SAN LEANDRO SWIM TEAM POLICIES
Joining the Team
The most important requirement for joining the San Leandro Swim Team is the desire to become part of a unique, fun, and incredible team. When you join the team, there is a commitment of each family to work within the team guidelines, so that each young swimmer is allowed to grow, improve, and achieve their goals.
We encourage anyone interested in joining the team to try out. The only swimming requirement of any swimmer is that they are capable of swimming a basic freestyle across the length of the pool. As a policy, all potential members are subject to a proficiency test, with coach approval, before completing registration.
Parent/Guardian Involvement
San Leandro Swim team depends on our coaches, swimmers, and parents working together for a successful summer. Parent/guardian involvement is a critical component of meets and social activities. Do not register your child(ren) for the swim team if you do not agree to fully (and enthusiastically!) complete your required obligations. We thank everyone for their collective contribution of time and energy to the team—it truly could not exist without it. Learn about the essential jobs all parents/guardians can sign up for the season.
Parent/Guardian Behavior
We, as a team, highly encourage the following parental behavior:
- Open communication between parents/guardians, swimmers and coaches emphasizing goal-setting and focusing on the performance expectations of both the swimmer and the parents
- Meeting with the coaches/swimmers/parents at a mutually agreed upon time, and with discretion appropriate to the situation, to discuss issues
- Positive reinforcement of all swimmers in all situations, affirming team spirit and team loyalty
- Parental involvement as volunteers in organizing and running swim meets and social events
We, as a team, will not tolerate the following parental behavior:
- Coaching your children at practice or during competitions: that is the coaches’ job
- Interrupting or confronting the coaching staff during practice or competitions
- Abusive language towards coaches, swimmers, parents, officials and your own children
- Any behavior that discredits or disrupts our swimmers and our team
For advice on how to be a supportive swim parent, read this article by Michael Brooks, Head Swim Coach for North Baltimore Aquatic Club from 2002.
Swim Practice Policy
Swimmers are expected to attend at least 3 to 4 swim lessons a week, depending on the which phase of practices we are in (see practices for details). Swimmers should have a protein-rich snack 20-30 minutes ahead of practice, and arrive in practice gear (swimsuit, swim cap, and goggles) with a filled water bottle 5-10 minutes before their practice start time.
Parents/Guardians - We know you may have questions or would like to speak to the coach about your swimmer. It is imperative that coaches are not approached on the pool deck during practice. Coaches may be contacted via email to determine a time to talk.
Code of Conduct
All swimmers, parents/guardians, and coaches are expected to follow EBSL's code of conduct. Please read it thoroughly.
