Allatoona High School Buccaneers

Allatoona High School Buccaneers Swim and Dive Team Handbook 2017-2018 2017-2018 Swim & Dive Handbook

Table of Contents Note from Coach Dorrough...3 High School Swimming / Events....4 Practice Schedule..5-6 Meet Schedule.6 Cobb County and State Championships Information..7 Lettering Requirements 8 Academic and Discipline Policy...9-10 Fundraising...11 Volunteering.11 Booster Club Officers....11 2017-2018 Allatoona High School Swim and Dive Handbook Page 2

A Note from Coach Dorrough I want to welcome you all to the Allatoona High School Swim and Dive Team. I also want to thank the returning athletes for a great season last year. The enthusiasm and spirit is outstanding, and I look forward to an exciting and successful season. My goal for the team is simple; we will focus on technique and endurance at practice, so we can send the maximum number of swimmers and divers to Cobb County Championships and State Championships. This Swim and Dive Team Handbook is designed to answer any questions about policies, practices times, lettering, etc. Swimmer Information Team Coaches Head Coach: Jennifer Dorrough Coach: Lindsay Civitella jennifer.dorrough@cobbk12.org Asst. lindsay.cannon@cobbk12.org Team Website: http://www.ahsbucs.com/swimanddive/ This website will be used as a method of communication between coaches, swimmers, divers and the booster club. It includes practice times; meet schedules, team events and directions to pools and other important dates. State Website: http://www.ghssca.com/ This website includes state records, state qualifying times, state championship information and other information for coaches. County Website: http://www.cobbhighschoolswimming.blogspot.com/ This website houses information for colleges to recruit swimmers and divers. The county website includes meet results, county records and highlights seniors. High School Swimming For those of you who are new to high school swimming and diving, here are some facts about the meets. The order of events, listed below, may be different than you are used to. There are twelve total events for each gender, including diving. Males and females alternate events. Each swimmer is allowed to swim in a maximum of four events, but no more than two of which may be individual events. The fastest swimmers on the team will be scheduled in four events to give the team the greatest chance of winning the meet. Slower swimmers are then used to fill any heats in the other events, again based on the swimmer s times in a particular event. Usually, all swimmers compete in 4 events. The coaching staff will always fill heats with swimmers and divers that give the team the BEST chance of winning. Events 200 yard medley relay 200 yard freestyle 2017-2018 Allatoona High School Swim and Dive Handbook Page 3

200 yard individual medley 50 yard freestyle Diving 100 yard butterfly 100 yard freestyle 500 yard freestyle 200 yard freestyle relay 100 yard backstroke 100 yard breaststroke 400 Yard freestyle relay Required Equipment Team Competition suit: Speedo Mind over Matter. (Team suits should NOT be worn at practice.) Practice suits Fins AHS Team Swim Cap (men and women) Team warm-up jacket to be worn the day of meets (provided after dues are paid) Team T- Shirt (to be worn the day of meets) Goggles Water bottle for practices PRACTICE Information: Swimming practices are held at the West Cobb Aquatic Center. Diving practices are held at Central Aquatic Center. There are no buses or other school transportation to or from practices. Parents will need to make arrangements to ensure their child has a means of getting to and from practice. This is usually done through carpooling, arranging rides with upperclassmen, or by allowing them to drive themselves. Please keep in mind that being a member of the Swim & Dive Team does not guarantee a parking place at school. Swimmers are expected to attend all scheduled practices. Every athlete should arrive at the pool at least 10 minutes before practice in order to stretch and be in the water on time for warm-up. An absence from practice will only be excused when it would be considered an excused absence from school (it is best to notify Coach Dorrough if you are going to be absent due to illness, etc. ahead of time). If an athlete was present at school, he/she is expected to be at practice. Excessive absences or tardies from practice will result in an athlete losing his/her varsity letter or being dismissed from the team. See lettering requirements. USS swimmers are required to submit a weekly practice attendance form signed by your USS team coach. USS swimmers are expected to attend a minimum of 6 Allatoona practices. By attending high school practices, the USS swimmers are able to develop a stronger relationship with their teammates. Parents should be waiting to pick swimmers up at the end of practice. Practice will end on time and all rides should be at the pool at the end of practice. Since we practice in the winter, 2017-2018 Allatoona High School Swim and Dive Handbook Page 4

it is very cold and the athletes are wet. Swimmers will not be permitted to wait for their rides in their wet suits and/or towels. It is not good for swimmers to have to wait to be picked up under these conditions. The aquatic center will close promptly and there will be no place for athletes to wait for rides. Absences from Meets Swimmers & Divers MUST give at least 10 days notice if they are going to miss a meet (in writing to the head coach). Failure to inform the Head Coach of missing a meet and no-showing could result in the athlete failing to earn a Varsity Letter. The second no show offense will result in dismissal from the team. Absences from Practices Swimmers & Divers MUST provide a written excuse for an absence. Lettering points can be earned back by attending Optional Conditioning on specified days or practicing during the holiday breaks. Any combination of leaving early or starting late that adds up to 4 will be considered an absence. A tardy is defined as any swimmer who is not in the water swimming at the designated start time below. Getting dressed and putting on your caps after this time will be considered a tardy. Leaving early from practice will count as a tardy. If you are unable to attend a practice, you should contact Coach Dorrough ahead of time. Swim Practice Schedule West Cobb Aquatic Center 3675 Macland Road Powder Springs, GA 770-222-6700 Monday & Wednesday (5:15-6:30); Tuesday (7-8:30) & Thursday (6:30-7:30) 2017-2018 Meet Schedule HOST DATE TIME VENUE Cobb Time Trials Cobb Relays Sprayberry Invite November 3rd Saturday November 4th November 10th 6 PM Mountain View 9 AM Mountain View 7 PM CAC (diving as well) 2017-2018 Allatoona High School Swim and Dive Handbook Page 5

Lassiter November 17 th 7 PM CAC (diving as well) Pope Saturday 2:30 PM Mountain View November 18th NO MEET December NO MEET NO MEET 1 st -2nd SWAB NO MEET SWAB NO MEET Wheeler Dive Invitational (Diving Challenge) Cobb Quads (Division III) KMHS Dive Invitational Wheeler Meet Indian Invite Campbell Meet Mountain Madness COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS DIVING COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS CSCA Last Chance Dive Meet STATE December 15th Saturday December 16th, December 29th January 5th Saturday January 6th January 12th Saturday, January 13th Thursday January 18th January 19th Saturday January 20th Tuesday January 23rd FEBRUARY 1-3 7 PM CAC TBA TBA CAC (diving??) CAC 7 PM CAC (diving as well) 2:30 PM Mountain View 7 PM CAC (diving as well) 2:30 PM CAC (diving as well) 5PM 5 PM (Prelims) 6 PM (Finals) During Dive Practice TBA CAC (dive only) Mtn. View Mtn. View CAC Georgia Tech 2017-2018 Allatoona High School Swim and Dive Handbook Page 6

ALL MEETS ARE TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO FINAL APPROVAL BY THE COACHING STAFF. Check the website regularly for updates on meet information. **Denotes diving at the meet MEETS We consider any meet that is held at the Central Aquatic Center (CAC) or Mountain View Aquatic Center (MVAC) to be a home meet. Both of these facilities are located in Marietta. Athletes are expected to arrive promptly at the designated time. For all other away meets, transportation MAY be provided and will be announced ahead of time. Parents are encouraged to attend and cheer on the BUCS! The entry fee is $5.00 for adults (with HEAT sheet), $2.00 for children (K-12), and $3 for an extra HEAT sheet. The cost helps cover overhead for the Cobb Relays and County Championships. During the meet, swimmers are expected to stay with the team and no one is allowed to leave until the last event is over and the area is CLEAN. I expect everyone to stay and cheer for his/her teammates. If a swimmer is leaving with a parent, they must let me know when they are leaving. Swimmers should bring snack food and drinks with them to all meets. They should also have enough money with them to buy a meal at concessions if necessary. Some meets are long and we need keep our energy up. Cobb County and State Championships Qualifying Times All team members are expected to be available for both AND Saturday. No one is excused from this meet for any reason. Every qualifying member of the team will be scheduled to swim in the County Championships. This meet is one of the biggest of the year. Preliminary events will be on evening. Swim finals will be on Saturday evening. You will notice that participation in this meet is one of the specific requirements for earning a varsity letter. County Championship Qualifying Times MEN EVENT WOMEN 2:22.50 200 Yard Freestyle 2:32.00 2:45.00 200 Yard Individual Medley 2:55.00 26.00 50 Yard Freestyle 29.00 1:15.50 100 Yard Butterfly 1:25.00 1:00.00 100 Yard Freestyle 1:05.50 6:25.00 500 Yard Freestyle 6:45.00 1:15.00 100 Yard Backstroke 1:18.00 1:16.50 100 Yard Breaststroke 1:26.00 State Championship Qualifying Times MEN EVENT WOMEN 1:51.00 200 Yard Medley Relay 2:07.00 1:55.00 200 Yard Freestyle 2:07.00 2:12.00 200 Yard Individual Medley 2:24.00 23.50 50 Yard Freestyle 26.50 58.00 100 Yard Butterfly 1:05.00 52.00 100 Yard Freestyle 58.50 5:20.00 500 Yard Freestyle 5:40.00 1:40.00 200 Yard Freestyle Relay 1:53.00 2017-2018 Allatoona High School Swim and Dive Handbook Page 7

1:00.00 100 Yard Backstroke 1:06.00 1:07.00 100 Yard Breaststroke 1:15.00 3:44.00 400 Yard Freestyle Relay 4:12.00 If a swimmer qualifies for a relay event, he/she must also be one of the 4 fastest swimmers in that relay. We will usually have more than one group qualify for each relay, but we are only allowed to have ONE entry in each relay event at the State Championships. The Head Coach has the final say about events in which swimmers are entered. This is nonnegotiable. The events entered will be based on the swimmers available to give us the best chance at scoring highest and placing in the finals. You must QUALIFY to attend the State Meet with the Team. attendance at the State Meet. Senior status does not ensure Swimming & Diving Lettering Requirements 2017-2018 Allatoona High School Swim and Dive Handbook Page 8

Automatic Varsity Letter County/State Qualification in an at least one individual event School / County Record Placing in the top 10 at the County Championship Meet Placing in the top 20 at the State Championship Meet NISCA All-American Qualifying Time Additional Methods of Consideration to earn a Varsity Letter in Swim & Dive: **All must be met for consideration** 1) Attend 90% of scheduled practices (you can miss 5 practices throughout the season; if absent, inform Coach Dorrough ahead of time there will be opportunities to make up for missed practices) Practice Attendance 1 missed swim practice can be made up by attending 2 optional dry land practices/other offered practice makeups 4 tardies to practice or early dismissal from practice will result in one absence. 2) Participate in 100% of events scheduled to swim/dive at ALL meets Meet Attendance Athletes must attend every scheduled meet. (Athletes who miss meets may be given consideration for a letter by the coaching staff based on the criteria listed below.) Coach s Consideration Swimmers will be awarded consideration by the coaching staff according to the following: attitude, number of county qualifications, dedication, practice habits, team spirit, and overall improvement in technique and endurance. County Championships ***In the event that a swimmer/diver qualifies for County Championships in at least ONE INDIVIDUAL event, they MUST also Swim/Dive in the County Championship Meet Meet Performance Points (Points are calculated after each meet and used for recognition at the end of the season) Each 1 st place = 10 points Each 6 th place = 5 points Each 2 nd place = 9 points Each 7 th place = 4 points Each 3 rd place = 8 points Each 8 th place = 3 points Each 4 th place = 7 points Each 9 th -place = 2 points Each 5 th place = 6 points Each 10 th 16 th = 1 point Loss of a Varsity Letter The following will result in the automatic loss of a varsity letter: (Even if you have met the criteria earn a varsity letter) Out-of-school suspension. Two No shows at any meet. Refusing to swim an event. Disqualification for any Sportsmanship issue. 2017-2018 Allatoona High School Swim and Dive Handbook Page 9

Academic Policy The AHS Swim and Dive Team have historically had some of the best students in the school. This is very important in our sport because our season occupies both semesters. Any athlete that does not maintain the minimum grade requirement during fall semester cannot return after Winter Break. Athletes not maintaining grades spring semester are not permitted to even try out the following year. The AHS Swim & Dive Team recognizes Scholar Athletes (3.5 cumulative GPA, 10 th -12 th, and letterman). Since our athletes are in school for academics first, the swim team has a very strict academic policy. Athletes are required to pass ALL classes during the semester. If an athlete fails ONE class, they are placed on academic probation and will be required to bring in weekly progress reports. Two failing grades would make them ineligible for competition until the following report semester. ***Remember, it is GHSA policy that if a student fails two classes at the end of the semester, they are INELIGIBLE for the next semester. *** Discipline Policies The discipline policies are listed below. Please make yourself aware of all policies. All decisions made by the Coaching Staff concerning discipline issues will be handled privately on a case-to-case basis and will be final. There is no appeal process. The coaching staff will enforce the following consequences for schoolrelated and Team related discipline problems. School Related Discipline ALL ATHLETES AND PARENTS MUST SIGN THE COBB COUNTY JD DISCIPLINE POLICY which is located on the school physical form. ISS- Suspension from the next scheduled swim meet. You will also not be allowed to participate in any practices or activities during the time assigned. Second Offense- 2 or more day s results in dismissal from the team. 1 day will result in a one meet suspension. ANY Third Offense- Dismissal from the team. Saturday School You will not be allowed to participate in a swim meet if Saturday school is scheduled on that day. ANY Second Offense- Dismissal from the team. Suspension Any out-of-school suspension during the school year will be grounds for dismissal from the team. Any athlete who is suspended during the school year may not earn a varsity letter during that school year in any sport. Alcohol, Drugs, or Tobacco Any swimmers caught at ANY time with Alcohol, Drugs, or Tobacco will be referred to the Administration and dismissed from the Team. This includes before, during, after practice, and even if you re caught on the weekend by a police officer or someone else. Arrest- Any arrest will result in immediate dismissal from the Team. 2017-2018 Allatoona High School Swim and Dive Handbook Page 10

Team/Meet Related Discipline Driving Athletes are not allowed to leave the facility at any point during a meet. If the team has plans to carpool to the meet together (Cobb Champs) all athletes must drive directly to the pool without additional stops and remain at the pool until the conclusion of the meet. All athletes are under the direct supervision of the coaching staff and should abide by team rules. Failure to follow rules will result in discipline referral to administration and 2 days ISS and suspension from the next meet. No Show Failure to attend a meet for any reason that has not been previously cleared by the Head Coach will be considered a No Show. Conflicts with scheduled meets must be given to Coach Dorrough in writing 10 days prior to the meet. This includes USS meets. First Offense- 2 meet suspension and loss of Varsity Letter. Second Offense- Dismissal from the Team. Insubordination Failure to comply with a Coach s instructions. Insubordination WILL NOT be tolerated and will result in a 1 meet suspension. Second Offense- 2 meet suspension and loss of Varsity Letter. Third Offense- Dismissal from the Team. Disqualification- Being disqualified for ANYTHING other than a starting violation is a serious offense. The GHSA sets the rules and regulations for our sport and we are ALL expected to abide by them whether you agree with the rule or not. All actions are in addition to the normal disqualification consequences stated by GHSA. DQ for Jewelry- absolutely NO jewelry is allowed on deck. Do not even wear it to a meet. The Coaching Staff will not hold it for you. You can be disqualified for wearing jewelry on the pool deck at ANY time, not just during your heat. DQ for Sportsmanship- At no time will ANY member of the AHS Swimming & Diving Team argue with an official for any reason. In addition, any DQ involving sportsmanship including profanity, fighting, disrespect to officials or other swimmers, etc. will result in: First offense-2 meet suspension and loss of Varsity Letter. Second offense- Dismissal from the Team. NOTE: Please remember that extreme cases will be handled by the Coaching Staff on a private individual basis. All decisions will be final and there is no appeal process. Infractions not covered by the AHS Swimming & Diving Handbook will be dealt with using the Allatoona High School Student Handbook. 2017-2018 Allatoona High School Swim and Dive Handbook 11

Cobb County JD Policy PLEASE READ AND BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING COBB COUNTY JD POLICY (This policy may be found on the Cobb County School Web site under (J) Policy at www.cobbk12.org) Page (1) Maintaining proper student conduct shall be the joint responsibility of the school principal, the faculty, and the other school employees in charge of groups of students from time to time. (2) When in good faith, reasonable force may be exercised by school personnel in order to restrain rebellious or out of control students. THIS SIMPLY MEANS THAT IF YOUR SON/DAUGHTER BECOMES COMBATIVE AND DISRESPECTFUL, UNRULY AND / OR OUT OF CONTROL AND THE COACHING STAFF FEELS THAT OTHERS MAY BE IN DANGER, A COACH MAY TOUCH THEM, IN GOOD FAITH (GOOD FAITH REFERS TO NOT TRYING TO HARM AN ATHLETE), TO TRY TO REDIRECT THEM AND GET THEM REFOCUSED AND UNDER CONTROL. Fundraising Fundraising is the backbone of keeping the swim and dive program running. The lane rental for practice times, entries fees for our meets, hospitality, food, gifts, and buses are very expensive. In order to cover all costs, we must put forth every effort in our fundraising events. A successful fundraiser with these should provide us with a good base for all of our expenses. By successful means each family will make a $100 contribution either through profits from the fundraiser or donation. We may hold other fundraisers throughout the season. VOLUNTEERING Our organization cannot run a successful program without parent volunteers. We need a minimum of four parent volunteers per meet to time events. A volunteer list will be sent out in advance of the first swim meet. If a parent is unable to work the meet they are assigned, that parent is responsible for contacting another parent to work out a switch of duty. Parents may be assigned to volunteer for more than one meet, depending on the number of swimmers we have. Additional volunteering opportunities include, but are not limited to: (1) chairing a committee; (2) banquet organizer; (3) snack table organizer 2017-2018 Allatoona High School Swim and Dive Handbook 12

AHS SWIM & DIVE TEAM BOOSTER CLUB OFFICERS President Kathy Heilman Kheilman@comcast.net Vice-President Robynne van der Werf robynnevanderwerf@gmail.com Secretary Christy McHugh christymchugh@comcast.net Treasurer Noel Pearce nursenlp@gmail.com 2017-2018 Allatoona High School Swim and Dive Handbook 13