Team Equipment

Below is a list of recommended equipment each swimmer should have.
Pull buoys and kickboards may be provided in some instances.

1.  Do not leave belongings in the locker rooms.  Bring all items with you out onto the pool deck.

2.  Keep your feet off the bottom of the pool, unless it's part of the instructions.

3.  Swim continuously for the distance specified.

4.  Bring a note from your parents for lateness, early dismissal, injury or any other reason for doing less than is normal for you.

5.  Washroom breaks should be before or after practice.  Take emergency breaks between sets.

6.  Save dunking, splashing, and other roughhousing, for game time.

7.  No degrading, abusive, or profane language will be tolerated.

8.  Support your teammates, do not belittle or abuse them.

9.  Be ready to swim when you come on deck.  Have your suit, cap, goggles, and water bottle in a place ready to go.  Jewelry should not be worn.

10.  Treat every start, turn, and finish as an opportunity to improve your skill.

11.  Be proud of where you are, or work to change it. Your ability level is yours. Others should not be expected to meet your standards or hold back for you.

12.  When the Coach asks for the team's attention, GIVE IT.

13.  Tell the Coach if there is a problem with another swimmer.

14.  Allow someone who catches you to go ahead of you without incident.

15.  Leave on the interval sendoff.

16.  Let other swimmers swim their practice without distracting them.

17.  NO CHEWING GUM.

 

Practice Times and Locations

*Swimmers on a program scholarship:  Due to the cost that comes with attending meets, it is highly recommended that swimmer's on scholarship attend a number of meets equal to the percentage of scholarship they have received.

What To Take To A Meet

1.  Team suit

2.  Team cap

3.  Goggles (2 pair)

4.  Drinks - Water is the best but Hi-C, fruit juice, Gatorade, Exceed, All-Sport or other sports drinks work also.

5.  Towels 3 or 4

6.  Something to sit on such as a sleeping bag or blanket.  (Parents sometimes like to bring chairs.)

7.  Sweat suit

8.  T-shirts

9.  Parka

10.  Games - Travel games, books, cards, anything to pass time.

11.  Food - It is better to bring your own nutritious snacks, even though they are usually available at the meets.  The lines at the concession stand are often long, and the food tends to learn towards the "junk" variety.  Good ideas include cereal, hard-boiled eggs, bagels, pasta salad, veggies, and crackers.

Before The Meet Starts

1.  Arrive at the pool at least 15 minutes before the scheduled warm-up begins. This time will be listed in the meet information given you prior to the meet.

2.  Upon arrival, find a place to put your swimmer's swim bag, sleeping bag or blanket. Many parents also bring a chair for themselves. Look for familiar faces   and the DOCS team area.

3.  Be sure to check the meet information to see if the meet requires a positive check-in. If it does, you must find the check-in area and sign in.

4.  Once you are checked in, write each event number on your hand in ink. This helps you remember what events you are swimming and what events to listen for when you are called to the bullpen.

5.  Get your cap and goggles and report to the pool for warm-up instructions 5 minutes before warm-up is scheduled to begin. It is very important for all swimmers to warm-up with the team. A swimmer's body is like a car on a cold day - it needs to get the engine warmed up before it can go all out.

6.  After warm-up, go back to the team area and wait until the first event is called. This is a good time for a bathroom break, getting a drink or just settling in.

7.  Parents are not allowed on deck unless they are serving in an official capacity. All questions concerning meet results, an officiating call, or the conduct of the meet should be referred to the coaches.

For The Swimmers

Be on Time: Whether arriving in a car pool or individually, be sure to arrive early. Remember to allow time to fix your cap and goggles before practice begins.

Use of the Facilities: We are guests of all the facilities we use. Please conduct yourselves as such before and after practice, in the hallways and locker rooms. We are a respected group only as long as we respect others.

Dress: Your success is dependent upon your staying healthy. Take care to dry off well, especially your hair, and to dress appropriately for the weather. This includes a stocking cap in cold weather.

Teammates: This is your team; make it enjoyable for everyone on the team. Offer encouragement to at least one other swimmer each day. A "good job" or "nice set" helps make the practice time shorter.

Problems: If you have any questions or problems, talk to one of the coaches. They are the best source of an answer or solution.

 

• Swimming has no bench sitters. Competitive swimming is a sport in which there is no bench sitters because all programs are by age group and ability level.
   
• Swimming is healthy. Injuries are few and mild. The sport has been shown time and time again to be the best sport for over all conditioning of the body. Swimming provides cardiovascular fitness, muscular fitness, and increased flexibility.
   
• Swimming provides self-discipline. No one can make a person swim. All swimmers must develop an inner sense of discipline to devote themselves to the sport.
   
• Swimming is a direct reward system. In swimming, the harder you work, the greater your reward. The time clock is an objective judge of the result. There are no judges with subjective scores, no dependence on the efforts of others; only you and the clock evaluate your effort.
   
• Swimming teaches organization. Swimmers have to organize their day to fit in all the life activities they want. They learn to do so, and in so doing, usually become much better students. Swimmers are almost always better students when they are training and competing.
   
• Swimming teaches people how to win, how to lose with grace, and how to develop a personal philosophy that will make them long-term successes in life. Swimmers learn to evaluate their efforts, set goals, and achieve. They develop an athlete's mind that says, "I can control my life, and the results of it. If it is to be, it's up to me."
  
  DOCS/PEOY Code of Conduct
  
  Purpose:
  
  To promote the best possible conduct of all DOCS/PEOY members at home and away meets and at all team functions. To create the best possible individual and team impression at all times.
  
  General Conduct:
  
  1) Team members will abide by this Code of Conduct at all times.
  
  2) Team members will abide by all facility rules and regulations.
  
  3) Team members will comply with National and Illinois Area YMCA, as well as USS, swimming rules and regulations.
  
  4) Unsportsmanlike behavior, indiscreet or destructive behavior, and the use of obscene language will not be tolerated.
  
  5) Every effort should be made to avoid guilt by associations with any Code violations. If a DOCS/PEOY swimmer is present when conduct rules are broken, he must be immediately or be assumed to have participated.
  
  6) During practice all members are expected to work to their fullest capacity at every session. They will be reminded to pay attention to all instruction.
  
  7) At a meet each member is to conduct himself in an orderly manner so as not to cause embarrassment to DOCS/PEOY or himself or his teammates.
  
  Violation of the Code:
  
  At the discretion of any member of the Coaching Staff, one or both of the following penalties may be applied.
  
  1) Removal of a swimmer from a practice and a parent/guardian notified.
  
  2) Scratching of a swimmer from a meet and a parent/guardian notified.
  
      At the discretion of the Head Coach, temporary suspension (up to 2 weeks) from the team may be imposed upon a swimmer. Any suspension over 3 days in length can be appealed (within those first three days) but the swimmer and/or parent to the Head Coach. The Head Coach shall decide any appeal after discussing the matter with the parties involved.
  
      Permanent dismissal from the team may be imposed upon a swimmer by joint decision of the Head Coach, following discussion with all parties involved and the President of the Club. Any such dismissal decision may be appealed to the President of the Club.
  
  Tobacco/Alcohol/Drug Policy - It is our belief that abstinence from use of tobacco products, alcohol, and/or illegal drugs is beneficial to the health and athletic performance of our swimmers. We encourage our swimmers to pledge abstinence from these substances at all times.
  
  Any swimmer who is determined to have used tobacco, alcohol, and/or illegal drugs while at practice, at a meet, or any other DOCS/PEOY function (or is found to be in possession of such substances at any DOCS/PEOY function) shall be subject to suspension or dismissal from the team.