WELCOME
TEAM PHILOSOPHY
ABOUT THE COACH
TRY-OUTS
REGISTRATION FEES
TEAM LEVELS
PRACTICE SCHEDULE
SWIM TEAM BULLETIN BOARD
SWIM TEAM RULES
TRAINING
NUTRITION
SWIMMING COMPETITION
SWIM MEET ENTRY
SWIM MEET PROCEDURES
BEHAVIOR AT SWIM MEETS
HOME MEETS & PARENTS INVOLVEMENT
GLOSSARY
Welcome
Welcome to the Dothan Dolphin Swim Team. Our team is sponsored by the Dothan Department of Leisure Services, who provides the pool and the coaching staff for the team. The information in this manual has been put together in order to help you become familiar with the operation of our team. Hopefully it will answer a lot of your questions and help you get off to a good start.
Team Philosophy
Our desire is to give children who enter the Dothan Dolphins swim program a chance to have fun, develop themselves physically and mentally, and reap the rewards that competitive swimming can deliver. Swimming is a wonderful method of developing good habits which will help your child grow both physically and mentally. Competitive swimming teaches your swimmers how to set goals, to work as a team, to accept defeat, and to enjoy victory. All of these skills can help our children toward becoming productive adults. Although we want to offer every one the chance to excel, and reach their highest potential, our most important goal is to provide the opportunity for each child to be able to participate in a competitive recreation swimming program.
About the Coach
Coach Jin Ri Jiang, better known to his team as �Coach John�, is a native of Shanghai, China. He has been the head coach of the Dothan Dolphin Swim Team since April of 1994. He has taught and coached swimming and water polo since 1966. From 1976 to 1986, Coach Jiang served as director of the Shanghai Swim Team. While attending graduate school at Purdue University, he served as assistant swim coach of the Purdue men�s swim team. He graduated from Purdue in 1988 with a M.S. degree in physical education. Coach Jiang has coached Junior and Senior National swimmers and champions.
Try-Outs
The Dothan Dolphin Swim Team holds try-outs throughout the competitive season. Swimmers who can swim one length of the pool using the crawl style, or freestyle, may try out for the team. We allow each swimmer a two week trial period. During this time, they have the opportunity to experience what being on a competitive swim team is all about. To register for the trial period, the Department of Leisure Services permission form must be signed and on file at the main office at the Westgate Recreation Center. After the two week trial period the swimmer may choose to register, and become a member of the Dothan Dolphin Swim Team. This must be done immediately after the two week trial period in order for the child to be able to continue swimming.
Registration Fees
The Department of Leisure Services charges a quarterly fee of $40.00 for the first child and $25.00 for each additional family member. Registration fees are due at the beginning of each quarter in January, April, July, and October. Please pay within the first two weeks of each quarter. You may find it more convenient to pay the fees on an annual basis. Payment must be made at the main office at Westgate Recreation Center during office hours. Please make checks payable to the Department of Leisure Services.
Team Levels
The Dothan Dolphin Swim Team uses a �progressive� age group program designed to develop the child physically, mentally and emotionally in a systematic fashion. A well-defined, long-term approach of gradually increasing degrees of commitment is essential to reach peak performance levels during swimmer�s physiological prime. The emphasis in the early stages of participation must be placed on developing technical skills and a love for the sport. In the later years, a more demanding physical and psychological challenge must be introduced to the training program. In this respect, �too much too soon� is more often the cause of failure to achieve maximum potential in senior swimming than in the reverse situation.
In addition to emphasizing long-term rather than short-term results, it is also important that we establish training groups of swimmers who are compatible in respect to abilities, commitment levels, and goals. Unfortunately, this is not always the most convenient approach to take, but it is always the most productive.
At each level, the goals and objectives are specific and directed toward meeting the needs of the swimmer. The long term goal of total excellence is always in mind. As each child is different, he/she will progress at his/her own rate. The coach recognizes his fact by making team assignments based on a swimmer�s physical, mental, and emotional level of development.
Senior Level I .
Senior Level I .
Junior Level III .
Junior Level II .
Junior Level I .
Junior Level I
All beginning swimmers start at Junior Level I. Stroke technique instruction on the fundamentals is taught in all four competitive strokes. Initial emphasis is placed on freestyle and backstroke at this level.. Competitive starts and turns are also introduced. Swimmers on Junior Level I usually practice in 45 minute sessions three or four days a week during the school year and five days a week during the summer. Participation in 3-4 scheduled swim meets, especially at the recreation level, is recommended.
Junior Level II
Junior Level II is a beginning competitive group. Most of the swimmers in this group are participating regularly in competitions. Emphasis continues in technique mechanics in all four competitive strokes and refinement of starts and turns. Swimmers at this level practice in 1 � hour sessions three or four days a week during the school year and five days a week during the summer. Junior Level II swimmers are expected to register with United States Swimming and participate in at least 6 scheduled meets per season.
Junior Level III
Junior Level III swimmers have started to exhibit good swimming skills. They spend the majority of time working on refinement of stroke mechanics and developing training skills and processes. Practice sessions last for 1 � hours three to four days a week during the school year and four days a week during the summer months. Junior Level III swimmers are expected to participate in 6-8 scheduled competitions each season.
Senior I
Senior Level I swimmers are at least 11 years old and well versed in technique and strategy. Generally, the have a skill level commensurate with United States Swimming �B� and �A� time standards. Workouts for these swimmers are offered five days a week throughout the year. During the school term, afternoon practice lasts for 2 � hours three days a week and morning practice is held for 1 hour twice a week. Summer practice lasts 3 hours five days a week. Senior Level I swimmers are expected to participate in 7-8 scheduled competitions each season.
Senior II
Senior Level II swimmers exhibit the highest levels of swimming and workout ability. They are expected to be mature, dedicated, responsible swimmers who also consistently act as role models for other swimmers. As Senior Level II swimmers increase their commitment to swimming and dryland exercise, they are expected to maintain good academic standings. During the school year, Senior Level II swimmers practice for 2 � hours three to four days a week and 1 hour twice a week. Summer practices last for 3 hours five days a week. Swimmers on Senior Level II are expected to attend all scheduled meets each season.
Practice Schedule
Senior I & II Junior II & III Junior I
September - May
Swim practice
Mon,Tues,Thurs, 3:30-6:00 p.m. 3:30-5:00 p.m. 5:15-6:00 p.m.
Sat as scheduled as scheduled as scheduled
Wed, Fri 5:30-6:30 a.m. 5:30-6:30 (Junior III only)
Dryland practice
Wed, Fri 4:30-5:45 p.m. 3:35-4:25 p.m.
June - August
Mon - Fri 7:00-10:00 a.m. 7:00-8:45 a.m. 9:15-10:00 a.m.
Note: Practice times and dates may vary. A calendar is printed monthly with all practices, swim meets, and meetings listed. Please refer to the practice calendar for the most current information.
Swim Team Bulletin Board
All information (meet information, entry forms, sign up sheets, schedules, etc.) pertaining to the swim team is available on the swim team bulletin board. It is located in the pool observation area off the main lobby. It is each family�s responsibility to check the board for new and/or dated information.
Swim Team Rules
1. Swimmers will not be allowed to be on the pool deck until the coach is present on the deck.
2. No Swimmer is allowed on diving boards unless given specific instructions by the coach.
3. No gum, bobby pins, or barrettes in the pool.
4. No running on the pool deck.
5. No eating or drinking allowed on the pool deck or bleacher area.
6. Swimmers are responsible for bringing their own equipment to practice and being ready to swim at practice time.
7. No pushing, fighting, or horseplay in the pool area, or in the dressing rooms.
8. Parents are not allowed on the pool deck.
9. Respect of staff personnel, coaches, parents, facilities, and equipment will be expected at all times.
10. Swimmers must enter and leave practice through the locker rooms.
11. Swimmers will dress in the locker rooms. No street clothes or shoes are allowed on the pool deck.
12. A swimmer may not leave the deck without permission.
13. Engaging in activities which disrupt practice will not be tolerated.
14. Stealing, profane language, or breaking of any pool rules will not be tolerated.
15. Practice begins at a set time every day. It is expected that swimmers be ready to swim at the designated time. The swimmers need to be on the deck at least ten (10) minutes prior to the start of practice. This will allow time to stretch and become ready to workout. If for some reason a swimmer cannot be at the pool on time the parent should inform the coach of the problem.
16. Swimmers who are dropped off for practice and then leave the building or do not swim will be considered for suspension from the team.
Violation of the above rules will result in a swimmer being dismissed from practice for the day. Swimmers who are dismissed may not leave the pool area until their practice session is over. Swimmers who break any rule which may cause harm to themselves or others will be suspended from practice until the parent, swimmers, and coach have discussed the problem. Swimmers who are constantly being dismissed from practice will also be subject to suspension. The coach may also choose to use other methods of discipline, such as extra laps, push-ups, etc., to deal with discipline problems.
Training
Because of the great facilities at Westgate Recreation Center, the swim team is able to train year round, which is typical of competitive swimming across the country. This enables us to create a program that utilizes the most effective methods of conditioning and developing the swimmers abilities. For those of you who are new to swimming, following is an explanation of the cycle of swimming as it has been developed over the years.
Our competitive season is divided into three cycles: September through December, January through March, and April through August. These cycles are designed to prepare the swimmers for a specific championship meet which comes at the end of the training period. Following is an explanation of the steps of training involved in a cycle.
At the beginning of each swimming cycle we spend a great deal of time on developing stroke technique and the skills used in turns and starts. Stroke technique is the method by which swimmers use their body to proper themselves through the water. This includes body position, arm movement, kick, hand position, head movement, etc. We also will talk about the mental aspects of the sport including race strategy, mental imaging, mind set, perspectives, and goal setting. This time is also the base which builds the swimmers� strength and cardiovascular system, enabling them to develop more endurance - the key to fast swimming. When their bodies become conditioned to these strenuous exercises, progress can occur.
The second phase involves increased distance while maintaining effective stroke technique. This phase develops breath control, motor control, and muscular breakdown (causing constant rebuilding, which builds endurance and strength). This is the heart of training - the longest and most productive stage. The reason why so much practicing is required for such short races is that the body must be able to provide the muscles with needed oxygen, salt, and calcium, and be able to effectively remove the lactic acid built up in the muscles during strenuous exercises. The process is not stagnant. Constant practicing keeps the body in the most efficient mode which is an essential state for success when the strain of all out performance is needed.
The third and final phase is the taper, reducing the stress on the body gradually over approximately one week to give the body a chance to fully rebuild and store energy, while maintaining the needed internal transfers in the muscles. For the swimmers this is the most fun because they feel great, swim fast, and it gets them ready to swim fast at an upcoming swim meet.
This cycle dictates that swimmers attend practices in order to receive the full benefit of the program. To partially attend is defeating the purpose and hinders any development. We are providing a program that can be useful to every swimmer, not only in bodily development, bur mental development as well. Dedication is one form of maturity. Sacrifice goes hand in hand with dedication and the finding of oneself. It can be an experience that can shape their lives to be successful, striving for high goals.
Nutrition
All swimmers need to practice good eating habits. We like to emphasize the use of complex carbohydrates as our main energy source. Without carbohydrates, our muscles cannot produce the energy they need in order to function during a workout or at a swim meet. Complex carbohydrates such as pasta, rice, and potatoes burn slower and give more energy over a longer period of time. Simple carbohydrates, things that are sweet, produce energy very fast and over a short period of time. Swimming demands energy over a long period of time, because swim meets will last several hours.
In addition to concentration on extra complex carbohydrates, swimmers need to eat well balanced meals. These meals should include foods from the four basic food groups: Meat, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, and grains.
Swimming Competition
The Dothan Dolphin Swim Team participates in several different types of competition. It is our goal to provide every swimmer with the chance to participate in recreational competition during the year.
The Department of Leisure Services is a member of the Alabama Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA). This enables our team to participate in ARPA District and State Championships. Swimmers must qualify at the District Meet in order to swim at the State Meet, which is always held on the last weekend of July. This is a very important competition for the team which all swimmers are expected to participate in.
There are very few recreation teams in our area during the fall, winter, and spring months, which limits the number of recreational meets that we can participate in. For this reason, the Dolphins are also registered under the United States Swimming (USS). USS is a national organization that sanctions its own swim meets and establishes rules, regulations, and qualifying times for all members. USS requires a $30.00 annual registration fee. For this reason, the coach will let the swimmer and parents know when he feels that the swimmer is ready to compete in this level. Swimmers must show that they can swim at least two (backstroke & freestyle) of the four competitive strokes without being disqualified. Both the swimmer and the parents must also understand and be prepared to make the commitment that is involved with USS.
The team also has inter-team meets that are usually held at the beginning, middle, and end of each season. These meets provide an opportunity for the team members to compete against each other. They are a great way for newer swimmers to get introduced to competitive races. They are usually held during Saturday practice times.
Swim meets can range from very small to quite large. We participate in everything from dual meets (two teams) on up to invitational meets with many other teams. We host meets at our pool and travel to meets in other towns. Three of the biggest meets that our team hosts annually are the Water World Classic Invitational in July, the Wiregrass Peanut Invitational in November, and the Spring Splash Invitational in April. Also, we usually host the ARPA State Championships every other year, with 750 to 1000 swimmers.
Swim Meet Entry
A meet schedule is posted at the beginning of the competitive season. This list all swim meets the team will be attending for that time frame. All information regarding upcoming swim meets will be posted on the team bulletin board. The information usually includes dates, times, location, facilities, events, awards, fees, deadline, and the name of the person collecting the entries. A list of possible lodging and a map are included whenever available. All swimmers interested in swimming in a particular meet need to fill out an entry form and return it with the required fees to the designated person listed on the meet information before the deadline. It is each family�s responsibility to check the bulletin board for meet information.
Swim Meet Procedures
1. What to bring:
a. swim suit
b. goggles
c. towels
d. old blanket or sleeping bag
e. quiet games or books
f. food - you may want to bring nutritious snacks and drinks
g. logbook for recording times
h. money for heat sheet
2. Arrive ten (10) minutes before warm-up time.
3. Obtain a heat sheet and check to see if you are entered properly in your events. If there is a mistake, discuss it with your coach so he can take corrective action.
4. Complete your stretching and report to the assigned lane(s) for the Dothan Dolphin Swim Team warm-ups.
5. Warm-ups are always run by the coach, and he will be at the lane(s) assigned to our team. Team members are required to warm-up with the team. It is important that swimmers and parents alike understand that a good warm-up is an essential part of a successful performance.
6. It is customary for the team to have a �team area� at meets and to sit together as a group. This helps promote team unity and team spirit.
7. All of the Dothan Dolphins are requested to wear the team suit. This promotes team unity and pride. The Dolphins� team colors are black and red. Any solid black or black and red suit is acceptable as a team suit.
8. Every swimmer is responsible for knowing which events he/she is swimming and for reporting on time for their event. It is helpful to write the event numbers on the back of the younger swimmer�s hand with a marker.
9. Before a swimmer reports for a race, he/she should talk to the coach to go over the race.
10. At the conclusion of each race the swimmer should ask the lane timer for the unofficial time. Upon receiving this time, the swimmers are asked to come immediately and directly to the coach. This gives the coach an opportunity to discuss the race with the swimmer and add positive comments concerning splits, stroke technique, race strategy, etc. If a warm-down area is available, swimmers need to utilize it.
11. In between races, swimmers are asked to rest and stay warm. All energy is to be stored up and used in competition. If swimmers must eat, a light snack is recommended.
12. When the official results are posted, note you official time to the 1/100 of a second and record it. You will need this for future swim meets as well as for setting future goals.
13. It is very important that parents check with the coach prior to leaving the swim meet, making certain that their child has not been placed on a relay. If for some reason a swimmer must leave early, please notify the coach as soon as possible so that other youngsters may be informed as to whether they too will be needed for a relay.
14. The swimmers should set goals for each of the events entered. Each race provides the opportunity to achieve one of these goals.
Behavior at Swim Meets
1. As a matter of courtesy to the officials and meet hosts, it is mandatory that swimmers and parents stay off the deck and competition walk ways unless they are competing or serving in an official capacity.
2. Similarly, all questions swimmers or parents may have concerning meet results, and officiating call, or the conduct of a meet, must be referred to the coach. He, in turn, will pursue the matter through proper channels.
3. As a matter of pride, leave the rest area and the pool in a neat and clean condition at the conclusion of each session of the meet.
4. With regard to which events a swimmer competes in, the coach shall have the final word. Team members are never to scratch or late enter an event without first consulting the coach.
Home Meets & Parents Involvement
As in any youth sports program, the involvement of parents in the running of special events is critical to the success of those events. Whether the Dolphins are running an inter-squad meet or a large invitational, parental help is necessary.
The invitational meets that the Dolphins host annually help provide income for the Booster Club. They use this income to help support the team.
The money generated by these meets can run into the thousands of dollars, and depends on the support and hard wok of the parents before, during, and after the meet. The income that is produced comes from the ad sales, t-shirt sales, concessions, entry fees, and heat sheets. In the past, the Booster Club has helped to purchase several items for the team with the income from swim meets. These include:
1. Electronic timing system
2. Scoreboard
3. Team computer
4. Electronic pace clock
5. Underwater camera
6. Starting blocks
7. Vasa swim benches
8. Stop watches
9. Meet software
A lot of parents (50-60) are needed at the meet to do many important jobs such as:
1. Timers
2. Scorers
3. Officials
4. Coaches Luncheon
5. Concessions
6. Clerk of Course
7. Runners
8. Heat Sheet Sales
9. Consignment Sales
10. Awards
11. Computer operators
Before the meet parents contribute by:
1. Selling heat sheet ads
2. Soliciting donations
3. Entering meet information into the computer
4. Ordering concession supplies
5. Organizing coaches luncheon
6. Setting up for the meet the night before
All of these are very important contributions, and without them, the team would not be able to host any meets, and we would not have the successful program that we have.
GLOSSARY
AGE GROUP SWIM MEET - all registered swimmers, 18 years of age and under, who have met the qualifying time standard for a specific event(s), are eligible to participate in their age category. Age on the first day of competition shall govern the entire meet.
CLERK OF COURSE/BULL PEN - an area at the meet where swimmers report before their event to be arranged into their heat and lane assignments.
DECK SEEDING - a procedure of assigning swimmers to proper lanes and heats immediately before each event at the clerk of course on the deck (see psych sheet).
DQ - when a swimmer is disqualified from an event for an improper stroke, start, or turn.
FINALS - the session of a meet where qualifying rounds were held previously to determine the finalists (6 to 20 in number - depending on the pool size and whether or not consolation finals are held). The finalists compete to determine the final standings.
HEAT SHEETS - a listing of all swimmers by event number, heat and lane assignments in the meet. These are available at the beginning of the meet.
JUNIOR OLYMPICS (JO�s) - meets held each season bearing this name include National Junior Olympic Championships and the Alabama Junior Olympics.
LONG COURSE - a type of competitive pool which measures either 55 yards or 50 meters in length. The standard size for all international competition and all world record swims is the 50 meter pool.
PRELIMS - in certain meets, the qualifying rounds held for each event to determine the finalists.
PROOF OF TIME - a requirement at some meets (usually AA and above) to make certain that all swimmers have legally met the time standard for that meet.
PSYCH SHEET - a ranking by seeding times of all the swimmers entered in each race of a meet, sometimes used at meets in place of a heat sheet.
REFEREE - the official who has the authority over all other officials at the meet. He makes all final decisions and sees to the efficient running of the meet.
SEEDING TIMES - the time a swimmer uses to enter a meet. This time, which is written on the entry card, determines one�s position and lane in the particular event.
SHORT COURSE - a type of competitive pool which measure either 25 yards or 25 meters in length. Westgate indoor pool is a short course 25 yard pool.
SPLIT - a per lap time that coaches often record for teaching the concept of pacing. For instance, a swimmer�s time for each 25 yard leg of a 100 yard event is his split.
STARTER - the official at a meet responsible for starting each heat and calling the next heat to the blocks.
STROKE JUDGE - a certified official who determines the legality of swimmers� strokes and disqualifies those who do not conform to the rules.
TIME STANDARDS - certain qualifying times which have been set up by the National USS for all events in all levels of meets to insure that all competitors are of reasonably the same ability in their respective meets. The swimmers� goals should be betterment of his time progressing from the �B� standard to the Nationals.
�TOP 16� - a tabulation of the top 16 times in every age group and every event of all USS competition from the previous season. The short course �Top 16� are published every March.
TOUCH PAD - the part of an electronic timing system that rests in the water at the end of each lane. Swimmers� times are recorded when the pad is touched.
UNATTACHED - the status a swimmer receives when changing from one USS club to another. A swimmer must be �unattached� for 120 days from their last competition with their previous USS club. During this time they may compete individually, but not on relays.
USS - abbreviation for United States Swimming, Inc. which is now the governing body for all amateur swimming in the United States. National headquarters are in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
USS # - the personal registration number of each athlete member in United States Swimming. The formula for deriving your USS # is : last initial, first initial, middle initial, then birth date. For example, John A. Doe was born September 1, 1959, his USS# is DJA090159.