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COMP-3 Information and Updates

Top Group - Training

What to bring:
• Training/practice suit – polyester
• bathing caps – 2 (not meet ones)
• goggles - 2
• towel
• water bottle – essential!
• Don't bring – jewellery, watches, and anything that can't be replaced if it gets lost.

What do I call the coach?

I would prefer "Coach" or "Coach Barbara". "Barb" is right out! I hate that name – now you know. Other coaches should be referred to as "Coach" or Mr Martin, Ms Wright, etc. etc.

Conduct at pool - When you arrive

Aim to arrive at pool 10 min before practice to give you time to get out on deck for practice BUT don't come out on deck too early as there are other classes etc. Come out right on time and meet Coach on deck. If you are late you should be hustling on deck and getting in faster than anyone else on the team!

LSC responsibility for swimmers begins when they step onto the deck at the start of practice, not when you drop them off.

Parents are responsible for the conduct of swimmers both before and after practice.

DO NOT

• impede the workings of the building and staff, for example
  
• linger in the lobby
  
• raise your voice in the lobby
  
• block the hallway for patrons
  

DO

• go into the stands
  
• sit back by the wall .. leave space for people to get by
  
• always - bring bags out on deck but keep them out of the way!

If Coach is late – start warm up!

Conduct in pool – During practice

Disruptive behavior during practice is not acceptable. Consequences for disruptive behavior will be one warning. If there is a second occurrence the swimmer will be asked to leave the pool for the remainder of the practice. Examples of disruptive behaviors:

• talking while coach is talking
• pulling or pushing another swimmer
  
• excessive stopping at the end of the lane (if you need to make an equipment adjustment, get out of pool)
  
• excessive stopping mid-lane
  
• not leaving a gap before you push off
• And most of all be responsible for your own workout and don't focus on what your team mates are or aren't doing!

Listen, work hard and you will have fun – trust me! Getting faster times is way more fun than trying to sneak in a conversation about what happened in school today! There is plenty of time to catch up before and after practice.

Conduct in the change-rooms, at meets, etc

Swimmers are always representing Lakeshore Swim Team. You will be supportive of your teammates and respectful of other teams. There will be no "trash talk". If this is occurring I expect someone to let me know immediately.

Notes for parents

Insurance - all swimmers, coaches and parents while acting as officials are recognized by the Swim Ontario insurance policy

Injury

• If an injury happens during practice we will let you know. My preference is to err on the side of caution and if I think it might be serious I will pull the swimmer out for the rest of the practice. This is very rare.
  
• If an injury has happened at home/school/sport and it will impede swimming, please consult your doctor or physiotherapist and let me know exactly what the swimmer can/cannot do.
  
• If it is a minor injury (sprained ankle from cross-country, ball to the thigh from soccer) I tend to ignore it unless the swimmer finds during warm up that it is limiting them – in which case we will try to accommodate them.

Sickness

• Contagious - stay home
  
• Just feeling unwell (headache, sore muscles, tired) – you are the parent, in the end it's your judgment. If your swimmer comes to practice I will assume they are up for what ever challenge I have set for them that day!
  
• Missing multiple practices will ultimately make the swimmer fall behind the group and may make practice less enjoyable as they struggle to keep up.

Speaking with coaches - before and after a practice – not during

Parent's Role

A parent's role is to be supportive and encouraging of your swimmer. The best way to support your swimmer:

• Get them to practice/warm up 10 min before it starts
  
• Make sure they have all their equipment
  
• Make sure their equipment is in good shape – do periodic checks on googles, caps, swim suits – they do wear out!
  
• Be a good role model for sportsmanship. Be supportive of their team mates and respectful of other teams.
  
• Respect the role of the coach. Be the parent, not another coach for your swimmer. The coach's job is to remind the swimmer of technique. The parent's job is to remind the swimmer to have fun, celebrate the victories, commiserate when things don't go well and say "don't worry you'll get it next time".

Goals for this Season

The coaching staff have set some simple goals for our club this year:

• STREAMLINE
  
• KICK
  
• GO FASTER

Contacting the Coach

Please contact me if your swimmer will be absent from practice or if you would like to arrange a time to discuss an issue.

Best way to contact me is via e-mail (I am attached to my Blackberry!):
babsrichmond@gmail.com

Or leave a message on my home phone: 416-252-8190

Event Selection

Event Selection is the sole purview of the coach. Swimmers will be entered into events using the following criteria

• Can the swimmer perform the stroke correctly?
  
• Can the swimmer maintain the stroke for this distance?
  
• Has the swimmer swum the event before and is it time to try it?
  
• Does the swimmer need this event for a pre-request?
  
• Is the swimmer close to a Time Standard and will they likely achieve it?

Relays usually occur at the end of the session, although not every meet has relays. Swimmers must let the coach know ASAP if he/she CAN NOT stay for the relays. Throughout the season I will do my best to ensure everyone gets opportunities to swim relays.

Arrive Early

Best to be at the meet 20 min before the start of warm-up. Especially if it is at a pool you aren't familiar with. This will give the swimmer a chance to find the change-room, get changed and out on deck without having to rush! It's important to arrive on time otherwise we will assume that you aren't coming and scratch the swimmer from their events.

What happens during "Warm-up"?

Swimmers only come out on deck – don't leave valuables in the change rooms. Warm-up is usually an hour long. It's a chance for the swimmer to get their muscles warmed up, try some turns and starts in an unfamiliar pool, do a team cheer and get "psyched up" for the meet. The pool is usually packed with kids and they tend to get battered around a bit. They will get used to it.

What do the parents do?

Sit in the stands – cheer on your swimmers OR contact John Elvidge and sign up to be a timer! Warning, the seats in the stands usually have no backs! I suggest investing in a couple of those stadium seat cushions with the backs. Also – bring a book, a newspaper, a cross word game etc, etc. There is lots of sitting and waiting between races. A typical session is 3 hours long (plus an hour of warm up).

In between races it's best if the swimmers stay on deck with the rest of the club. If a swimmer wishes to go to the bathroom, take a shower, visit mum and dad in the stands, visit the cafeteria etc, he/she needs to tell one of the coaches (preferable me!) that he/she is leaving. Also – the swimmer needs to tell me when he/she has come back. I'll have 20+ swimmers to watch out for and I don't want to miss anyone's swim or have a swimmer miss their event! Coaches are NOT responsible for swimmers when they aren't on deck!

Eating between races:

It is important to have some fluids between races. Swimmers should check with a coach before they eat in case they have another event up soon.

What to bring:

• meet suit (bring a practice suit as well, just in case!)
  
• meet bathing caps - 2
  
• goggles - 2
  
• towels - 2
  
• meet uniform – Must be worn from the change room onto the deck
  
• fleece pj bottoms and sweatshirt and bathrobes (best between events to keep warm)
  
• snacks - Carbohydrates are the best (bagel, pretzels, crackers, fruit - fresh and dried, banana bread, dry cereal.) I don't recommend Gatorade - water is best for rehydration. A half and half of Gatorade and water is a good compromise. Sports bars are ok - but don't overdo it. Don't bring candy please!!
  
• At the Etobicoke Olympium NO FOOD IS ALLOWED ON DECK. All food must be eaten in the upstairs stands or in the change rooms. Please follow the rules.
  
• Books, cards, travel games – swim meets are long with lots of waiting.
  
• I don't recommend PSPs or iPods because we can't assure they won't walk off - however a lot of kids bring them – your judgment
  
• At some meets a cafeteria is open during a swim meet. They will sell some good food, like vegetable trays. However, they also tend to sell a lot of candy and other "junk" food. BEWARE!
  
• Don't bring – jewellery, watches, and anything that can't be replaced if it gets lost. The bleachers on deck are a free for all and no one can keep an eye on belongings.

Last minute "Can't Make the Meet" situations

This happens from time to time. To be fair to the other swimmers, please let me know ASAP if you are going to miss a meet. This will give us time to scratch your swimmer and the meet manager may be able to adjust the events to ensure there are no empty lanes – once you've been to a swim meet you will understand how important that is!

Best way to contact me is via e-mail (I am attached to my Blackberry!): babsrichmond@gmail.com