Practice Information
IMPORTANT PRACTICE INFO
· Swimmers need to be ready to swim when their practice is scheduled to begin, not running in from the parking lot. In order to be ready, swimmers should to arrive 5-10 minutes early so they do not miss announcements, instructions, or warm-ups.
· Practice IS held on meet days and the days after meets.
· During practice times, the coaches ask that parents remain behind the gates of the pool or in the baby pool with small children. · Inclement Weather Policies: a. Jrs/Int/Srs Practice won’t be cancelled for rain or cold. There are several ways to practice without getting in the water, like watching training videos, practicing streamlines, conditioning, having general team meetings, etc. that can all take place in the club house. b. Mini-Mite/Mite/Midget Practice will be cancelled in the event of heavy rain, thunder, lightning, or extreme cold. c. Practice for all age groups may continue in the rain, but in the event of thunder or lightning, the coaches will promptly remove the swimmers from the water, move them to a safer location, and continue practice. d. Check email and text for any practice updates due to inclement weather. Send Coach Merry the best number to text you/ your swimmer for these at 804-898-9242. · MidgetsàSeniors are very strongly encouraged to obtain a pair of flippers for practice, which cost approximately $20. They can be purchased in sporting goods stores (i.e. Disco, Dick’s, etc.). If you have a pair from last year, try them on and make sure they still fit. There are some fins for use in the team bins. · In order to compete in swim meets, swimmers must be able to swim the length of the pool (25 meters) in 2 minutes or less. They may hang on the lane line in order to take a short rest, but not pull on the lane line to advance their position or push off the bottom of the pool (as both of these are illegal). The coaches will evaluate the swimmers at the practice before the meet and inform the parents whether their child will be competing. If the swimmer is unable to meet these specifications, we will work on these skills in order to meet the standards for the next meet. Once a swimmer has met the specifications, they will not be “tested” again, unless their times in the meets begin to far exceed the 2-minute mark. This is not intended to penalize the swimmer, but rather to provide them with a goal to work towards and give a sense of achievement when the goal is met. Please see one of the coaches if you have any questions or concerns regarding this rule.
SWIM TEAM COMMUNICATION
Swim Team Bulletin Board Pertinent swim team information will be sent via email and posted on the kiosk at the pool. It is each family’s responsibility to keep informed by checking both places.
Communicating with Coaches The coaches are glad to answer parent questions or concerns. If you need to speak with them, please do so before or after practice. During practice, the swimmers deserve the undivided attention of their coaches. Please feel free to contact them with the phone numbers listed in the front of this packet.
Every season swimmers are forced to miss meets and extended periods of practice time due to vacations, camps, vacation Bible school, and so on. It is extremely helpful if the coaches know about these absences far in advance, so we are implementing a new system for communication. There will be a notebook, which will be available during practice time, with a chart that includes every swimmer’s name and each swim meet. At the beginning of the season, the coaches ask that EVERY parent (or older swimmer) record which meets they WILL AND WILL NOT be at. By doing this, coaches can confidently plan for meets with a much clearer idea of which swimmers are available.
<PLEASE INDICATE WHETHER THE SWIMMER WILL BE AT EACH MEET BY WRITING “YES” OR “NO” IN THE NOTEBOOK>
· Swimmers need to be ready to swim when their practice is scheduled to begin, not running in from the parking lot. In order to be ready, swimmers should to arrive 5-10 minutes early so they do not miss announcements, instructions, or warm-ups.
· Practice IS held on meet days and the days after meets.
· During practice times, the coaches ask that parents remain behind the gates of the pool or in the baby pool with small children. · Inclement Weather Policies: a. Jrs/Int/Srs Practice won’t be cancelled for rain or cold. There are several ways to practice without getting in the water, like watching training videos, practicing streamlines, conditioning, having general team meetings, etc. that can all take place in the club house. b. Mini-Mite/Mite/Midget Practice will be cancelled in the event of heavy rain, thunder, lightning, or extreme cold. c. Practice for all age groups may continue in the rain, but in the event of thunder or lightning, the coaches will promptly remove the swimmers from the water, move them to a safer location, and continue practice. d. Check email and text for any practice updates due to inclement weather. Send Coach Merry the best number to text you/ your swimmer for these at 804-898-9242. · MidgetsàSeniors are very strongly encouraged to obtain a pair of flippers for practice, which cost approximately $20. They can be purchased in sporting goods stores (i.e. Disco, Dick’s, etc.). If you have a pair from last year, try them on and make sure they still fit. There are some fins for use in the team bins. · In order to compete in swim meets, swimmers must be able to swim the length of the pool (25 meters) in 2 minutes or less. They may hang on the lane line in order to take a short rest, but not pull on the lane line to advance their position or push off the bottom of the pool (as both of these are illegal). The coaches will evaluate the swimmers at the practice before the meet and inform the parents whether their child will be competing. If the swimmer is unable to meet these specifications, we will work on these skills in order to meet the standards for the next meet. Once a swimmer has met the specifications, they will not be “tested” again, unless their times in the meets begin to far exceed the 2-minute mark. This is not intended to penalize the swimmer, but rather to provide them with a goal to work towards and give a sense of achievement when the goal is met. Please see one of the coaches if you have any questions or concerns regarding this rule.
SWIM TEAM COMMUNICATION
Swim Team Bulletin Board Pertinent swim team information will be sent via email and posted on the kiosk at the pool. It is each family’s responsibility to keep informed by checking both places.
Communicating with Coaches The coaches are glad to answer parent questions or concerns. If you need to speak with them, please do so before or after practice. During practice, the swimmers deserve the undivided attention of their coaches. Please feel free to contact them with the phone numbers listed in the front of this packet.
Every season swimmers are forced to miss meets and extended periods of practice time due to vacations, camps, vacation Bible school, and so on. It is extremely helpful if the coaches know about these absences far in advance, so we are implementing a new system for communication. There will be a notebook, which will be available during practice time, with a chart that includes every swimmer’s name and each swim meet. At the beginning of the season, the coaches ask that EVERY parent (or older swimmer) record which meets they WILL AND WILL NOT be at. By doing this, coaches can confidently plan for meets with a much clearer idea of which swimmers are available.
<PLEASE INDICATE WHETHER THE SWIMMER WILL BE AT EACH MEET BY WRITING “YES” OR “NO” IN THE NOTEBOOK>
