Parklawn Piranhas Swim Team Handbook

Introduction

Welcome to another exciting season with the Parklawn Piranhas! Parklawn is a member of the Northern Virginia Swimming League (NVSL), founded in 1956, to foster “A love for the sport, advanced aquatic skills, teamwork, and the principals of good sportsmanship.” The Parklawn Swim Team has a long history of community spirit, great sportsmanship, and an appreciation for the sport of swimming.

Our coaching staff will focus on enhancing the team by refining stroke mechanics, developing proper starts and turns, and improving sprint technique for all swimmers. This will be done by promoting teamwork, good sportsmanship, and self-discipline. And we’ll focus on having some healthy fun in the process! While placement of swimmers should be apparent, it should be noted that the coaching staff will make the final decision. Below we outline the two teams that comprise the Parklawn Swim Team:

• Competitive and Developmental Team
• 5 - 18 year-olds who can swim the length of the unassisted in a legal and competitive stroke, and/or show potential to do so within a few practices.
• Group Lessons
• 4 - 10 year-old beginner and pre-beginner swimmers.

This handbook is intended to inform parents about our teamrequirements and general operating policies. Please review its contentas swimmers, and their families, will be held to the standards outlined here.

Team Representatives

Coaching Staff

Swim Meets

There are two types of meets held throughout the summer season. They are called “A” meets and “B” meets. Each is detailed below.

“A” Meets (League Meets)

The NVSL season consists of five Saturday morning meets, one against each of the five teams in our division. Each meet consists of 40 individual events and 12 relay events.

Basic Rules for “A” Meets

• Competition starts at 9:00 AM.
• For Home Meets: Be at the pool by 7:45 AM
• For Away Meets: Be at the host pool no later than 8:05 AM
• Swimmers are expected to stay the entire meet, unless they have prior approval from a coach.

Events

• The team is limited to three swimmers per event.
• No swimmer may swim more than two individual events in one meet.
• A swimmer can swim in only one age-specific relay.
• Four boys and four girls may also swim in the mixed age relay, which consists of one swimmer from each age group (9-10, 11-12, 13-14, and 15-18). The mixed age relay is 200 meters, with each individual swimming 50 meters, not 25.

Scoring

• Points are awarded to the top three finishers in each individual event:
• 5 points for first place,
• 3 points for second place, and
• 1 point for third place.
• Relays are scored 5 points to the winning team, 0 points to the losing team.
• The point totals for the teams determine the meet winner.

Swimmers are assigned events by the coaching staff based on times swum in time trials, practice, and prior meets. Swimmers scheduled for “A” meets can change from week to week, due to improved times, absences and/or other factors. The coaching staff will develop a meet strategy each week that maximizes the team’s chances of winning. This will determine the events swimmers will swim and they will be notified by Thursday if they are scheduled to swim on Saturday morning.

On occasion there are unfilled spots, especially in some of the older age groups, and a younger swimmer may be asked to “swim- up”, that is, swim in an older age group. This gives swimmers the chance to better their times, try different events, and it provides them with an opportunity to swim in the meet.

Relay Carnival

Each NVSL Division will hold a Relay Carnival. The Relay Carnival involves the six teams in each division competing in 22 relay events.

• Freestyle relays will normally consist of the four fastest freestyle swimmers in each age group.
• Medley relays will consist of the four swimmers who produce the fastest composite time of the 4 events.
• Swimmers are chosen for relays based on individual times, composite time, attitude, and a swimmer's availability.
• The Divisional relay times from all 17 NVSL divisions are collected and the top18 relay teams in each event swimat the Relay All Stars meet mid-July.

Divisionals

Each division within the NVSL holds a Divisional meet consisting of all “A” meet individual events and the Individual Medley event in each age group. Each team in our division sends two swimmers in each event, for a total of 12 swimmers (2 heats) in every event.

• Times are selected from “A” Meet times from the current year.
• A swimmer can swim in two events.
• This is not scored as a team event since swimmers are competing as individuals.
• The top 18 swimmers in each event across the NVSL from all Divisional meets go on to swim in the Individual All-Star meet on the first Saturday in August.

“B” Meets (Developmental Meets)

Developmental, or “B” meets are held on Monday nights. “B” meets are not NVSL meets - they are designed to give developing swimmers a chance to compete in a meet and improve their skills. For more information about “B” Meets, please see the “B” Meet Rules and Procedures on our website.

General Meet Reminders

• If you know you cannot make an “A” Meet, please let Coach Gypsy know no later than Tuesday Evening. Entries are submitted on Wednesday and cannot be changed.
• Arrive on time. If your child is late, he/she may be scratched from events. Also, this allows your child to warm up.
• Swimmer(s) should wear their Parklawn apparel (team suit and cap - caps with logos for other teams are not permitted.)
• Bring sunscreen, a towel, a t-shirt (or sweatshirt), and a water bottle. Hydration is important!
• Swimmers must remain in the team area for the entire meet. Coach’s permission is needed to leave team area.
• Drink plenty of liquids – keep snacks light until swimmer is done swimming for the day.
• Sportsmanship is evaluated by each team that we swim throughout the seasonwith a vote at the end of the season by each team. Cheer loudly and fairly, and be respectful of the opposing team. Shake hands following each race, be a gracious host for home meets, and a pleasant guest at away meets.

Social Events

Parklawn has a long tradition of making the summer swim season a memorable one for participants.Many events are offered for team building.

Thursday Afternoon Outings

Trampoline Park, Laser tag, movies, ice-skating, and other outings are held on Thursday afternoons starting June 26th. Parents pay for these events.

Friday Night Pep Rallies and Pot Lucks

After a week of tough practices, we come together to hangout as a team to get PUMPED for our upcoming meet. Every Friday evening, beginning the Friday before the first “A” Meet the SwimTeam sponsors a Potluck Dinner and Pep Rally. Themes are set (see our Calendar) allowing families to plan around the theme, if theydesire. Get ready for some exciting Pep Rallies and a whole lot of FUN! This is a great way to conveniently feed your family as well as meet new people. All swimmers, parents and siblings are invited to attend.

Breakfast After Monday AM Practice & Ice Cream Treats After Tuesday PM Practice

Celebration breakfast is held after Monday morning practices and ice cream treats after Tuesday evening practices. These social events will begin after our first “A” and “B” Meets on Tuesday, June 24th.

Big Piranha Progressive Dinner

Our 13 – 18-year olds get a night only for them. We’ll start off with a progressive dinner around the neighborhood and end up back at the pool for a private pool party. This year’s dinner will be held on Saturday, July 12th.

Swim Team Awards Banquet:

The swim season comes to a close with an end-of-season banquet held at the pool. The coaching staff will award trophies and say a few words about the season. In addition, there may be senior speeches, and/or a slide show put together by the graduating swimmers. This is often a highlight for many as swimmers graduating from the team as they are given the opportunity to recount memories, pass on advice, and thank their parents and teammates. This years Awards Banquet will be held on Saturday, July 26th.

Calendar

Team Guidelines

It is important that all Parklawn swimmers, coaches, and families adhere to our team guidelines.

1. Safety - act withsafetyin mind;
2. Respect - give and accept respect; and
3. Pride - spread Parklawn pride.

Our team guidelines keep us safe, create a respectful community, and promote pride in being a Parklawn swimmer.When in doubt, remember SRP! When a Parklawn swimmer, coach, or family does not follow our SRP guidelines, an appropriate reminder and consequence will be given immediately.

Our Practice Routine

A practice routine is a MUST for success! Coach Gypsy will discuss the practice routine with each age group the first weeks of practice. Here are a few tips for all team members:

• Come to practice prepared to work out: Suits, caps, goggles, and WATER BOTTLES - we cannot emphasize this enough. The environmental conditions for swimming - the warm pool water, warm air temperature, and high humidity - lead to dehydration.
• Be early to practice so you will be prepared to start on time:We do not have a lot of time together and we need to make every minute of our time count.
• Always walk while on the pool deck.
• Respect your coaches, teammates, and yourself.
• Use practice time to practice!

Our Meet Routine

A meet routine is another MUST for success! We will practice our routine at daily practices and time trials as well. Here are a few important pieces of our meet routine:

• Uphold great sportsmanshipfor the entire meet.
• Arrive before the assigned time.
• Always stretch and warm-up with the team.
• Cheer with and for the team, loudly.
• Set the example for the opposing team.
• SWIM FAST and HAVE FUN!
  

Practices

After School Practices

Monday – Friday, beginning May 29th- June 25th

Swimmers should attend as many afterschool practices as they can. A missed practice is a missed opportunity to improve.

• Ages: 10 & Under5:15 - 6:15 PM.
• Ages: 11 - 126:15 - 7:15 PM.
• Ages: 13 & Up6:15 - 7:30 PM.

Summer Practices - AM and PM

June 26th – July 25th

Starting with our AM and PM practices, we will transition into our Age Group Model practices.

• Ages 8 & Under: Legal stroke mechanics and technique
• Ages 10 - 12: Legal stroke mechanics and technique, an introduction to interval/speed training, and dry-land
• Ages 13 & Up: Stroke mechanics and technique, interval training, speed work, dry-land

Swimmers should regularly attend either AM or PM practices, or an approved mixture of both. Swimmers who want to be eligible for “A” Meets MUST attend a minimum of two practices per week. Exceptions can be made for vacations and prior notice.

Note: Practices may be adjusted if days are missed due torain. In case a swim meet or practice must be cancelled due to inclement weather you should receive an email and it will be posted on the Parklawn Facebook group. Otherwise, you should assume that practice and/ or the swim meet will continue as schedule.

Volunteers

Summer swimming is a family affair. Without the help and support of parents, itwould be impossible to run the meets. It takes approximately 30 parents to run ameet and many, many others to help through the season. We need to spread thewealth of volunteer opportunities so everyone can find a place to contribute alittle of their time to making the team the best they can be.For more information check our website and/or contact our current Officials Chairperson.

Officials

Positions include Referee, Starter, Stroke and Turn, Relay-TakeoffJudge, and Clerk of Course. These positions require attendance at aninstructional clinic held by the NVSL at a local pool or at NVSL U. It is a greatway to understand the rules and procedures behind a meet. Officials are trained to be impartial and during meets they are representatives of the NVSL, not Parklawn.

Referee

The Referee is in charge of the meet. All swimmers, team reps,parents, and coaches must abide by the rules set by the NVSL, which areenforced by the meet referee. They keep the meet flowing by provide signalsfor swimmers, and they provide a safe and efficient environment for the swim meet.They discuss, accept or reject alldisqualifications at a meet. They also have the final word on the disqualification andmust officially sign off on the meet results.

Starter

The Starter works closely with the Referee and provides a consistentsignal for the swimmers to know when to begin their race. The Starter isresponsible, along with the Referee, for ensuring fair and equitable starts.

Stroke and Turn Officials

Responsible for watching three lanes ofswimmers at a time, they are ensuring the swimmers are executing thestrokes, turns and touches at the wall appropriately. They must explain disqualifications to themeet Referee in sufficient detail to allow the Referee to agree or disagreewith the call. Remember, they are not “picking on your child” but ensuringthat all swimmers abide by the same rules. Those that are disqualified forimproper technique then work with the coaches to correct the mistake.

Relay Take-Off Judges

They are the eyes that make sure the second, third, andfourth swimmers take off only after the prior swimmer touched the wall.They are trained to watch the feet of the starting swimmer and then lookat the hands of the incoming swimmer. This position is again focused onensuring all swimmers get fair and equitable treatment for the races. Todisqualify a swimmer for starting too fast, two relay take off judges (onefrom each team) must see the same thing. The judges do not talk aboutwhat they saw, but hand in their official observations to the referee.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Swimmers’ FAQ’s