FAIRVIEW AQUATICS
SWIM TEAM
PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION
HANDBOOK
2016-2017
SEASON
www.fastswimteamny.com
FAST Parents’ Association
Table of Contents
WELCOME TO SWIMMERS AND PARENTS…………………………………………………………………………………………1
MISSION STATEMENT………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………2
TEAM PHILOSOPHY………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….3
COACHING PHILOSOPHY………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4
PRACTICE SCHEDULE………………………………………………………………………….………………………………………….5
COACHING STAFF……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………6
FAST PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION & BOARD MEMBERS…………………………….………………………………………….7
PRACTICE RULES & ETIQUETTE……………………………………………………………………….…………………………….8
UNDERSTANDING A SWIM MEET & TERMINOLOGY………………………………………………………………………..9
FUNDAMENTALS OF STROKES………………………………………………………………………………………………….…..10
USA SWIM MEET SCHEDULE &CHAMPIONSHIPS SCHEDULE…………………………………………...…………….11
OTHER DATES TO REMEMBER………………………………………………………………………………….…………………12
EMERGENCY CONTACT & MEDICAL RELEASE FORM………………………………………..…………………..………13
MOTIVATIONAL
TIMES………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………14
TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR SWIMMING
PARENTS……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………..15
FAST Parents’ Association
August 19, 2016
Welcome Parents & Swimmers,
We wish to welcome you, swimmers and parents, to the Fairview
Aquatic Swim Team (FAST). The FAST-USA Squad is an entry into a
rewarding world of competitive swimming.
Being part of a competitive swim club offers our young men and
women equal opportunity to grow in an atmosphere that fosters physical
challenge, team spirit, and mental focus; becoming involved with FAST
means taking a step towards a lifestyle that provides significant health and
social benefits.
The FAST organization has programs in place to assist swimmers at all
levels to attain their personal goals. Being aware of the long-term
development involved in swimming, we are dedicated to developing our
athletes’ ability to swim successfully at the university level, while keeping
the sport fun and encouraging the development of a life-long love of the sport
of swimming.
This handbook provides important information and includes answers to
frequently asked questions about our team and its members’ responsibilities.
It is important to the success of our team that parents become familiar with its
contents and discuss the relevant points with their swimmer(s).
FAST Parents’ Association
MISSION STATEMENT
It is the mission of the FAST Swim Team to nurture swimmers between the ages of 5 and 18 with the
goal of helping them develop the skills necessary to make them the best swimmers that they are each
capable of becoming. The organization has professional coaches who receive cutting-edge continuing
education to ensure that swimmers receive top-notch coaching. The team’s goal is to constantly raise
the bar by continually challenging the swimmers and keeping the program fresh and exciting.
The three ingredients necessary to guarantee a competitive USA team are:
1) Swimmers focused on improvement
2) Professional coaches
3) Committed parents
Our swimmers individually and collectively define success and benefit from positive peer influence and
social interaction. Team spirit and pride are developed through activities that teach self-discipline,
effort, and perseverance. While fun is an integral part of our team experience at all levels, swimmers are
expected to train for competition. This is not an exercise program. FAST is on the cutting edge of
swim competition, first and foremost.
TEAM PHILOSOPHY
We are a family-centered diverse team with a sense of community that comes from working and playing
together. Our swimmers work toward their personal best and encourage the achievements of their
fellow teammates. As is usually the case with child-centered activities, this club runs on parents
contributing their time, talents, and efforts. Our success as a team depends on everyone pitching in to do
his or her share.
COACHING PHILOSOPHY
Our coaches believe that competitive swimming takes dedication and discipline and builds self-esteem
in our young children’s lives. Swimming also provides an excellent source of exercise, encouraging a
healthy lifestyle and positively affects other aspects of the children’s lives. In addition to honing skills
as competitive swimmers, priority is placed on developing a sense of self-worth as an individual and as
part of a team.
Coaches will determine in which events swimmers will be placed at all meets, based on the strengths
of all swimmers on the team and not solely on times. Because scheduling swimmers in events
requires strategy on behalf of the coaches, the events in which a swimmer competes might vary
from meet to meet.
Children swimming in the Stroke Development Program Junior Team are on a track that is moving
toward competitive swimming. As such, at the coaching staff’s discretion, more advanced Stroke
Development Junior Team swimmers may be chosen to compete in various home swim meets.
FAST Parents’ Association
Gold Training Squad & Silver Training Squad
This group is for athletes preparing to compete at the highest local level.
Swimmers must be able to balance the commitments required by FAST and their school
before considering taking part in this group.
The most advance level of training offered, requires full dedication to the principles of training
Practice is 4x / week plus Saturday for 1.5 hours. No exceptions.
Swimmers are encouraged to make a set practice routine, which they can maintain with their
coaches in order to experience improved performance.
Meets: approximately 2 per month.
Swimmers are expected to attend all FAST hosted meets.
Group goal meets: Senior Metropolitan Championships, Zones, Junior Olympics, and Silver
Olympics
Tryouts: available, Sept, Dec and April check team website @ FASTSWIMTEAMNY.COM
for exact dates
Bronze Training Squad
This level allows group members to progress at a rate appropriate to their skill.
Swimmers must be able to do all four competitive strokes legally.
Provide structured practice sessions that emphasize stroke development as a method of
learning proper conditioning skills.
Emphasis will be made on training development based on time repetition as conditioning sets.
Introduction to basic race strategies and understanding seasonal goals and plans.
Swimmers are expected to practice 4 days per week plus Saturday.
Meets: Swimmers are expected to attend all FAST hosted meets and Washington DC meet
ONLY
Group goal meets: Zones, Junior Olympics, and Silver Championships
Tryouts: available, Sept, Dec and April check team website @ FASTSWIMTEAMNY.COM
for exact dates
FAST Parents’ Association
PRACTICES
During the 2016-2017 Swim Season, practice times are as follows:
Gold Training Squad & Silver Training Squad
Mon Tues Wed Thu 5:30-7:30pm
Sat 7:30 - 9:00am
Bronze Training Squad
Mon Tues Wed Thu 5:30-7:30pm
Sat 11:00-12:30pm
Attendance is taken daily.
Dry-land practices will be held by announcement. The coaching staff will advise parents via email and
verbally who can attend dry-land practices.
Additional practices may be scheduled. The coaches will advise parents and swimmers of any schedule
changes or additions via email.
FAST USA COACHING STAFF
Head Coach: Ted Dowie
Coach:
Christian Delgado
FAST Parents’ Association
PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION
Membership in the FAST Parents’ Association is NOT OPTIONAL.
The parents of every swimmer on the FAST Swim Team are required to join the FAST Parents’
Association. Dues are $1,500.00 for all swimmers, per year, for the first swimmer in the family and 20%
discount on additional swimmers from the same family.
Membership provides added benefits for team members. Dues are used for a variety of things; including
the purchase and/or upgrade of team equipment, maintenance of equipment, swim meet operation costs,
supplies, website operation, swimmer caps & T shirts, USA and Metropolitan membership fees, Coaches
continuing education, Coaches fees, social activities, gifts, etc.
Money earned from fundraisers and concession sales at swim meets are also used to cover team expenses
and purchase special items for FAST team members. Specific Fundraising promotions will be announced
during the season as needed to fund additional activities.
Parents are required to volunteer at meets, assist with food concession fund raising and anything that will
help the team run smoothly totaling a minimum of 35 hours. It is recognized that parent schedules vary
within families, as well as those with small children. Responsibilities shall commensurate with
individual ability to assist.
$300 penalty fee will be prorated on your total
remaining incomplete volunteer hours for the
season and billing to your account.
NOTE: There will be a $45.00 penalty for those
parents who register online for volunteer hours
who do not show.
Parents are expected to pay all fees in full at the beginning of the season. Anyone unable to meet this
obligation must speak to the Board President, Sandra Lockhart who in turn will present all financial
matters to the Parent Association Board for scholarship consideration or payment plan.
Payments can be made Online at FASTSWIMTEAMNY.COM with password access. If you do not have
password access to the website you may request to obtain a password by sending a Contact me email
from the website. Upon receipt and confirmation of membership a password will be sent to your attention
at the email address you have provided
All Payments are to be made at our Website FASTSWIMTEAMNY.COM
The association cannot be held responsible for items left in the pool office
or left with Coaches.
Payments retuned for any reason will be charged a $35 handling fee
No exceptions
FAST Parents’ Association
BOARD MEMBERS
The FAST Parents’ Association is comprised of Board members who make Team policy decisions in
partnership with the coaching staff. The Board sets membership rates, proposes budgets and maintains
fiscal oversight, Coordinates swim team activities, Coordinates hosted swim meets, oversees Grievance
committee & various other committees.
There are three executive positions on the Board: President, VP Treasurer and Secretary.
The President is head of the Board and committees, acts as sole liaison to the Community Center
administration, has authority to initiate and enter into contracts on behalf of the association, and oversees
all association business and policy upon Board approval. The Vice President / Treasurer assist the
president in all association business and is authorized to handle all association business in the absence of
the President upon Board approval. The VP Treasurer is responsible for managing the Association’s
checking account, collection of fees and for providing a monthly financial report to the Board. The
Secretary is responsible for all communication, coordinating member files, board meeting arrangements
and minutes. The board can authorize additional at large membership to committee chairs Decisions are
made by the full Board whenever possible, by majority vote. In an emergency situation, the executive
Board may vote on an issue.
Committees are established to facilitate the smooth operation of the team. Committees may consist of,
but are not necessarily limited to, fundraising, concession, and team special events. Everyone is both
encouraged and welcomed to join committees to have a voice in the decision-making process and it is
expected that each family will be represented on at least one such committee. Decisions about issues
directly concerning the team (such as swim suit choices and special equipment) will be made by the head
coach in collaboration with the Parents’ Association.
Do not hesitate to contact a board member with any questions, concerns, or suggestions. One of the
Board’s primary roles is to make the job of the coaches easier by being a buffer between the coaches and
parents. Please let a board member relay your suggestions and concerns to the coaches and pool staff.
Issues for the Community Center administration should be directed to the President.
Under no circumstances is a parent to approach a coach on deck to initiate a
conversation during swim team practice or during a swim meet.
If a parent prefers to speak directly with a coach, please call the pool office or contact the coach on the
website to arrange a meeting with the coach after practice or other agreed upon time. Your cooperation
with this policy is appreciated.
FAST PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION BOARD
Executive Board
President:
Vice-President/Treasurer:
Secretary:
Meet Manager:
FAST Parents’ Association
Sandra Lockhart
Sucy Formoso
Noelia Camacho-Kelly
Tandrea Lockhart
PRACTICE RULES AND ETIQUETTE
Swimmers:
1) Be on time. Parents, we realize that the children don’t drive, but whenever
possible, let the coaches know when they will be delayed.
2) Be prepared. Have appropriate gear for dry land and swim practices. Always come
with your practice equipment, two caps, and two pairs of goggles, suit and
towel. Looking for replacements for broken goggles or cap is time consuming and
can disrupt practice. For dry land practice, wear appropriate work-out clothing and
be sure to bring a water bottle.
3) You are expected to attend practices every week as designated for each group.
Attendance is taken daily.
4) Treat others the way you would like to be treated, cheer for your teammates, allow
them to pass you in your lane, and respect other swimmers’ personal property.
5) Pay attention to your coaches and follow their directions.
6) Ask questions if you do not understand.
7) Do not leave the pool deck and building without Coaches permission.
8) If you have a problem with a teammate or at practice, talk to the Coach first.
9) If something is wrong, i.e. your leg hurts, you have an earache, etc., tell the coach
before practice. Make an attempt to push yourself to work out despite discomfort.
You will find that water workouts can help to diminish pain. If an injury occurs
during practice, advise your coach immediately.
10) Do not sit on the lane ropes or run on the pool deck. Horseplay is not permitted.
11) Circle swim is the rule. Do not stop in the middle of the lanes as this can cause
injury to a fellow swimmer.
FAST Parents’ Association
Parents:
1) PLEASE VOLUNTEER. Parents help is essential at swim meets and other activities such as
fundraisers and social activities.
2) If you have a question, complaint, or suggestion, please bring it to a board member or coach.
Please DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DISCUSS IT WITH A COACH DURING PRACTICE. These
same rules apply during swim meets.
3) Arguments have no place on the pool deck. If there are any disagreements, the parties involved
must wait until practice is over and arrange for a time to meet with Coach. Do not seek
resolutions to problems on deck. Respect for others is of the utmost importance. PARENTS
CAUSING ANY COMMOTION OR SCENE ON/OR NEAR THE POOL DECK WILL BE
ASKED TO LEAVE IMMEDIATELY. PARENTS ARE NOT TO CHASTISE ANOTHER
CHILD. PLEASE BRING ALL ISSUES TO A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OR COACH
IMMEDIATELY.
4) Please drop off your child/children on time. Children who arrive late sometimes disrupt practice,
so please make every effort to have your children ready to swim on time. They should be on deck
warming up no later than their scheduled practice time. Determine how many days per week you
and your child/children are able to dedicate to the swim team, notify the head coach and make it a
goal to come to practice as regularly for optimum performance.
5) Children who arrive late for practice should suit up immediately, shower, and go on deck ready to
work. Latecomers should not disrupt practice and should, instead, go to a coach and wait for
direction. If a swimmer knows what he/she should be doing, he/she should get into the
appropriate lane and begin the workout.
6) During dry-land practice, if a child is age five through nine is late, he/she must be accompanied to
the practice during the outdoor season.
7) Parents are responsible for the meet sign up found on the FAST website and event
information. The team website and bulletin board should be checked for updated
information daily.
8) Meet results will be posted to the FAST website fastswimteamny.com under the Calendar
tab labeled MEET SCHEDULE. Meet results can also be obtained on the Metropolitan
Swimming link located on the team website
9) It is the parents’ responsibility to ensure the registration forms are accurate and
coaches have up-to-date and appropriate (i.e. cell phone) emergency telephone
contact numbers. Please also update all information on your Team Unify account
via the website.
FAST Parents’ Association
CONSENSUS VALUES
The traits valued by our membership are:
 Respect in the swimming community
 Respect among teammates, respect among teammates and coaches, respect among teammates and
parents, respect among parents, and respect among parents and coaches; there is no room for
disrespect of any kind
 Individually defined success
 Recognition
 Self-Discipline
 Social interaction among swimmers
 Social interaction among parents
 Parent participation
 Parent education
 Organizational efficiency
 Financial stability
 Ability
 Appropriate instruction and guidance
 Success in competition at all levels
 Family involvement
 Positive peer influence
 Professional coaching
 Staff development
 Pride in our organization
 Loyalty
 Increasing membership and embracing new team members
Ability-appropriate instruction challenges each swimmer.
Loyalty is developed among coaches and swimmers through:
1) Recognition
2) Parent participation and social interaction
3) An effective delivery of organizational services
The FAST organization is committed to:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Professional coaching
Continued staff development
Parent education
Efficiency of operation
Financial stability
Success of the individual swimmer and the team
FAST Parents’ Association
MEET TERMINOLOGY
For those new to the sport, swimming, like every other sport, has its own jargon. We will try to provide
definitions and explanations for the most commonly used terms.
Warm-Ups:
Prior to each competition, there is a warm-up period during which swimmers not
only warm up their muscles, but also get familiar with the pool.
Meet:
The swimming equivalent to a “game”.
Dual Meet:
Any competition between two clubs.
Tri-Meet:
Any competition between three clubs.
Event:
Any race or series of races in a given stroke and distance for a specific age group
and sex. Example: Girls 8 & Under 25-Meter Breaststroke
Individual Medley: Considered the true test of a swimmer. The individual medley commonly referred
to as the “I.M.”, features all four strokes. Swimmer does 25-, 50-, or 100-meter (or
yards, depending on the pool) segments of fly, back, breast, and free; in that order.
Relays:
A relay team consists of four swimmers.
Medley relay is back, breast, fly and free.
In a free relay, all swimmers swim freestyle.
No swimmer may swim two strokes in the same relay.
Lane:
The specific area in which the swimmer is assigned to swim.
Leg:
The part of a relay event that an individual swimmer swims.
Scratch:
Heats:
Seed:
Circle Seeding:
Heat Sheets:
Anchor:
Course:
To withdraw a swimmer from an event.
Since all the swimmers entered in a race cannot swim at the same time, they are
put into groups (called heats) of six or eight swimmers depending on the number
of lanes in the pool. The heats are generally arranged so that swimmers of
comparable ability are swimming together.
To distribute swimmers among the heats and lanes according to their times. In
Westchester-Fairfield dual- and tri- meets, the fastest swimmers are in heat one; in
most other cases, the fastest swimmers are in the final heat of an event.
To assign swimmers to their lanes according to their entry times. When
there are eight lanes, the fastest swimmer in each heat is in Lane 4, the next fastest
in Lane 5, next in Lane 6, Lane 2, Lane 7, Lane 1, and Lane 8. Using this seeding
technique, no swimmer is further away than half a pool width from the most
competitive swimmer. Circle seeding is commonly used at championships and
USA meets.
The meet program is called the heat sheet and is usually offered for sale at
competitions.
The last swimmer in a relay.
The designated distance over which the competitive is conducted. Many pools are
25 meters or yards, or a short course, where someone swimming in a 50-meter or
yard event would do a turn at the 25-meter/yard mark; 50 meters for Olympic
competition, or long course, where someone swimming in a 50-meter event would
not do a turn at the halfway point.
FAST Parents’ Association
Stroke & Turn Judge: A trained swim official that judges swimmers’ legality for the event. If a stroke
& turn judge finds that the swimmer’s stroke is not legal, he/she disqualifies the
swimmer.
Marshaling Area:
Before each race, each swimmer must check in to pick up a time card showing the
heat and lane number. Swimmers wait for their heat to be called and follow the
instructions of marshals who tell them when to go to their assigned lanes.
Timed Finals:
Many meets are run as a timed final, which means that the heat time is the final
time. Order of finish is determined by ranking the times for all the heats from
fastest to slowest. In other meets, the heats are used as qualifiers to make the
finals. The 8 swimmers with the fastest times make the finals; the next 8 make the
consolations, and two are named as alternates in case one or more swimmers are
scratched from the finals or consolations.
Qualifying Times:
Some swim meets having qualifying times (time standards) that has to be met in
order to participate. For example, to compete at the Silver Championships,
swimmers have to have “silver times”.
De-qualifying Times: Some swim meets have maximum qualifying times. For example, those with
provincial time in a stroke cannot swim that stroke at “B” meets.
Starting Blocks:
To allow swimmers to get further out into the pool at every start, starting blocks
are used from which racing dives are executed at the sound of a gun or electronic
beep/strobe.
Backstroke Flags:
Five (5) meters from each end of the pool, a set of flags is strung across the pool to
let backstroke swimmers know that the wall is near.
Session:
A session is a 4- or 5-hour period (morning – 7 a.m. to noon, afternoon – noon to 5
p.m. and for meets with finals, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.).
EX
This notation is used for a swimmer who is swimming exhibition only. They are
not qualified for the meet because their times are too fast. They may be placed in
the fastest heat, but are not eligible to win a ribbon.
DQ
This notation is used for a swimmer who has been disqualified for some infraction
of the rules.
JD
This notation is used for a judge’s decision. This happens when the Place Judge’s
list of finishing order does not match the times. This usually happens when the
times are within hundreds of seconds of each other. The Chief Place Judge follows
a standard procedure for determining time and place.
MT
This notation is used for manual time. In some of the larger pools, there are
electronic time pads at the end of each lane, in addition to three timers. The Chief
Place Judge compares the electronic time to the manual time. If the time is
obviously incorrect, because of a light touch on the time pad (i.e. the clock doesn’t
stop when the swimmer finishes), or malfunctioning electronics, the manual time
replaces the electronic time.
FAST Parents’ Association
FUNDAMENTALS OF STROKES
Freestyle
As the name implies, any stroke may be used, but usually the front crawl (Australian crawl) is chosen.
Two kinds of turns: open turn (touch turn), hand touches first; flip turn (tumble turn), feet touch first.
Some part of the body must touch the wall on the turn.
Backstroke
Swimmers start in the water and remain on their backs for the entire race, except turns.
The stroke is an alternating motion of the arms and flutter kick. Some part of the swimmer must break
the surface of the water throughout the race, except during the turn and for a distance of not more than 15
meters after the start and each turn. On turns, they rotate onto their fronts, but must be on their back
when their feet leave the wall.
A line of colored flags, 5 meters from the pool ends, allows swimmers to judge turns.
Breaststroke
Rules are very restrictive.
Both arms and legs move in a mirror image of each other.
The arms and legs are recovered forward underwater, making it the slowest of all strokes. Because of
this recovery, breaststroke is the fastest when the body is totally submerged.
The kick is a simultaneous thrust of the legs called a “frog” kick. No flutter or dolphin kicking is
allowed, except for the first underwater stroke, which can be a single dolphin kick.
The rules allow one stroke underwater on the start and after each turn.
The head may go under water, but it must come above the surface on each stroke. Both hands must touch
the wall at the same time in the same horizontal plane.
Butterfly
Each arm and leg moves in a parallel fashion.
Unlike breaststroke, the arms are allowed to recover over the water.
A dolphin kick action is used. The swimmer must kick both legs together and may not flutter kick as in
the freestyle.
Once again, the hands must touch the end walls at the same time and at the same horizontal plane. The
butterfly was born in the early 1950s as a loophole in the breaststroke rules. It became an Olympic stroke
in 1956 in Melbourne, Australia.
FAST Parents’ Association
FAST SWIM TEAM USA MEET SCHEDULE (2016-2017)
(Tentative)
2016
October:
8th & 9th- Hispanic Heritage Home Meet
TBA – Travel Meets to be announced.
November:
12th & 13th- T.Y.D. Home Meet
December:
11th – 1st Annual William L. Carter Home Meet
TBA – Travel Meets to be announced.
2016
January: 1st
TBA – Travel Meets to be announced.
February:
4th – 5th – Black Legends Home Meet
TBA – Travel Meets to be announced.
10th – 12th – Washington DC Meet
18th – 19st- Senior Mets OME @ NCAC
24th-26th- Metro Silvers North @ Felix Festa
March:
4th – 5th - Metro 8&U Championships @ Felix Festa/
11th – 13th JO 14&U Championship @ LIAC
OTHER DATES TO REMEMBER
September 9, 2016
October 5, 2016
November 9, 2016
December 9, 2016
December 16, 2016
January 20, 2017
February 3, 2017
June 10, 2017
September 2017 TBA
Registration, Parents’ Meeting
Parents’ Meeting
Parents' Meeting
Parents' Meeting
Holiday Party
Parents’ Meeting
Parents Meeting (Washington)
Season Picnic & Awards Ceremony
Start of New Season Course
TDYCC
TDYCC
TDYCC
TDYCC
TDYCC
TDYCC
Ridge Rd Park Pavilion 3
TDYCC
These dates are Tentative and subject to change all meets and Parent meetings will
be announced on deck and posted on our website.
Pool Closure Dates will be posted on our website
Emergency Contact & Medical Release Information
FAST Parents’ Association
(This information will be carried with the coach to each swim meet in the event of an emergency)
Name:
__________________________________________________________
Date of Birth: ______/______/_______
Age: _____________________________
Address:
__________________________________________________________
City:
________________________ State: ___________ Zip: ____________
Please answer each question completely. In an event of an emergency, this form will be given to the
medical personnel who are providing treatment to your son/daughter. Thank you.
1. Do you have allergies
_____ yes _____ no
If yes, please list __________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. Are you allergic to any medications
_____ yes _____ no
If yes, please list __________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. Do you have seizures
_____ yes _____ no
If yes, please list condition(s) _______________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
(Epileptic, Brain, other)
4. Are you diabetic
_____ yes _____ no
If yes, please list type and
medications______________________________________________________________
5.
6.
7.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Do you have sickle cell anemia
_____ yes _____ no
Do you have high blood pressure
_____ yes _____ no
Do you have any of the following conditions
Heart disease (murmur, rheumatic fever, other)
_____ yes _____ no
Lung disease (asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis)
_____ yes _____ no
Kidney disease
_____ yes _____ no
Liver disease
_____ yes _____ no
Please list any other condition _______________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
8. Have you ever been unconscious for a head injury or any other head injury or condition or
hospitalization in the past 3 years
_____ yes _____ no
If yes, please list __________________________________________________________
9. Have you ever had a neck or back injury involving bones, nerves injury in which you
were disabled for more than 5 days
_____ yes _____ no
10. Do you wear contact lenses during competition
_____ yes _____ no
11. Have you had any shoulder injuries
_____ yes _____ no
12. Do you have any other conditions that we should be aware of (surgeries, pin screws,
sprains, strains, etc.). Please give specific details ________________________________
FAST Parents’ Association
Ten Commandments for Swimming Parents
by Rose Snyder, Managing Director Coaching Division, USOC Former Director of Club Services,
USA Swimming and available on-line at
http://www.usaswimming.org/USASWeb/ViewMiscArticle.aspx?TabId=1313&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=e
n&mid=725&ItemId=3061
1. Thou shalt not impose thy ambitions on thy child. Remember that swimming is your child’s
activity. Improvements and progress occur at different rates for each individual. Don’t judge your
child’s progress based on the performance of other athletes and don’t push him or her based on
what you think she or he should be doing. The nice thing about swimming is every person can
strive to do his or her personal best and benefit from the process of competitive swimming.
2. Thou shalt be supportive no matter what. There is only one question to ask your child after a
practice or a competition—”Did you have fun?” If meets and practices are not fun, your child
should not be forced to participate.
3. Thou shalt not coach thy child. You are involved in one of the few youth sports programs that
offer professional coaching. Do not undermine the professional coach by trying to coach your
child on the side. Your job is to provide love and support. The coach is responsible for the
technical part of the job. You should not offer advice on technique or race strategy. Never pay
your child for a performance. This will only serve to confuse your child concerning the reasons to
strive for excellence and weaken the swimmer/coach bond.
4. Thou shalt only have positive things to say at a swimming meet. You should be encouraging and
never criticize your child or the coach. Both of them know when mistakes have been made.
Remember “yelling at” is not the same as “cheering for.”
5. Thou shalt acknowledge thy child’s fears. New experiences can be stressful situations. It is totally
appropriate for your child to be scared. Don’t yell or belittle, just assure your child that the coach
would not have suggested the event or meet if your child was not ready. Remember your job is to
love and support your child through all of the swimming experience.
6. Thou shalt not criticize the officials. Don’t criticize those who are doing the best they can in
purely voluntary positions.
7. Honor they child’s coach. The bond between coach and swimmer is special. It contributes to your
child’s success as well as fun. Do not criticize the coach in the presence of your child.
8. Thou shalt be loyal to and supportive of thy team. It is not wise for parents to take swimmers and
to jump from team to team. The water isn’t necessarily bluer in another team’s pool. Every team
has its own internal problems, even teams that build champions. Children who switch from team
to team find that it can be a difficult emotional experience. Often swimmers who do switch teams
don’t do better than they did before they sought the bluer water.
9. Thy child shalt have goals besides winning. Most successful swimmers have learned to focus on
the process and not the outcome. Giving an honest effort regardless of what the outcome is is
much more important than winning. One Olympian said, “My goal was to set a world record.
Well, I did that, but someone else did it too, just a little faster than I did. I achieved my goal and I
lost. Does this make me a failure? No, in fact I am very proud of that swim.” What a tremendous
outlook to carry on through life.
10. Thou shalt not expect thy child to become an Olympian. There are 250,000 athletes in USA
Swimming. There are only 52 spots available for the Olympic Team every four years. Your
child’s odds of becoming an Olympian are about .0002%. Swimming teaches self-discipline and
sportsmanship; it builds self-esteem and fitness; it provides memories and creates friendships that
will last a lifetime, and much, much more. The intangibles will far outweigh any ribbon or medal
your swimmers have won along the way. Swimming builds good people and you should be
pleased that your child wants to participate.
FAST Parents’ Association