Cherokee Bluff Swim Team

CHEROKEE BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL

BEARS SWIM TEAM

PLAYER/PARENT HANDBOOK

High school sports are not a “right” but rather a privilege. High school athletics are used as a venue to teach, learn, and develop life skills. Student-athletes must realize that they are “students” first and athletes second. Swimmers should also recognize that they are an extension of Cherokee Bluff High School, the Hall County school district, their parents, coaches, community, and peers. Therefore, we expect that they will maintain a positive attitude in the heat of competition, in the classroom, and outside of school. As a coaching staff, we are committed to developing these skills within our players by being firm, fair, and positive. The career of most athletes is very short, but life’s challenges go on. Our goal is to cultivate skills in your swimmer that will last them a lifetime.

Roles within our program:

There are three critical roles within the Cherokee Bluff High School Swim Program.

1. Athletes – The individuals who wear the uniforms and participate in the contests and games.
2. Coach – The professional who implements the philosophy and directs the team.
3. Parents – The athletes’ biggest fans and supporters who come to the contests and cheer.

For our team to have the most significant opportunity for success, these roles must not become confused.

If an athlete has any issue about their experience with the Cherokee Bluff Swim Team, s/he must first approach the coach. The athletic experience at Cherokee Bluff High School provides the opportunity for young people to develop communication skills with adults and those in positions of authority. Parents are always encouraged to be advocates for their swimmers. Appropriate concerns that parents may want to discuss with coaches may include: treatment of your child – mentally or physically, ways to help your swimmer improve individually and as a team member, or concerns about your child’s behavior.

Please note that if you would like to conference with coaches regarding these matters, you should reach out via Remind app or email to set up a specific time. The pool deck before, during, or after meets is not an appropriate time for these conversations.

To ensure that all parties have time to consider and voice their concerns and commentary adequately, coaches will require 24 hours after a meet before they will be available to meet and talk with parents.

Team Rules/Expectations/Attendance and Eligibility:

Attendance is an essential component required for sustaining good academic and athletic habits; therefore, student-athletes should strive to attend all classes and practices.

1. Eligibility:

To meet eligibility requirements, students–athletes MUST be passing five out of seven classes in the semester before competition. Students who do not meet the eligibility requirements will not be allowed to compete or practice with the swim team.

The expectations of the coaching staff are simple: if you are enrolled in a class, PASS IT! Even though passing is defined as a 70% average, you should strive for more. Opportunities abound in the school for you to receive help and tutoring. If you need help arranging this, please contact Coach Goodwin. Players who have grades in a class below a 70% may be required to develop a signed plan of action with their teacher before they will be allowed to practice and compete in meets.

2. Practice Attendance:

Attendance is mandatory to be your best and practice in meets! In the event that a swimmer needs to miss a practice, they should contact the coach ahead of time. Frequent absences may result in swimmers not being able to compete in meets.

Varsity swimmers should plan on attending a minimum of three out of four offered practices per week. JV swimmers (8th grade) and middle school swimmers should plan on attending a minimum of two out of four practices per week.

Club swimmers should maintain a signed attendance record of club practices and should attend a minimum of one practice with the team per week.

Athletes are also expected to be at practice ON TIME. On time means being at practice in your suit and ready to get in the water at the posted beginning time. If you need to be tardy due to work/other obligations, please make arrangements with the coach ahead of time. Coming in late means that you may miss valuable warm-up time and instruction, which could lead to injury.

3. Travel policy:

The school provides a bus to transport student-athletes to and from games. All players are REQUIRED to ride the bus to the game. Players may ride home with their parents after the game; however, the parent MUST check the student out with the designated coach before leaving the meet. Players will not be released to go with someone other than their parent/legal guardian without a note from their parent/guardian, including the name of the person signing out the athlete, the date, and a parent/guardian signature. This is on a meet-by-meet basis, and a blanket email or note will not be accepted.

Conduct:

Student athletes WILL conduct themselves as positive role models in every class. You are expected to demonstrate leadership in all areas. Consistent positive behavior within classes is a minimum expectation of Bear swimmers. Please note that behavior referrals from teachers regarding student conduct in the classroom may result in a loss of playing time and/or consequences.

In addition, student-athletes are representative of the swim program, Cherokee Bluff High School, your parents, and your community; therefore, you are expected to act accordingly. During all contests, our players will respect the calls made by officials, be positive towards teammates in their comments and criticism (constructive only), be positive towards coaching decisions, and not distract from the focus of the meet by engaging in negative talk/comments/interactions with other teams or fans. All concerns or problems should be brought to the coaching staff. Abusive and vulgar language will not be tolerated on the pool deck or in the stands.

The use of alcohol, tobacco, or other illegal controlled substances (including vapes and e-cigarettes) by Cherokee Bluff Swimmers will NOT be tolerated AT ANY TIME! Violation of the drug and alcohol policy may result in the suspension/dismissal from the team FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON.

Student Leadership:

The coaching staff appoints team captains. They are spokespeople for the team. Among their responsibilities, they should act as liaisons between the team and coaches. Responsibilities include presenting the views of the teams to the coaches, acting as positive role models, displaying leadership, and assisting other team members. Captains are important both in and out of the pool, and authority may be delegated to team captains. In addition, we want our seniors to fulfill leadership roles. In building tradition, this group must step forward as positive role models for the underclassmen in our program. As a group, you have the privilege and responsibility of being a force within the community that generates positive action. We look to our seniors for leadership both on and off the field.

Communication:

Swimtopia will be our primary means of team communication. Swimmers and families will be required to declare all meet entries within Swimtopia by the required deadline. Signing up to swim in a meet is considered a serious commitment to the team. Unexcused absences at meets may result in swimmers being removed from subsequent meets.

Parent Volunteers:

Parent volunteers are an important part of helping our swim team function to its maximum potential. One parent/guardian per swimmer will be required to volunteer at one fundraising event and one meet. Failure to do so may result in a fine of $50.

Lettering:

Players must complete the season in good standing with the coaching staff and school administration to be eligible for a letter. The season is complete at the end of the last varsity meet. Illness or injury is the exception.

To earn a varsity letter, a player must have completed the following:

1. Attendance: 90% required practice attendance (3/4 offered)
2. Meets: Attend and compete in 8 of 10 meets throughout the season.
3. Distance or scoring requirements:

Swimmers should log a minimum of 2,000 m swam in competition in a variety of strokes. Events resulting in a disqualification do not count towards this total.

OR

Swimmers must score a minimum of 50 points in both team and relay events across the season.

OR

Swimmers must post a qualifying time in at least one event in a GHSA-sponsored meet.

1. Maintain a 2.5 GPA for the school year.
2. Participate in one additional swim team-related event, such as community service projects, awards ceremonies, in-school functions, team bonding, etc.

A Note on Playing Time and Meet Entries:

High school swimming is different than most sports. Not only are swimmers competing for a personal best each time they get in the water, but strengths across the pool are a vital consideration for the accumulation of team points. Swimmers may compete in up to four events at each meet: two individual and two relays. Event entries are a coaching decision based on both the team's needs and the swimmer's abilities. The number of swimmers allowed in events varies from meet to meet. Coaching decisions regarding meet entries are a thoughtful process and are designed to meet best the needs of both the individuals and the team. Athletes who may want to swim in a particular event or have questions about entries should arrange a specific time with coaches to discuss in private.

Swimming – the state times may change, and if they do, the lettering time will be adjusted as well.

                                                                                       Adjusted Times for

State Qualifying Times                                             Earning a Letter

BOYS   GIRLS     EVENT                                     BOYS                 GIRLS

1:51           2:07        200-yard Medley Relay                         -----------------

1:55           2:07        200 yard Freestyle                    2:05                       2:16

2:12           2:24        200 yard Individual Medley      2:22                        2:35

0:23.5       0:26.5      50 yard Freestyle                     0:25.0                     0:28.5

0:58          1:05        100 yard Butterfly                     1:02                        1:10

0:52          0:58.5     100 yard Freestyle                   0:56                         1:03

5:20         5:40         500 yard Freestyle                  5:45                          6:07

1:40         1:53              200-yard Freestyle Relay                    ------------------

1:00          1:06        100 yard Backstroke               1:04                          1:11

1:07          1:15         100 yard Breaststroke            1:13                         1:21

3:44          4:12          400 yard Freestyle Relay                    ------------------

SEASON GOALS:

Please record at least TWO season goals that you would like to work on moving forward. Make sure that they are SMART goals. You will conference with the coach and record your goals on a team goal sheet before team practices start.

CHEROKEE BLUFF SWIM TEAM

PLAYER AND PARENT/GUARDIAN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND CONSENT FORM

By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read this packet, understand, and promise to uphold the expectations, rules, and regulations necessary for a successful season.

I also understand that significant and/or consistent violations of team guidelines that are outlined in this packet can result in the dismissal of my child from the program.

As a parent/guardian, I give my consent for my child to participate in the Cherokee Bluff High Swim program.

Players Name: ___________________________Signature: __________________________

(Print)

Date: ____________________

Parent’s Name: ___________________________Signature: __________________________

(Print)

Date: ____________________