Ridgetop Swim Team

Ridgetop Swimming Code of Conduct

1. We will represent Ridgetop with dignity and pride, in both our appearance and our actions.

• We will wear the Ridgetop team suit and cap at meets.
• We will promote team spirit in positive ways.
• We will speak positively about our team and show Riptide pride.

2. We will treat all swimmers, parents, coaches, and officials with respect.

3. We will consider the impact of our actions on the welfare of the team.

• If a Riptide swimmer is positive, then it reflects well on the team.
• If a Riptide swimmer is negative, then it reflects poorly on the team.
• If a Riptide swimmer abandons a relay, it hurts the relay and the team.
• If a Riptide swimmer cheers for a teammate, it promotes team unity.

4. We will always compete to the best of our ability.

5. We will express joy and disappointment in a polite manner.

• We will be equally gracious in victory and in defeat.
• If we shake hands when we win, we should shake hands when we don’t win.

6. Boasting, bragging, taunting, fighting, rude language, and crass behavior (for example, obnoxious belching) will NOT be a part of the Ridgetop tradition.

7. We will bring any grievance, questions, or concerns about meet conduct (I.e. officiating, disqualifications, etc.) to the attention of the Ridgetop coaching staff. The chain of command is as follows:

a) Swimmers and parents bring concerns to coaches.

b) Coaches bring concerns to the meet referee.

c) Referee settles disputes and reports back to coaches.

d) Strokes & Turns judges are only approached by the referee.

We expect swimmers to follow this code of conduct during meets and in all practices. Failure to follow these standards during practice will result in removal from practice. Two removals due to bad behavior will result in the swimmer losing the privilege of representing Ridgetop at the next meet.

Parenting and Coaching

A key component to an athlete’s healthy swimming experience is the building of a positive relationship between parents and coaches. Each has important roles in supporting a swimmer. A coach is there to teach, assess, nudge, and inspire. As a parent, the most important thing you can do is provide unconditional love and support for your child, regardless of the outcome. Children need that support as they learn to swim a new event and navigate the ups and downs of meets.

It is helpful for parents to realize some key things about a coach’s responsibilities. There is more to coaching than meets the eye. Beyond the hours on the pool deck, a coach’s time and energy is spent planning appropriate workouts and fun activities, consulting with the coaching staff about each swimmer’s progress, seeding for meets and other key administrative duties, and returning phone calls and emails. They must also prepare the pool anew each day so that practice can be conducted in an organized, safe manner.

Your coaches at Ridgetop have a unique appreciation for the benefits of summer league swimming because of their backgrounds. They are grateful for the experiences that they had growing up as competitive swimmers and they are here to share that passion with your children.

The coaches want to help each child reach individual goals in a team-oriented atmosphere. Individual goals must be balanced with team goals, and coaches often have to make difficult decisions about event selection for meets. As with any large team, there will be some situations where team welfare will outweigh individual preferences.

Keeping this in mind, here are some key things that you can do as a parent to support the coaching staff and ultimately help your child grow and achieve in the sport:

• Get your children to practice on time.
• Trust the coaches and let them do the coaching.
• Respect and support the decisions of the coaches.
• Stay off the pool deck during practice. Stay in the background.
• Volunteer at meets.
• Be there to support your child and not to add pressure.
• Focus on effort, improvement, and goals within your child’s control.
• Support team activities.
• Encourage your children to speak to a coach if they have concerns or want to request a particular event for a meet.