Summary of Head Coach’s Remarks at the Parent-Coaches Meeting

-May 19, 2007-

Cary City Invitational: should be especially fun since we are hosting this year and the coaches would like to encourage ALL swimmers to participate
Practice Setup:

For first few weeks, coaches will be working in pairs and alternating by week between groups (for example, Coach Alex and Coach Mark might work with the 7-8 year olds the first week while Coach Rory and Coach Sam work with 9-10 year olds; would then switch the next week)
In weeks leading up to time trials, will be going through a stroke progression in practice; will go through basic skills for each stroke
Because of ordered stroke progression, makes it very important to attend as many practices as possible ESPECIALLY in these first few weeks
Kids always encouraged to attend as many practices as possible, but attendance at Monday night or Tuesday morning practice is REQUIRED in order to be considered for main events
Please be 5-10 minutes early for practice, especially for little kids since it takes longer to explain things to them and get them all in the water; we want to utilize every minute of practice time

PLEASE be sure to sign up on posters in the lobby if you are going to miss a swim meet; otherwise, the coaches will enter your children in the lineup and it will unnecessarily chaotic at the meet trying to change the lineup to accommodate
Sunfish/6 and Unders:

Practice time is from 4:15 to 5:00, beginning on Tuesday, May 29
Coaches must be strict in judging whether children meet criteria for participating in Sunfish and 6&Unders
For Sunfish, children must be able to swim at least 10 yards, in whatever form or fashion they like, unassisted and without touching the wall/lane rope and put their face in the water; if they can swim 15 yards unassisted and do recognizable strokes, they will be considered for 6&unders
6&Unders: once morning practice begins in June, AM practice will be offered for 6&unders from 11:00-11:45 in addition to their afternoon practice

For all kids, especially the little ones, it is crucial that parents leave them with coaches and then get as far away from where practice is taking place as possible

The farther away parents can be during practice, the better
Parents are welcome to watch practice, but it is preferred that they do not hoveràit distracts all the swimmers and prevents them from completely focusing on coaches
EVEN if children are crying, just leave them with coaches for practice and try to get as far away as possible
Unless a serious emergency, please do not speak to children or coach them during practiceàit distracts all swimmers and prevents the actual coaches from doing their jobs

Coaches are happy to speak to parents and answer any questions/address any concerns outside of practice or meets
Parents are also always free to email Coach Alex at lexwritr@gmail.com with any questions/concerns

For every best time a swimmer gets, they will receive a Speeding Ticket which, every two weeks, they will have the opportunity to trade in for a variety of prizes; additionally, for every Speeding Ticket a swimmer gets, they will be entered into a raffle which will be done every two weeks where one 10&under swimmer and one 11&up swimmer will receive a larger prize

**Any parents willing to help seek donations for raffle prizes or who are willing to donate prizes themselves, PLEASE email Coach Alex at lexwritr@gmail.com !

Once a week, coaches will tell the kids at a randomly-selected practice that today is a “Yellow Cap Practice.” At Yellow Cap Practices, coaches will be looking for swimmers who are particularly attentive, work hard, display team spirit, etc.; at the end of practice that day, one child from each group will be selected to receive a yellow swim cap which they will be able to wear at the next practice they attend where they will also get to choose what their group is going to do for the first 15-20 minutes of practice (play a game, relays, etc.)

Team Activities held every Wednesday
All kids encouraged to attend; coaches will be there
Schedule of team activities will be announced shortly
Additionally, some smaller spirit activities, such as a poster-making contest, will be held after morning practice on Tuesday mornings
Pasta Pump-Up Dinners will be held at the pool on the Monday nights before home swim meets

Green/White Meet on Wednesday, June 6
Will be run like a normal meet to give both kids and parent volunteers practice for the actual thing
All events will be run, but if kids have to leave early, need to tell coaches at practice so the coaches can time whatever events kids missed from time trials

TSA changed structure this yearàwe are in a very tough division
First two meets are against Lochmere and Preston
HOWEVER, emphasis on learning, personal improvement, and, above all else, HAVING FUN