Swimming Rules
Swim Team Code of Conduct and Expectations
RESPECT your coaches, teammates and parents, the pool, and the equipment at all times.
Treat other swimmers, coaches and spectators from the ORCAS and other swim teams with kindness and courtesy. When at any team event swimmers will behave in a RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, AND SAFE way. This is the ORCA way.
Always obey the coaches (they are the BOSS).
Do your best in practice – this is your time to become a better swimmer. Don’t disrupt practice in a way that keeps other swimmers from learning or training.
No running on pool deck or pushing people into the water. No play guns or squirt guns are allowed in the pool area. Please leave these toys at home. Swimmers may bring quiet activities to use while waiting for your practice to begin.
Swimmers are asked to stay in the gated pool area during practices. During meets, the ramada becomes part of our approved area. The Scouts ask that we not utilize any other part of their property.
A coach must be present before anyone can be in the pool.
No bad words! If you can’t say it at home or at school, then you can’t say it here.
Swimmers are expected to shake hands with the swimmers on either side after each race; this example of good sportsmanship should become a habit
During swim meets, swimmers should sit with their family or in the team area. The coaches are busy running a swim meet and don’t have time to take care of problem behavior or hunt for you before your race.
All questions swimmers or parents may have concerning meet results, an officiating call, or the conduct of a meet, should be referred to the ORCA coaching staff only. Our coaches, in turn, will pursue the matter through appropriate channels.
The ORCA Swim Team works to maintain a wholesome and safe environment in which our swimmers can develop their athletic potential and grow into mature young adults. No swimmer shall engage in any behavior involving the illegal use of alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs or controlled substances. Violation of this rule will result in disciplinary action by the coaching staff up to and including separation from the team along with parental notification.
Finally, it is VERY important that we be considerate guests at our facility. If we expect to be asked back, we must take care to clean up after ourselves and leave the pool and surrounding area in perfect condition every time we leave. This means cleaning up any mess you see (even if you didn’t make it!) and caring for the equipment and facility. If you see anything you think might be a problem, please let a coach or board member know right away, so we can take care of it. I know that we can count on each and every Orca to help us keep this facility available to us.
Note: We know that we have great kids swimming on the ORCA Swim Team and we know that you will all try to follow the rules. If anyone has trouble following the rules the coaches and parents will be there to remind you. If you break the rules too many times you may have to sit out of practice or be suspended from practice for a few days.
Consequences for Breaking the Rules
The coaches will do their very best to ensure that all children are safe and are following the rules. Parents and other swimmers can help us make sure that the rules are being followed. If you see someone breaking the rules, please let a coach know right away. Remember, our rules are there to keep everyone safe. The coaches will follow the following disciplinary steps:
The swimmer will get a verbal warning.
The swimmer will be asked to sit outside of the pool for a time out.
The swimmer will be asked to leave practice for the day and call parents to pick them up.
The swimmer will be asked not to attend practice for a day or two.
Extremely serious infractions may result in separation from the team at the discretion of the coaching staff.
What to eat: Hydration, hydration, hydration!!! Drinking plenty of water before and during practice, throughout the day, and during the meet. Drink your water!!
Eat…There are a multitude of healthy food options for swimmers but timing is essential to receiving benefits. While swimmers require foods rich in complete proteins, it is difficult to digest these foods during a workout. So while high protein foods are a valuable asset, eating lots of protein during workout could be disastrous. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics warns that consuming foods that are difficult to digest or even foods in excess will hurt swim performance on race day or during training. To help you decipher when to best incorporate these foods into your diet, use the following guidelines. Ultimately, which dietary approach works best for you will require some individual testing and varies from person to person.
Before swimming/competition: Try to eat a snack or meal high in complex carbohydrates with some easily digestible protein. Example: a piece of peanut butter toast.
During swimming/competition: Swimmers should eat easily digestible foods that contain primarily carbohydrates. Examples: apples, bananas, raisins, power bars and pretzels.
After swimming/competition: Protein is essential for proper muscle recovery and should be combined with complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. Example: Spaghetti and meatballs with a side salad.
Courtesy of https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/10-foods-faster-swimming
Freestyle
Backstroke
Breaststroke
Butterfly
Other Tips
End of Season Banquet and Awards
We will have an awards banquet the day after Championship Finals. All ORCA swimmers and their families are invited to come. All swimmers who swim in at least three full meets and swim at Championships will receive a special end-of-the-season award. Other swimmers that have participated during the season but did not compete in Championships will receive a participation award. The coaches will also give out special awards to those swimmers who exemplify our core values of sportsmanship, spirit, motivation, dedication and excellence.
See who has received these awards in the past on the Honors & Awards page.
Site Rules
We are allowed to use the bathrooms by the pool deck. Please take care of them and be neat so we can continue to use them. Playing in the bathrooms is NOT allowed.
As a matter of team pride and courtesy to the meet host, please pick up 5 pieces of trash after every swim meet. If you made the mess, clean it up. Swimmers are also expected to clean up after themselves at practices. It really helps and sets a good example for other swimmers and teams.