Welcome to the Norfolk ymca aquajets

1. Welcome to the Norfolk ymca aquajets To inspire and enable our members to achieve excellence in the sport of swimming and in life. -Aquajet Mission statement

2. Introductions • Coaches • Head coach: David Nelson • Assistant Coaches: Sharon Harthoorn, Renee Cleveland, Amber Bargstadt, brennaanderson • Aquajet board of directors • President: Nick cleveland • VICE PRESENT: Kent Olberding • Treasurer: Karen Spray • Secretary: Elissa Carney • Registrar: marymeuret

3. Eligibility • Must be able to swim 2 lengths of the pool (50 yards) without stopping • Must be able to kick 1 length of the pool (25 yards) on back • Must be able to Submerge underwater comfortably • Must have a Willingness to follow directions from coaches • Assessment of swimmers and final determination will be the responsibility of the Coach. Coach has final say on placement and/or acceptance into the club.

4. MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS • PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP: VALID SEPTEMBER 2019 THROUGH END OF JULY 2020. • OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND 4 PRACTICES AS A “TRY-OUT”. NO TRY-OUTS AFTER NOVEMBER 14. • NO MEMBERS ADDED AFTER JANUARY 1. • FEE IS $310 FOR 1ST SWIMMER. DISCOUNT AVAILABLE FOR ADDITIONAL SWIMMERS IN THE SAME FAMILY • INTENDED FOR RETURNING SWIMMERS, NEW SWIMMERS WHO WANT THE FULL SWIM TEAM EXPERIENCE AND MEET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS, SWIMMERS WHO WILL BE ON THE NORFOLK HIGH SCHOOL SWIM TEAM. • MUST BE AT LEAST 6 YEARS OLD • PREMIUM MEMBERS MUST HAVE A VALID YMCA MEMBERSHIP • UNLIMITED PARTICIPATION IN MEETS DURING THE YEAR. ABILITY TO QUALIFY FOR AND PARTICIPATE IN CHAMPIONSHIP LEVEL MEETS. • INSURANCE COVERAGE INCLUDING ACCIDENT AND LIABILITY INSURANCE BENEFITS THROUGH USA SWIMMING. • OPPORTUNITY TO QUALIFY FOR RECOGNITION PROGRAMS • OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND DEVELOPMENT CAMPS • PRE-COMPETITION FLEX MEMBERSHIP: VALID SEPTEMBER 3 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2, 2019. • NO MEMBERS ADDED AFTER OCTOBER 1. • OPPROTUNITY TO ATTEND 2 PRACTICES AS A “TRY-OUT” • TRY-OUT CAN BE DONE SEPTEMBER 3 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30. NO TRY-OUTS AFTER SEPTEMBER 30. • FEE IS $149 FOR 1ST SWIMMER. DISCOUNT AVAILABLE FOR ADDITIONAL SWIMMERS IN THE SAME FAMILY • AVAILABLE ONLY TO FIRST TIME SWIMMERS. MUST BE AT LEAST 6 YEARS OLD • WILL PRACTICE TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS 4:00 – 5:00 P.M. • OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND TWO COMPETITIVE SWIM MEETS, BOTH AT HOME • WILL LEARN THE BASICS OF THE FOUR COMPETITIVE STROKES • UPGRADEABLE TO A PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP AFTER NOVEMBER 2. PAY DIFFERENCE IN FEES • SAME INSURANCE BENEFITS AS A PREMIUM MEMBER • CANNOT TRANSITION TO A SEASONAL MEMBERSHIP

5. Payments/billing • club treasurer will send out a statement to each swim family • Meet fees must be paid for each event an athlete is entered in, even if he/she scratches or misses the event, or is unable to attend the meet for any reason. Meet fees are non-refundable. • When a swimmer is over 30 days behind on his/her fees, the swimmer could be suspended from practice and meets until the bill is paid

6. Team COMMUNICATION • All information regarding practices, meets, change in schedule, upcoming events, etc is available on the aquajet website • http://www.norfolkaquajets.com/ • All team communication is done using email. Please make sure you provide an email you actively use. Check this email periodically for team information. • Coach remind 101 - you can sign up to receive text messages on your mobile devices. Simply enter (402) 403-6367 and text @AQUAJE. YOU CAN OPT-OUT AT ANY TIME

7. PRACTICE GROUPS To better facilitate practice, Coaches will place swimmers  in groups according to their skill level.  BEGINNERS Qualifying Performance Standard: Legally completes 50 yd. Free, 50 yd Backstroke, and potential work towards 25 yd Breaststroke & 25 yd. Butterfly stroke, 100 IM. PracticeAttendance Expectation:  2-3 times per week. 45--60 minutes Daily Expectations: Body Position and Kicking development in all strokes; Streamlining, Starts, Turns, Finishes BRONZE Daily Expectations:  Workout yardage of 1,000 - 2,500 yds. Dryland Focus: Core and Hand-Eye Coordination, Continued Body Position development in all strokes, Streamlines, Starts, Turns (Flip turns, and open turns), Strengthening flutter kick, legal in all other strokes, beginning endurance.  Racing focus: development of 200 IM and 100’s of each stroke. Qualifying Performance Standard: Legally completes 50 yd. Free, 50 yd Backstroke, 25 yd Breaststroke & 25 yd. Butterfly, and attempts the 100 IM. PracticeAttendance Expectation:  2-3 times per week. 60 minutes Athlete is able to swim  the following interval based on the 50 for up to 12-15 minutes:  free on 1.30 Back on 1.30 kick on 1.30 Athlete is capable of 25’s of breast/fly on 1.00 and also begins to use the pace clock

8. Practice Groups continued SILVER This group, consisting typically of middle and junior high age swimmers, serves as the bridge between the introductory groups and the higher-level performance training groups. The focus is on continued refinement of stroke mechanics, improvement of starts and turns and an increase in aerobic, anaerobic and interval training. Long-term and short-term goal setting will be introduced as swimmers begin competitive mental training.   Qualifying Performance Standard:  Legally complete 100 yd. of all strokes and the 200 IM.   Minimum of four 11-12  “B” times in the various strokes/ events or at coach’s discretion. PracticeAttendance Expectation:  At least 3-4 days per week or 70% minimum for the month. 60-90 minutes Daily Expectations:  Workout yardage of 2,500 - 4,500 yds; Better than average body control in freestyle and all stroke, continued stroke development of all strokes; Sprinting and race techniques: Endurance, Strong kick development in all strokes, Group Focus: training for IM and 200 stroke events.  Athlete is capable of swimming sets 20-30 minutes on the following base intervals: (all are per 100) Free on 1.45 Back on 2 Fly/breast on 2.15 Kick on 2.15 IM on 2 GOLD/SENIOR This group is for high school swimmers for whom swimming is a very high priority or in rare cases a very advanced swimmer in Junior High. Swimmers in this group are striving for personal excellence and elite level performances. Time management is crucial to balance the demands of a rigorous training program with school /work. The focus is on detailing and refining stroke mechanics and intense training to help athletes achieve their goals. DailyExpectations:  Workout yardage of 4,000+ yds; Full Body Control in Water for every stroke; Strengthen understanding of individual race strategy and pacing; Swimming Focus: Training, racing, speed, power and strong kick in all strokes.

9. Practice schedules • All practices are held at the Norfolk family ymca pool • Coaches will decide which group your child belongs in and when he/she should be practicing • Pre-Competition Flex swimmers • Practice Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:00-5:00 p.m. Sept 3, thru the week of Nov. 2 • GOLD/SENIOR/SILVER • Monday Thru Thursday, 4:00 – 5:30/6:00 p.m. • BEGINNER/BRONZE • Practice Monday thru thursday 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. • November 18TH • Practice times will change due to the start of high school swimming • Athletes are encouraged to attend as many practices as they can

10. Practices: what to bring • What to bring • Suit • Goggles • cap • Towel • Water Bottle • Inhaler (if applicable) labeled with athlete’s name

11. Practices: conduct • Athletes are expected to: • Respect teammates and their property in and out of the pool • Respect the ymca property • Respect coaches • Respect ymca staff and other patrons of the ymca • Refrain from horseplay in and out of the pool • Behave in locker rooms • Respect visiting coaches and swimmers • Do all assigned swimming • Bullying of any kind, or any kind of inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated and is grounds for suspension and/or dismissal from the team . Link to team minor athlete abuse protection policy and Inappropriate Behavior Policy 2018 Inappropriate Behavior Policy.

12. Practices: observation • Parents are welcome to observe any and all practices, provided that they: • Observe from behind the glass or from the bleachers • Do not talk to or attempt to get the attention of their children during practice • Stay off the pool deck • Do not distract coaches or swimmers from practice • Coaches are available to speak with parents before and after practices • Parents causing distractions for coaches or swimmers while observing practice may be asked to leave

13. Meets: schedule • Athletes are encouraged to go to as many meets as they can • Meet schedules, information, and sign up can all be found on the aquajet website under the Upcoming swim meets tab • There will be a coach present at every team meet that has at least 8 aquajets entered. A coach will attend all championship meets regardless of the number of swimmers entered in the meet. • Home meets • each family that has a swimmer signed up for any home swim meets will be asked to provide one (1) volunteer to help at the meet or pay $25 to the club

14. Meets: entries/scratches • Coaches are in charge of all entries and scratches • No athlete (or parent) can scratch from an event without permission from a coach • athletes are expected to swim all entered events at meets • Event fees must be paid for each event an athlete is entered in, even if he/she scratches or misses the event • If your swimmer is unable to attend a meet that he/she is already signed up for, let someone know!

15. Meets: what to bring swimmers parents • Team suit • Goggles • Team cap • At least 2 towels • Healthy Snacks • Playing cards/games • Extras • Suits, goggles, caps • Chairs (not all meets provide seating) • Markers • Snacks • water • Camera • Sunscreen (outdoor meets)

16. Meets: conduct • Athletes are expected to: • Respect and support teammates • Respect coaches • Respect other teams • Show sportsmanship • Know what/when you are swimming • Swim all entered events • Talk to a coach before and after each race

17. Meets: Championship meets • Ymca state championships • Midwestern championships • Should I buy my swimmer a “fast suit”?

18. Fundraising • Aquajet ad campaign (june/July) • Each family will be asked to sell 3-4 adds to be printed in our meet programs • Money raised from ad sales goes toward paying our coaches

19. Team apparel • Team t-shirts – available on the team website • Team suits-can be purchased at Cleveland bike • Team Caps • Latex Caps: $5 • Silicone Caps: $12

20. Responsibilities of parents • Encourage and support your children , Don’t try to be their coach! • Get your swimmers to as many practices/meets as possible • Get your swimmers to practices/meets on time • Pick swimmers up on time • Make sure your swimmers have the proper equipment • Suit, goggles, cap, etc.

21. Responsibilities of parents • Keep track of swimmer’s progress • Trust and support coaches • Volunteer at meets • Participate in fundraiser • Represent the team well

22. Responsibilities of athletes • Attend as many practices/meets as possible • Show up on time • Come prepared • Do all assigned swimming • Set goals

23. Responsibilities of athletes • Trust coaches • Be a good teammate • Show sportsmanship • Represent your team well

24. Responsibilities of coaches • Conduct safe and productive practices • Educate swimmers • Develop proper technique • Pick events for meets • Stay up-to-date on all certifications • Represent the team well

25. How to become more involved • Volunteer at meets • Timing • Concessions • Merchandise table • Become a meet official • positions on the aquajet board?

26. See you at the pool!