Girls Swim & Dive

Team Expectations

Coaches: Provide a positive working/learning environment; treat athletes with dignity and respect; communicate with athletes, parents, and other staff; develop quality individuals on/off pool deck through life skills; demonstrate sportsmanship.

Athletes: Excel in the classroom; practice and compete with enthusiasm and a positive attitude; have fun; be committed, punctual, and coach-able; attend all scheduled events; dress appropriately; mentor other swimmers; work with others to make them better; behave in a respectful manner at all times as you represent this team and Mahtomedi School District everywhere you go.

Parents: Be supportive, positive, and encouraging; demonstrate sportsmanship towards others; treat coaches with dignity and respect; pick up student athletes on time after practice and meets; no flash photography during diving or swim starts; parents are not allowed on the pool deck during practice or meets

Team Values

Academics: Classroom responsibilities precede athletic endeavors. You should strive to maintain “C” average or better. Proper time management is important.

Effort/Goals: Give 100% from start to finish in practice and meets. Goal setting is critical in providing focus during the season. Goals are a dynamic process that is evaluated throughout the season. 

Timeliness: Be on time to all team events! Your commitment is reflected in your ability to be on time and being ready to swim/dive. 

Attendance: The coaches will be tracking attendance. If you must miss a practice, inform a coach IN ADVANCE. Practice is required to be eligible for competition and team awards which include Varsity Letters. You need to practice the day prior to a meet to participate in the meet. Missing two practices between meets may disqualify you from the next meet. Reminder- We swim on Saturday’s and we do practice on other non-school days as outlined on the calendar. 

Listening: Coach’s instructions are critical to the success of the athletes and the team. Instruction distractions= lost time; lost time= less practice. Continued problems in this area may result in disciplinary intervention.

Practice Rules 

Out of the Pool: 

• Be at practice ready to get into the pool on time- (this means you are changed, have water bottle and went to bathroom ahead of time). Arriving early= being on time. 
• Inform a coach if you have any medication or medical issues. 
• If you are sick or injured, sit in the stands.
• Turn off cell phones. 
• Use locker rooms for changing but bring all equipment to the pool deck. 
• Food must be packaged and disposed of prior to entering the pool deck area.

In the Pool: 

• Absolutely NO diving unless instructed to do so by a coach. At all times use FEET FIRST entries in practice and meets. 
• Start and end every lap from the wall using streamline starts and finishes.
• Always do legal starts, strokes, turns and finishes. 
• Start your swim on time generally 5-10 seconds apart. 
• Complete the required distance without stopping. Skipping yardage hurts you and your team. 
• Follow the standards for passing and order of swimming (generally the fastest go first) 
• Move into the corner of the lane when not swimming to allow the other swimmers to finish. 
• When finishing a distance, note your time to start the next part on time. 
• Always give full effort during a set, even when it is hard! 
• Every word you speak to a team mate should be encouraging. 
• Use the bathroom between sets and during designated breaks, not during a set.

Equipment: 

• Athletes should have 2 practice suits, 2 swim caps, 2 pairs of goggles, a pair of tennis shoes, a towel, and a water bottle (no glass allowed). 
• Athletes will be issued and responsible for team parka and other equipment that will be collected at the end of the season. Report any lost or damaged equipment to a coach immediately.

Injuries: Report injuries to a coach immediately to allow for assessment. Consult with your parent and coach regarding further medical attention. If a doctor needs to be consulted, a medical release is required prior to returning to practice and competition. Mahtomedi HS trainer is available through the school district.

Meet Rules: 

Out of the Pool: 

• School dress code should be followed on meet days. 
• Jewelry should not to be worn during a meet. 
• Everyone cheers for everyone! During events no one sits. 
• Show respect for opponents, public property, and equipment at all times. 
• Host facility rules are followed 
• Athletes should not change clothing until the meet is over and the cool down is complete. 
• NO talking while a diver is on the board or a swimmer is on a block 
• Put cell phones away during the meet.

In the Water:

• At all times use feet first entries in practice and meets. Starts and diving is only permitted under the direct supervision of a coach. 
• Accept the decisions of the officials. 
• Display modesty in victory and graciousness in defeat. 
• After your event, stop by the coaches for feedback. 
• No offensive language or gestures.

Equipment: 

• Athletes should purchase a competition team meet suit to wear at all competitions. These should not to be worn during practice. 
• One team cap is provided- should not be used at practice. Spare caps are available for purchase. 
• Bring two caps, two pairs of goggles, and a towel to every meet. You never know when you will need a spare. 
• Bring team parka. (Team apparel should be worn during awards) 
• Bring a water bottle (no glass allowed) and healthy snack.

Team Bus/Traveling: 

• All athletes are required to travel to and from the meet on the team bus.
• Athletes that miss the bus without permission will not be allowed to swim that meet. Rare exceptions may apply based on coaches’ discretion which MUST be arranged 24 hours in advance, in writing. 
• Coaches cannot release athletes to someone other than a parent or guardian.

Meet Event Entries: 

• Not all athletes will swim four events each meet. 
• Entries are limited to three Varsity and three JV entrants in each Individual and Relay Event. Athletes may compete in a maximum of 4 events with a maximum of 2 individual events. 
• Individual events are based on coaches discretion and the athlete’s wish list. 
• Relays are based on the coach’s discretion and opposing competition. 
• The lineups are made for a specific reason, and you may not always understand why, however it is your responsibility to do your best in the events you are entered in.

Sections & State: 

• Section entries are based on Coach’s discretion and the consistent best marks in each event. 
• Athletes are encouraged to attend to support their team members. 
• State entries are determined by the MSHSL cut times in each event.

Team Related Items 

Disciplinary Procedures: 

• Failure to abide by the team rules and expectations will result in the following, based on coach’s discretion: Practice or meet suspension or removal from the team. 
• School Discipline- Athletes who are disciplined by the school for breaking school rules are subject to the school disciplinary process and athletic disciplinary actions that apply. 
• Minnesota State High School League Rules: 
  • The MSHSL guidelines will be followed accordingly when a violation occurs. 
  • Athletes who violate the MSHSL guidelines are not eligible for conference, coaches association, or team awards. 
  • Captains found to be in violation of MSHSL rules will be released from their title and duties. 
  • Chemical use-MSHSL rules are followed for any issues related to chemical use.

Fundraising: Due to the athletic budget limitations in the Mahtomedi School District, fundraising is a necessity. Fundraising is a team event that is contingent on all athlete/family participation.

Captains:

At the end of each season, the team will vote for Captains for the next season. Captain expectations will be communicated to each captain prior to the season.

Eligibility- 

• Athletes that are going into their Junior or Senior year of high school are eligible to apply
• Must be in good academic standing, and no MSHSL violations

**The number of Captains selected may vary each season due to team size, Coaches will have the final say on nominations**

Academics/Activities: 

• Academics: Athletes who miss practice to stay at school to work with a teacher should bring a written note from the teacher that same day. Although academics are a priority, repeated missed team events to complete school work should be discussed with a coach. 
• Activities: Many athletes participate in other activities (NHS, theater, band, choir, church, etc.). This is a valuable part of being a student athlete. However, if the other activities interfere with team requirements it may affect other team member’ event opportunities by those absent and their overall season performance. 
• Family: We encourage families to coordinate family activities around team commitments during the season. There are emergency situations where athletes should miss team events to be with their family. These situations should be discussed with the coach

Communication 

Effective communication is critical to the operational success of our team. 

General Communication:

• Check email daily. This is the quickest and most efficient way to distribute mass team notifications. 
• Coaches will use email team distribution lists for practice meet or event changes. The captains will also use the Remind system to send text alerts. Please inform the coach if you do not have access to either of these methods of communication. 
• There are times the captains or coaches may distribute a flyer at practice. Athletes need to make sure these flyers are taken home! 
• If athletes or parents wish to speak to a coach- one will be available before and after practices. 
• At meets- Coaches will not be available for “shop talk” (their daughter’s event selection, coach decisions, practice, or transportation conflicts, etc.) before or after meets.

Questions/Concerns: 

The following has been established to ensure open lines of communication between school, administrators, coaches, athletes, and parents/guardians. This procedure has been developed through the Activity Director’s office and establishes guidelines to reach positive resolutions. 

1. The athlete should schedule a meeting with a coach to discuss the issue. If the problem involves an assistant coach, the head coach will be involved. 
2. If either party is not satisfied by the proposed resolution in step 1, they may schedule a meeting for the athlete, parent/guardian, and head coach to discuss the issue. 
3. If either party is not satisfied by the proposed resolution in step 2, they may schedule a meeting for the athlete, parent/guardian, head coach with the activities director to discuss the concern. 
4. If either party is not satisfied by the proposed resolution in step 3, they may schedule a meeting for the athlete, parent/guardian, head coach, activities director with the principal to discuss the concern.