Swimmers Conduct and Behavior

Purpose – To promote the best possible conduct of all POVST swimmers at practice and swim meets and other team functions,
and to create the best possible individual and team impression.

1. Team members will abide by this code of conduct at all times
2. Smoking or the use of alcohol beverages or drugs are not conducive to good swimming performance and will not be tolerated. 
   Prescription drugs should be used only when advised by the doctor.
3. Un-sportsmanlike behavior, indiscreet or destructive behavior or the use of obscene language will not be tolerated.
4. Respect and support of all members of the POVST is essential.  Working together as a unit for the benefit of all individuals
   is an important part of the team concept.
5. Every effort will be made to avoid “guilt by association” with any code violations.  If a POVST member is present
   when conduct rules are broken, he or she must leave immediately or be assumed to have participated.

Conduct Violation

At the discretion of the coach, any or all of the following penalties may be applied.

1. The swimmer will be scratched from the meet or removed from practice
2. The swimmer will be sent home immediately
3. Temporary or permanent suspension from the team may be imposed upon the swimmer

Practice Policies

1. Each swimmer should try to be present at the pool and ready to swim at least 5 minutes before the start of the
   practice so that we can start on time and make efficient use of the allocated time.
2. POVST swimmers are expected to follow the directions of the coaching staff at all times.  At no time will disrespectful
   attitudes be tolerated.
3. Each swimmer should take care of bathroom breaks, swim caps, goggles etc. before and after swimming practice
   as to not interfere with practice time.  If you must take care of a situation, ask for permission from the coach.
4. Swimmers should ask the coaches permission before leaving practices early.
5. Swimmers are not permitted in the pool unless a member of the coaching staff is present and has given his/her permission.
6. As a courtesy to the rest of the team, please notify a member of the coaching staff in advance if any practices
   or meets must be missed or rescheduled.

Coaching Staff and Responsibilities.

The POVST Coaching Staff’s job is to supervise the entire swim program.  The staff is dedicated to providing a program for
youngsters to enable them to learn the value of striving to improve oneself – “to be the best you can be”.  Therefore, the coaches
must be in control of matters affecting training and competition.

The coaching staff certifications will reflect the requirements of the WHALE league.

The coaching staff is responsible for the following:

• Providing competitive stroke swimming instruction.
• Conducting practice sessions Tuesday thru Friday during the swim season excluding swim meet days and holidays.
• Make arrangements to meet with presiding board member regarding preparation of “Heat Sheets” for each meet
  prior to each meet.
• Assign swimmers to relay teams for practice sessions and swim meets.
• At meets, the coaching staff will conduct and supervise warm-up procedures for the team.
• Ensure swimmers abide by code of conduct at practice, swim meets, and other team functions.

Parent-Swimmer-Coach Relationship

To have a successful program there must be complete understanding and cooperation among parents, swimmers and coaches. 
The progress your child makes depends to a great extent on this triangular relationship.

                        “Our goal is not only to produce great swimmers, but also to
                            produce great young people who swim for Pin Oak village.

Parent Guidelines

Every individual learns at a different rate and responds differently to the various method of presenting skills.  The slower learner obviously takes more time, and this requires more patience on the part of the parents and coaches.  He/She must remember that his/her ultimate swimming potential may be as great or greater than that of the faster learner.

Plateaus will occur at one time or another in every swimmer’s career.  Plateaus can be both in competition and in training. 
A plateau signifies the swimmer has mastered lower-order skills, but they are not yet sufficiently able to move to the next level of higher-order skills.  It is important to explain to the athlete that plateaus occur in all fields of physical training and not to get discouraged. 
The more successful athletes are those who will work through this momentary delay in improvement and go on to achieve greater performance and approach their personal potential.

Youngsters who are 10 and under are the most inconsistent swimmers, and this can be frustrating for parent, coach and swimmer. 
We must be patient and offer encouragement, praise and permit these youngsters to learn to love the sport.

It is the coach’s job to offer constructive criticism of a swimmer’s performance and focus on areas needing improvement. 
It is the parent’s job to supply love, recognition and the encouragement necessary to help the young athletes feel good
about themselves and their teammates.

No parent should behave in such a way as to bring discredit to the child, the team, or competitive swimming.  Any disagreement
with a meet official should be brought to the attention of the coach and handled by the coach.

The communication between the coach and the swimmer is very important.  A two-way relationship must exist daily at practice and at
meets.  It is imperative that the coaches have the swimmer’s full attention at these times.

Any problems that need to be solved between parents and the coaching staff should be directed to the parent/coach liaison on the board.