Code of Conduct

HUMBOLDT SWIM CLUB CODE OF CONDUCT:

 

Humboldt Swim Club is a community of swimmers, coaches and parents. Our goal is to foster a cooperative atmosphere, working together to make this the best team it can be. Please remember that it is a privilege, not a right, to be a member of Humboldt Swim Club. It is Humboldt Swim Club’s policy that the following behaviors are unacceptable:

 

1. Disrespect to coaches and teammates.

2. Disruption of team activity, willfully disobeying coaches, officials or authority.

3. Disregard for basic safety for self or others.

4. Verbal harassment or use of profanity.

5. Causing, attempting to cause, or threatening to cause physical injury to another person.

6. Purposefully damaging or stealing team property, Humboldt State University property, Arcata Community Pool property, or that of other swimmers.

7. Possession or use of drugs, alcohol, tobacco or weapons.

 

HUMBOLDT SWIM CLUB DISCIPLINE POLICY:

 

Discipline will be handled by the coaches and the board of directors, in accordance with the Humboldt Swim Club Discipline Policy. Consequences will include, but are not limited to:

 

1. Warning of inappropriate behavior.

2. Time-out on the bleachers (swimmer is not to leave the pool area).

3. Removal from the pool for the remainder of practice - Parent/Guardian Notification.

4. Probationary period or suspension followed by probationary period.

* 5. Dismissal from the team.

* An appeal may be made to the Board of Directors; however, the decision of the board will be final. Note: Parents are responsible for their swimmers during swim meets and while camping or traveling. Coaches are paid to coach and are not responsible for monitoring swimmers at meets. Parents are expected to treat coaches and officials with respect and to abide by the team code of conduct.

 

 

  “TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR SWIMMING PARENTS,” by Rose Snyder

 

1. Remember that swimming is your child’s activity. Improvement and progress occur at different rates for each individual. Don’t judge your child’s progress against the performance of other athletes and don’t push them based on what you think they should be doing. The nice thing about swimming is every person can strive to do their personal best.

2. Thou shalt be supportive no matter what. There is only one question to ask your child “Did you have fun?” If meets and practices are not fun, your child should not be forced to participate

3. Thou shalt not coach your child. You have taken your child to a professional coach, do not undermine that coach by trying to coach your child on the side. Your job is to support, love and hug your child no matter what. The coach is responsible for the technical part of the job. You should not offer advice on technique or race strategy. That is not your area. This will only serve to confuse your child and prevent the swimmer/coach bond from forming.

4. Thou shalt only have positive things to say at a swim meet. If you are going to show up at a swim meet, you should cheer and applaud, but never criticize your child or the coach.

5. Thou shalt acknowledge thy child’s fears. A first swimming meet, a 500 Free or 200IM can be a stressful situation. It is totally appropriate for your child to be scared. Don’t yell or belittle, just assure your child that the coach would not have suggested the event if he/she were not ready to compete in it.

6. Thou shalt not criticize the officials. If you do not have the time or the desire to volunteer as an official, do not criticize those who are doing the best they can.

7. Honor thy child’s coach. The bond between coach and swimmer is a special one, and one that contributes to your child’s success as well as fun. Do not criticize the coach in the presence of your child, it will only serve to hurt your child’s swimming.

8. Thou shalt not jump from team to team. The water isn’t necessarily bluer at the other team’s pool. Every team has its own internal problems, even teams that build champions. Children who switch from team to team are often ostracized for a long, long time by the teammates they leave behind. Oftentimes swimmers who do switch teams never do better than they did before they sought the bluer water.

9. Thy child shall have goals besides winning. Giving an honest effort regardless of what the outcome is, is much more important than winning. One Olympian said,”My goal was to set a world record. Well, I did that, but someone else did it too, just a little faster than I did. I achieved my goal and I lost. This does not make me a failure, in fact I am very proud of that swim.”

10. Thou shalt not expect thy child to become an Olympian. There are 225,000 athletes in USA Swimming. There are only 52 spots on the Olympic Team every four years. Your child’s odds of becoming an Olympian are 1 out of 4,300. Swimming is much more than just the Olympics. Ask your coach why he coaches. Chances are, he was not an Olympian, but still got enough out of swimming that he wants to pass that love for the sport on to others. Swimming teaches self-discipline and sportsmanship; it builds self-esteem and fitness; it provides lifelong friendships and much more. Most Olympians will tell you that these intangibles far outweigh any medal they may have won. Swimming builds good people and you should be happy your child wants to participate