Ambler Area YMCA Arrows Swim Team Handbook

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1 Ambler Area YMCA Arrows Swim Team Handbook Mission Statement To translate the principles of the YMCA s Christian heritage into programs that nurture children, strengthen families, building strong communities and develop healthy spirits, minds, and bodies for all.

2 Ambler Area YMCA Arrows Dear Parents, Welcome to the Ambler Area YMCA Swim Team Program. We look forward to working with you and your children throughout the swim team season. Swim team practice will begin October 7 th, Practice: The AAY Arrows divide the team up into three groups based on age and/or swimming ability. This is done so our coaches can provide the best education and exercises for all of our swimmers. The groups are as follows: Red (beginner), Blue (Intermediate) and Yellow (Advance). We provide practices Monday-Friday. (Please see appropriate group for practice times on the practice schedule) It is recommended for children in the red group to attend at least 2 practices per week and children in the blue & yellow groups to attend at least 3 practices per week. Once your child is assigned to a group they must attend that groups practice until they are asked by the coaches to advance to the next level. Please do not bring a child who is in the blue group to the yellow group practice and vice versa. It is not beneficial to the child or to the rest of the participants. Swim Suits: Team suits are available from our vendor, Sports Unlimited. Swimmers do not have to wear the team suit to participate in swim meets, but they re asked not to wear swim suits that have other organizations team names (i.e.: WCAC, NPY, UMLY) on them. Swimmers can use their Ambler Area YMCA team suits from previous years. The Ambler Area YMCA will host a swim suit sale in the lobby. Meet Suits, Practice Suits and other accessories can be purchased at that time. Cash is not accepted. You may pay with check or credit card. Families who want to purchase the team suit but cannot attend can contact the Aquatics Director, Cait Waxler ( x 1537) Meets: The league offers home and away meets on Saturday afternoons. We ask that all swimmers participate in meets. However, if a child cannot participate, we ask that they be signed out of the meet one week prior to the meet date. Throughout the league many YMCA s host Invitational s. Invitational s are not required however they do provide your child with additional experience and an opportunity to improve their times. Dates and locations of Invitational s will be announced during the season. Communication: Open communication is key in a successful swim team. Primarily, we communicate via . It s the fastest and easiest way to stay in touch. Please check your regularly for updates and for the latest news. The Ambler Area YMCA cannot wait for this exciting season to begin. This season brings new beginnings and we are excited to be sharing it with all of you! Thank you, Lou Williams Erica Pfaff Sports Director/Head Swim Team Coach Advanced Aquatics Director x x 1576 lwilliams@philaymca.org epfaff@philaymca.org

3 Ambler Area YMCA Swim Team Swimmer Expectation/Code of Ethics The mission of the Ambler Area YMCA Swim Team organization is to not only instill the core values of the YMCA (Honesty, Respect, Caring and Responsibility), but is also to encourage the participation and pursuit of excellence in all aspects of competitive swimming. In order to assist all swimmers and their families, the Ambler Area YMCA has adopted the following Code of Ethics. This Code is offered as a guide and to affirm the will of all members to safeguard the best interest of the sport by acting ethically at all times. Swimmers are encouraged to attend practice as much as possible. Regular practice is part of the discipline of competitive swimming. Only through practice can goals be attained. We ask that swimmers attend a minimum of two practices per week for the Red Group, and three practices per week for the Blue and Yellow Groups. All swimmers will make every effort to attend the Monday evening practice to facilitate team bonding and communication. Swimmers should be on the pool deck and ready to practice on time. Stragglers disrupt practice. Swimmers should plan to stay for the entire practice, they may leave practice early only with prior consent of a coach. Swimmers who are unable to swim due to illness must contact the coaches as soon as possible. Abusive language, inappropriate behavior, dishonesty, stealing, and/or vandalism are not tolerated and will warrant disciplinary action. All swimmers are expected to be respectful to each other, coaches, YMCA staff, volunteers and officials. Discipline will be enacted as follows. First offense-verbal warning. Second offense- remains seated on bench for a time period assigned by a swimming coach. Chronic offender-parent meeting will be held to discuss. Swimmers will be supportive of the team. We encourage team spirit and support in practice and competition. Each and every swimmer represents the Ambler Area YMCA Arrows. They will display appropriate behavior in all settings before, during and after practices and meets. Swimmers will be expected to pick up all litter and belongings in their area after practice and meets. During meets swimmers must stay with their team. Bathroom and snack breaks should take place before or after the meet. If necessary during the meet, the swimmer must notify bullpen parent and/or coach. Any swimmer not present for the start of their event may miss the event. Swimmers who do not show up for meets without prior knowledge of the coaching staff hurt the entire team. Coaches submit swimmer rosters before the meet. A relay event may have to forfeit if there is an unexpected absence. As absent swimmer lets down his/her teammates. Swimmers who will not be present at a meet must inform the coaches in writing at least 1 week prior to the meet. Failure to do so will result in swim exhibition for the following swim meet. ALL SWIMMERS must stay until the end of the meet in their swimming suits. A team cheer and greeting to the opposing team are part of sportsmanship and the entire team is expected to participate. The coaches will dismiss swimmers. Parents and swimmers are not to approach the score table for any reason. Swimmers can ask the timers their time in their lane as they exit the pool. Times will also be available in the official record after the meet. (Swimmer Signature) (Date)

4 Ambler Area YMCA Swim Team Code for Parents Encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all swimmers, coaches, parents committee, officials, and volunteers at every practice and competition. Place the emotional and physical well-being of my child ahead of personal desires to win and remember that the sport is for the child, not the adults. Support and respect coaches and officials working with my child, in order to encourage a positive and enjoyable experience for all. Expect my child to treat other swimmers, coaches, parents, and officials with respect regarding race, sex, creed, or ability. Promise to help my child enjoy swimming by doing what I can such as being a respectful fan, and supporting the efforts of the parents committee. Encourage your child when they do not swim well. Support your child in attending the appropriate amount of practices and meets. Help your swimmer eat appropriate meals prior to practice and meets. Help your swimmer be well rested from practices and meets. Attend and volunteer at swim meets. A parent or guardian should always be on the premises during swim practice and swim meets. Do not judge your child by his/her achievements, but rather by his/her enthusiasm, personal improvement and effort. Support the coaches by not distracting them from the swimmers during practice and/or meets. They will be available for discussion before or after the practice and/or meet or as arranged by . Model good team spirit for all swimmers. Be sure your kids are on time to practice and/or meets. Be sure if your swimmer cannot make a meet for illness or other extenuating circumstances that you notify the coaching staff with at least 7 days notice. At a meet, only parents who are volunteering will be allowed on the pool deck. During a meet there is NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY at the start of an event. That starting system uses a flash and sound to start the swimmers. Parents have and will be expelled from the remainder of the meet. Swimmers who do not show up for meets without prior knowledge by the coaching staff hurt the entire team. Coaches submit swimmer rosters before the meet. A relay event may have to forfeit if there is an unexpected absence. An absent swimmer lets down his/her teammates. Please be aware and inform the coaches in advance as much as possible. (Failure to notify the coaching staff will result in swimming exhibition at the following swim meet the swimmer is present). Parent on the pool deck/waiting area during practice should NOT approach the coaches while practice is being conducted. If you have a question for the coach, please address him/her before or after practice. (Parent Signature) (Date)

5 Ambler Area YMCA Arrows Swim Team Practice Schedule RED GROUP Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday PM SWIM 6:00-7:00pm 5:00-6:00pm Therapy Pool 4:00-5:00pm 4:00-5:00pm OFF 10:00am-12:00pm or MEETS TBA Captains' Practice 8:00-10:00am BLUE GROUP PM SWIM (all lap pool) DRYLAND Monday 6:00-7:30pm Tuesday 7:00-8:30pm 6:00-6:45pm Wednesday 4:00-5:30pm Thursday 7:00-8:30pm Friday Saturday Sunday 4:00-5:30pm 10:00am-12:00pm or MEETS TBA Captains' Practice 8:00-10:00am YELLOW GROUP PM SWIM (all lap pool) DRYLAND Monday 6:00-8:00pm Tuesday 7:00-8:30pm 6:00-6:45pm Wednesday 7:00-8:30pm Thursday 7:00-8:30pm Friday Saturday Sunday 4:00-6:00pm 10:00am-12:00pm or MEETS TBA Captains' Practice 8:00-10:00am *Monday practices are a full team practice. Attendance is highly recommended. *Swimmers in each group are encouraged to attend as many practices as possible. *AAY Fitness Professionals will conduct dry-land training sessions off pool deck. *Dry land is mandatory 1x per month.

6 Ambler Area YMCA Arrows Swim Team Meet Schedule The Ambler Area YMCA Arrows host their Home meets at the Wissahickon Middle School Pool. 500 Houston Road, Ambler, PA Tentative Penn-Del League Schedule September Sep 14-Sep Divisional Championship Host Bid Deadline Hartley Meet Host Bid Deadline Dual Meet Schedule Posted 28-Sep Fall League Meeting Deadline to Submit Updates to Team Contact Information Deadline to pay Team Dues Deadline to pay Championship Fees First League Referee Clinic Meet Warm Up Times due (14 days after 9/14) October Oct Dual and Tri Meet Templates/Posted on Website Oct YMCA Virtual Meet 27-Oct Boyertown Boo Meet November Nov Team Roster Submission Deadline 10-Nov Dragon Fest at Kennett 16-Nov Dual Meet 1 17-Nov Turkey Trot at Phoenixville 23-Nov Dual Meet - 2 December Dec Dual Meet Dec Dual Meet 4 Tyr Cup at Franklin and Marshall 21-Dec Dual Meet 5 22-Dec Winter Classic at Ridley

7 January Jan Charlie Hartley Meet Packet posted 4-Jan Dual Meet Jan Dual Meet - 7 Winterfest at University of Maryland 18-Jan Dual Meet Jan Dual Meet Make Up Date February Feb Divisional Championship 8-9- Feb Divisional Championships 14-Feb Feb 17-Feb Frost Fest at Ridley Divisional Championships Charlie Hartley Entries Due 22-Feb Charlie Hartley Meet March Mar Deadline to Submit East and Central District Meet Entries 7-9-Mar Mar East District Meet (at LaSalle) Central District Meet (at TBA) Pennsylvania State Championship (at Penn State) 24-Mar Deadline to Submit Short Court National Meet Entries April Apr Short Course National Meet (Greensboro, NC) 26-Apr Spring Meeting

8 Ambler Area YMCA Parent Volunteers Volunteers are an essential part of the Ambler Area YMCA Swim Team. Our meets could not run without our volunteers. It is asked that all of our parents volunteer for at least one home meet and one away meet. Volunteer s positions include timers, bull-pen parents, snack shop, meet photographer, etc. If you cannot meet this volunteer requirement due to family circumstances, emergency, illness, etc. please work with the volunteer coordinator to find a substitute. Officials, like volunteers, are necessary to run a swim meet. If you are a certified official please indicate what position you can fill. Below is an example of positions needed to run a swim meet. Additional positions for home swim meets are needed as well. Home Team Position Visiting Team 1 Referee 0 1 Starter 0 1 Place Judge 1 2 Stroke & Turn Judge 2 1 Scorekeeper (Note 2) 1 1 Announcer 0 1 Runner 0 1/Lane + 1 Timers 1/Lane # of Volunteers Needed Position 1 Swim Meet Photographer 2 Snack Stand Attendant 3 Bull-Pen Parent

9 All AAY Arrow parents interested in becoming certified Penn-Del League officials should contact Coach Lou for further information and dates of classes. Listed below are course descriptions. YMCA COURSE DESCRIPTION AQ332I- YMCA Swim Official I This course is designed to certify Swim Officials for YMCA Competitive Swimming in the areas of Stroke and Turn Judge, Relay Take-off Judge, Place Judge and Timer. The course focuses on the specific duties and responsibilities of the above officials prior to, during and after a swim meet. The course also reviews the facilities requirements for a meet, swimmer eligibility, and the roles of Chief Judge, Starter, and Referee. Successful completion of a written examination is required for certification. Prerequisites: -sponsored swim team YMCA COURSE DESCRIPTION AQ333I- YMCA Swim Official II This course is designed to certify Swim Officials for YMCA Competitive Swimming in the areas of Referee, Starter and Chief Judge. The course focuses on the specific duties and responsibilities of the above officials prior to, during and after a swim meet. The course also reviews the facilities and staffing requirements for a meet, rules for swimming various strokes, matters relating to eligibility and other key roles of the official. Successful completion of a written examination is required for certification. Prerequisites: ate a minimum of 8 sessions as a certified YMCA Swim Official -sponsored swim team -S certified officials who have been fully certified for at least one year and have worked at least eight meet sessions as a fully certified USA-S official (apprentice sessions do not count), can take the Level II clinic without having to attend a Level I clinic first.

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