WELCOME to the Clinton OTTERS Swim Team
This page includes key information that is important and required for the Clinton Otters Team.
WELCOME!!
Dear Swimmers and Parents,
Welcome to the Clinton Otters Swim Team! We are excited to have you on our team. We have worked hard to devise a program that will be a fun and rewarding experience for all swimmers and their parents.
All participants, regardless of your experience, are invited to participate in the FUN on our team! As a team member, your swimmer can strive to improve their technique in all four competitive strokes, make new friends, and learn the unity of team experience with the reward of great physical activity.
Communication between coaches, swimmers, and parents is extremely important. If there are ever any questions or concerns, please feel free to ask and we will do our best to address any issues that arise. We have developed this handbook to help you better understand our goals, commitments and objectives.
Again, the OTTERS team is excited that you are swimming and cannot wait to get started with what we anticipate to be a great experience for you and your family! If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to ask the coaches or parent board. We are here to make your experience as wonderful as possible!
Sincerely,
Parent BOD, Coaches, and Aquatics Director
Team Information
Swim Team Program Goals
1. To build a sense of pride in knowing they have done their best, no matter what the outcome.
2. To build a strong sense of responsibility and character through self-discipline and hard work.
3. To develop team spirit and unity.
4. To become better athletes.
5. To make new friends.
6. TO HAVE FUN!
YMCA Membership
Because the swim team is part of the Clinton YMCA swimming league, each swim team member must also be a member of the YMCA. Arrangements for becoming a YMCA member should be made at the membership service desk.
YMCA Facility Entry Requirements
All swimmers under the age of 6 must be accompanied to practice by a parent or an appointed adult (16+). This person must stay in the facility with their swimmer during practice.
Program Fees
- Stroke School - $55/month or $390 total
- Purple - $60/month or $420 total
- Black - $65/month or $450 total
- Gold - $68/month or $480 total
- Required YMCA Membership
- Youth - $20/month
- Family - $65/month
- 10% Additional Sibling Discount
- Scholarship / Financial Assistance available if applicable
Financial Assistance
The Clinton Community YMCA is a nonprofit organization committed to helping people grow to their fullest God-given potential. The Open Doors Financial Aid Program is funded through the generosity of donors and receives no public funding, therefore to the extent funds are available, they are allocated. Open Doors is based on a sliding fee scale designed to fit each individual's situation. To find out more information you can pick-up an application at the front desk.
Cancellations
If your swimmer can no longer participate on the swim team, parents of the swimmer need to contact the head coach, aquatics director, and president of the BOD to make sure the appropriate changes need to be made. No refunds will be issued and if you have a monthly payment plan, payments will still need to be made until the balance is paid in full.
Team Apparel
A complementary team t-shirt will be provided to each swimmer. Parents will have the opportunity to purchase additional t-shirts for the swimmer, parents, and siblings. Our invitational Reindeer Classic will have t-shirts for purchase during the meet date. State shirts will also be available during the State Meet date.
Team Suits & Jammers
Team suits are mandatory to be worn during all meets. Both old and new styles are accepted for the swim season. We will have a suit try on after a parent meeting. Some ways to save is to look for used suits on the Clinton Otter’s Facebook group or combine orders with other swimmers when ordering through the website www.allamericanswim.com (Click on team login)
Username—clintonymca
Password -– swimteam
We also have team suits avaiable at this site as well: https://www.swimoutlet.com/collections/clintoncommunityymcaotters
All team suits will need to be ordered through these websites. They will be shipped directly to your house.
Your swimmer can wear a tek suit if approved by the coaches. Tek suits should only be worn by swimmers 12 & up.
Practice Suits and Backups
Swimmers should have a designated practice suit that should only be worn at practice. This will help keep your team suit in better condition. Good companies to look for are TYR and Speedo and Dolfin. Suits should have sufficient coverage on the top and the bottom. This goes for both males and females.
Goggles
A good pair of SWIM GOGGLES (or TWO) with your child’s name on them is essential and required for practice! They allow your child to open his/her eyes and not to swim blindly in the dark! For your younger children, they take a little getting used to, but please persevere; it will be well worth it. Good brands of sport goggles are TYR, Speedo.
Swim Caps
Team silicone cap will be available for purchase ($14) on team sign-up form. Team caps are mandatory to wear at every swim meet. To extend the life of your team swim cap you should not keep them in your car where they can be exposed to extreme heat or cold. Silicone is a great style and long-hair styles are available for those having trouble keeping their caps on.
Competition and Meets
In YMCA competition, dual meets and three way meets are offered during the State League season. Each meet will last approximately four to five hours and all meets are swum against other area YMCA teams part of the Illini District. Depending on the swim meet and the events offered swimmers may swim multiple individual events and relays. For YMCA competition, age is determined by their birth date. Once they age up, they will swim in the appropriate age group and District and State Events.
Age groups are 8 & Under, 10 & U, 12 & U, 14 & U, and 21 & U. The meet schedule for the State League Season (SLS) starts in the fall (September) and concludes in mid-March with the State Meet. The team will compete in regular season meets plus Jr. Districts, Illini Districts, and State Meet. Because of our BIG fundraiser the Baked Potato Stand at the Apple n Pork most of the time is no fee the parents are required to pay for their child to attend a swim meet. We do attend a few bigger Invitationals where parents may be asked to pay a flat fee per child to swim at that meet. This will be communicated to the parents with a deadline if a swimmers fee is necessary.
Meet Entry
All Meet entries will be handled via Team Unify. You will receive an email inviting you to attend the meet. You will click on the link provided in the email and sign your child up for available events which will be accepted by your child’s coach. Coaches will then decide what events and relays your swimmer will participate in. No hand written or spoken entries will be allowed. This is a hard rule. All communication needs to be VIA email ONLY.
No Shows
It is very important that you show up at the swim meets you have committed your swimmer to. We understand that things might come up, so make sure you inform the head coach ASAP if your swimmer can no longer attend a meet you are already committed to. If you change your status from committed to non-committed on Team Unify, you still need to let the head coach know since they do not get these notifications. This will save in lost entry fee money, relay teams, and up-to-date heat sheets. If your swimmer is sick or an emergency happens on swim meet day, still contact the coaches ASAP so:
- We know you and your swimmer are ok.
- Coaches can make changes at the beginning of the meet so the whole meet is up-dated on changes.
No Shows are not tolerated by the team. First time is a mistake, second time's a warning, third time you will be charged entry fees for your swimmer at each event for the rest of the season.
The Race
Stroke and Turn Judges (Officials) watch each race. Swimmers with improper form are disqualified and will be told why by their coaches. It is not the officials fault the child was disqualified. The swimmer is responsible for their form, the official only makes them aware of the improper stroke they performed in the race. Swimmers should not be discouraged by a disqualification (DQ). Most team members have had the same experience. Pay attention to the judge’s remarks, talk to your coaches, and work hard on stroke perfection in practice.
Although Timers may tell swimmers how fast they have swam a race, no time is official until results are posted. This posting may list only the first six winners by name. Other swimmers may have to derive their times from an electronic tape printout, listing times by event, heat, and lane, so it is useful to jot down this information for each race swum. In most events, there is more than one heat. In most meets, the first heat in each event is composed of swimmers with slower times. Fast swimmers are seeded in later heats. It is, therefore, possible to win a heat and still not place in the top six or eight ribbon winners in the entire event.
Remember you are representing the YMCA. Your behavior reflects on both facilities’ image. Be positive and courteous at all meets.
Inter-squad Meet
We start each season with an Inter- squad Meet. This will be only Otter Swimmers held at home. This would be a great way to get new swimmers used to the environment of a swim meet. This is also a great time for parents to see how a meet is run and volunteer positions like; meet set-up/break-down, timers, how to read heat-sheets and get them to the bullpen, and making sure your swimmer has everything they need for a swim meet.
We also like to coordinate Team Pictures on this day beforehand to get 2 things done at once.
Reindeer Invitational
Each year we hold an invitational meet called the Reindeer Classic. This is our biggest swim meets of the year and we have a really fun time. This will be a BIG volunteer time for parents to get things prepared ahead of time and then we need a lot of volunteers to make the meet be a success. This is also a great time to invite local family members to come see your swimmer compete!
Home Meet
A regular home meet will be run like any other meet. It’s not as big as the Reindeer Classic, but that still means we need plenty of volunteers for home meets. They will provide swimmers with official times and still generate money for the team.
Attendance at Meets - Pointers for Swimmers:
∙ Be prompt, arrive early enough to get your numbers, your coach will tell you when to arrive.
∙ Review the program. Check to make sure you are properly entered in your events. If there is a problem, go directly to your Head Coach.
∙ Report to the YMCA’s swimmers’ area.
∙ Check with the coach when it is time for relays.
∙ As the meet starts, be aware of your event numbers. It is the responsibility of the swimmer to make her/his events.
∙ Check-in with your coach before and after swimming each event.
∙ If problems arise concerning disqualification, awards, etc., please see your coach.
∙ After the meet is over be sure you have all your possessions and help CLEAN-UP THE TEAM AREA.
Expectations for our Team Parents
1. Please get your child to practice on time. Parents are invited to watch practice from the viewing area ONLY they will NOT be allowed on the pool deck.
2. Get your child to swim meets on time.
3. Make sure your child is signed up for meets by the due date on the meet schedule.
4. Address any concerns to a Coach, Parent BOD, or Aquatics Director in a timely manner. Questions for coaches are to be asked after practice. No parents on deck during practice.
5. Support the team and all of its members.
6. Get involved! We rely on our volunteers to successfully host meets. Volunteer your time to help the team in useful ways (a list of jobs will be delegated each season and parents are required to volunteer). If your child is swimming in a meet, one family member will be required to volunteer for at minimum one shift. If you do not sign up, your family will be assigned a spot.
As nonprofit organizations, we rely on the support of all. During home meets, we need all parents help to make it run smoothly and be successful (once again volunteering time is mandatory for every family):
∙ Set-up and Take-down
∙ Timers and runners
∙ Starter and bullpen
∙ Concessions
Communication
Communication is important for any successful program. Our main line of communication will be the team Facebook group and email. With that our coaches are always available. For further questions about your child's progress or general questions about the team, do not hesitate to talk to the coaching staff (please do not interrupt practice but contact coaches before or after practice).
Any questions for the swim team should be directed to our Head Coach. Please see Contact Sheet for your season of all the coaches and board members.
Practice Group Placement Standards
Team Groups
The Y Swim Team is divided into several training groups, done with the consideration of the swimmers’ development of technical skills, training abilities, maturity, competitive levels, time standards and group availability. The progressive structure of these groups provides a setting in which swimmers are continually challenged yet are able to experience individual and team successes. All group placement decisions are made by the entire coaching staff and done so in the best interest of the swimmers and their long term development.
Practice Schedule
Monday/Wednesday: 4 - 5:15 PM (Purple)
5:45 - 7:15 (Black)
7:15 - 8:30 PM (Gold)
Tuesday/Thursday: 4 - 5 (Stroke School)
5 - 6:15 (Purple)
6 – 7:15 PM (Black)
7:15 – 8:30 PM (Gold)
Swimmer Expectations
1. Follow all rules: pool rules, swim team rules, and building rules. The lifeguards and other facility staff will enforce these.
2. Respect the coaches, your fellow teammates and parents.
3. Be at practice on time. Plan car pools so swimmers arrive at the designated time.
4. Attendance: swimmers are encouraged to attend all their scheduled practices each week. This is one of the best ways to progress in your skill and endurance.
5. Be prepared. Bring your own goggles, caps, towels and a good attitude!
6. Stay at practice and in the water until it is time to go or until you are otherwise dismissed.
7. Swim whatever workout is posted with an enthusiastic attitude.
8. Be courteous when coaches are helping other swimmers – your turn will come.
9. Put forth your best effort during practice and at meets.
10. Each swimmer should congratulate other swimmers and those from other teams. Swimmers should stay in the water until everyone in that heat is finished. Remember that everyone is a winner if they put forth their best effort.
Team Rules
1. The lifeguard on duty has full authority over the pool.
2. Swearing and foul language are not acceptable.
3. Please do not hang on lane lines.
4. Absolutely no stopping in the middle of the pool unless the set calls for it. Again, this interferes with your teammates’ workouts.
5. Swimmers will conduct themselves appropriately in the locker rooms as well as everywhere else in the building. Horseplay will not be tolerated anywhere.
6. No interfering with another swimmer’s workout. We want everyone to excel.
7. Use the restroom before and after practice – not during practice.
8. Show respect for fellow swimmers. Don’t make fun of, or pick on, each other.
9. Pay attention and give your full cooperation when the coaches ask the swimmers to be quiet and listen.
10. Swim the posted workout.
11. If you do not follow team guidelines, the coaches reserve the right to ask you to leave and/or take away meet privileges.
12. If a swimmer is acting inappropriately, the coaches reserve the right to ask you to leave practice for the day.
13. If swimmers would like to socialize, please come early or stay late – during practice is not an appropriate time.
14.Coaches have the right to remove any swimmer or family from the team at any point during the season for behavior that is deemed inappropriate and/or harmful to the team or individuals on the team.
The Parent-Swimmer Relationship
It is not the intention of any YMCA coach to advise a parent, or parents, on how to raise their children. No one understands the parent-child relationship better than a parent. In an athletic environment, human nature often prevents a parent from remaining detached and objective in matters concerning their children. If you have questions or concerns, please get the coaches involved so they can help.
Everyone involved in the type of training program conducted by the Otters must realize that each individual learns at a different rate and responds differently to the various methods of skill development. The slower developer obviously takes more time to learn and requires more patience on the part of the parents and coaches. Each swimmer will reach their goals at a different rate.
Parent-Swimmer Tips
The ultimate swimming goal for a parent should be a swimmer that is self-motivated, self-confident and feels good about themselves and the goals they have achieved.
Swim parents are great when...
∙ You use positive encouragement to fill your child’s Emotional Tank because athletes do their best when their “Emotional Tank” is full. Fewer than 1% of youth sports participants receive college scholarships and the top three reasons kids play sports are: a) to have fun, b) to make new friends, and c) to learn new skills.
∙ You reinforce the ELM Tree of Mastery with your child (E for Effort, L for Learning and M for bouncing back from Mistakes). Winners are people who make maximum effort, continue to learn and improve, and do not let mistakes, or fear of making mistakes, stop them.
∙ You do your best to get the participant to practice and swim meets on time. Understanding that you may be putting him/her at risk by not providing adequate time for warm up. This shows respect for the coach, and it tells my swimmer that he/she is my top priority.
∙ You Honor the Sport of Swimming and understand the importance of setting a good example for your child. No matter what others may do, you show respect for all involved in swimming including coaches, swimmers, spectators and officials.
∙ You realize that coaches and officials are human, and feel terrible when they make a mistake - just like you do!
∙ You say, “What did you learn?” after your swimmer just got DQ’d.
∙ You promote team unity and cheer for athletes who are not your own children. You emphasize the importance of the “team” and cheering for teammates.
∙ You drive carpools that would make a NYC cab driver dizzy.
∙ You help set-up or breakdown for events that you did not sign-up to help with.
∙ You understand that only the four faster swimmers can be on the “A” relay team.
∙ You help new parents “learn the ropes” in a positive way.
∙ You know that there is nothing heavier than a great potential and won’t put your athlete under any additional burden.
∙ You realize that one single swim is not all that important; it’s the process that counts.
∙ You congratulate your son or daughter’s friend for doing a best time because recognition by another adult, besides a parent, is very important.
∙ You realize that every swimmer is a winner as long as they try their best.
∙ You support your child’s swimming by helping support the organization that brings your child the opportunity.
∙ You work a full day at a swim meet, and then want to know where the team party is!
What to Bring to Practice
∙ Practice suit(s).
∙ Swim Cap
∙ At least 1 pair of goggles
- Towel
∙ Water in a plastic bottle with the swimmers name on it.
What to Take to a Meet
∙ Team Swim Suit & Team Cap and Goggles.
∙ Towels. (Best Practice is 1 towel per event swam)
∙ Something to sit on. (Chair or Blanket)
∙ Sweat Suits or Extra Team Shirts
∙ Something for the feet. Keeping warm is very important in between events. Warm socks, deck type shoes or sandals are a good idea.
∙ Parka. The larger the better. NOT REQUIRED
∙ Games: Travel Games, cards, etc.
∙ Food: A small cooler filled with wholesome snacks. (Granola Bars, cereal, Fruit, Fruit Snacks etc.)
∙ Drinks: Water, Gatorade, Juice, etc.
Safe Sport Act
In February 2018, the Federal Government instated the Safe Sport Act. This law states that all staff as well as parent volunteers are considered mandated state reporters. If you suspect child abuse, it must be reported within 24 hours to the proper authorities.
Parent Service Responsibility Policies
The YMCA is an organization dedicated to building strong kids, strong families and strong communities. Youth participating in YMCA programs are more resistant and resilient to the negative social pressures, which they are exposed to every day at school, in your neighborhood, or through the media. By having positive role models, engaging in physical activity, volunteering, learning about YMCA core values, kids on the swim team are more likely to have a higher number of internal and external developmental assets, which ultimately can help them live healthier lives. Because of reasons like these, combined with an integral need for cooperative support at events and functions, the YMCA Clinton Otters have implemented a Parent Service Responsibility Policy.
Team Membership – Parent Service Responsibility
As members of the Swim Team, parents are needed to serve on the team Involvement Committee, coordinate special events, and most importantly, to help with swim meets. However, whichever areas you participate in, you can take great satisfaction in knowing that you are key in making the Swim Team experience something that all swimmers will remember for the rest of their lives, and that they will be healthier in spirit, mind and body because of your support and cooperative help.
Home Swim Meet –
• Parents of all swimmers who have been entered to swim in any given home meet are expected to work at that meet, a sign up will be available the week before the meet for assignment preferences on the team website. Those that do not sign up will be assigned jobs and shifts during the meet. The expected minimum number of shifts (which are usually 2 to 3 hours in length) per‐family per‐meet is one‐shift per‐day of competition.
• Either the Meet Director or the Parent Board of Directors will assign jobs and shifts. However, parents are able to request specific jobs and shifts up‐until the meet entry deadline.
• All meet workers must ensure they check‐in with the Meet Director or Volunteer Coordinator upon arrival for their shift. If a parent is unable to work an assigned shift, any other family member, relative, friend, or even a high school student who needs community service hours, may be substituted (they must be over 12‐years of age). It is the parent’s responsibility to find a substitute should one be needed. Parents must inform the Parent Service Coordinator prior to the first day of the meet, and have their substitute sign-in upon their arrival for the shift.
• Once a meet job and shift schedule is finalized (usually by the Wednesday before each meet), it will be posted on the Team’s Facebook Group, and emailed. At the meet, the schedule will be posted around the pool on brightly colored paper and at the Meet Director’s table.
Away Swim Meet ‐ Parent Service Responsibility
• If a Swim Team parent accompanies a swimmer to an away meet, they may be asked to work at least one timing shift per‐day of competition. Officials working at away meets are exempt from this requirement.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
In an effort to help parents keep their child’s swimming development in the proper perspective, the following list of commonly asked questions with answers is provided.
1. Our child has just joined the team and their times are worse than when they started - what is wrong? When an athlete first joins the team and starts practicing, it is possible for them to swim slower instead of faster. It takes a great deal of the swimmer’s attention to master these skills. These new techniques and habits are the basis for later improvement.
2. My swimmer’s times have not improved for a long time - why? Plateaus occur at one time or another in every swimmer’s career. Plateaus can happen in competition and in training. A plateau signifies that the swimmer has mastered lower-order skills. It is important to explain to the athlete that plateaus occur in all fields of physical learning. The more successful athletes are those who work through these momentary delays in improvement and go on to achieve greater performance and approach their personal potential.
3. My child’s times vary a lot from meet to meet - why? Age-Groupers, particularly 10 & under, are the most inconsistent swimmers. This can be frustrating for parents, coaches, and the swimmer alike. We must be patient and permit these children to learn to love the sport first and then work on their consistency.
4. My child is not competitive enough to win races - what can we do? Slow development of competitive drive at an early age is normal and perhaps more desirable than precocious or forced early development. It is important that everyone learns to compete and develop some competitive spirit. It is also important for children to learn to adapt to a reasonable amount of emotional stress. The small disappointments they learn to handle as children prepare them for the larger ones they are certain to experience as adults
5. My child is losing his/her enthusiasm for swimming - what can I do? A parent’s attitude and actions often shape their children’s attitude and actions. Be enthusiastic about taking your child to practice and meets, fundraising projects and other team functions. Do not look at these events as annoying chores. Do not force your child to swim. Be sure that your child swims because they want to. Everyone tends to resist anything they feel they have to do. Self-motivation is the stimulus of all successful swimmers.
6. I don’t agree with the coaches - what should I do? If you have any questions about your child’s training, contact your swimmer’s coach (but not during practice). Criticizing the coach in front of a young swimmer, or other parent, undermines the coach’s authority with the swimmers, and reduces the coach’s ability to motivate and properly train the swimmers. If you do not have confidence in the coaches or disagree with philosophy do yourself and us a favor and find a program that you are compatible with and confident in.
7. My child should be able to beat that other swimmer - why doesn’t he/she? Avoid comparing your child to their nearest competitors. This merely creates dissension within the team and swimming community. Close competition provides two great services for the athlete - it brings out the best in them and shows where improvement is needed.
Other Information
Communication
Website/ Email
There is a website for the Otters swim team. Most of our communication will be done through the website including emails and meet registrations. Your email address will only be added to our mailing lists when all swimmer paperwork has been returned.
Our team email is [email protected]
Our team web address is: https://www.gomotionapp.com/team/ymca-1731/page/home
Our Facebook Group is: Clinton Otters Swim Team
See Attatched Contact Sheet for this season’s coaches and board of directiors.
Record Keeping and Awards
Record keeping
We need some personal information from each swimmer for the team database. This information will only be shared with the program manager and head coach. We may share certain information with the rest of the coaching staff if we feel it is important for them to be aware of. This information will NEVER be posted on the website or given out without consent. This may include swimmers name, birth date, address, phone numbers, parent’s names and phone numbers, school and e-mail address.
Awards
Awards are kept for a swimmer in the files for 1 year. After that time, any unclaimed awards will be repurposed for the next year. We do our best to contact you and remind families of awards that are still waiting to go home! We will do our best in contacting other meets who have not yet sent their awards if not sent home with us that day. As a Team we pride ourselves in volunteer and hard work to get every team their awards before they leave the Clinton YMCA. We file the awards in each swimmers folder located in the viewing room area.
Swim Team Code of Conduct
Caring
• Cheering for everyone.
• Having a positive attitude toward your teammates and coaches.
• Encouraging and supporting your teammates and coaches.
• Including everybody.
• Helping your teammates succeed.
Honesty
• Tell the truth.
• Admit when you make a mistake.
• Have integrity…in other words, possess honor, honest, sincerity, uprightness and sound moral principles.
• Be accountable for your own actions and decisions.
• Avoid gossip…either as a speaker or a listener.
• Cheating is not part of what we do. Be honest with your abilities and workout completion
Respect
• Treat others as you would like to be treated. (The Golden Rule)
• Be courteous and respectful of facility staff, parents and team mates
∙ Take care of equipment and facilities. Destructive behavior will not be tolerated. Every effort should be made to avoid guilt by association with such activities.
∙ The swimmer will respect all facilities that they use. The swimmer will respect all fellow swimmers’ space and belongings. This includes swimmers from other teams.
• Show good sportsmanship.
• Congratulate competitors.
• Treat others as they would like to be treated. (The Platinum Rule)
∙ The swimmer will appreciate their parents’ efforts and willingness to provide the swimmer with the swim team experience.
Responsibility
• Bullying in any form is not part of our team. Reporting it is. The swimmer and parents will refrain from any non-consensual physical contact, obscene language or gesture, or other threatening language or conduct directed towards any swimmer, coach, parent or staff.
• Show up to practice on time, get in on time and be prepared to do what is asked of you. • Follow the rules even when no one is watching.
• Make good choices in and out of the pool. The swimmer will not use tobacco, alcohol, or drugs.
• Be accountable for your own actions.
Consequences for Violation of the Code
1. During practice or a meet, the swimmer will receive two verbal warnings for inappropriate behavior. Upon the third warning, the swimmer will be removed from the water and sit quietly and will not return to the water until he/she is given permission.
2. Any additional violations of the code on the same day will result in the swimmer being removed from the pool for the rest of that practice. The parent(s) will be informed of the situation.
3. The second time a swimmer is removed from practice or a meet, there will be a conference with the coach, parent, and swimmer to discuss the swimmer’s desire and commitment to swimming on the team.
4. The third time a swimmer is removed from a practice or meet they may be asked to leave the swim team for the rest of the season without a refund of fees paid.
Thank you for your cooperation and support. Following the code of conduct will allow all swimmers to have a safe and pleasant experience on the swim team.
