To have a successful MAX swimmer and team, parents should consider the following responsibilities:
MAX as an organization highly encourages the following parental
behavior:
- Open communication between parents, swimmers, and coaches emphasizing goal setting and focusing on the performance expectations of both the swimmer and the parents
- Transport swimmer to workouts and meets on time
~ See appendix on "on-time policy" - Meeting with the coaches/swimmers/parents after practice to discuss issues
- Positive reinforcement of all swimmers in all situations - team spirit, team loyalty
- Supervise children who are not swimming during practice and at meets at all times
- Keep facilities clean and orderly at meets and practice
- Parental involvement in organizing and running of meets and other team events such as fundraising activities.
~ “Time” at all meets that your child swims See Appendix on “timing policy”
MAX as an organization will not tolerate the following behavior from
parents:
- Coaching your children at practice or during meets, that is the coach’s job
- Interrupting or confronting the coaching staff on the pool deck during practice or meets
- Abusive language towards coaches, swimmers, parents, officials and your own children
- Leave a team location not as clean as found
- Any behavior that brings discredit or disruption to our swimmers and our organization
MAX Parent and Athlete Code of Conduct
As a parent of a swimmer and member of MAX Team, I will abide by
the following guidelines:
- I, ________________, as a parent, I understand that criticizing, name-calling, use of abusive language or gestures directed toward the coaches, officials, and/or any participating swimmer or their family will not be permitted or tolerated.
- MAX swimmers are expected at all times to follow the directions of any member of the coaching staff and any person who is a chaperone. Disrespect or failure to obey instructions will not be tolerated from any athlete.
- MAX swimmers are expected to use appropriate language. Use of profane or abusive language or obscene gestures will not be tolerated.
- There shall be no drinking of alcohol or use of tobacco products or illegal drugs or any substances banned by US Swimming or FINA
- MAX swimmers are expected to respect each other. Fighting, intentional touching, bullying, or striking another athlete will subject the swimmer to the most severe discipline.
- MAX swimmers are expected to respect and care for the property of others. Vandalism, intentional damage to property or theft of property will not be tolerated.
- Disruption of practice by an athlete will be grounds for removal. Continual cheating in a practice will be considered a disruption of practice
- Parents are encouraged TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR CHILD’S COACH. The appropriate time is well before practice. Communicating with coaches during practice disrupts the workout for the entire group. We want to talk with you. You can email us and can request a return call or appointment or visit with us after practice.
- As with any communication with an athlete, electronic communication should not contain or relate to any of the following:
- Drugs or alcohol use;
- Sexually oriented conversation; sexually explicit language; sexual activity
- The adult’s personal life, social activities, relationship or family issues, or personal problems; and inappropriate or sexually explicit pictures
- Note: Any communication concerning an athlete's personal life, social activities, relationship or family issues or personal problems must be transparent, accessible and professional
- Arrive to practice on time with a positive attitude.
- Always represent MAX Aquatics appropriately at swim meets wearing team gear and MAX Caps at Swim Meets.
- Train at or above a level appropriate for current experience and speed.
- Attend all Team effort competitions designated by the coaching staff.
- Always conduct in a matter that produces the athlete and MAX Aquatics in a good image on the pool deck, swim meets, team outings and any other activities the team participates in.
Failure to meet the above expectations may result in revocation of the privilege of Training, swim meets, or team membership. The Coach may administer other sanctions appropriate to the breach of any expectation of this agreement
I have read and understand the expectations. I welcome the challenge and will do my best to become a successful swimmer. I understand that if I do not adhere to these guidelines I can be removed from training, the group, or the team.
Sanctions
Should I conduct myself in such a way that brings discredit or discord to MAX Aquatics, Southern California Swimming, or USA Swimming, I voluntarily subject myself to disciplinary action. Sanctions may include non-admittance to the training facilities, and or termination of any membership with / without cause in the interest of our vision, mission and objectives.
On-Time Policy
- Here at MAX, unlike other teams, we do not have a set attendance policy. We understand that many of you have lives outside our swim community. That said, we ask that when you do attend, it be on time. All coaches are requiring an on time start to practice.
- This means if dryland starts at 5 pm, then we are throwing the first medball or doing our first jumping jack at exactly 5 pm. Causally walking on to the deck at 5 is unacceptable. It is unfair for both the coaches and other teammates when someone walks in late. From the coach’s perspective, it takes away from our concentration of the group to properly warm them up. Thus, making it unfair for the athlete due to their inability to warm up and ‘catch up’ to the group.
- The coaching staff understands that occasionally something comes up that is out of your control, in which case a verbal explanation will suffice.
- This requires a commitment from both the parents and the athletes.
Timing Policy
- All families are required and expected to time at all meets in which your child swims (whether or not you have already met your annual requirement).
- Timing assignments are based on per session per day basis. i.e. A typical swim meet consists of a morning session and afternoon session per day.
- Families may not “buy out” of meet timing requirement (though you can buyout from the “annual requirement”).
- If older swimmers drive themselves to meets and do not have a timer available, their annual requirement is increased by 1 hour per meet/ day not worked.
- The Meet Coordinator and coaches will track volunteers to make sure all meet entered swim families are timing.
- Timing slot is your responsibility whether it’s you in your chair or not. You may make arrangements for others to cover your shift. i.e. other parent, friend, athlete.