TEAM HANDBOOK
2011-2012
Team Organization
Practice Schedules
Team Travel
Communications
Budget
Sacramento Synchronized Swim Team, Inc.
PO Box 60011
Sacramento, CA 95860
Phone: (916) 932-6606
www.sacsynchro.com
Tax ID, 501(c)(3): 94-3062185
Additional Resources:
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/Sacsynchro/
Mission Statement
To promote, instill and develop the best combination of coaching and competition to provide swimmers with the opportunity to develop
self-discipline, confidence, skill, and fitness, while being part of a team.
Table of Contents
History 5
Fall Training 6
Fall Workout Schedule 6
Routine Selection 6
Coaches Decisions 7
Changes in routine placement/assignment throughout the season 7
Removal from practice/competition/routine/SSST 7
Commitment to the Team 7
Team Rules & Expectations 8
Athlete's Synchro Code of Conduct 8
Parent's Synchro Code of Conduct 8
Conflict Resolution 8
Arrival & Attendance 9
Arrive on time to practice and meets 9
Attend all practices/competitions 9
Excused Practices due to Illness/Injury 9
Excused Absences due to Academic Events 9
Unexcused Absences 9
Exceptions 10
Travel Policy 10
Safety & Sportsmanship Rules for meets 10
Miscellaneous Rules 10
Uniform, Equipment and Costumes 11
Required Items 11
Optional Equipment & Items 11
Costumes 11
SSST Pre-Competition Checklist: 12
SSST Parent Club Objective 13
Getting Involved 13
Opt Out Option for Bingo 13
Communications 14
Email 14
Family Box 14
Website 14
Team Meetings 14
Budget 15
Team Overview 16
Team Structure 16
Board of Directors & Jobs Descriptions 18
SSST Parent Volunteer Positions 20
Fee & Schedule 23
Payment Policy 24
Tuition Calendar 24
Registration and Pool Fee 24
Team ByLaws can be found onlinewww.sacsynchro.com/membership
History
Sacramento Synchronized Swim team, also known as Sac Synchro and SSST, was established in 1985 with 14 founding members and coached by nationally ranked swimmers. For the first two years, SSST practiced at the Arden Hills Country Club and was known as Arden Hills Synchro. Due to high membership fees for the country club, the team name was changed to Sacramento Synchronized Swim team and moved to various locations around the Sacramento area, including Rancho Arroyo and Consumes River College. In approximately 1993, SSST partnered with the YMCA and found their permanent home at Mira Loma High School, a YMCA run pool facility. The SSST family is proud that Kathryn Freer, one of the original coaches, is still involved with the team today. Her experience and guidance is a true asset to the team.
SSST is a non-profit, year-round competitive synchronized swimming program that competes in competitions all over the United States. Our team ranges in size from 15-45 swimmers between the ages of 6 and 18 years, who bring our team an abundance of ethnic diversity, talent, enthusiasm, and pride for a sport that they love and to a club that is committed to all around excellence. In 2004, the Masters division of our team was created for 20-99 year olds who wish to continue their love of the sport for a lifetime of fitness. SSST has hosted two national championships for the Masters level and multiple West Zone competitions. The Parent Club's countless hours in support of the club's many activities including fund raising and production of water shows is testament to the devotion, which exists within the Sacramento Synchro family.
Sacramento Synchro PhilosophySacramento Synchro is committed to developing its swimmers to their fullest athletic potential. With an open approach on the part of the athlete and his/her parents, the coaches’ mission is to offer a dynamic opportunity to develop the following qualities:
Confidence
· Building a deep, lasting and resilient belief in one’s ability to achieve goals
· Building the ability to stay confident even when not performing well; staying positive, motivated, intense, focused, and emotionally in control when necessary
· Not being negative and uncertain in difficult competitions and not overconfident in easy competitions
· Building confidence that enables athletes to perform at their highest level consistently
Teamwork
· Team goals are placed ahead of individual success
· Ability to suppress ego for the good of the team
· Trust in teammates & coaches
Competitive Spirit
· Motivates individual & team to overcome failure & maximize performance
· Preparation is the ultimate benchmark of success, not medals and ribbons
· Winning is a result of practice, good teamwork & execution of good fundamentals
Work Ethic
· Working hard and 100% effort are pre-requisites for membership on Sac Synchro
· Athletes perform to the best of their ability & maximize their talent at every practice
· Stretching and cross-training outside of practice are encouraged and often required
Sportsmanship
· Respect for competitors, teammates, coaches, judges and referees and most importantly the sport of synchronized swimming
· How does the athlete handle winning and losing- Grace in both victory & defeat
· Represent the Sacramento Synchro in a positive manner both in and out of the pool
Coachability
· How the athlete faces the limitations of his performance enables him to grow and not wallow in self-pity, blaming others, or external factors
· Does the athlete take constructive feedback or make excuses for actions
· Ability to listen to instruction & apply the techniques to enhance performance
Fall Training
Each season begins with a fall training tradition called “fall workout.” During this time, the athletes focus on getting back into “synchro” shape. Fall training workouts will focus on swim conditioning, flexibility, strength training, routine swimming, training new figure elements and/or reviewing foundational figure movements. The goal is to build strength, increase cardiovascular endurance, improve foundational techniques and learn new skills. The athletes will participate in a wide range of exercises and drills: split stretching, speed swimming, ballet legs, eggbeater, figures, routine swimming and more. During the fall workout, the coaches will be watching the athletes’ overall coachability, work ethic, general strengths and determining areas where more work is needed.
Fall Workout Schedule
September 6 – October 8, 2011
Level / MON / TUE / WED / THU / FRI / SAT (AM) /Novice Team / 5:00-7:00 / 5:00-7:00 / 8:00-10:00
Intermediate Team / 5:00-7:00 / 5:00-7:30 / 5:00-7:00 / 9:00-12:00
10 & Under
Age Group Team / 5:00-7:30 / 5:00-7:30 / 5:00-7:00 / 9:00-12:00
11-12
Age Group Team / 5:00-8:00 / 5:00-8:00 / 5:00-7:30 / 8:00-1:00
13-15
Age Group Team / 5:00-8:00 / 5:00-8:00 / 5:00-7:30 / 8:00-1:00
16 & Over
Age Group Team / 5:00- 8:00 / 5:00- 8:00 / 5:00- 8:00 / 8:00-1:00
Masters / 6:00-8:00 / 6:00-8:00 / Novice
11:00-1:00
Vets
1:00-3:00
Fall Clinic / Make-ups & Bonus Swim
6:00-7:00 / 12:30-2:00
Routine Selection
During the last two weeks of Fall Workout coaches will be conducting “skills testing” to assist with decision making for individual and team routine assignments. Routine assignments will determine which level/age group the athletes will train with for the duration of the season. Some swimmers may “move up” to a higher age group to match levels and complete routine needs. Training and skill testing evaluations will consist of flexibility, swimming and synchronized swimming specific conditioning and skills. This testing is encouraged by US Synchronized Swimming (our governing body) and will be performed throughout the season to track progress.
Placement in routines is based on previous seasons performances, evaluation of the athlete’s current routine swimming, figures/elements, flexibility, presentation, mental competitive strengths, coachability, ability to understand and practice patterns with teammates, work ethic, attendance, commitment to the team, and input from former coach(es). Placement on a team routine is made by the coaching staff and is based on 3 broad categories and is weighted as follows:
33% Attendance and perceived attitude
Takes corrections with ease and eagerness
Demonstrates self-motivation
Intense work ethic
33% Future potential
Land and water flexibility; strength
Progress demonstrated throughout fall workout
Speed swimming ability
Extension
33% Synchronized Swimming Skill
Past figure scores
Present figure/basic skill ability
Routine swimming
Coaches Decisions
The selection of routines will be at the sole discretion of the coaching staff. Placement will be justified but is not up for negotiation.
The participation of alternates will not be discussed. Coaches will swim those athletes whom they deem to be the best cohesive unit at the time.
Coaches’ decisions will not be a topic of conversation at any time during the season, for any reason. The coaching staff needs support and the swimmers and parents are to be respectful of their decisions at all times.
Once routine announcements have been made, swimmers and parents will be given a period of one week to accept their placement. Should a swimmer elect not to swim, the next swimmer will move up immediately. If there is a problem, you are required to contact your respective coach but not during practice hours. If the conflict cannot be resolved, please contact the Parent Club President.
Changes in routine placement/assignment throughout the season
It is important to understand that routine selections may not be the final placement of a swimmer for the season. At the coach’s discretion, a swimmer may be moved to another team due to specific meet’s qualifications, and continued exceptional performances or for a lack of contribution to a routine. All appropriate coaches will make theses decision. These decisions will be justified but will not be negotiable.
Removal from practice/competition/routine/SSST
Placement in a routine is a privilege. A swimmer can be removed from a practice, competition, assigned routine or the team altogether at any time during the season for discipline reasons or if the coach deems it necessary for the betterment of the team.
Commitment to the Team
Once your daughter makes the decision to join SSST and you support her decision, she is to be a part of the team for the entire season.
Team Rules & Expectations
It is each swimmers responsibility to know and abide by the following team rules and expectations for conduct, attendance, and travel.
Athlete's Synchro Code of Conduct
· Demonstrate good attendance, high level of commitment, and positive attitude
· Cooperate with your coaches and teammates; behave respectfully and appropriately at all times, displaying good sportsmanship
· Be responsible for yourself and help other teammates
· Maintain good health habits - sufficient sleep and eat properly
· Set personal goals and objectives with coaches. Work to achieve these goals
· Swimmer's behavior, which interferes with a coach's ability to coach, will not be tolerated. The swimmer will be given two (2) warnings, and if behavior continues, the swimmer will be asked to leave the pool and parents will be called to immediately pick up the swimmer to leave practice. The coach will determine the appropriate disciplinary action and if necessary, a parent conference will be arranged. Behavioral problems are a reason for dismissal. It is the coaching staffs desire to make each practice as productive and efficient as possible. Proper pool behavior and respect for others is mandatory.
· Follow through at home with land drilling, choreography, stretching, and any other assignments
· Remember that your image as an athlete and competitor reflects upon the team
Parent's Synchro Code of Conduct
· Be supportive and help your daughters meet the above responsibilities
· Assist your child in setting realistic goals and expectations
· Be supportive and respectful of coaches, other parents, officials, and judges; be a role model for good sportsmanship
· Watching practice: Remember that the pool is a classroom and swimmers need to concentrate. Parents are allowed to remain and watch practice but coaches ask that you honor the following request:
o Stay clear of immediate practice area and sit in designated area.
o Avoid analyzing practice
o Refrain from communicating with your swimmer during practice
Remember that coaches have a plan for each practice and many times they will be focusing on some factors to the exclusion of others. When a coach is working in some capacity with swimmers, please do not interfere. The coaches will try to make time to speak with parents as needed, but their first priority is the swimmers. If you wish to speak with a coach, try to contact her before or after practice.
· Refer all questions about scores to your coach. Do not approach competition officials.
· Keep the coaches informed of any illnesses or injuries
· Be prompt in arrival and pickup at practices and competition events
· In the case of mid-season resignation of your swimmer, as per our by-law Article 2, Section 5, you are still obligated to pay any yearly dues, assessments and fundraising obligations for the entire swim season
Conflict Resolution
· Questions and concerns about team issues should be directed to the swimmer’s Coach. If issues are not resolved satisfactorily, the Head Coach should be contacted next. Please schedule a time to discuss concerns with your assigned coach outside of practice time (not on deck or in parking lot)
· If an issue cannot be resolved with the Head Coach, contact the Parent Club Board President
Arrival & Attendance
Arrive on time to practice and meets
· Arrive 10-15 minutes early to practice to get situated--prepare stretching area and special equipment needed (e.g. yoga mats, fins, buoys, paddles) as per coach’s instructions. Practice will begin at the specified time.
· Arrive dressed in appropriate athletic swimsuit with cap, goggles and nose clips available promptly. Do not wear SSST team suit to practice. This swimsuit is reserved for competition and special events.
Attend all practices/competitions
· Sac Synchro seeks to be competitive on a regional and national level; therefore, all swimmers are expected to attend 100% of practices and competitions.
· For two (2) weeks prior to competition, swimmers are required to attend every practice. Please do not schedule vacations during this time.
· Swimmers (not parents) are expected to notify their respective coach in well in advance if they are going to be late to practice or are going to miss a practice. This is a common courtesy which should always be extended to your teammates and coaches.
· Should a swimmer need to miss a practice the swimmer is required to contact her respective coach. Only in extreme cases of illness will contact by a parent to excuse a swimmer from practice be acceptable.