Get Set to Get Wet!!!

Manta Rays Swim Team Handbook

"PREPARATION FOR LIFE"

By Phil Hansel

Reprinted from:  Swimming World Magazine -  February, 1988

Not everything we do in life is a pleasant experience.  Not everything we do is beneficial.  Not everything is productive.  Not everything is a nurturing, loving experience.   Life is full of negative, destructive experiences.  Rejection, defeat and failure surround all of us.  The trick is to be prepared to deal with this side of life and learn to overcome discouragement.

I have always felt that the great value of swimming as a sport is that it prepares us for life.  The total swimming experience is made up of people, attitudes, beliefs, work habits, fitness, health, winning and losing, and so much more.  Swimming is a cross section of lifetime experiences.  It can provide so many learning situations.  A swimmer learns to deal with pressure and stress, sometimes self-imposed, sometimes applied by others.  One learns to deal with success and failure.  One learns teamwork and discipline. 

Swimming becomes a self-achievement activity.  There is only one person in the water in a given lane in any race.  The responsibility for performance ultimately lies with the individual.  How well the individual has prepared physically and mentally to a large degree will determine the performance level.

Many swimming experiences can be of the disruptive, discouraging type.  But at least a young swimmer learns that this is part of life, and the swimmer must learn to cope.

By learning how to handle frustration and disappointment, the young swimmer gains confidence.  The swimmer learns dedication and commitment.  Through perseverance, a swimmer learns to overcome adversity.  All of these experiences tend to develop an individual who is better able to handle life's hardships and face problems. 

As coaches and parents, we tend to preach that hard work will lead to victory.  We preach that clean living and proper training such as diet, sleep and regular attendance at workouts will lead to winning.  Though in the long run for a productive successful life, these are probably truthful concepts that don't always work in short term situations.

We have all been in situations where a bigger, more gifted person with poor work habits is the victor in race after race.  Or we've known others who never seem to study, yet get good grades.  We've known business people who never seem to lift a finger, yet for one reason or another, they close deal after deal.

These things just are not fair.  Yet this is one of the valuable lessons that swimmers learn:  "Life is not fair."  We don't all start out in life with the same physical, mental, emotional and financial resources.  In that respect, "Life is not fair."

A swimmer must learn what is fair for one is not necessarily fair for another.  A swimmer learns we are all different and each individual controls his or her own destiny.  A swimmer learns to emphasize given talents and skills.  A swimmer learns to improve on a regular basis.  By not setting limits and restrictions, this improvement will surely lead to success.  A swimmer learns if he or she does their best, then there are no failures.  A swimmer learns to set realistic goals.  Once a goal is reached, then new goals must be established.  A swimmer learns that effort becomes an individual crusade.  If the ultimate goal is an Olympic Gold Medal, then with the proper talent, dedication, belief and support, all swimmers believe it can be done.

This is the positive achievement side of swimming that I like so much.  Through experience in swimming, our young people learn attitudes and habits that will remain with them throughout the rest of their life.  Most swimmers learn to be "can do" people.

Generally, these positive attitudes, belief in self and solid work habits will produce a terrific adult.  Our society and our world is enriched by these former swimmers as they become adults.  Because of their training, they handle life with a smile.  They contribute time and energy to others in every  way imaginable.

We can be proud of what swimming contributes to this world.  Though "life is not fair", a swimmer knows how to deal with that and can achieve a balance.  For the most part, former swimmers grow up to be ordinary people, but they always have that extra plus from the swimming experience.

We are different and can be proud of it.  It's a pity and truly "unfair" that thousands and thousands of young people are missing the swimming experience.  We must open our programs to everyone.  We must find ways to share our fantastic sport. 

COACHES RESPONSIBILITIES

The coaches'  job is to supervise the entire competitive swim program.  The Salt Fork YMCA Manta Rays Swim Team 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.

1. The coaches are responsible for placing youngsters 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 training group by the coach.

2. Sole responsibility for stroke instruction and the training regimen rests with the Salt Fork YMCA Manta Rays Swim Team coaching staff.  Each group's practices are based on sound scientific principles and are geared to the specific goals of that group.

3. The building of a relay team is the sold responsibility of the coaching staff.

4. At meets, the coaching staff will conduct and supervise warm-up procedures for the team.  After each race, the coaches will offer constructive criticism regarding the swimmer's performance.  (It is the parent's job to offer love and understanding regardless of their youngster's performance.)

PROBLEMS WITH THE COACH?

One of the traditional swim team communication gaps is that some parents seem to feel more comfortable in discussing their disagreements over coaching philosophy with other parents rather than taking them directly to the coach.  Not only is the problem never resolved this way, but in fact this approach often results in new problems being created.  Listed below are some guidelines for a parent raising some difficult issues with a coach:

1. Try to keep foremost in your 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/her approach may be different, you are more likely to enjoy good rapport and a constructive dialogue.

2.  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 that can range in size from 20-100 members.  On occasion, an individual child'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.

3.  If your 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 your concern, then ask that the head age group coach or head coach join the dialogue as a third party.

4.  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/she is the only one who can resolve the problem.

PARENTS RESPONSIBILITIES

Please make every effort to have your swimmers at practice on time.  Realize that your child is working hard and give all the support you can.  Encourage good diet and sleeping habits.  They will serve your children well.

PARENTS, YOUR ATHLETE NEEDS YOU!

To have a successful program there must be understanding and cooperation among parents, swimmers and coaches.  The progress your youngster makes depends to a great extent on this triangular relationship.  It is with this in mind that we ask you to consider this section as you join the Salt Fork YMCA Manta Rays Swim Team and reacquaint yourself with this section if you are a returning Salt Fork YMCA Manta Rays Swim Team parent.

You have done a great deal to raise your child.  You create the environment in which they are growing up.  Your child is a product of your values, the structure you have provided, and the model you have been.  Human nature, however, is such that a parent loses some of his/her ability to remain detached and objective in matters concerning his/her children's athletics.  The following guidelines will help you keep your child's development in the proper perspective and help your child reach his/her full potential as an athlete.

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, and oftentimes insurmountable, confusion as to whom the swimmer should listen to.  If you have a problem, concern or complaint, please contact the coach.

Best kind of parent: The coach's job is to motivate and constructively criticize the swimmer's performance.  It is the parent's job to supply the love, recognition and encouragement necessary to make the child work harder in practice, which in turn gives him/her the confidence to perform well in competition.

Ten and Unders: Ten and Unders are the most inconsistent swimmers and this can be frustrating for parents, coaches and the swimmer alike!  Parents and coaches must be patient and permit these youngsters to learn to love the sport.  When a young swimmer first joins, there may be a brief period in which he/she appears to slow down.  This is a result of the added concentration on stroke technique, but this will soon lead to much faster swims for the individual.

Not every time:  Even the very best swimmer will have meets where they do not do their best times.  These "plateaus" are a normal part of swimming.  Over the course of a season, times should improve.  Please be supportive of these "poor" meets.  The older swimmers may have only two or three meets a year for which they will be rested and tapered.

COMPETITION....and the winner is...

The Salt Fork YMCA Manta Rays Swim Team staff does not see the first place person as the only winner.  We'd rather look to see who behaves like a winner.  There are certain characteristics of a winner, and every swimmer, no matter where they place, has the opportunity to emulate those characteristics:  concentration, listening skills and working toward goals.

Sports is not an end in itself, but a vehicle we use to teach children life skills and how to reach their potential.  We use sports as organized play to demonstrate and measure one's abilities.  Seen in that light, winning without learning is not Salt Fork YMCA Manta Rays Swim Team's desired intention.  In competition, the important measure is not who collected the most medals, or even who improved the most seconds.  The real critical measure is who learned the most from the competitive experience.

Swimmers quickly forget the medals, records and other material benefits.  They will, however, remember the development of interpersonal skills, discipline, listening skills, time management, goal setting and enhanced self-image.  These are the things that make the swimmer a more successful person with a better chance of living a life closer to their peak potential, and to contribute to the world they live in. 

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR PARENTS OF ATHLETIC CHILDREN

Reprinted from The Young Athlete by Bill Burgess

 included in "The Swim Parents Newsletter"

• Make sure your child knows that - win or lose, scared or heroic - you love them, appreciate their efforts, and are not disappointed in them.  This will allow them to do their best without a fear of failure.  Be the person in their life they can look to for constant positive reinforcement.

• Try your best to be completely honest about your child's athletic ability, their competitive attitude, their sportsmanship; and their actual skill level.

• Be helpful, but don't coach them on the way to the pool or on the way back, or at breakfast, and so on.  It's tough not to, but it's a lot tougher for the child to be inundated with advice, pep talks and often critical instruction.

• Teach them to enjoy the thrill of competition, to be "out there trying," to be working to improve their swimming skills and attitudes.  Help them to develop the feel for competing, for trying hard, for having fun.

• Try not to re-live your athletic life through your child in a way that creates pressure; you lost as well as won.  You were frightened, you backed off at times, you were not always heroic.  Don't pressure your child because of your pride.  Athletic children need their parents so you must not withdraw.  Just remember there is a thinking, feeling, sensitive free spirit out there in that uniform who needs a lot of understanding, especially when their world turns bad.  If they are comfortable with you - win or lose - they are on their way to maximum achievement and enjoyment.

• Don't compete with the coach.  If the coach becomes an authority figure, it will run from enchantment to disenchantment, etc., with your athlete.

• Don't compare the skill, courage or attitudes of your child with other members of the team, at least within their hearing.

• Get to know the coach so that you can be assured that their philosophy, attitudes, ethics and knowledge are such that you are happy to have your child under their leadership.

• Always remember that children tend to exaggerate, both when praised and when criticized.  Temper your reaction and investigate before over-reacting.

• Make a point of understanding courage, and the fact that it is relative.  Some of us can climb mountains, and are afraid to fight.  Some of us will fight, but turn to jelly if a bee approaches.  Everyone is frightened in certain areas.  Explain that courage is not the absence of fear, but a means of doing something in spite of fear of discomfort.

PHILOSOPHY OF COMPETITION

1. We emphasize competition with oneself.  Winning ribbons, medals or trophies is not our main goal.  Even if the swimmer finishes first, but has swum poorly in comparison to his/her own past performances, he/she is encouraged to do better.  The individual’s improvement is our primary objective.

2. Sportsmanlike behavior is equally as important as improved performance.  All the coaches teach swimmers how to behave like a champion when the swimmer has both a "good" and a "bad" swim.  Respect for officials, congratulations to other competitors, encouragement to teammates, determined effort, and mature attitudes are examples of behaviors praised and rewarded by the Salt Fork YMCA Manta Rays Swim Team coaching staff.

3. A swimmer is praised for improving his/her stroke or time.  It is the coach's job to offer constructive criticism of a swimmer's performance.  It is the parent's responsibility to provide love and encouragement that bolster the swimmer's confidence along the way.

Swimmers are taught to set realistic, yet challenging, goals for meets and to relate those goals to practice to direct their training efforts.

Swimmers are prepared and encouraged to compete in all swimming events, distances and strokes.  This policy promotes versatility and encourages the swimmer to explore their potential in the wide range of events offered in competitive swimming.  Oftentimes, a swimmer's "best" stroke changes as they mature and their body goes through physical changes.

EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT SWIM MEETS...

BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK (or didn't know what to ask):

Swim meets are a great family experience!  They're a place where the whole family can spend time together.  Listed below are some very in-depth guidelines geared to help you through your first couple of swim meets.  It may seem a little overwhelming, but we tried to be as specific and as detailed as we possibly could.  If you have any questions, please ask Coach Jillian (886-9622).

 BEFORE THE MEET STARTS:

1. Arrive at the pool at least 30 minutes before the scheduled warm-up time begins.  This time will be listed in the meet information handed out to Salt Fork YMCA Manta Rays Swim Team swimmers and also in the team newsletter.

2. Upon arrival, find a place to put your swimmer's blankets, swim bags and/or sleeping bags.  The team usually sits in one place together, so look for some familiar faces.

3. Once "checked in", write each event number on your swimmer's hand in ink.  This helps him/her remember what events he/she is swimming and what event number to listen for.

4. Your swimmer now gets their cap and goggles and reports to the pool and/or coach for warm-up instructions.  It is very important for all swimmers to warm-up with the team.  Swimmers' bodies are just like cars on a cold day – they need to get the engine going and warmed up before they can go all out.

5. After warm-ups, your swimmer will go back to the area where their towels are and sit there until the next event is called.  This is a good time to make sure they go to the bathroom if necessary, get a drink, or just get settled in.

6. The meet will usually start about 10-15 minutes after warm-ups are over.

MEET STARTS :

1.         It is important for any swimmer to know what event numbers he/she is swimming (again, why they should have the numbers on their hand).  He/she may swim right away after warm-ups or they may have to wait awhile.

2.        A swimmer's event number will be called, usually over the loudspeaker, and he/she will be asked to report to the "clerk of the course".  Swimmers should report with his/her cap and goggles.  Generally, boys events are odd-numbered and girls events are even-numbered.  Example:  "Event #26, Girls 9-10, 25 Backstroke, report to Clerk of the Course."

3.        The "Clerk of the Course" area is where all swimmers checked in before warm-ups.

a           The people running the "Clerk of the Course" will give a card to each of the swimmers swimming that event.  This card will tell each swimmer his/her heat and lane number.

b          The Clerk will usually line up all the swimmers and take them down to the pool in correct order.

c          Depending on the meet, either the people at Clerk will give the card to the timers at the end of each lane or the people at the Clerk will instruct the swimmers to hand their cards to the timers when it is their turn to swim.  These cards are important because they tell the people running the meet who actually swam each event.

d          You can expect at least 1-4 heats for each event.

4.        The swimmer swims their race.

5.        After each swim:

a           They are  to ask the timers (people behind the blocks at each lane) their time.

b          They should go immediately to their coach.  The coach will ask them their time and discuss the swim with each swimmer.

c          Generally, the coach follows these guidelines when discussing swims:

• Positive comments or praise

• Suggestions for improvement

6.        Things you, as a parent, can do after each swim:

a          Tell them how great they did!  The coaching staff will be sure to discuss stroke technique with them.  You need to tell them how proud you are and what a great job they did.

b          Take them back to the towel area and relax.

c          This is another good time to check out the bathrooms, get a drink or something light to eat.

d          The swimmer now waits until their next event is called and starts the procedure again at the "Clerk of the Course".

7.         When a swimmer has completed all of their events they and their parents get to go home.  Make sure, however, you, as a parent, check with the coach before leaving to make sure your swimmer is not included on a relay.  It is not fair to other swimmers who may have stayed to swim on a relay where your swimmer is expected to be a member and they are not there.  (The coaches speak from experience on this issue).  

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR CHILD HAS A DISAPPOINTING SWIM?

If your child has a poor race and comes out of it feeling bad, talk about the good things.  The first thing you say is, "Hey, that is not like you.  You're usually a top swimmer."  Then you can go on and talk about the good things the child did.  You never talk about the negative things.

If your child comes up to you and says, "That was a bad race, don't tell me it wasn't," there is nothing wrong with a swimmer negatively evaluating a race.  The important thing is for the child not to dwell on it.  You should move the swimmer on to something good.  "All right, you have had a bad race.  How do you think you can do better next time?"  Immediately start talking about the positive things.

WHAT TO TAKE TO THE MEET

1. Most important:  swim suit and Manta Rays swim cap (and goggles if your swimmer uses them).

2. Baby or talcum powder to "dust" the inside of swim cap.  This helps preserve the cap and makes it easier to put on. 

3. Towels - realize your swimmer will be there awhile, so pack at least two.

4. Something to sit on.  Example:  sleeping bag, old blanket or anything that will be comfortable to sit on.  The swimmers will be spending a lot of time on it.

5. Sweat suits - bring one or two - they can get wet and soggy.

6. T-shirts - bring two or three - same reason as above.

7. Games, travel games, coloring books, books, anything to pass the time.

8. Food- each swimmer is usually allowed to bring a small cooler.  It is better to bring snacks.  They usually have snack bars at the meet, but the lines are long and most of the time they only sell junk food.  Suggested items to bring:

• Drinks:  Hi-C, fruit juice, Gatorade

• Snacks:  granola bars, fun fruits, yogurt, cereal, Jell-O cubes, sandwiches

Once you have attended one or two meets, this will become very routine.  Please do not hesitate to ask any Salt Fork YMCA Manta Rays Swim Team parent for help or information!

 These meets are a lot of fun for the swimmers!  They get to visit with their friends, play games and meet kids from other teams.  They also get to "race" and see how much they have improved from all the hard work they have put in at practice.

 Special Parent’s Note:  The pool area is usually very warm.  Therefore, you need to make sure you dress appropriately.  Nothing is worse than being hot at a swim meet.  It makes the time pass very slowly!  At some of the meets, the parents are allowed to sit with the swimmers at the blanket area.

VERY BASIC SWIMMING RULES

COMPETITIVE STROKES

The four competitive strokes are (1) freestyle, (2) backstroke, (3) breaststroke, and (4) butterfly.  Events are held in all of the competitive strokes at varying distances depending on the age-group of the swimmer.  In addition, there is a combination of the strokes swum by one swimmer called the individual medley.  Other swimming events include relays, which are a group of four swimmers who either all swim freestyle (freestyle relay) or each swim one of the competitive strokes in the order of backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and freestyle (medley relay).

STARTS

The swimmers are allowed two false starts.  If they jump the start and the starter thinks they are trying to get an advantage (whether intentional or not – it does not matter), they will be taken out of the race.

 TURNS AND FINISHES

1.            Freestyle:  feet have to touch the wall on the turn. 

2.       Backstroke:  swimmers have to be on their back when they touch the wall.  After they touch, they can then turn around, but they must push off on their back.  At the finish a swimmer must finish on their back.  A swimmer may not roll over and grab the wall until they have first touched it. 

3.        Breaststroke and Butterfly:

A.      Swimmers have to touch with both hands at the same time.

B.       A swimmer may not freestyle kick off the wall in either breaststroke or butterfly.

C.       When swimming butterfly, both arms must move at the same time.

 SWIM SUITS

Female Suits - These suits must be one piece.  There is a "team suit" that is chosen by the team that may be purchased, but you do not need to purchase the suit to be on the team.  If you are buying another suit, please look for one that has a high neck, that connects or crosses in the back, and that is snug.  (If it causes some "red" marks on the shoulders, that is snug enough.)

Male Suits - The same goes for the male suit.  Except if you are buying another suit, please look for trunks that hit about mid thigh, no longer.  Try to stay away from Spandex also.

I am excited to start the swim team season.  As the new coach, I can't wait to meet all of the swimmers and their families.  I am looking forward to working with a team built on Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.  Each swimmer will have the opportunity to excel and grow with this program.  I expect a great deal out of each swimmer and in turn expect them to have goals for me as well.  I can't wait to start this learning and fun experience.

Jillian, Aquatics Director

Swim Team Links

Mid Missouri Swimming Conference

Missouri Valley Swimming

USA Swimming