YMCA of Coastal Georgia 2016 Swim Team Parent Handbook YMCA MISSION: To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
Swim Team Philosophy YMCA Swim Team is dedicated to providing a quality youth program for kids of all ages that adheres to the philosophy of fun and fairness. Our swim program is for youth ages 5 to 16. Our goal is to encourage the following principles: o Safety First o Everyone Participates o Character Development o Positive Competition o Family Involvement o Having Fun! We believe swimming is a great way to keep your kids active while they have fun! All participants will be taught o the fundamentals of each stroke o how to improve on skills o the value of teamwork and sportsmanship In addition, participants will develop o self-esteem o confidence o time management skills o regard for others o and much more! To make the program as stress-free as possible for the parents, we have created this handbook as a tool to help guide you and to keep you educated with information such as contacts, meet schedules, pool locations, event breakdowns, organizational structures and other helpful pieces.
Parent Organization for Swim Teams Purpose: The goal of the swim team parent organization should be to engage all parents in the involvement of their children s experience with swim team. Parents should be encouraged to volunteer at meets and events throughout the season to ensure a quality experience for their child(ren). Meet Volunteer Descriptions Clerk of Course The Clerk of Course provides the organization in a swim meet. They are responsible for assigning lanes to swimmers in the bull pin. The Clerk will be responsible for sending swimmers in their designated heats with the bull pin volunteers to insure that the Starter is not waiting for swimmers. The Clerk will also work closely with the Announcer to ensure the bull pin does not become overcrowded and that events are called in a timely manner. Bull Pin Volunteers Bull pin volunteers are responsible for taking swimmers to their assigned lanes before each event. They should also relay any messages between the Starter and Clerk of Course. Head Timer The head timer will control two watches and provide back up for the Timer/Recorders. They are to watch the timers for a raised hand and provide a back up watch when needed. Timer/Recorders The Timers/Recorders job is to start the watch at the horn in the beginning of a race and stop the watch when the swimmer completes their event. They will then ensure the swimmer in the lane corresponds to the heat sheet they have and record both final times on the heat sheet. Runners Runners will collect the heat sheets from the Timer/Recorder for each event, and give them to the awards table.
Meet Information A swimmer s age group will be determined by the swimmer s age at each meet. o The age groups for meet competitions shall include: 6 & under 7 & 8 9 & 10 11 & 12 13 & over. o Swimmers age 13 and up as of the meet/event date will swim in the Open division. o Parents, swim coaches, and assistant coaches will not be permitted to compete in swim meets. o A swimmer may swim up for relay events. o A swimmer may also swim up for individual events as long as the swimmer swims individual events in only one age group per meet. Each swimmer may swim one or two relays as specified in the meet information. Each participant may swim up to three (3) individual events. All meets hosted by YMCA of Coastal Georgia will require in water starts by swimmers. o Diving will be permitted on events that start at the deep end. Scratches due no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of meet.
Disqualification for ALL age groups If a swimmer dives in before the horn is blown Relays o If a swimmer leaves the wall or dives into the water before the second, third or fourth swimmer touches the wall Swimming the wrong stroke on a designated event Doing flip turns while swimming the IM Disqualifications for ages 9 and older: Two hand must be used on turns and finishes for the breast stroke and butterfly Swimmer must breathe every stroke on breaststroke Proper kick and arms must be used on each stroke
Stroke Fundamentals The following are the basic stroke requirements for breast stroke, backstroke, butterfly and freestyle. BREAST STROKE Kick: (Resembles the frog kick) 1. Bring heels to your rear end 2. Flex your feet (Ballerina feet or Penguin feet) 3. Whip the legs and feet around in a circular motion pushing the water back as your legs straighten and your feet touch each other. Pull: 1. Start in the streamline position. 2. Form the arms to shape a 90 degree angle or to represent the letter Y. (Legs are brought forward towards heels to rear end) 3. Next, bend at the elbow and rotate the thumbs up and squeeze the forearms and elbows together. 4. At this time, the swimmer will take a breath. 5. The swimmer will then shoot the arms forward and place the face back into the water gliding in the water. (Whip/ Frog kick is complete) The breaststroke pullout is optional.
BACK STROKE Kick: Pull: 1. Legs are straight with a slight bend at the knee. 2. Feet are flexed straight 3. Alternate legs to form a six beat kick 1. One arm at a time with the thumb exiting the water first bicep brushing the cheek and pinky entering the water. 2. The arms will alternate with a continuous kick. This is a free breathing stroke since it is performed on the swimmers back. While in the stream line position a dolphin kick may replace the flutter kick before breaking the surface of the water. BUTTERFLY Kick: Dolphin Kick 1. Small body waves where the hips go up and down. Arms: 1. Hands are straight in a separated streamline position. 2. Sweep your hands down and in under your chest. 3. Push the water back towards your feet. This is where you will lift your head to breath. 4. As your hands and arms almost fully extend backwards, start to bring your arms out of the water and outward like butterfly wings back to the starting position. As you bring your arms around (to spread your wings) the face should be placed back into the water.
FREESTYLE Kick: (Same Flutter Kick as Backstroke) 1. Legs are straight with a slight bend at the knee. 2. Feet are flexed straight 3. Alternate legs to form a six beat kick Arms: 1. Start in the streamline position. 2. One arm at a time, sweep the water towards the bottom of the pool then towards the feet and finally towards the hips. 3. For new swimmers it may look like giant circles. The swimmer may breathe as needed and may replace the flutter kick with a dolphin kick while in the streamline position until they break the surface.
Day of the Meet Procedures All swimmers are required to arrive at the meet by 8:00 AM. o They will then meet the coach to get their event numbers. There will be 20 minutes of warm-up time designated by the hosting YMCA. o If your child does not make it to the location before this time, they may miss their warm-up. The coach will put together relay groups at this time. o If there are not enough children present to form a relay team, we will not participate in the relay event. If you are unable to attend a swim meet that you have previously registered for, please notify the head coach ASAP. There is considerable time between events. Take this time to meet team members, read a book, or cheer on teammates. Parents and children must stay alert to the Event Caller and be responsible to arrive at the ready bench on time. If a swimmer misses their event they will be disqualified from that event.
Swim Meet Etiquette Parents Are expected to supervise their kids at all times. Should not be in the starting area unless they are an official or have volunteered to time. Should direct any and all questions to their coaches and not the meet director or volunteers. Should not set up or sit in any area that is roped off for volunteers, unless they are filling a volunteer position. Swimmers Stay in the water after every event until all other swimmers in the heat have finished. All Distracting lifeguards is prohibited. If you have a question please ask your swim coach. Abusive or profane language, loitering, running, boisterous or rough play and yelling are not permitted. Georgia State Laws require chairs not be placed within 5 feet of pools or on the spray ground. You may consume food in designated areas ALCOHOL, TOBACCO & DRUGS ARE NOT PERMITTED
YMCA Coach & Player Youth Sports Creed I will play fair and by the rules. I will respect and support my teammates, my opponents, officials and YMCA staff. I will be an example of good sportsmanship. I will follow the values of HONESTY, CARING, RESPECT and RESPONSIBILITY. Suggestions for What to Bring to the Meet Sunscreen Water / liquids (NO GLASS) Towels Chairs Shade (some groups set up canopies for outdoor meets) Snacks and drinks are allowed Extra Goggles & Swim Cap
Pool Closures/Meet Delays Lightning At first sight of lightning pool will close for 30 minutes. It will remain closed for 30 minutes after each strike seen. Thunder At first sound of thunder pool will close for 30 minutes. It will remain closed for 30 minutes after each sound of thunder. DURING THUNDER OR LIGHTNING EVERYONE MUST CLEAR THE POOL DECK AND SEEK SHELTER INDOORS. Rain If rain is compromising the visibility the pool will close. Lifeguards must be able to clearly see lap lane lines and all drains clearly. Pool Contamination In the event the pool becomes contaminated with feces, vomit or blood the pool will be evacuated immediately. Depending on the situation the pool could be closed from 2-24 hours.
Awards Awards will be given to the following places: o Individual Events: 1 st through 6th places o Relay Events: 1st through 3rd places Each participant will receive a participation award at the end of the season. Association Wide Championship Meet Swimmers must have participated in 3 of the 5 Swim Meets to be eligible. Awards will be given to the following places: o Individual Events: 1 st through 6 th places o Relay Events: 1 st through 3 rd places
YMCA of Coastal Georgia - 2016 Swim Meet Schedule **ALL Meets will begin promptly at 9:00 AM** (Arrive at 8:00 AM for warm-up) June 18 th - Effingham YMCA 1224 Patriot Drive Rincon, GA 31326 (912) 826-2199 sarah.puente@ymcaofcoastalga.org June 25 th - West Chatham YMCA 165 Issac G. LaRoche Drive Pooler, GA 31322 (912) 748-9622 Lori.Sowers@ymcaofcoastalga.org July 9 th - Islands YMCA 66 Johnny Mercer Blvd. Savannah, GA 31410 (912) 897-1192 Leah.Boyd@ymcaofcoastalga.org July 16 th - Habersham YMCA 6400 Habersham St. Savannah, GA 31405 (912) 354-6223 July 23 rd CHAMPIONSHIP MEET - Liberty County/ Armed Services YMCA 201 Mary Lou Drive Hinesville, GA 31313 (912 )368-9622