swimmers exactly what they're currently doing—often very different from what they think they're doing—and provides visual proof of changes as they improve. Many swimmers are surprised to see their actual stroke for the first time. At Techniq Group, we often combine video analysis with private coaching so swimmers can immediately practice corrections with real-time feedback.
Q: Do I need video analysis if I already have a swim coach?
A: Video analysis complements team coaching rather than replacing it. Club and high school coaches typically manage 20-40 swimmers simultaneously and can't provide frame-by-frame individual analysis during practice. A periodic video session (many of our clients do 2-4 per year) identifies specific technique issues your regular coach can then reinforce during daily training. We're happy to share analysis findings with your primary coach so corrections stay consistent.
Q: What equipment do you use for underwater filming?
A: Our in-person sessions at Saline and Ann Arbor locations use professional underwater cameras positioned to capture multiple angles—front, side, and below. For remote analysis, we accept footage from any waterproof camera or smartphone in a waterproof case. We provide filming guidelines to ensure your submitted video captures the angles needed for thorough analysis. Clear footage from a basic setup is often sufficient; you don't need expensive equipment to benefit from expert analysis.
Q: How long does a video analysis take?
A: In-person filming sessions typically take 30-45 minutes, during which we capture footage of your target strokes from multiple angles. You'll receive your recorded analysis video within 3-5 business days. Remote analysis turnaround is also 3-5 business days after we receive your footage. The analysis video itself runs 15-30 minutes depending on how many strokes we're reviewing, and you keep it permanently to reference during training.
Q: How much does video analysis cost?
A: Video analysis pricing varies based on whether you choose in-person filming or remote submission, and how many strokes you want analyzed. Contact us for current rates. Many swimmers find that a single video session identifying their top 3 technique priorities delivers more improvement than months of unfocused practice—making it one of the highest-value investments in their swimming.