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1 Hockomock Area YMCA (HAY Lightning) Swim Team Handbook
Hockomock Area YMCA
(HAY Lightning) Swim Team
Handbook
Updated 1.1.2020
21
Table of Contents
ITeam Statements
a. Mission Statement
b. Vision Statement
c. Objectives
IITeam Structure
a. Governing Bodies
b. Seasons
c. Tryouts
d. Coaches
e. Practice Groups & Directions to Practice Pools
f. USA Safe Sport
IIITeam Policies
a. Anti-bullying
b. Behaviour
c. Grievance
d. Locker Room
e. Massage
f. Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention
g. Photography
h. Social Media
i. Travel
j. Volunteer Commitment
IVSwim Meets
a. Types of Meet
b. Registration
c. Expectation
VBooster Club
VIGlossary of Terms
ITeam Statements
a. Mission Statement
The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable community service organization of men, women, and children of all ages, ethnic origins, religious affiliations and socioeconomic levels united in a common effort to positively influence the quality of life of its members, families, and community. Based on the foundation of Judeo-Christian values, our programs and activities emphasize the development of the whole person in spirit, mind, and body and are available to all individuals regardless of their ability to pay.
b. Vision Statement
The vision of the Hockomock Area YMCA Lightning Swim Team (HAY Lightning) is to provide a competitive swimming program that allows all interested swimmers to develop their abilities in an environment that stresses the overall growth of the individual in a way that is consistent with the YMCA values and principles. HAY Lightning will follow the Hockomock Area YMCA's Child Safety Absolutes. HAY Lightning provides a program that meets the diverse needs of the beginners to nationally ranked swimmers. Our program is designed not only to facilitate each swimmer's development, but to provide an orderly progression from one level to the next. HAY Lightning offers a year round opportunity for competitive swimming in both YMCA and USA Swimming as well as seasonal clinics for aspiring competitive athletes. HAY is comprised of girls and boys from age 6 through high school.
c. Objectives
The major objective is to offer a fun and challenging program that will aid the swimmer in developing a blueprint to succeed in and out of the pool. HAY Lightning coaching staff stress the importance of individual self-improvement as each swimmers primary goal. Training in stroke techniques, speed and endurance are customized to each practice group to help achieve their goals. All swimmers will train in all four competitive strokes and should get and remain in good physical and mental shape. We are aiming for a year round program that caters to all levels and want each swimmer to learn the value of hard work, sportsmanship, respect, how to work with others and commitment to themselves as well as a group.
In addition to helping each swimmer attain their own personal goals, the program stresses the team concept. Each swimmer is a member of the HAY Lightning Swim Team and with that carries the responsibility, loyalty and dedication to each of the team members. Mutual support during training and competition are assets that attribute to a successful program. Parental support and involvement with the team as well as within the Hockomock Area YMCA community is highly encouraged and is a major incentive for many swimmers at all levels of competitive swimming
HAY Lightning wants to develop a lifelong love of the sport of swimming whether that be for lap swimming, open water swimming or into college and coaches will be happy to advise how to work on the swimmers goals for the future.
IITeam Structure
a. Governing Bodies
HAY Lighting competes as a member of both the YMCA Eastern Massachusetts League (EMASS) and as a USA Swimming team. YMCA swimming is conducted utilizing the current USA Swimming rules unless otherwise designated by the EMASS League rules.
YMCA and USA Swimming age groups are primarily divided as follows:
8 & Under 9-10 or 10 & Under 11-12 or 12 & Under
13-14 15-18 or 15 & Over Open / Senior
At most YMCA meets, the age group the swimmer competes in is determined by the child’s age as of December 1st of that season, although this is changing. For USA swimming meets, the swimmer competes in the age group of his/her actual age on the first day of each meet.
b. Seasons
HAY Lightning offers a competitive swim program on a year round basis. The Short Course season begins at the end of August or early September and continues through mid-February. Competitive meets take place in a 25 yard pool which is the size of the Hockomock Area YMCA’s pools. The Long Course Season is from mid-April to Mid July. Most competitive meets are held in a 50 meter pool.
c. Tryouts
The start of team tryouts for new swimmers interested in joining HAY Lightning are conducted at the beginning of each season, approximately one month prior to the start of practice. Dates and Times are posted on the team website as well as on Hockomock Area YMCA’s website. Returning swimmers should discuss advancement placement with the coaches prior to registering for the next session.
d. Coaches
We currently have 6 Swim Coaches: Head Coach: Sue Roycroft. Assistant Coaches: Danielle Hopkins, Mike Rogers, Matt Nugent, Megan Cashin & Deirdre Atchison and you can read their bios on the team website.
All of our coaches are held to the following code of conduct:
HAY Lightning coaches are expected to display Respect, Responsibility, Honesty and Caring towards their swimmers, parents and fellow coaches. This will be accomplished through the following:
· Coaches are expected to provide positive reinforcement and spirit.
· Coaches will be rotated throughout the practice groups. However, sufficient consistency must be maintained so that coaches get to know the individual swimmers, their strengths and weaknesses.
· Coaches should establish individual goals for each swimmer.
· Coaches will provide assessments throughout the year, through meetings with the parent/swimmer, if requested by the parent/swimmer.
· Coaches will place emphasis on strokes, turns, starts and technique in addition to endurance.
· Coaches provide discipline, especially regarding lane etiquette.
· Coaches are expected to treat each swimmer equally. Star swimmers and “squeaky wheels” are not treated differently from anyone else.
· Coaches provide supervision during stretching and dryland exercises.
· When setting up a YMCA swim meet, the coaches will determine the events for a swimmer. They are the ones in a position to know what is best for the team. However, the coaches should be aware of what events a swimmer likes and dislikes.
· At a swim meet, coaches should handle disqualifications (“DQs”) appropriately by focusing on the next race and explaining the reason for the disqualification
e. Practice Groups
Swimmers should only attend practice sessions that pertain to their assigned practice groups. If an extenuating circumstance arises, please contact the Head Coach about the possibility of attending an alternate practice session. This can only be allowed if there is space available.
Juniors: Primarily designed for athletes 11 and Under who wish to continue to work on developing team skills while focusing on stroke technique. They are taught competitive starts and turns, along with basic principles of competitive swimming (efficiency, basic terminology). Good sportsmanship and teamwork are strongly emphasized.
Silver: Primarily designed for athletes aged 12 and under who have limited experience but have mastered at least 3 strokes, racing starts and turns. Swimmers are encouraged to participate in three practices a week. Appropriate competitions are strongly recommended for this group as well as Long course participation.
Black: Primarily designed for athletes aged 12 and under who have limited experience but have mastered all 4 strokes, racing starts and turns. Swimmers are encouraged to participate in three practices a week. Appropriate competitions are strongly recommended for this group as well as Long Course participation.
Senior: Primarily designed to athletes aged 10 & up who have a solid competitive swimming foundation and background. Athletes in this group are encouraged to participate in four to five practices a week along with dry lands to build upon conditioning elements of the sport. Swimmers are strongly encourage participation in Long Course Season.
Directions to Practice Pools
North Attleboro Branch: Traveling south on Route 1 from Plainville, stay on Route 1 until Dunkin Donuts is on the right and Dairy Queen is on the left. Take a left at this light onto Elmwood Street. The Hockomock Area YMCA will be on the left at the top of the hill at 300 Elmwood Street.
Franklin Branch: From Route 495 North, take exit 17 (Route 140 - Franklin). Take a left onto Route 140 North. (If coming from Route 495 South, turn right onto Route 140 North.) Take 2nd left into Forge Park. Take a left onto National Drive. Follow up to YMCA parking lot at 45 Forge Hill Road.
Foxboro Branch: From Interstate Route 95. Take Exit 8 – Mechanic Street/Main Street. At the end of the ramp, turn towards Foxboro (right if coming off 95S; left if coming off 95N). Travel along Mechanic Street for approximately 1.5 miles. Foxboro branch will be on your left.
f. USA Swim Safe Sport
The USA Swimming Safe Sport Program raises awareness about misconduct in our sport, promotes open dialogue, and provides training and resources. When we work as a team, we can build a plan to make swimming safe—for everyone.
If you have any immediate concerns that you wish to raise to the team please contact Heather Plumb, Team Admin and Safe Sport Coordinator at [email protected]
BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR SAFE SPORT
These Best Practice Guidelines below describe strategies for creating an open and observable environment and establishing clear boundaries between adults and athletes. Clubs are encouraged to use the Best Practice Guidelines to develop policies that can be implemented at the local level.
1.Parents should be encouraged to appropriately support their children’s swim experience.
2.All swim practices should be open to observation by parents.
3.Two-deep Leadership: One coach member and at least one other adult should be present at all practices and other member club activities whenever at least one athlete is present. Clubs and coaches should evaluate their seasonal plans and map out how to best accomplish this strongly recommended guideline.
4.Open and Observable Environment: An open and observable environment should be maintained for all interactions between adults and athletes. Private, or one-on-one situations, should be avoided unless they are open and observable. Common sense should be used to move a meeting to an open and observable location if the meeting inadvertently begins in private.
5.Coaches should not invite or have an athlete(s) to their home without the permission of the athlete’s par- ents (or legal guardian).
6.During team travel, when doing room checks, attending team meetings and/or other activities, two-deep leadership and open and observable environments should be maintained.
7.Athletes should not ride in a coach’s vehicle without another adult present who is the same gender as the athlete, unless prior parental permission is obtained.
8.During overnight team travel, if athletes are paired with other athletes they shall be of the same gender and should be a similar age. Where athletes are age 13 & over, chaperones and/or team managers would ideally stay in nearby rooms. When athletes are age 12 and under, chaperones and/or team managers may stay with athletes. Where chaperones/team managers are staying in a room with athletes, they should be the same gender as the athlete and written consent should be given by the athlete’s parents (or legal guardian).
9.Communications between non-athlete adult members and athletes should not include any topic or language that is sexual or inappropriate in nature.
10.Non-athlete adult members should respect the privacy of athletes in situations such as changing of clothes, showering, etc.
11.Relationships of a peer-to-peer nature with any athletes should be avoided. For example, coaches should avoid sharing their own personal problems with athletes.
12.Coaches and other non-athlete adult members should avoid horseplay and roughhousing with athletes.
13.When a coach touches an athlete as part of instruction, the coach should do so in direct view of others and inform the athlete of what he/she is doing prior to the initial contact.
14.Touching athletes should be minimized outside the boundaries of what is considered normal instruction. Appropriate interaction would include high fives, fist bumps, side-to-side hugs and handshakes.
15.Coaches should not initiate contact with or accept supervisory responsibility for athletes’ outside club pro- grams and activities.
16.Coaches should not engage in sexual intimacies with a former athlete for at least two (2) years after the cessation or termination of professional services. Both the athlete and the coach must be 18 years of age or older. Because sexual intimacies with a former athlete are frequently harmful to the athlete, and because such intimacies undermine public confidence in the coaching profession and thereby deter the public’s use of needed services, coaches should not engage in sexual intimacies with former athletes even after a two-year interval except in the most unusual circumstances. The coach who engages in such activity after two (2) years following cessation or termination of the coach-athlete relationship will bear the burden of demonstrating that there has been no exploitation, in light of all relevant factors.
IIITeam Policies
a. Anti-bullying
PURPOSE
Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at HAY Lightning Swim Team (the “Club”) and will not be tolerated. Bullying is counterproductive to team spirit and can be devastating to a victim. The Club is committed to providing a safe, caring and friendly environment for all of our members. If bullying does occur, all athletes and parents should know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. Anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell a coach, board member or athlete/mentor.
Objectives of the Club’s Bullying Policy and Action Plan:
1.To make it clear that the Club will not tolerate bullying in any form.
2. To define bullying and give all board members, coaches, parents and swimmers a good understanding of what bullying is.
3. To make it known to all parents, swimmers and coaching staff that there is a policy and protocol should any bullying issues arise.
4. To make how to report bullying clear and understandable.
5. To spread the word that HAY Lightning takes bullying seriously and that all swimmers and parents can be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.
WHAT IS BULLYING?
The USA Swimming Code of Conduct prohibits bullying. Generally, bullying is the use of aggression, whether intentional or not, which hurts another person. Bullying results in pain and distress.
The USA Swimming Code of Conduct defines bullying in 304.3.7. Bullying is the severe or repeated use by one or more USA Swimming members of oral, written, electronic or other technological expression, image, sound, data or intelligence of any nature (regardless of the method of transmission), or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at any other member that to a reasonably objective person has the effect of:
i. causing physical or emotional harm to the other member or damage to the other member’s property;
ii. placing the other member in reasonable fear of harm to himself/herself or of damage to his/her property;
iii. creating a hostile environment for the other member at any USA Swimming activity;
iv. infringing on the rights of the other member at any USA Swimming activity; or
v. materially and substantially disrupting the training process or the orderly operation of any USA Swimming activity (which for the purposes of this section shall include, without limitation, practices, workouts and other events of a member club or LSC).
REPORTING PROCEDURE
An athlete who feels that he or she has been bullied is asked to do one or more of the following things:
• Talk to your parents;
• Talk to a Club Coach, Board Member, or other designated individual;
• Write a letter or email to the Club Coach, Board Member, or other designated individual;
• Make a report to the USA Swimming Safe Sport staff.
There is no express time limit for initiating a complaint under this procedure, but every effort should be made to bring the complaint to the attention of the appropriate club leadership as soon as possible to make sure that memories are fresh and behavior can be accurately recalled and the bullying behavior can be stopped as soon as possible.
HOW WE HANDLE BULLYING
If bullying is occurring during team-related activities, we STOP BULLYING ON THE SPOT using the following steps:
1. Intervene immediately. It is ok to get another adult to help.
2.Separate the kids involved.
3.Make sure everyone is safe.
4.Meet any immediate medical or mental health needs.
5.Stay calm. Reassure the kids involved, including bystanders.
6.Model respectful behavior when you intervene.
If bullying is occurring at our club or it is reported to be occurring at our club, we address the bullying by FINDING OUT WHAT HAPPENED and SUPPORTING THE KIDS INVOLVED using the following approach:
FINDING OUT WHAT HAPPENED
First, we get the facts.
a. Keep all the involved children separate.
b. Get the story from several sources, both adults and kids.
c. Listen without blaming.
d. Don’t call the act “bullying” while you are trying to understand what happened.
e. It may be difficult to get the whole story, especially if multiple athletes are involved or the bullying involves social bullying or cyber bullying. Collect all available information.
Then, we determine if it's bullying. There are many behaviors that look like bullying but require different approaches. It is important to determine whether the situation is bullying or something else.
Review the USA Swimming definition of bullying;
To determine if the behavior is bullying or something else, consider the following questions:
· What is the history between the kids involved?
· Have there been past conflicts?
· Is there a power imbalance? Remember that a power imbalance is not limited to physical strength. It is sometimes not easily recognized. If the targeted child feels like there is a power imbalance, there probably is.
· Has this happened before? Is the child worried it will happen again?
Remember that it may not matter “who started it.” Some kids who are bullied may be seen as annoying or provoking, but this does not excuse the bullying behavior.
Once you have determined if the situation is bullying, support all of the kids involved.
SUPPORTING THE KIDS INVOLVED
Support the kids who are being bullied
a.Listen and focus on the child. Learn what’s been going on and show you want to help. Assure the child that bullying is not their fault.
b.Work together to resolve the situation and protect the bullied child. The child, parents, and fellow team members and coaches may all have valuable input. It may help to:
i.Ask the child being bullied what can be done to make him or her feel safe. Remember that changes to routine should be minimized. He or she is not at fault and should not be singled out. For example, consider rearranging lane assignments for everyone. If bigger moves are necessary, such as switching practice groups, the child who is bullied should not be forced to change.
ii.Develop a game plan. Maintain open communication between the Club and parents. Discuss the steps that will be taken and how bullying will be addressed going forward.
c.Be persistent. Bullying may not end overnight. Commit to making it stop and consistently support the bullied child.
Address bullying behavior
a.Make sure the child knows what the problem behavior is. Young people who bully must learn their behavior is wrong and harms others.
b.Show kids that bullying is taken seriously. Calmly tell the child that bullying will not be tolerated. Model respectful behavior when addressing the problem.
c.Work with the child to understand some of the reasons he or she bullied. For example:
i.Sometimes children bully to fit in or just to make fun of someone is a little different from them. In other words, there may be some insecurity involved.
ii.Other times kids act out because something else—issues at home, abuse, stress—is going on in their lives. They also may have been bullied. These kids may be in need of additional support.
d.Involve the kid who bullied in making amends or repairing the situation. The goal is to help them see how their actions affect others. For example, the child can:
i.Write a letter apologizing to the athlete who was bullied.
ii.Do a good deed for the person who was bullied, for the Club, or for others in your community.
iii.Clean up, repair, or pay for any property they damaged.
e. Avoid strategies that don’t work or have negative consequences:
i.Zero tolerance or “three strikes, you’re out” strategies don’t work. Suspending or removing from the team swimmers who bully does not reduce bullying behavior. Swimmers may be less likely to report and address bullying if suspension or getting kicked off the team is the consequence.
ii.Conflict resolution and peer mediation don’t work for bullying. Bullying is not a conflict between people of equal power who share equal blame. Facing those who have bullied may further upset kids who have been bullied.
f. Follow-up. After the bullying issue is resolved, continue finding ways to help the child who bullied to understand how what they do affects other people. For example, praise acts of kindness or talk about what it means to be a good teammate.
5.Support bystanders who witness bullying. Every day, kids witness bullying. They want to help, but don’t know how. Fortunately, there are a few simple, safe ways that athletes can help stop bullying when they see it happening.
a.Be a friend to the person being bullied;
b.Tell a trusted adult – your parent, coach, or club board member;
c.Help the kid being bullied get away from the situation. Create a distraction, focus the attention on something else, or offer a way for the target to get out of the situation. “Let’s go, practice is about to start.”
d.Set a good example by not bullying others.
e.Don’t give the bully an audience. Bullies are encouraged by the attention they get from bystanders. If you do nothing else, just walk away
b. Behaviour
As with all YMCA programs, the HAY Lightning Swim Team emphasizes the Core Values of Respect, Responsibility, Honesty and Caring. The behavior of our swimmers, coaches and parents at practices and at meets should exemplify these values.
A. Swimmers
All Swimmers will electronically sign a code of conduct at the start of each season.
Swimmers are expected to arrive at practice on time. On time in this scenario is a minimum of 10 min before scheduled start time of practice. This allows for stretching time and any updates from the coach. Practice times are posted on the team’s website. Practice times may and will change during the year due to weather, swim meets and other unforeseen circumstances. Parents will be notified of any changes via email and SMS Messaging.
During the Short Course season, all swimmers will be allowed to practice from the beginning of the season until late February. Only those swimmers who have qualified for additional Championship meets will continue to practice until they depart for their respective meet.
All Long Course swimmers will practice from the beginning of the season in until Age Groups Championships which are usually held in late July.
1. Practice Behavior
· If a coach is speaking to the group, swimmers should give her/him their full attention. Heads above the water and hands on wall.
· Swimmers should always do flip turns when doing free and back, and should streamline off every wall. Opens turns are for breast and fly only.
· Swimmers should not walk on the bottom of the pool and should not stop in middle of a LAP, SWIM, or SET.
· Allow 5 seconds between swimmers when starting from the wall.
· While kicking, swimmers should be in single file and should not pull on lane lines or hand pull between swimmers.
· Swimmers should always do the ENTIRE warm up and cool down.
· Swimmers should be courteous to other swimmers in the lane: Faster swimmers go first; No dragging off front swimmers; If you need to pass the swimmer in front of you, tap their feet; If you are tapped, LET THEM PASS.
-Training groups will be adjusted based on practice behavior
· BE ON TIME! Arrive 10 minutes before practice starts to stretch and gather your equipment so you are ready to get the pool on time. If you have a time conflict, discuss it with your coach.
· All equipment should be put away before anyone leaves the pool deck.
· Swimmers are expected to display responsible behavior in the locker room by cleaning up after themselves, limiting the time spent in the shower, being respectful of other YMCA members in the locker room, and helping to maintain the YMCA facility. No roughhousing!
· Keep your hands to yourself, no pulling on, spitting on, or grabbing other swimmers.
· The current season’s team suits are not to be used during practice.
2. Swim Meet Behavior
· All swimmers must sit with the team at all times during the meet. If you need to leave the pool deck for any reason, first tell your coach.
· BEFORE and AFTER your event, each swimmer must report to the coach.
· Conduct oneself in a mature, responsible and courteous manner.
· Ipods, MPG’s and personal entertainment electronics are allowed on deck with earphones. No speakers.
· Swimmers must be dressed in team suit/cap for every meet. The current season’s team suits are not to be used during practice.
· Dress appropriately – sweats and footwear should be worn.
· Healthy snacks should be brought to the meets, NO JUNK FOOD
· When bringing snacks do not bring JUNK FOOD
· Clean up area before leaving.
· Orderly warm-ups in assigned lanes. NO DIVING DURING WARM- UPS until instructed by coach.
· No horseplay allowed during meets.
Disciplinary Action
There will be NO WARNINGS. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH TEAM RULES WILL RESULT IN A SUSPENSION FROM THE TEAM. To
return to the team, the swimmer must set an appointment with the coaches. This meeting MUST be attended by a parent or guardian.
B. Parents
All parents will electronically sign a code of conduct at the start of each season.
For the total experience of competitive swimming, the parents are needed to carry the development of sound values into the home. This program faces an important challenge; it is combining good physical development and fun with the formation of very important and basic values, such as teamwork, cooperation and individual goal achievement. Here are some ways parents can help.
· Parents will be required to volunteer 6 hours of time throughout the season.
· Parents should make the time to discuss practice and meets at home. Listen to your child’s feelings, as well as the words. Share your ideas and feelings. Your interest in their activity could open new communication channels.
· Parents should emphasize achieving established goals and striving for personal bests. Goal setting is an important aspect of competitive swimming. Goals are set at the beginning of the season between the coach and the swimmer. The goals should be realistic, challenging but achievable. As the athlete achieves their goals, new goals can be established. Striving for “personal best” times help the athletes to achieve their goals.
· Parents should balance their involvement with their swimmers by keeping in mind that they should support their children and provide positive encouragement, but allow the coaches to do the coaching!
· Parents should help encourage their swimmers to try different events in order to make them more versatile and to help the team. Although YMCA swimming is both a team and individual sport, event participation is based on what is best for the team. The ultimate decision of which events an athlete participates in at a YMCA meet is made by the coaches.
· Swimming is a unique sport. Parents should be supportive of the different ways to measure success and winning. Success may be experienced by setting personal bests, by winning (or placing in) an event, or by winning the meet. More importantly, as long as each athlete gives it their all, they will have had a successful meet.
· Fair play, respect, teamwork, self-esteem and team spirit are essential in the building of a successful team. It is important that the entire team remain on the pool deck cheering for the teammates during the meet.
· Athletes are expected to stay at the pool until the last event is finished at a YMCA meet. The team will go through a series of cheers for Hockomock and our opponents at the start and conclusion of the meet. Other teams usually reciprocate with their own cheers. Parents are expected to refrain from having a swimmer leave the deck early.
· At practice, athletes are grouped by age and skill level. To promote teamwork and team spirit, it is important to keep practice times consistent. Parents should request schedule changes only in extreme situations.
· Teamwork sometimes includes resolving conflicts that arise. Parents are expected to help bring these issues to the attention of the coaching staff. Also, parents can assist and monitor locker room supervision before and after practice.
· Swim meets should be fun and exciting for team members. However, meets can seem long and drawn out for spectators, especially younger children. Here are a few hints to make the meets more enjoyable for spectators:
· VOLUNTEER TO TIME … training will be provided and there are usually 2-3 timers per lane. The meet will go by faster and you will gain a greater understanding of the sport.
· Help with the concession stand between your child’s events.
· Assist with officiating, scoring, etc at home meets.
· Keep a record of your swimmer’s times. Meet results are posted on the bulletin boards and on the meet mobile app.
· Bring a book to read. Bring activities (books, crayons, electronic games, etc.) for siblings).
· Dress in layers, wearing light/cool clothes. It may be freezing outside but spectator areas in the pools can be very warm.
· Bring along a chair. Sometimes spectator seating can be limited.
· Parents should feel free to attend practice. However, so as not to interfere with practice and the attention the coaches are giving to the swimmers, the best time to talk to the coaches will be before and after practice. No discussions with swimmers or coaches will be permitted during practice time or meets. Messages can be sent via email.
· Parents should check for swim team communication on a daily basis.
· The coaches, athletes and Booster Club would like to have all parents participate in the program. Please help out however you can whether it is at meets or at the Booster Club social events. Please see the Booster Club section below.
Just as your child is growing, so may you. Perhaps in some different ways, swimming will provide your family with an avenue for closer ties and companionship. Being on the swim team is a big commitment for the athlete. You need to dedicate yourself to the program as well. Be supportive and the rewards will be endless.
c. Grievance
Swimmers’, Parents’ and Coaches’ Grievance Policy
Coaches’ responsibilities include:
1. Assessing behavior of swimmers as dictated by our Code of Conduct and all published policies and procedures,
2. Issuing disciplinary action for any swimmer that is determined to have violated that Code of Conduct or any published policy/procedure
3. All disciplinary action is at the coach’s reasonable discretion, and will be issued with regard to:
a. Nature of the misconduct
b. Severity of the misconduct
c. Prior disciplinary actions against swimmer
d. Adverse effect of the misconduct on other swimmers
e. Application of the Code of Conduct
4. Coaches are authorized to take immediate disciplinary action, if appropriate and necessary under the circumstances, to ensure the safety of all swimmers.
Categories of Complaints:
1. Regarding Conduct of Swimmer
2. Regarding Conduct of an Assistant Coach
3. Regarding Conduct of Head Coach
4. Regarding Conduct of any Contract Instructor (fitness trainer, team building activity facilitator, etc)
5. Regarding Conduct of any Board of Director officer
Registering a Grievance:
1. Regarding Conduct of Swimmer - Should a parent or swimmer feel another swimmer’s conduct is inappropriate or violates the Athlete Code of Conduct, the parent/swimmer should discuss these concerns with the coach of the swimmer responsible for the violation (Responsible Coach). This complaint should be made in person or in writing.
2. Regarding Conduct of an Assistant Coach – Should a parent or swimmer feel an Assistant Coach’s conduct is inappropriate or in violation of any Club policies or procedures, the parent/swimmer should notify the Head Coach of this violation. This complaint should be made in person or in writing.
3. Regarding Conduct of Head Coach – Should a parent or swimmer feel the Head Coach’s conduct is inappropriate or violates any Club policies or procedures, the parent/swimmer should notify the Senior Program Director of the North Attleboro Branch of this violation. This complaint should be made in person or in writing. If the Senior Program Director is not immediately available, this complaint may be presented to the Branch Executive of North Attleboro. This complaint will be subject to review and discussion by the full Board of Directors.
4. Regarding Conduct of Contract Instructor – Should a parent or swimmer feel the Contract Instructor’s conduct is inappropriate or violates any Club policies or procedures, the parent/swimmer should notify the Head Coach of this violation. The complaint should be made in person or in writing. This complaint will be subject to review and discussion by the full Board of Directors.
5. Regarding Conduct of any member of the Board of Directors- Should a parent or swimmer feel a Director’s conduct is inappropriate or violates any Club policies or procedures, the parent/swimmer should notify the full Board of Directors and Head Coach of this violation. The complaint may be registered by:
a. Presenting a detailed account of the violation at a regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting;
b. Requesting a special meeting of the Board of Directors by providing notice of this request to the full Board of Directors and Head Coach;
c. Providing a detailed, written account of the violation to all sitting Directors and the Head Coach.
This complaint will be subject to review and discussion by the full Board of Directors and Head Coach.
Grievance Procedure
1. Any initial conduct review and disciplinary action will be the responsibility of the Responsible Coach, Head Coach or Director to whom the complaint was required to be made. A decision, and/or disciplinary action, will be issued as soon as reasonably possible.
a. If the parent/swimmer registering the complaint feels the Coach’s disciplinary action is insufficient or unsatisfactorily resolves the issue, the parent/swimmer may appeal the decision of the Responsible Coach, in writing, with the Head Coach within 7 days of the initial complaint. A decision, and/or disciplinary action, will be issued by the Head Coach as soon as reasonably possible. Failure of the Responsible Coach to address the parent/swimmer concerns in a timely manner is a basis for requesting an appeal.
b. If the parent/swimmer registering the complaint appeals the Responsible Coach’s conduct review and/or disciplinary action and feels the Head Coach’s decision/disciplinary action is insufficient or unsatisfactorily resolves the issue, the parent/swimmer may request a review of all disciplinary actions and any appeals to the Head Coach by the full Board of Directors. The parent/swimmer must request this review by:
i. Presenting a detailed account of the violation at a regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting;
ii. Requesting a special meeting of the Board of Directors by providing notice of this request to the full Board of Directors and Head Coach understanding that the Board of Directors will put good faith effort into scheduling such an emergency meeting in a timely fashion;
iii. Providing a detailed, written account of the violation to all sitting Directors and the Head Coach.
2. The decision of the Board of Directors in regard to any complaint, and any resulting disciplinary action, is final.
d. Locker Room
PURPOSE
The following guidelines are designed to maintain personal privacy as well as to reduce the risk of misconduct in locker rooms and changing areas.
FACILITIES
The following is a description of our practice and competition facilities to allow athletes and their families to plan their use:
We practice at three locations: 67, Mechanic St, Foxboro, 300 Elmwood St, North Attleboro and 45, Forge Hill Road, Franklin.
These locations have changing areas that are shared with the general public. As such, there are likely to be people who are not associated with HAY Lightning Swim Team in the changing area around the time of practice.
MONITORING
General Policy Considerations
Coaches and staff make every effort to recognize when an athlete goes to the locker room or changing area during practice and competition and, if they do not return in a timely fashion, we will check on the athlete’s whereabouts.
We discourage parents from entering locker rooms and changing areas unless it is truly necessary. In those instances, it should only be a same‐sex parent. If this is necessary, parents should let the coach or administrator know about this in advance.
If an athlete needs assistance with his or her uniform or gear (for example, a child under the age of eight), or an athlete’s disability warrants assistance, then we ask that parents let the coach or an administrator know beforehand that he or she will be helping the athlete.
HAY Lightning Swim Team has staggered practices, with different groups arriving and departing throughout the day. It is therefore not practical to constantly monitor locker rooms and changing areas over this extended course of time. While we do not post [staff, coach, parent, other adult] inside or at the doors of the locker rooms and changing areas, we do make occasional sweeps of these areas. [Staff, coach, parent, other adult] conduct these sweeps, with women checking on female locker rooms, and men checking on male locker rooms.
USE OF CELL PHONES AND OTHER MOBILE RECORDING DEVICES
Cell phones and other mobile devices with recording capabilities, including voice recording, still cameras and video cameras increase the risk for different forms of misconduct in locker rooms and changing areas. The USA Swimming Athlete Protection Policies prohibit the use of such devices in the locker room or other changing area:
305.3 Use of audio or visual recording devices, including a cell phone camera, is not allowed in changing areas, rest rooms or locker rooms.Our team does not have exclusive access to the locker rooms as we share those locker rooms with other members of the YMCA.
We expect that as a team we will:
Respect the property both physical and personal of any member of the YMCA; There will be no horseplay between swimmers in the locker room that interferes with the use of those locker rooms
Not take any photographs of any other swimmer or member of the YMCA while in those locker rooms
Leave the locker rooms in a tidy state so that others may also use the facility
e. Massage
Definition: In this section, the term “Massage” refers to any massage, rubdown, athletic training modality including physical modalities (e.g., stretching, physical manipulation, injury rehabilitation, etc.) and electronic or instrument assisted modalities (e.g., stim treatment, dry needling, cupping, etc.).
General Requirement
Any Massage performed on an athlete must be conducted in an open and interruptible location and must be performed by a licensed massage therapist or other certified professional. However, even if a coach is a licensed massage therapist, the coach must not perform a rubdown or massage of an athlete under any circumstance.
Additional Minor Athlete Requirements
a. Written consent by a legal guardian must be obtained in advance by the licensed massage therapist or other certified professional, with a copy provided to HAY Lightning Swim Team.
b. Legal guardians must be allowed to observe the Massage.
c. Any Massage of a minor athlete must be done with at least one other adult present and must never be done with only the minor athlete and the person performing the Massage in the room.
f. Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention
Our YMCAs commitment to the protection of children is at the forefront of all that we do. We are proud that USA Swimming is also taking steps to help in this effort. Effective immediately, our YMCA swim team will be adopting an additional policy from USA Swimming that will continue to help in our efforts to protect the children we serve.
Please click sections you are interested in for further details and permission forms as required.
Hockomock Area YMCA Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention USA
Travel to Competition
Permission to provide Local Transport
Adult Sharing Same Hotel Room
Health Care Provider Permission
Massage Provider Permission
Adult Athlete Training Requirements
g. Photography
PURPOSE: There has been much talk about whether it is safe to have images taken of children participating in sports. While the great majority of images are appropriate and are taken in good faith, it is a fact that images can be misused and children can be put at risk if common‐ sense procedures are not observed. These policies are not designed to stop parents from taking photographs of their children but are in place to protect all athletes.
HAY Lightning PHOTOGRAPHY POLICY
· Although this policy is in place for the protection of swimmers under the age of 18 swimmers over that age will also benefit from the protection offered herein.
· HAY Lightning may publish and/or post photographs of swimmer under 18 either online on Social Media Sites (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) or in a published article or video recording of swimming competitions or on the team home page.
· A parent or guardian has a right of refusal to have children photographed. The exercise of this right of refusal cannot be used as grounds for refusing entry into a swimming competition. Opting out of any photo that may go to press or on a notice board, be it through a member of the club or official photographer, should receive parental non-consent in writing. Parents may indicate their refusal of consent in writing using the withdrawal form below.
In the case of open meets and other competitions where the host club has an official photographer present, all parents attending should be made aware of this in the meet information. If photos are to be published anywhere, the individual parent should be given the opportunity to withhold their consent. Their right to do so should be specifically drawn to their attention.
All photographs must observe generally accepted standards of decency in particular:
· Action shots should be a celebration of the sporting activity and not a sexualized image in a sporting context.
· Action shots should not be taken or retained where the photograph reveals a torn or displaced swim suit.
· Photographs should not be taken from behind swimming blocks at the start of a race or exhibit a child climbing out of the swimming pool.
· Photographs should not be taken in locker‐rooms or bathrooms.
If any photographs exist that violate these standards we ask that they are destroyed.
Photography Withdrawal of Consent Form
HAY Lightning Swim Team may wish to take photographs (individual and in groups) of swimmers under the age of 18 that may include your child during their membership in the club. All photos will be taken and published in line with club policy.
As the parent/caregiver of ___________________________________________________ I withdraw my consent to the following:
Taking photographs to use on the club’s website
Taking photographs to include with newspaper articles
Taking photographs to use on club notice boards
Video for training purposes only
Signed: ________________________________________________________
Dated:
Please return this form to the swim team administrator at [email protected] at the start of the season.
h. Social Media
I. Content
All electronic communication from Applicable Adults to minor athletes must be professional in nature.
II. Open and Transparent
Absent emergency circumstances, if an Applicable Adult with authority over minor athletes needs to communicate directly with a minor athlete via electronic communications (including social media), the minor athlete’s legal guardian must be copied. If a minor athlete communicates to the Applicable Adult (with authority over the minor athlete) privately first, said Applicable Adult must copy the minor athlete’s legal guardian on any electronic communication response to the minor athlete. When an Applicable Adult with authority over minor athletes communicates electronically to the entire team, said Applicable Adult must copy another adult.
III. Requests to Discontinue
Legal guardians may request in writing that their minor athlete not be contacted through any form of electronic communication by HOCKOMOCK AREA YMCA, LSC or by an Applicable Adult subject to this Policy. The organization must abide by any such request that the minor athlete not be contacted via electronic communication, or included in any social media post, absent emergency circumstances.
IV. Hours
Electronic communications must only be sent between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., unless emergency circumstances exist, or during competition travel.
V. Prohibited Electronic Communication
Applicable Adults with authority over minor athletes are not permitted to maintain private social media connections with unrelated minor athletes and such Applicable Adults are not permitted to accept new personal page requests on social media platforms from minor athletes, unless the Applicable Adult has a fan page, or the contact is deemed as celebrity contact as opposed to regular contact. Existing social media connections with minor athletes must be discontinued. Minor athletes may “friend” HOCKOMOCK AREA YMCA and/or LSC’s official page. Applicable Adults with authority over minor athletes must not send private, instant or direct messages to a minor athlete through social media platforms
i. Travel
Purpose: Athletes are most vulnerable to misconduct during travel, particularly overnight stays. This includes a high risk of athlete-to-athlete misconduct. During travel, athletes are often away from their families and support networks, and the setting – new changing areas, locker rooms, workout facilities, automobiles and hotel rooms – is less structured and less familiar.
Team Travel is defined as overnight travel to a swim meet or other team activity that is planned and supervised by the club or LSC.
Section 1 - USA Swimming Required Policies
Club and LSC travel policies must include these policies. These items are Code of Conduct stipulations in the USA Swimming Rulebook.
Club travel policies must be signed and agreed to by all athletes, parents, coaches and other adults traveling with the club. (305.5.D)
Team managers and chaperones must be members of USA Swimming and have successfully passed a USA Swimming-administered criminal background check. (305.5.B)
Regardless of gender, a coach shall not share a hotel room or other sleeping arrangement with an athlete (unless the coach is the parent, guardian, sibling, or spouse of that particular athlete). (305.5.A)
When only one athlete and one coach travel to a competition, the athlete must have his/her parents’ (or legal guardian’s) written permission in advance to travel alone with the coach. (305.5C)
During team travel, when doing room checks, attending team meetings and/or other activities, two-deep leadership and open and observable environments should be maintained.
Athletes should not ride in a coach’s vehicle without another adult present who is the same gender as the athlete, unless prior parental permission is obtained.
During overnight team travel, if athletes are paired with other athletes they shall be of the same gender and should be a similar age. Where athletes are age 13 & over, chaperones and/or team managers would ideally stay in nearby rooms. When athletes are age 12 & under, chaperones and/or team managers may stay with athletes. Where chaperones/team managers are staying in a room with athletes, they should be the same gender as the athlete and written consent should be given by athlete’s parents (or legal guardian).
When only one athlete and one coach travel to a competition, at the competition the coach and athlete should attempt to establish a “buddy” club to associate with during the competition and when away from the venue.
To ensure the propriety of the athletes and to protect the staff, there will be no male athletes in female athlete’s rooms and no female athletes in male athlete’s rooms (unless the other athlete is a sibling or spouse of that particular athlete).
A copy of the Club Code of Conduct must be signed by the athlete and his/her parent or legal guardian.
Team or LSC officials should obtain a signed Liability Release and/or Indemnification Form for each athlete.
Team or LSC officials should carry a signed Medical Consent or Authorization to Treat Form for each athlete.
Curfews shall be established by the team or LSC staff each day of the trip.
Team members and staff traveling with the team will attend all team functions including meetings, practices, meals, meet sessions, etc. unless otherwise excused or instructed by the head coach or his/her designee.
The directions & decisions of coaches/chaperones are final.
Swimmers are expected to remain with the team at all times during the trip. Swimmers are not to leave the competition venue, the hotel, a restaurant, or any other place at which the team has gathered without the permission/knowledge of the coach or chaperone.
Swimmers will be quiet and respect the rights of teammates and others in hotel; be prompt and on time; Use appropriate behavior in public facilities; swimmers will not use room service without permission and must participate in contracted group meals.
When visiting public places such as shopping malls, movie theatres, etc. swimmers will stay in groups of no less than three persons. 12 & Under athletes will be accompanied by a chaperone.
The Head Coach or his/her designee shall make a written report of travel policy or code of conduct violations to the appropriate club or LSC leadership and the parent or legal guardian of any affected minor athlete.
Code of Conduct / Honor Code During any Travel Meet
All team members, team staff, and parents of minors are apprised in writing of this Code of Conduct and the attached USA Swimming Code of Conduct. A signature on this document constitutes unconditional agreement to comply with the stipulations of both documents.
Team members will display proper respect and sportsmanship toward coaches, officials, administrators, teammates, fellow competitors and the public at all times.
Team members and staff will refrain from any illegal or inappropriate behavior that would detract from a positive image of the team or be detrimental to its performance objectives.
The possession or use of alcohol or tobacco products by any athlete is prohibited.
The possession, use, or sale/distribution of any controlled or illegal substance or any form of weapon is strictly forbidden.
No “deck changes” are permitted. Athletes are expected to use available change facilities.
Team members are reminded that when competing in meets, traveling on trips, and attending other meet-related functions, they are representing both themselves and HAY Lightning Swim Team Athlete behavior must positively reflect the high standards of the club (or LSC).
Failure to comply with the Honor Code as set forth in this document may result in disciplinary action. Such discipline may include, but may not be limited to:
Dismissal from the trip and immediate return home at the athlete’s expense;
Disqualification from one or more events, or all events of competition;
Disqualification from future team travel meets;
Financial penalties;
Dismissal from the team; and/or
Proceedings for a LSC or USA Swimming National Board of Review.
Swimmers are to refrain from inappropriate physical contact at team activities and events.
Swimmers are to refrain from use of inappropriate language.
j. Volunteer Commitment
Each registered family is required to volunteer 6 hours during the Short Course Season. (Swim meets, fundraisers, club activities...)
Families who do not meet their obligation will be charged $10.00/hour not worked at the end of the season.
Please read the Q&A below to fully understand the importance of your volunteer time.
PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO FULFILL THE VOLUNTEER TIME COMMITMENT. THE CLUB NEEDS YOUR TIME MUCH MORE THAN YOUR MONEY TO ENSURE OUR PROGRAM IS SUCCESSFUL.
Q&A
Why is swim parent volunteering different than other club sports in town?
Volunteer support by our club parents is critical to the overall success of the club. As with many club organizations parent volunteers are needed for a variety of activities. Unlike some of the other club sports in town, we do not need parents as coach volunteers. Our coaches are paid and well qualified to help the swimmers reach their goals and full potential and most importantly have fun in the water! However, we do need parent volunteers to help support a variety of fundraising activities that support the club.
I pay membership dues, isn't that enough?
The membership dues (our primary revenue source) are used to pay coach's salaries, pool rental, and miscellaneous club expenses. However, it is very critical to the success of the club that we generate additional revenue to supplement what is obtained through membership. The primary source of that is through hosting swim meets and a few additional fundraising events throughout the year. Without the revenue from our volunteer-staffed events membership dues would have to be increased.
Can't I just choose to pay and not volunteer?
Hosting swim meets are not only critical for generating revenue but they are also a very important part of our club's standing within the New England Swimming organization and reputation with area clubs. Hosting top quality/efficiently run meets helps us to establish a good reputation as a club and assists us in being invited to participate in local invitational meets (which are very critical for our swimmers). It takes over 700 hours of volunteer time to run a 2 day meet which is why the volunteer commitment is so critical to the success of the club. Paying for your volunteer hours does not help the club run a successful meet. We understand weekends are important to families, but we ask for your support in the form of volunteer time as it directly affects your swimmer(s).
IVSwim Meets
HAY Lightning usually attends anywhere from 6 to 8 meets during each season and the coaching staff will select those meets for the team to enter. Swimmers can exclude whole meets or just certain days of a weekend meet; for most meets swimmers select the events they wish to swim however for Championship meets the coaches may need to make adjustments.
a. Types of Meet
YMCA Meets
The YMCA EMASS League has 5 divisions consisting of approximately 30 teams located in Eastern Massachusetts. HAY Lightning is a Division I team.
Each YMCA team has a boys and girls’ team competing in five different classes of swimmers. Class is determined by the age of the swimmer on December 1.
Class E
-8 and Under
Class D
-9-10
Class C
-11-12
Class B
-13-14
Class A
-15-18
Therefore 8 and under Girls are competing against the other team’s 8 and under Girls, as are the 8 and under Boys, 9-10 Girls, 9-10 Boys, etc.
· YMCA Virtual Meet
Each year in mid-October, the local YMCA competitive swimming community will come together in the Annual YMCA Virtual Swim Meet Invitational. Teams will swim locally but compete against other YMCA teams and YMCA swimmers from across the county. Teams and swimmers will compete for rankings in a number of age group swimming events.
Our meet is held at one of the Hockomock pools. We then submit the results to a National YMCA database to see how our swimmers' results vs. those from Y swimmers across the country. There are no separate fees for this meet.
· YMCA Invitational Meets
The team will attend YMCA Invitational meets. These meets are hosted by a YMCA and last 2-3 days. Swimmers can usually swim 3-5 individual events per day.. The hosting team charges an entry fee for each event. The entry fees are paid by the swimmer as soon as the team admin submits the entry to the host team. Participation in these meets is strongly encouraged but because of the additional cost, optional for all swimmers. The swimmer can attend one or all days of the invitational meet
· YMCA Championship Meets
EMASS District Championships are held in late-January/February for all swimmers who attain a qualifying time. A qualifying time (cut time or time standard) is the swim time that must be achieved to attend certain meets. These times can be attained at Y Meets, Invitational Meets or at USA Meets. District qualifying times will be made available on our website as the season progresses.
New England Championships are the next level of YMCA championships and are held in March. The qualifying times for this meet are significantly faster than those for the District meet. These times will also be available on our website.
The highest level of YMCA Competition is the YMCA National Championship held each spring.
USA Swim Meets
USA Swimming is the largest swim organization in the world. It is the governing body for competitive swimming in the United States. New England Swimming, Inc. is the regional division of USA Swimming.
USA meets are held on weekends and can sometimes include Friday night events. The meets we attend are usually within an hour drive of the Hockomock area (i.e. Seekonk High School, Wheaton College, Framingham Technical High School) but can be as far away as the University of New Hampshire. At USA meets, a swimmer can usually swim up to 5 events per day. Because of this, USA meets give the swimmers the opportunity to swim events that they might not be able to swim at a YMCA meet. Like YMCA meets, swimmers would be competing against other swimmers of the same age and sex. But unlike YMCA meets, swimmers are placed in heats according to their times and therefore are racing against swimmers of comparable ability.
· USA Championships
As with YMCA swimming, there are different levels of USA Championships available at the end of the season. Qualifying times, dates and locations will be made available as soon as they have been determined and can be found on the HAY Lightning website under “Time Standards”.
Regional Championships are held in February for all swimmers who attain a qualifying time. A qualifying time (cut time or time standard) is the swim time that must be achieved to attend certain meets. These times can be attained at USA Meets only. Regional qualifying times will be made available on our website as the season progresses.
Age Groups Championships are the next level of USA championships and are held in February/March. The qualifying times for this meet are significantly faster than those for the Regionals meet. These times will also be available on our website.
Sunkissed Championships In late March or early April, HAY Lightning travels to Charlotte, NC. To attend this meet, swimmers must be at least 10 years old and have attained the qualifying times. Once a swimmer has qualified for an event the coaches ask that notification be given on intentions to attend within 3 days. Most of the expenses of this trip are paid by the swimmer’s family.
b. Registration
Swim Team Admin will notify all families via email when each meet is available for registration, in that email will be details of the deadline for registration.
In order to register, families will need to log into their team unify accounts and click on the meet. Once there families can either decline or accept the meet. For most meets swimmers and families are able to select the events to swim, for swimmers new to the team they may wish to speak with the Head Coach for guidance for the first two meets. During championship meet season the Head Coach asks that you confirm that you are able to attend and the coaching team will select the events.
Once the meet file has been submitted to the host team by the team admin no changes can be made.
c. Expectation
It is imperative that swimmers arrive 20 min prior to our scheduled warm-up. Swimmers who are not checked in with the coaching staff on deck WILL be scratched from the day’s events.
If you are aware that you are no longer able to swim it is expected that you will email team admin who will reach out to the coaching staff with a scratch list.
Try your best and swim hard it is ok to be nervous, many swimmers have pre-race jitters
After your race see a member of the coaching staff for feedback
Sit with the team
Swimmers should ensure that they have plenty of healthy snacks and water to keep them fueled during the meet.
Support and encourage your teammates
Swimmers should remain until the end of the meet session
Wear HAY Lightning uniform at all meets. Caps and Suits from other teams are not permitted
For all meets, only parents who are timing or officiating are permitted to be on the pool deck. This is a standard regulation for all swim meets, and breaking this regulation could result in the removal of the swimmer and parent from the meet and/or fines.
VBooster Club
The Booster Club is a volunteer organization of parents who assist with various functions in order to support HAY Lightning. All parents on the team are automatically part of the Booster Club as soon as they pay the annual fee which is returned to the swim team members and their families through social activities such as cook-outs, pizza parties, pasta dinners and the end-of-season banquet as well as the purchase of equipment needed to enhance the swim team program.
The Booster Club also coordinates fundraising for the team as well as coordinating the parent volunteers (timers, officials, scorekeepers, concession stand, etc.) needed to run our Meets.
The Booster Club has a president and 2 vice-presidents who are elected biannually. The Booster Club meets on a monthly basis and all parents are encouraged to attend the meetings. Topics to be discussed at the meetings can be suggested to any Booster Club officer.
Committees assist in various swim team activities, including the following:
· Meet Management – Responsible for running the YMCA home meets including the score table, officials, timers, and all the paper work involved such as score sheets, timing slips, etc.
· Fundraising – Coordinates various fundraising activities during the season so that the Booster Club can support the swim team with various social activities and equipment purchases.
· Concessions – Organizes the concession stands that are set up for the meets.
· Social Events – Research, organize and run various activities throughout the season so as to provide the swimmers with fun social events including the End-of-Year Banquet.
· Publicity – With assistance from the Head Coach, write articles for the local papers to communicate meet results.
The Booster Club cannot sufficiently assist the team without the cooperation and commitment from all team families. In order for each committee to successfully support the team, every family is required to make a contribution by volunteering. As volunteers are needed, parents will be contacted via e-mail noting the particular needs for the upcoming meet or event. Sign-up instructions will be provided at that time.
VIGlossary of Terms (from USA Swimming Parent Handbook)
Block - The starting platform.
Bulkhead - A moveable wall, constructed to divide a pool into different courses, such as a 50-meter pool into two 25-yard courses.
Choice – During practice sets, any of the competitive strokes.
Circle Swimming - Performed by staying to the right of the black line when swimming in a lane to enable more swimmers to safely swim in each lane.
Coach - A person who teaches and trains athletes in the sport of swimming.
Cut - Slang for qualifying time.A time standard necessary to attend a particular meet or event.
Distance Events - Term used to refer to events over 400 meters/500 yards.
DQ - Disqualification. This occurs when a swimmer has committed an infraction of some kind (e.g. freestyle kick in butterfly.) A disqualified swimmer is not eligible to receive awards, nor can the time be used as an official time.
Drill - A teaching exercise involving a portion of a stroke which is used to improve technique.
Dryland Training - Training done out of the water that aids and enhances swimming performance; usually includes stretching and calisthenics.
Entry Form - Form on which a swimmer enters a competition. Usually includes club and swimmer name, USA Swimming number, age, sex, event numbers, event names and entry times.
False Start - Occurs when a swimmer is moving before the start is sounded. In USA Swimming, one false start will result in disqualification.
Final - The championship heat of an event in which the top swimmers from the preliminaries compete.
Finish - The final phase of the race; the touch at the end of the race.
Flags - Backstroke flags placed 5 yards (short course yards) or 5 meters (long & short course meters) from the end of the pool. The flags enable backstrokers to execute a backstroke turn safely and more efficiently.
Goal - A specific skill or time achievement a swimmer sets and strives for. Can be short or long term.
Gutter -The area along the edge of the pool in which water overflows during a race and is circulated through the filtration system.
I.M. - Short for Individual Medley. An event in which the swimmers uses all four strokes in the following order: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle.
Lap counter - A set of display numbers used to keep track of laps during a distance race longer than 500 yards. (Also, the title given to the person who counts for the swimmer, stationed at the opposite end from the start.)
Long Course - A pool 50 meters in length. USA Swimming conducts most of its summer competition in long course pools.
Long Distance - Term used to refer to events of 800 meters/1000 yards, to 1500 meters/1650 yards.
LSC - Local Swimming Committee. The governing body for swimming at the local level. There are 59 LSCs in the United States. We are members of New England Swimming
Meet – Competition designed to be a learning experience. By implementing what has been learned in practice the swimmer races against the clock to determine improvement.
Middle distance - Term used to refer to events of 200 yards/meters to 400 meters/500 yards.
National Reportable Timers/Top 16 - Time standards set for both short and long course to give national recognition to the fastest 16 swimmers in each stroke, distance, gender and age group. Achieving these standards allows a swimmer’s time to be submitted for consideration each year. They do not guarantee achieving a Top 16 ranking.
Negative Split - Swimming the second half of the race equal to or faster than the first half.
Official - A judge on the deck of the pool at a sanctioned competition who enforces USA Swimming rules. There are stroke and turn judges, administrative officials, starters, timers and referees.
Open Water Swims - A freestyle event form 5000 meters to 25,000 meters, conducted in a natural body of water, such as a lake, river or ocean.
Pace Clock - Large clock with a large second hand and a smaller minute hand, used to check pace or maintain intervals in practice; may also be digital.
Prelims - Short for preliminaries. Also called Heats or Trials. Those races in which swimmers qualify for the championship, consolation finals or semi- finals.
Q-Time - Qualifying time necessary to compete in a particular event and/or competition. Also known as a cut
Relay - An event in which four swimmers compete together as a team to achieve one time.
Scratch - To withdraw from an event prior to it being held in a competition.
Shave - Prior to major competitions, older, more experienced swimmers sometimes shave their entire bodies to reduce resistance and heighten sensation in the water.
Short Course - A pool 25 yards or 25 meters in length. USA Swimming conducts most of its winter competition in short course yards.
Split - A time recorded from the official start to the completion of an intermediate distance within a longer event. Also the time for one of the four individuals in a relay. Under certain conditions, splits may also be used as official times, for example, the lead off swim in a relay, or the lead off portion of an event.
Sprint - Describes the shorter events (50 and 100). In training, to swim as fast as possible for a short distance.
Stroke – During practice sets, any of the competitive strokes except freestyle
Streamline - The position used by swimmers when starting or pushing off the walls designed to reduce water resistance.
Taper - The final preparation phase, sometimes referred to as “rest.” The slow gradual reduction of work loads and intensities in preparation for season ending competition.
Time Standards - Performance requirements to enter a swimming competition. Standards are determined for local swim meets by the LSC.
Time Trial - A time-only swim, which is not part of a regular meet.
Touch Pad - A large touch sensitive board at the end of each lane where a
swimmer’s finish is registered and sent electronically to the timing system.
USA Swimming - USA Swimming, Inc. is the national governing body for competitive swimming in the United States.
USA Swimming Registration Number - A number assigned to a swimmer upon joining USA Swimming. The membership card with this number may be required at any given competition.
Warm Down - Low intensity swimming used by swimmers after a race or main practice set to rid the body of excess lactic acid and to gradually reduce heart rate and respiration.
Warm Up - Low intensity swimming used by swimmers prior to a main practice set or race to get muscles loose and warm. Warm up gradually increases heart rate, respiration and helps to prevent injury.
Watches - Stopwatches used to time swimmers during a competition. When totally automatic timing equipment is used, watches serve as a back-up method.
Weight training - A form of dryland training that is suggested only for older swimmers. Excessive weight training in younger swimmers can injure the growth plates and cause bone and joint problems later in life.
Zones - USA Swimming is divided into the Eastern, Southern, Central and Western Zones. The Zone meets are the highest level of age group competition available to USA Swimming age group swimmers.
