2020 Northfield Swimming & Diving TEAM
TEAM stands for Together Everyone Achieves More
Coaches: Northfield Swim & Dive Coaches will work diligently to create opportunities for the TEAM and each athlete to grow and improve.
Student Athletes: Northfield Swimmers & Divers will consistently be committed to the TEAM and come prepared to work hard, learn and have fun.
Parents: Northfield Swim & Dive Parents will support the TEAM with healthy food, proper sleep and encouragement.
Communication
Most communication will occur on the BAND app. Student Athletes and Parents should be a part of this Team app.
The Student Athlete is responsible for all actions and commitments to the team. If a problem occurs, it is the responsibility of the Student Athlete to be in charge of the communication. Follow these steps:
Athlete Behavior
Student Athletes will conduct themselves with the upmost respect for themselves, their coaches, fellow athletes and competition. Any behavior that is deemed detrimental to the team or a lack of respect directed towards the coaching staff or teammates may be cause for suspension or dismissal from the team. All Athletes should put the interests of the team above their individual interests.
Academics
Participation in the swim program is a commitment and also a privilege. Student Athletes are expected to take charge of their studies so that they remain eligible to swim all season long. Those Student Athletes who become ineligible are expected tell Coach immediately and have a plan on how the Student Athlete will improve his grades. The Student Athlete is expected to use the time after school and before practice wisely by meeting with teachers or studying in the library. Ineligible Student Athletes are expected to continue to attend practice, however, they will not be allowed to participate in meets.
PSAT / SAT Testing – I encourage all Student Athletes to continue to come to practice before and during PSAT and SAT testing. Practice is a good excuse to get a break from studying and focus your mind on something fun for a couple hours.
Practice Expectations
Student Athletes are expected to make all practices a week. If a Student Athletes misses more than one practice in a week, they should be prepared to talk with Coaches about their future with the team. Swimming is a sport where you must be committed and consistent to improve. Don’t miss out on what you can accomplish. Preference at competitions will be given to those Student Athletes who have the fewest absences from practice. This includes all absences, including absences because you have vacations or other outside activities that conflict with practice. Sickness and emergencies happen, but please let me know as soon as you can that you will not be able to make practice. Remember, if you do not go to school, please do not come to practice (unless previously discussed with Coaches).
Winter & Spring Break – winter and spring break are an important time for training. However, I understand that families do take vacations during this time. Family is important. Therefore, absences during these break practices will not reflect negatively on Student Athletes for those out of town.
Expectations for Meets
Every Student Athlete is expected to attend every meet, from the time the team meets to board the bus until the time the Head Coach dismisses the team after the meet. All team members should sit together at the meet and support their teammates. Cell phone use should be avoided. If you cannot make a meet or need to leave early, please let me know at least a day before the meet. Please, no surprise absences or requests. Unless it is an emergency, do not ask to leave early from a meet. Student Athletes need Coaches permission to leave a meet and will not be allowed to leave with a non-Parent or non-Guardian without a signed note.
Individual preferences for meet lineups are considered; however, no promises are made. There are a lot of factors that go into the preparation of a meet line up and every Student Athlete should think of every race as an opportunity to get better and swim their best. The time to talk to your Coach about what you want to swim at any meet is before the Coach announces the lineup to the team. Remember, plan ahead!
Injuries
Injuries will be communicated to the Parents by a phone call from the Coach after practice, unless the injury requires an immediate response. Soreness and shoulder irritation are normal swimming sensations, not injuries. If shoulder irritation does not improve, the Coach will contact the Parents to develop a course of treatment.
Outside Practice and Competition
In accordance with CHSAA bylaws Article 21, Section 2100.2 – “Players certified to participate as members of any high school sport team may compete on any other team, in any non-school activity or event in that sport during that sports season with the express written permission of the principal.”
If an athlete chooses to participate with an outside team, it is CRITICAL that the student athlete discuss it with the head coach. Attendance at High School practices is still expected, along with all swim meets, and any absences will be counted just as with any other members of the team. If participation with an outside team has a detrimental effect on the team at Northfield, the Student Athlete will be asked to leave the high school team.
Letter Requirements
In order to letter at the end of the season, a Student Athlete must:
Student Athletes: Northfield Swimmers & Divers will consistently be committed to the TEAM and come prepared to work hard, learn and have fun.
Parents: Northfield Swim & Dive Parents will support the TEAM with healthy food, proper sleep and encouragement.
Communication
Most communication will occur on the BAND app. Student Athletes and Parents should be a part of this Team app.
The Student Athlete is responsible for all actions and commitments to the team. If a problem occurs, it is the responsibility of the Student Athlete to be in charge of the communication. Follow these steps:
- If a Student Athlete has a concern, problem or conflict, they should seek counsel from teammates and the Team Captain.
- If step one does not help, the Student Athlete is encouraged to talk to the Coaches.
- If step two does not help, a meeting should be set up with the Student Athlete, Coaches, Parents and possibly, the Team Captain.
Athlete Behavior
Student Athletes will conduct themselves with the upmost respect for themselves, their coaches, fellow athletes and competition. Any behavior that is deemed detrimental to the team or a lack of respect directed towards the coaching staff or teammates may be cause for suspension or dismissal from the team. All Athletes should put the interests of the team above their individual interests.
Academics
Participation in the swim program is a commitment and also a privilege. Student Athletes are expected to take charge of their studies so that they remain eligible to swim all season long. Those Student Athletes who become ineligible are expected tell Coach immediately and have a plan on how the Student Athlete will improve his grades. The Student Athlete is expected to use the time after school and before practice wisely by meeting with teachers or studying in the library. Ineligible Student Athletes are expected to continue to attend practice, however, they will not be allowed to participate in meets.
PSAT / SAT Testing – I encourage all Student Athletes to continue to come to practice before and during PSAT and SAT testing. Practice is a good excuse to get a break from studying and focus your mind on something fun for a couple hours.
Practice Expectations
Student Athletes are expected to make all practices a week. If a Student Athletes misses more than one practice in a week, they should be prepared to talk with Coaches about their future with the team. Swimming is a sport where you must be committed and consistent to improve. Don’t miss out on what you can accomplish. Preference at competitions will be given to those Student Athletes who have the fewest absences from practice. This includes all absences, including absences because you have vacations or other outside activities that conflict with practice. Sickness and emergencies happen, but please let me know as soon as you can that you will not be able to make practice. Remember, if you do not go to school, please do not come to practice (unless previously discussed with Coaches).
Winter & Spring Break – winter and spring break are an important time for training. However, I understand that families do take vacations during this time. Family is important. Therefore, absences during these break practices will not reflect negatively on Student Athletes for those out of town.
Expectations for Meets
Every Student Athlete is expected to attend every meet, from the time the team meets to board the bus until the time the Head Coach dismisses the team after the meet. All team members should sit together at the meet and support their teammates. Cell phone use should be avoided. If you cannot make a meet or need to leave early, please let me know at least a day before the meet. Please, no surprise absences or requests. Unless it is an emergency, do not ask to leave early from a meet. Student Athletes need Coaches permission to leave a meet and will not be allowed to leave with a non-Parent or non-Guardian without a signed note.
Individual preferences for meet lineups are considered; however, no promises are made. There are a lot of factors that go into the preparation of a meet line up and every Student Athlete should think of every race as an opportunity to get better and swim their best. The time to talk to your Coach about what you want to swim at any meet is before the Coach announces the lineup to the team. Remember, plan ahead!
Injuries
Injuries will be communicated to the Parents by a phone call from the Coach after practice, unless the injury requires an immediate response. Soreness and shoulder irritation are normal swimming sensations, not injuries. If shoulder irritation does not improve, the Coach will contact the Parents to develop a course of treatment.
Outside Practice and Competition
In accordance with CHSAA bylaws Article 21, Section 2100.2 – “Players certified to participate as members of any high school sport team may compete on any other team, in any non-school activity or event in that sport during that sports season with the express written permission of the principal.”
If an athlete chooses to participate with an outside team, it is CRITICAL that the student athlete discuss it with the head coach. Attendance at High School practices is still expected, along with all swim meets, and any absences will be counted just as with any other members of the team. If participation with an outside team has a detrimental effect on the team at Northfield, the Student Athlete will be asked to leave the high school team.
Letter Requirements
In order to letter at the end of the season, a Student Athlete must:
- Attend practice 80% of the time, and have zero unexpected absences from meets
- Score 30 points in the season
- Seniors will letter if they have participated with good sportsmanship for all years of their High School career at Northfield.