Handbook

(rev 8/14)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Overview
• Athlete Protection & Safety
• Swimmer, Caregiver & Coach Responsibilities & Procedures
• Membership, Attendance and Fees
• Swim Meet FAQ

OVERVIEW

The Morris County Swim Club (MCSC) is dedicated to providing a multi-faceted youth swim program, with the goal of meeting the needs of each swimmer, from the recreational to the highly competitive, in a safe and healthy environment. Athletes train based on their goals, practicing the months and days that meet their needs. While the MCSC encourages athletes to take part in swim meets to enjoy the full experience of club swimming, participation in meets is optional. Membership requires the swimmers, caregivers & coaches to treat each other and those from other clubs, with mutual respect at all times. All members of the team (swimmers, coaches and caregivers) need to understand the policies and procedures as related to them.

 

ATHLETE PROTECTION & FACILITY SAFETY

OVERALL POLICY

Caregivers, coaches and swimmers must be committed to fostering a safe and healthy environment within the MCSC. All must have reviewed these policies and upon registration or employment, agree to abide by all policies. Failure to follow the guidelines/policies set in place by the MCSC may result in sitting out of a practice or meet, suspension or termination from the MCSC. Learn more at USA Swimming, Safe Sport.

Caregivers and coaches need to lead by example, setting a respectful and supportive environment toward each other and to all swimmers, whether or not on the MCSC. Bullying, including physical or verbal abuse, all forms of prejudice & sexual harassment and illegal substance abuse by swimmers, coaches or caregivers is inappropriate in any form. Without complete and total commitment to abide by this policy, it leaves swimmers subject to suspension or expulsion from MCSC.

SOCIAL MEDIA ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION POLICY:

• Social media communication is acceptable, though negative postings, bullying & harassment, plus sexually explicit material or language towards minors, via any electronic delivery method, are unacceptable.
• Private or instant communications between coaches and swimmers are only allowed if they are directly related to club swimming. Caregivers are responsible to discuss & set the parameters of this type of communication with their swimmer.
• The caregivers of an athlete may request in writing that their child not be contacted by coaches through any or all forms of electronic communication.

REPORTING MISCONDUCT

Differences of opinion between adults need to be discussed and worked out in person, with a mediator if appropriate.

An athlete who feels that he or she has been harassed or bullied, etc is asked to do one or more of  the following:

• Speak with your parents, coach or MCSC management.
• Email to the coach or MCSC management.
• File a report with the USA Swimming, Safe Sport staff.
• There is no express time limit for initiating a complaint under this procedure, but  every effort should be made to bring the complaint to the attention of the appropriate club leadership as soon as possible to make sure that memories are fresh, the behavior can be accurately recalled and the misconduct can be stopped as soon as possible.

FACILITY SAFETY:

The safety of our swimmers is our top priority. In order to maintain a safe environment, no glass bottles are allowed in the stands, lobby, locker room, or pool deck.  No food or drink is permitted in these areas (other than water for the swimmers).  We would also suggest swimmers use footwear when going to and from the locker room to the pool deck.  There is no running permitted anywhere in the buildings. Siblings must be directly supervised at all times. There is no playing near, leaning over or sitting on the bottom railing at MBS. Swimmers may use the locker rooms to quickly change & rinse off before and after practices and meets. Any inappropriate behavior should be reported to the coach on deck asap.

 

SWIMMER,  CAREGIVER & COACH RESPONSIBILITIES & PROCEDURES

SWIMMERS:

Are responsible for always doing their best, for being a good teammate and for cheering on & encouraging their peers. Swimmers are the MCSC‘s representatives and should always act accordingly at practices and swim meets.

Practices

1) Arrive 10-15 minutes early, shower and be on the pool deck ready to swim 5 minutes before the practice start time. Wear swim caps during practice if hair is longer than 3 inches in length. Fins are required and may be purchased though the coach at your first practice. Be sure to always bring a water bottle.

• At MBS bring your swim bag out to the pool deck.
• At CCM bring a lock and leave your swim bag in the locker rooms. Bring your cap, goggles, towel and drink to the pool deck.

2) Respect the coaches.

• When the coach is speaking, pay attention.  Follow all the coach’s instructions.
• Disagreements with a coach or issues with practice should be discussed the with the coach calmly, after practice.
• If you need to leave the pool for any reason (ie- using the bathroom) inform the coach. Inform your coach before practice starts if you need to leave practice early.

3) Respect your teammates in and out of the pool.

• If a swimmer is new, welcome them and assist them in learning drills & practice terminology.
• Follow proper lane protocol. If you need to pass a swimmer, lightly tap their foot and swim past them on the left. The swimmer being passed should allow the other to pass, not speeding up, but do not stop swimming. If the swimmer behind you gets to to the wall after instructions were given by the coach, pass the information along.
• Use of inappropriate language during practice or in the locker rooms is strictly forbidden.
• Older swimmers should lead by example for our younger members.

4) Respect the practice facilities.

• We are guests and should behave accordingly. No running, fooling around or causing any damage in the locker rooms, pool decks, hallways or grounds of the facilities. Always turn off the showers after using them. No glass bottles or food are to brought on the pool deck or into locker rooms.

Swim Meets

Swimmers may choose to compete in all, some or no meets dependant upon their goals. They may also choose to swim only one day of a multi day meet. Caregivers pick the meets and days, coaches choose the swimmers events.

1) Meet Etiquette

• Arrive to meets and be on the pool deck at least ten minutes before the team’s scheduled warm-up time or the time given by the coach.
• Experienced  meet swimmers should introduce themselves to new meet swimmers and help them get to know the other MCSC swimmers and routines.
• Clean up your area before leaving.
• Swimmers may leave after completing your last event, AFTER telling the coach.

2) Good Sportsmanship

• Wish good luck to your teammates and fellow competitors and congratulate them on a success.
• Show camaraderie, cheer your teammates on.
• Congratulate the swimmer in the lanes to either side of you at the finish of an event.
• Always display good sportsmanship even on a ‘off’ day. Do not display anger/disappointment on the pool deck with negative behavior such as throwing your cap and goggles.

3) Team uniform policy

• Swimmers must wear a team cap. Swimmers without a team cap at the meet, must obtain one from the coach. The fee for the cap will be added to the swimmers monthly fees.
• Team swim suits and technical suits are preferred.
• T-shirts or sweatshirts should be worn between swimmer’s events. Team shirts/sweatshirts preferred.

4) Events & Relays

Individual events

• Swimmers are responsible to know their events before going to the meet and once at the meet, their heat and lane assignments.
• After warm up, obtain heat and lane assignments from the extra heat sheet, passed around among swimmers or from the heat sheets posted on the wall on the pool deck.
• See the coach before each of your events. Leave enough time to do this and then get behind blocks to your lane within 5 minutes of your heat (not longer), approx 12 heats of 50's, 4 heats of 100's, 3 heats of 200's.
• Report back to the coach for a review of your swim.

Relays

• The coach will decide all relays.
• A relay will be determined generally by an individual’s times. However, the head coach may choose to change the relay at anytime before the race based on other factors including the obtaining of a faster time by another swimmer or a swimmer being close to a specific cut.

Swim meet FAQ

CAREGIVERS:

The swimmers family is an important part of the swim team and the swimmers success. The caregivers job is to support the swimmers in a positive manner.

• Caregivers are responsible for making sure their swimmer arrives on time for all practices and meets. Ensure the swimmer gets to the pool deck. Arrive for pick up before your swimmer is scheduled to leave the pool deck.
• Please READ your emails to make sure you have not missed any important information such as meet/practice schedule changes.
• Please communicate with the coaches when you have a concern. You may speak with them before or after practice, off of the pool deck, or you may email them.  If there is still a concern contact a member of the MCSC management team to discuss the issue.
• Caregivers will be expected to help at meets,  E.G. timing, marshaling, officiating. Before you attend the meet, check the top of the meet entry the evening before the meet on the MCSC web site to see your assignment(s).You time in the same order as listed on the top of the entry.
• Caregivers should not be on the pool deck at practices or meets unless working or due to an emergency with your swimmer.
• Caregivers should refrain from coaching from the bleachers.

 

COACHES:

The coach is responsible for providing safe & effective training, giving guidance and support to the swimmers, following all MCSC policies.

• Swimmer levels and practice lanes are determined solely by the coaches, based on the ability, effort & commitment put forth by the swimmer. The coach may change placement at any time to the appropriate training group.
• Sole responsibility for stroke instruction rests with the coaching staff.   
• During practice, the coach is responsible for supervising and for disciplining the athletes.  We encourage parents to respect the decisions made by the coaches but welcome caregiver feedback.
• At meets, the coaching staff will conduct and supervise warm-up procedures for the team.  After each race, the coaches will offer constructive feedback regarding the swimmer's performance. It is the caregivers job to offer love and understanding regardless of their youngster's performance.

DISCIPLINE POLICY:

Swimmers, caregivers and coaches will be expected to follow all the guidelines of the handbook.

• Swimmers will receive a warning if they do not follow the coach’s instructions or if they are disruptive during practice. If a swimmer receives multiple warnings, a coach has the right to enact disciplinary action. This may include; asking a swimmer to change lanes, asking them to sit out for some or all of practice. This applies to behavior at meets and in the locker rooms as well.  The swimmer may also be suspended or have membership terminated depending on the severity of their behavior.  Caregivers will be notified as necessary.
• Caregivers are expected to display appropriate behavior and respect towards their swimmer, other swimmers, coaches or other caregivers at all times. Caregivers may be banned or swimmer membership may be terminated for inappropriate caregiver behavior.
• Swimmers & caregivers should report any inappropriate actions by coaches to MCSC management.
• Swimmers and caregivers are responsible for any fees incurred to due damages to facilities that resulted from their actions.

SWIM  MEET FAQ

• Timer instructions, click here.
• FAQ to to be added.