Walter A. Williams Swimming Handbook

Walter A. Williams Swimming Handbook

2012-2013

Coach Janna Kepler

(785) 550-0793

Athletic Director Kyle Hayes

Principal Joe Ferrell

Team Practices:

1.  Team pool practice will begin Nov. 1, 2012 at 7:00 pm at the Burlington Aquatic Center. Practice will last until 8:00 pm. Swimmers should arrive at practice by 6:50 to stretch. So, if you need to dress out you should arrive by at least 6:45. Swimmers should have their rides ready for them by 8:15 pm. If a swimmer does not have a ride, the swimmer should tell the coach prior the start of practice so a ride can be found for the swimmer.

2.  Pool practices will be 7-8 Mon, Tues, Wed, and Thurs unless there is a holiday or there is a scheduled meet.

3.  Lanes will not be divided up evenly. Beginning swimmers will have more swimmers per lane. Advanced swimmers will have fewer. The coach will ultimately assign lanes to swimmers. Lanes will be co-ed. Swimmers will swim in a circular pattern—always on the right side of the lane. If a swimmer is found to be swimming outside of this pattern, the coach will determine the appropriate action up to removal from the pool.

4.  During practice, swimmers should not stop and rest in the middle of the lane. If swimmers need to rest, they should stop at the end of the lane and promptly move to the edge so that swimmers do not need to stop and go around them. The lanes will be crowded.

5.  Faster and stronger swimmers will be placed in the lane order before developing swimmers. Swimmers should not argue about the order. The coach will reexamine the order if necessary. If a swimmer is touching the feet of a swimmer in front of them, they may switch order in the lane, but the coach has the ultimate decision. If a swimmer has their feet touched 3 times within a given set, they should offer to let the person behind them go in front of them or tell them to please wait 5 sec. This should not be offensive to either swimmer.

6.  All swimmers should wait at least 5 seconds after a swimmer pushes off to push off themselves unless the coach signals otherwise.

7.  Swimmers should bring a water bottle to practice and have it accessible while in their assigned lanes. If swimmers switch lanes during practice, swimmers should take their gear to the new lane. All swimmers should have all gear ready to go before the start of practice.

8.  Only swimmers who qualify for regionals will practice after the conference meet.

9.  Only swimmers who qualify for state will practice after the regional meet.

Team Rules:

1.  All swimmers should attend all practices. In order to participate in a meet, a swimmer must attend the entire prior week’s practices. That is, if the meet is on a Friday, the swimmer must have attended all practices Mon, Tues, Wed, and Thur.

2.  All swimmers should wear a competitive suit, goggles, and a cap for practice. Female swimmers should have a one-piece suit for practice. Male swimmers should wear either jammers or a brief. Male swimmers should not wear recreational swim shorts for practice and female swimmers should not wear a two-piece suit.

3.  All swimmers are highly encouraged to have fins and paddles.

4.  If a swimmer is ejected from a meet due to unsportsmanlike conduct, a written apology will be written to the team, coach, and principal.

5.  No swimmers will dive head-first into the pool at meets unless it is their event time and it is the start of the heat.

Lettering

1.  Swimmers who qualify for regionals will letter. Swimmers need to be in good standing with the team throughout the entire season to letter. That is, they need to attend practice, be a student first and pass all of their classes, and attend all regularly scheduled meets.

Team Participation:

1.  Swimmers must be able to swim 100 yards freestyle without resting/stopping by the end of the the first week of practice in order to make the team.

2.  All swimmers’ parents need to volunteer for meets. We have two “home” meets this season. The team needs to have 13 timers on deck, at least 1 meet manager, and 3 officials for a meet in order for times to be considered for regional qualifying times.

3.  All swimmers should help in lap counting for teammates in the 500.

4.  All swimmers are responsible for their own meet gear. If a swimmer realizes they are missing an item, they should inform the coach as soon as possible—especially if on a relay team.

5.  Swimmers will not always swim preferred events. Please remember there are limited entries allowed.

6.  Only school related events, illnesses, or legitimate parent-documented absences (those in which the parent notified the coach ahead of time) are excused. Parents should give the coach written documentation via an email or a note.

Captains:

1.  Captains will take practice attendance and lead the team in stretching and cheers at meets. If desired, the captain may specify a willing replacement for team cheers.

2.  Team captain(s) will be picked by the coach at the end of the first week of practice.

Meets:

1.  Swimmers will swim in the order specified by the coach in all relays.

2.  Swimmers will swim the events that the coach has determined.

3.  For all away meets, all swimmers should be on the bus ready to depart 5 min before scheduled departure time.

4.  Swimmers should bring sweats to the meets.

Gear:

1.  Swimmers should purchase a team suit: Females: $57, Males: $37, and team cap. If we cannot get 12 guys to order the suit, guys may purchase the jammer for $48 individually or purchase a solid black jammer. Swimmers are encouraged to buy a team sweatshirt. If a swimmer cannot afford a team suit, the swimmer should notify the coach in writing. If this is the case, a plain black suit may be worn. Team suits should only be used for meets.

2.  In order to have team suits for meets, checks are due to Coach Kepler by Tues. November 6, 2012. If you cannot make this date, please inform coach as soon as possible and arrangements can be made. Suits will not be handed out until checks are turned in. If you cannot purchase with the team, individual suit prices are $76 and $48 respectively for the same suit.

3.  The team suit 2012-13 is the Fractal Point Speedo in a Flyback (Black and Gold). It can be found on www.speedo.com or http://www.speedousa.com/product/index.jsp?productId=13230041&view=all&cp=3124324.11902988.3131432

4.  Recommended gear—can be found online at Amazon.com or at Omega Sports:

a.  Speedo Optimus Swim Training Fins

1. Tyr Catalyst Paddles

Rules are subject to change.