2011 – 2012 Team Handbook

Philosophy

As the coach of the Lake Highlands Swimming & Diving team, it is expected that this program achieve the highest level of success possible. As the head coach, I have made a commitment to help young athletes develop individually and am seeking attributes such as dedication, perseverance, and positive team work. These are invaluable life skills that will help these student-athletes long after high school.

Being a student-athlete, one is forced to prioritize and juggle both academics and athletics making these children “uncommon”. I fully support and pledge to work with teachers to help ascertain the success of each individual, first in the classroom and then in the pool. These student-athletes are the face of both Lake Highland’s Aquatics and the Wildcat’s athletic program. It is my belief that all of these young people are capable of achieving an A/B average, while maintaining the demands of our program.  I understand, at times, it may be easier for some to meet this high standard than others and am willing to help in any way possible.

Lake Highlands Aquatics will offer a unique and different opportunity for athletes to learn and grow. Swimming and Diving allows each individual to measure their own progress according to their personal best times and scores, become mentally tougher, and develop a sense of accountability through both wins and losses. It is my desire to start a competitive Water Polo program for LHH2O as well. Water Polo is a team sport that is rising in popularity all across the country and helped build my past high school program tremendously. It provides the athletes with a chance to bond with teammates and cross train for swimming. They must learn to rely on others for help, work together in difficult situations, and communicate effectively in order to accomplish a common goal. Please be advised that by participating in any sport, there is always a risk of being injured.

It is essential to include that as an athletic department, Lake Highlands distinctively promotes multi-sport athletes. If your child is interested in participating on another team or extra-curricular activity, especially during our off season, they may do so and return to aquatics whenever they have fulfilled the other team’s commitment. It might be difficult to participate on two teams that are both “in-season”, but it is a hardship the coaching staff is willing to work out.

The vision for this program is to become one of, if not the best, aquatics program in the state. It will also help to instill vital tools to being successful through high school and well beyond their aquatic careers. In order to reach this level of success, I encourage communication between student-athletes, coach, and parents. My email is: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please do not hesitate to contact me anytime with questions, comments, or concerns. I am looking forward to this season and all the possibilities that are before us! 

Team Rules and Guidelines

Attendance is mandatory. In keeping track with accountability, the coach strongly urges all student-athletes bring a parent note PRIOR to any scheduled doctor’s appointment. We do not accept handwritten parent’s notes “after the fact” and it will be classified as an “Unexcused Absence.” However, if an athlete brings in a note written by a doctor stating they may not participate until a disclosed date, we will honor that with an “Excused Absence”. Also, if an athlete is leaving to go out of town, please send us an email with the specific dates they will be gone PRIOR to the trip and when we should expect them to return. All athletes will be given 2 free days to miss practice per season. Upon the 6^th unexcused absence, the athlete will be removed from team.

Attitude is the most important aspect of a swim training regimen. Swimmers must maintain a positive and competitive attitude throughout the season.

Academic excellence is paramount. LHH20 will excel in all areas, the pool and classroom. Swimmers will be held accountable when their grades fall below an 80 in any of their classes. There is a 3 strike policy on grades. If an athlete fails a report card or progress report for 3 consecutive terms, they will be removed from the team.

Athletes must be coachable and dedicated. Their effort in the water should be consistently strong. In order to attain individual and team goals, swimmers must push themselves to the point of extreme discomfort day in and day out.

Holiday Workouts

We will practice during final exam week. Please plan accordingly. We will also practice during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Holiday workouts are TBD.

Regulations

The first offense is handled with a verbal warning and the possibility of an additional “reminder exercise.”

If the problem persists, then a verbal conference will be called by the coach with the student-athlete.

Should the issue still not be resolved, the coach will call the parents to set up an in- person conference with both, the parents and athlete.

The last and final stage is removal from the team.

**Once you are removed from the team, upon the request of the coach, the student-athlete will not be allowed to “rejoin” the squad for at least one year to the date of expulsion, if ever. Other conditions and considerations will be factored into each situation and the executive decision is ultimately the coach’s choice. 

Training Room

If an individual is feeling injured or ill, it is up to them to go see the trainer in the training room, unless it is during practice. 1^st period athletes can go after school, 7^th period athletes can go before school. They cannot substitute practice for rehab without the approval of the coach.

Trainers are there to help maintain or improve the well being of our student-athletes, among other roles. If your child has asthma or any other predetermined health risk, please let the training room know and take care of the necessary measures/paperwork to ensure their safety. Keep in mind, the training room facilities are strictly for the care and rehabilitation of our athletes. It is not a social area for our athletes. Our trainers are in charge of the treatments of all athletes. Our trainers will refer an individual to a team doctor if needed. Please be aware, the parent has the right to take their child to their personal doctor.

Lettering Policy

Regional qualifiers in an individual event will earn a letter for LHH2O. The top 6 finishers will qualify for region at the district meet. However, earning a letter is reliant upon the swimmer meeting the 4 criterion on the previous page. Also, juniors who have been a member of the team for at least 3 years and seniors who have been a member for 2 years will be considered as well.

Grading Policy

All swimmers will be given a grade based on the 3 components below:

Attendance- 34 pts

Attitude- 33 pts

Coachability- 33 pts

Athletes will have 2 points deducted for each absence. They will have 1 point deducted for each documented infraction of attitude and coachability. This is how their grade will be determined for the six weeks and semester.

Communication

• In the event of an emergency, I will communicate through the Team Parent (Becky Paterik) and the team captains (Peyton Slater & Brice Paterik). It is very important that swimmers have the captains’ phone number and email, and visa versa. This includes weather, a change in meet schedule, or the unlikely event I have to cancel a practice.  
• If you need to notify me of something, please contact me by email. If it is urgent, it’s best to go through Becky and/or the captains. Usually, they can answer your questions or they can relay the information to me.
•  If you have an emergency, you can reach my cell at 832-528-6075. I will not respond to texts from any swimmers other than the captains.

Parent meetings: If a parent would like to set up a meeting, either by phone or in person, email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . I am more than happy to discuss any issues or concerns parents may have regarding their child.  

** Swimmers must be able to communicate with the coach. If they are confused or frustrated about anything related to being a student-athlete, they are encouraged to talk to the coach. In order to be successful, swimmers have to be in a good place mentally. Part of coaching this sport requires maintaining and improving the athletes’ mental health.

Transportation

1^st period- These swimmers will meet at LHHS at 6:25 AM. The bus to Berkner will leave at 6:30 AM every day. This bus will be driven by Coach Grieder. Practice will take place at Berkner until about 9 AM. The athletes will dress at Berkner, and then be transported back to LHHS in time for their second period class. There are some days that the bus will leave at 7:00, when we weight train at LHHS. Weight room workouts will begin at 5:45 AM at LHHS. The swimmers will be transported to Berkner upon completion of the weight workout at 7 PM See below for weight training dates:

September 20^th, 23rd, 27^th, 30th

October 4^th, 7^th

November 29^th

December 6^th, 9^th, 13^th, 16^th 

January 4^th, 7^th, 11^th, 14^th 

7^th period- These swimmers, upon dismissal from 6^th period class, will board the bus at 3:20 PM. They will have practice at Berkner and will be transported back to LHHS, returning around 5:30 PM. 7^th period will have this consistent schedule throughout the school year.

Fundraisers & Swim Fees

LHH2O requires the swimmers to purchase equipment for the season. This season, required purchases will include:

• Meet Swimsuit
• Warm up Sweat Suit
• Team T-shirt
• Team shorts

The boys equipment will cost about $120.

The girls equipment will cost about $140.

Parkas and bags will be issued to the swimmers and will need to be returned to LHH20 at the end of the school year. 

The Fundraiser (s) will be announced at a later time.

Volunteers

Volunteers will be needed throughout the year for different things. There will be sign up sheets at the parent meeting and emails calling for volunteers throughout the year. At the meet, we will need timers to help in all meets, as well as a parent who has experience with meet and team manager. This parent will be in charge of inputting times into the computer during the meet. There are many aspects of a swim meet that require parent help. Please attend the competitions and be ready to help.