Section A Introduction and Team Philosophy

Transcription

1 HANDBOOK

2 Section A Introduction and Team Philosophy INTRODUCTION Welcome to the Fairmont Area Swim Team; a member of both the West Virginia LSC (local swim committee) and USA swimming. Congratulations on the decision you have made to take your swimming to the next level! Our team was founded in 1997 and has steadily grown ever since. We have had state champions in USA and high school swimming, state record breakers, and qualifiers for the Southern Zone Championships. The purpose of this handbook is two-fold: to explain to new members just what the Fairmont Area Swim Team, herein called, "FAST", is and to outline various policies that affect all swimmers, year after year. It should be read by all families so that they may become familiar with important facts and rules of the club. WHY SWIM? TEAM PHILOSOPHY MISSION GENERAL DESCRIPTION & OBJECTIVES The United States Swimming (USS) age group swimming program is America's largest program of guided fitness activity for children. Age group swimming builds a strong foundation for a lifetime of good health by teaching healthy fitness habits. The primary purpose of the Fairmont Area Swim Team is to provide an opportunity for children in the area to participate in a wholesome, lifetime sport and recreational activity. Swimmers will learn the four basic strokes and have the opportunity to compete in organized competitions in USA swimming; helping to instill a spirit of competition while in a safe environment. This sport will promote both physical fitness and goal patterns for physical development. Swimming will also encourage proper conditioning and health habits; provide opportunities for social, emotional and educational development and encourage peer and family participation. While providing a place for everyone, our team is broken into specific groups based on ability and physical readiness. The ultimate vision is to have every athlete reach his or her highest potential as a swimmer. In order to achieve these goals, we encourage discipline while building self-esteem in a fun yet challenging environment. Teaching stroke technique, as well as starts and turns, is the foundation of our program Swimmers will be given the opportunity to master all four strokes in a group environment while improving endurance and competitive skills. Swimmers will be given the opportunity to accomplish all of these; however if their individual goal is different, they will find there is a group to fit them as well. Our program has its own individual focus and goal. The most obvious goal is to develop the skills necessary to advance to the next group. In doing this, swimmers will learn very specific skills important to a successful future in swimming. FAST wants to give every athlete the opportunity to continue their swimming careers beyond FAST, have an overall good attitude toward the sport and life-long fitness, and appreciate the value of hard work and dedication. FAST is a USA swim team and abides by all of the rules and regulations set forth by USA Swimming. We are under the West Virginia LSC. All FAST swimmers MUST be registered with USA Swimming regardless of whether they choose to compete or not. United States Swimming provides FAST with insurance for REGISTERED swimmers. Just one unregistered swimmer in the water during a workout negates our insurance policy. All swimmers must by insured to participate with FAST

3 Section A Introduction and Team Philosophy (Cont.) TEAM COMMUNICATION As with any good organization, communication is a very import part to the success of our program. FAST has a number of ways to handle dispensing information. 1. Website Team forms, swim meet information, calendar of events, fund-raising deadlines, and practice changes. Your account balance will also be available. For new families, if you need assistance, please ask any board member s are sent regularly with swim meet information, practice changes, parties, ect. If you do not have a current , please let us know the best way to get in touch with you. In order to receive e mails from the website, you must logon & verify your Verbal We make announcements before, during, and after workouts. We also have periodic team/group parent meetings. 4. Bulletin Boards We will post current meet information and date changes on our bulletin boards. Communication is very important at FAST. There is rarely a problem with coach/swimmer communication since so much time is spent together. If you as a parent are having a problem that needs to be addressed by your swimmer's coach, please refrain from approaching the coach with questions during practice. Wait until the coach has finished with his/her groups practice. They will be more that happy to talk briefly with you between practice groups. If you feel the problem needs a meeting with the coach, please let a board member know. Time will be set aside to handle any problems.

4 Section B Coaching Staff and Team Structure HEAD COACH Pat Snively - In his fifteenth season as head swimming coach at Fairmont State, Pat Snively is the longest serving head swimming coach at a single institution in the state of West Virginia. Coach Snively has also been with FAST since its inception in During his first 14 years at Fairmont State, Snively was awarded the American Swimming Coaches Association Certificate of Excellence seven times and was named the WVIAC men s Coach of the Year in He has coached swimmers to 24 All- American performances, 74 school records, seven National Swimmer of the Week honors and conference Swimmer of the Year recognition seven times. With FAST, Coach Snively has seen steady growth through the years. The team consistently places very well at the short course and long course state meets. Many swimmers go on to win state championships at the club and high school level and then become productive members of college swimming programs as all-conference and all-american swimmers. Snively received a bachelor s degree in Architectural Engineering Technology from Fairmont State in 1999, a master s degree in Athletic Coaching Education in 2000 from West Virginia University, and a master s degree in Business Administration in 2014 from Fairmont State. Snively is a member of the College Swim Coaches Association of America, the American Swimming Coaches Association and USA Swimming. He also serves as team director and head coach for the Fairmont Area Swim Team. Snively and his wife Amy reside in Fairmont. ASSISTANT COACHES Matt Chapman currently teaches Physical Education at Grafton High School. Matt attended college at Fairmont State University, where he swam 4 years for the Falcons; the last 2 years as the team captain. Luka Dilas currently a senior at FSU and also a member of the FSU Swim Team. He has been swimming for 14 years. Together with his teammates he has broken multiple FSU relay records. Luka is originally from Croatia (Europe). He is majoring in Civil Engineering. After graduation, Luka hopes to pursue a Master s Degree. Back in Croatia Luka was part of a local club team and he was also a coach for year age group swimmers. Emir Atilgan currently enrolled at FSU and pursuing his Master s Degree in Business. Emir swam for FSU and is still listed as a record holder in several events. Emir is originally from Istanbul, Turkey. He has been involved in competitive swimming for 16 years. At the age of 16, Emir was selected as a member of the Turkish National Team. He has participated in European Championships and swam with some of the best swimmers in the World. Emir has been coaching for five years now. Prior to returning to FSU to pursue his Master s Degree Emir was coaching a club team in Istanbul Turkey called ENKA. Atanas Madolev currently enrolled at FSU and pursuing his Master s Degree in Architecture. Previously, he was a member of the FSU Swim Team ( ). He earned his undergraduate degree in Architecture. While a member of the FSU Swim Team, he was privileged to be named Captain of the Team. He is the school record holder in the 4x100 Medley Relay. He is originally from Bulgaria and has been swimming since the age of 5 and competitively since the age of 7. A lex Petry currently enrolled at FSU and member of the FSU Swim Team. Alex has been swimming for 14 years. He is Senior and pursuing a Degree in Business. He has been coaching for 4 years as a summer league coach.

5 Courtney Bright - This is her second year as a coach for FAST. She was also the coach for Fairmont Aquatic Club this past summer. Courtney has been swimming since she was six years old up until graduating high school, where she swam for Fairmont Senior. While at Fairmont Senior she was all conference NCAC, 1st team big ten, all region team, and 4 year state qualifier. Swimming has been an important aspect in Courtney s life since it basically saved her from cancer. She is currently a junior at Fairmont State studying biology. She plans getting a Masters in Genetic Counseling. COACHES RESPOSIBILITIES The coaches' job is to supervise the entire competitive swim program. The FA ST coaching staff is dedicated to providing a program for youngsters that will enable them to learn the value of striving to improve oneself- "to be the best you can be." Therefore, the coaches must be in total control in matters affecting training and competition. Section C - Team Swimming Levels The coaches are responsible for placing younger swimmers in practice groups. This is based on the age and ability level of each individual. When it is in the best interest of a swimmer, he/she will be placed in a more challenging group by the coach. The sole responsibility for stroke instruction and the training regimen rests with the FAST coaching staff. Each group s practice is geared towards the specific goals of that group. At meets, the coaching staff will conduct and supervise warm-up procedures for the team. After each swim, the coaches will offer constructive criticism regarding the swimmers performance. (It is the parent s job to offer love and understanding regardless of the swimmer s performance.) At meets, the coaching staff has the sole responsibility of building the relay teams. The coaching staff is constantly updating and improving the FAST program. It is the swimmers and parents responsibility to make the most out of the excellent opportunity this program provides for success in swimming. COMPETITION GROUPS FAST offers three competitive groups for swimmers interested in competing for the FAST swim team. Each group has equipment, practice, and competition requirements. A description of each team and the associated requirements is listed below. All Competition Groups are required to swim at the following swim meets: FAST Pentathlon, CM Fall Classic (Morgantown), FAST 14-Under, Pitt Christmas Meet (Time Standard Meet) and The WV SC Championship. Failure to attend these meets as a Comp swimmer will result in a $50 fine being added to your monthly invoice. COMP GROUP 1 A competitive group for developing young swimmers; with approval of the FAST Coaching Staff. Basic technique of the four competitive strokes. Begin mastery of 100 IM. Introduction to beginning competitive swimming with repeated stroke work and drills. Swimmer must be able to listen to instruction, read the pace clock and complete sets required by the coach. Required Equipment: Kickboard, pull buoy, and fins. COMP GROUP 2 A competitive group for more developed younger swimmer; with the approval of the FAST Coaching Staff. Intermediate technique of the four competitive strokes. Continued mastery of 100 IM and introduction of 200 IM. Swimmer will increase yardage to build endurance for longer competitive events. Swimmer must be able to listen to instruction, read the pace clock and complete sets required by the coach. Required Equipment: Kickboard, pull buoy, fins, paddles, and snorkel. COMP GROUP 3 A highly competitive group for the most advanced developed younger swimmer; with the approval of

6 the FAST Coaching Staff. Advance technique of the four competitive strokes. Continued mastery of 200 IM and introduction of 400 IM. Endurance training and working towards achieving the challenges set by the coaches. Swimmer will increase yardage to build endurance for longer competitive events. Swimmer must be able to listen to instruction, read the pace clock and complete sets required by the coach. Required Equipment: Kickboard, pull buoy, fins, paddles, and snorkel. DEVELOPMENTAL GROUPS FAST offers development groups for swimmers new to the sport and those who wish to develop their technique and endurance. There are no practice or competition requirements. Swim meet competition is optional, with participation in FAST home meets encourages. A description of each team and the associated requirements is listed below. STARFISH Development of basic technique in the four competitive strokes in a positive environment with the primary emphasis on freestyle and backstroke. BRONZE Basic technique in all four competitive strokes. Swimmers will execute stroke drills repeatedly to form good habits. Required Equipment: Kickboard, pull buoy, and fins. SILVER Intermediate technique in all four competitive strokes. More emphasis will be placed upon starts, turns, and conditioning. Swimmers will execute stroke drills repeatedly to form good habits. Required Equipment: Kickboard, pull buoy, and fins. GOLD Advance technique in all four competitive strokes and introduction of swim training principles. Training of longer sets to build endurance with continued emphasis on starts, turns, and conditioning. Swimmers will execute stroke drills repeatedly to form good habits. Required Equipment: Kickboard, pull buoy, and fins.

7 Section D Training and Responsibilities Training & Responsibilities Training sessions are the most import aspect of competitive swimming. Consistent training is needed to progress through the levels/groups of swimming. Training schedules are designed to provide only slightly more time than is required for a swimmer to accomplish this. Therefore it is important that each swimmer attends as many practices as possible in order to derive the full benefits of the program. Pool availability is our most important limiting factor. Let s not waste it. Practice Times Short course season runs from September through May, with the majority of the meets held between Septembers through March. Short course competes in 25 meter or 25 yard pools. FAST trains at the Feaster Center Pool located on the campus of Fairmont State University. FAST rents this pool from the University and is fortunate to have a facility like this available to accommodate the team. Practice Schedule Comp Group 3 Monday Friday 4 6 PM Swim Tuesday, Thursday 6 7:00 PM & Saturday 8 9:00 AM Dry lands Saturday 9 11 AM Swim Comp Group 2 Monday Friday 4 5:30 PM Swim Tuesday, Thursday 6 7:00 PM & Saturday 8 9:00 AM Dry lands Saturday 9 11 AM Comp Group 1 Monday Friday 4 5:15 PM Swim Tuesday & Thursday Following practice - 5:45 PM Dry lands Saturday 9 10:15 AM Swim Gold Monday Friday 5:30 7:00 PM Swim Silver Monday Friday 6 7:15 PM Swim Bronze Monday Friday 6 7 PM Swim Starfish Monday Friday 5:15 6 PM Swim

8 Section E Practice and Attendance Policies The following guidelines are to inform parents and swimmers of the coach s policies regarding practice. These policies have been developed and designed to provide the best possible practice environment for all. 1. Each training group has specific attendance requirements appropriate for the objectives of that group. As a general rule, the least possible interruption in the training schedule will produce the greatest amount of success. The expectation of the coaches and team to attend practices increases as the swimmers move up into higher groups. 2. For the swimmer s protection, they should arrive no earlier that 15 minutes before practice. They should also be picked up no later than 15 minutes after there scheduled end time. 3. In case a swimmer is late for practice, it is our hope that the will notify the team with an explanation for the lateness. 4. Plan to stay the entire practice. The last part of practice is very often the most important. Usually, there are announcements made at the end of each practice. In the event that your child needs to be dismissed early from practice, the coaches need to be made aware of it before the start of practice. 5. FAST has an obligation to act as a guest while attending practice at Fairmont State University (both swimmers and parents). Every member of the team needs to do everything possible to respect this privilege. Any damages to the school property may result in the financial liability of the swimmer s parents. Any damages may also result in the swimmer being asked to leave the team permanently. 6. Parents are allowed to observe from the bleacher area of the pool. Please be considerate and keep conversations at a low volume level. Do not try to communicate with any swimmer while practice is in session. This in not only distraction to the swimmer, but can also be distracting to the entire team as well as the coaches. ATTENDACE POLICY Comp 3 It is a requirement to attend 5 of 6 practices a week. Continued/demonstrated tardiness or absence interrupts training and maybe grounds for the swimmer to move to another group that fits their schedule better. Comp 2 It is a requirement to attend 4 of 6 practices a week. Continued/demonstrated tardiness or absence interrupts training and maybe grounds for the swimmer to move to another group that fits their schedule better. Comp 1 It is a requirement to attend 3 of 6 practices a week. Continued/demonstrated tardiness or absence interrupts training and maybe grounds for the swimmer to move to another group that fits their schedule better. Gold, Silver, Bronze, & Starfish There is no attendance requirement for this group. ILLNESS & INJURY SWIMMERS TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES Whenever possible, the coach should be informed in advance of an illness or injury, regardless of how serious or trivial it may be. If your swimmer will be out of the water for a long period with an illness or injury, please notify the FAST board so the coaching staff is aware of the problem. If the injury is going to keep the swimmer out of the water for a month or more, please let the board know so we can freeze your account. Freezing your account stops the monthly/quarterly charges to your account. As a swimmer's level of swimming ability increases so does his/her responsibility. The program is designed to encourage all swimmers to be Comp Swimming bound. A swimmer has responsibilities to the team, the coaches, his/her parents, and most importantly to themselves. Swimmers need to prepare themselves for 100% effort each time they come to practice. Swimmers will be required to bring specified training equipment (i.e., goggles, flippers, etc.) to practice, it is the swimmers' responsibility to make sure these items are properly adjusted and that spares are readily available.

9 Section F Parent Section YOUR SWIMMER NEEDS YOU To have a successful program there must be understanding and cooperation among parents, swimmers, and coaches. The progress your swimmer makes depends on this relationship. It is with this in mind that we ask you to consider this section as you join the FAST team and reacquaint yourself with this section if you are a returning member. The coach is the coach! We want your swimmer to relate to his or her coach as soon as possible concerning swimming matters. This relationship between coach and swimmer produces best results. When parents interfere with opinions as to how the swimmer should swim or train, it causes considerable confusion as to whom the swimmer should listen to. If you have a problem, concern, or complaint, please contact the coach to discuss it with them. Please do this after practice so it doesn t interfere with regular practice. The coach's job is to motivate and constructively criticize the swimmer's performance. It is necessary to supply love, recognition, and encouragement to make the child work harder in practice, which in turn gives him or her the confidence to perform well in competition. Remember even the best swimmer will have meets where they do not swim their best times. These plateaus are a normal part of swimming. Over the course of a season, times should improve. PARENTS RESPONSIBILITIES Please make every effort to have your swimmer at practice on time. Realize that you child is working hard and give all the support you can. Due to the safety of all swimmers and spectators, children not participating in swim must be under adult supervision at all times and must not be allowed to play around the pool area. (Encourage and be supportive to all teammates.) Encourage good eating habits with your swimmer. Ensure that all financial items are current and up to date. PROBLEMS WITH COACH(ES) Try to keep in mind that you and the coach have the best interests of your child at heart. If you trust that the coach's goals match yours, even though his or her approach may be different, you are more likely to enjoy good rapport and a constructive dialogue. Keep in mind that the coach must balance your perspective of what is best for your child with the needs of the team or a training group. On occasion, an individual swimmer's interest may need to be subordinate to the interests of the group, but in the long run the benefits of membership in the group compensate for occasional short term inconvenience. If you child swims for an assistant coach, always discuss the matter first with that coach, following the same guidelines and preconceptions noted above. If the assistant coach cannot satisfactorily resolve you concern, then ask that the head coach join the dialogue as a third party. If another parent uses you as a sounding board for complaints about the coach's performance or policies, listen empathetically, but encourage the other parent to speak directly to the coach. He or she is the only one who can resolve the problem. If after discussing the matter with the coach and head coach and you feel the matter is still unresolved please feel free to bring it to any Board member.

10 DUES Inset you ll find the most current version of the fees schedule for FAST. These fees are subject to change when adopted by the Board of Directors. Section G Board of Directors BOARD OF DIRECTORS The administrative functions of FAST is overseen by the Board of Directors. The board consists of 5 parents elected for two years annually in September, the head/assistant coaches, and non-voting administrative committee leaders. BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES See FAST By-laws posted on the FAST website. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS President Matt Urse Vice President Brian Harrison Secretary Christine Harmon Treasurer Vacant Safety Kim Abruzzino Swimmer Rep. Crystal Bennington Officials/Meets Derek Weaver PR / Communications Karen Stallman Non-Voting Members Coach Pat Snively