Team Rules

CODE OF CONDUCT

Timeliness: Swimmers are expected to be on time for practice. It is the swimmer’s responsibility to check the team’s website for updates on practice times, especially during the summer months and holidays. Practice times are posted on the team’s website and updated regularly.

Respect:All swimmers, parents and coaches are expected to show proper respect at all times toward team members, coaches, officials, administrators, fellow competitors, parents, volunteers and the public.

Sportsmanship:Swimmers are expected to promote team unity and positive team spirit by encouraging each other, congratulating each other, and helping to bring each other to new levels of achievement.

Integrity:  All swimmers, parents and coaches are expected to act with integrity at all times.  The following are not allowed at LTP or during meets:

1. Rough play, fighting, or any other form of physical abuse.
2. Smoking, drugs or alcohol.
3. Profanity, cursing, swearing, racial remarks or any other form of verbal abuse.

Dedication: Swimmers are expected to demonstrate hard work and dedication for the sport of swimming at all times.

Care of Club Facilities: All swimmers must respect LTP’s facility and help maintain a clean and organized environment for all.  In addition to the Pool Rules, swimmers must also understand the following rules:

1. No bottled liquids or food are allowed beyond the gate to the pool or outside of the common room during swim practice. Any liquids that will be on the pool deck must be in a water bottle only.
2. Swimmers may leave their bags in the locker room during practice only if they are in a locker, on a bench or hanging on the hooks provided.  Please, no bags on or under the sink area of the bathroom. Bags may also be placed outside on the deck chairs or under the deck canopy. 
3. No wet swimmers are allowed inside the common room.
4. Equipment bags may be left at the pool deck storage unit after practice.
5. No trash may be left at the pool deck, bathrooms or common areas.

Additional Rules for Parents:Parents are not permitted to talk to coaches and swimmers during practice unless there is an emergency. Parents wishing to stay at LTP during practice are permitted to use the common room.  Parents are also welcome to schedule conference times with the coaches before or after practice. The coaches can be contacted via  phone at 843-216-6406.  In addition, office hours are from Monday through Friday from 9am until 12pm.  Questions and concerns may also be directed to our Team Coordinator, Gabriela Dalnekoff, at gabi@sfg.com. 

Our Values:LTP Racing Club values leadership, integrity, family and enthusiasm and the expectation is that the swimmers, parents and coaches will live by those values.

Implementation: Failure to comply with LTP’s Code of Conduct will result in disciplinary action to be determined by the coaching staff. This may include:

1. Immediate removal from a practice session, swim meet or other team activity.
2. Temporary removal of privileges such as practice, meet participation, socials, etc.
3. Termination of membership with LTP.
4. Swimmers subject to disciplinary action will be responsible for all costs incurred as a result of their actions.

TRAINING GROUP ASSIGNMENTS

One duty the coaches perform is the placement of swimmers in the appropriate practice group. Swimmers are placed in groups according to age, stage of development, stroke skills, and other needs. Careful consideration is given to placement of each individual swimmer to best promote his or her progression as a swimmer and also to motivate the swimmer.  Practice groups assignments can remain the same throughout the year, but often “move-ups” are considered at the coach’s discretion.

Each practice group adheres to best practices as recommended by the USA Swimming Association. Younger swimmers will spend less time in the water with fewer practices required a week. Older swimmers will practice more often and for longer time periods. Each group will also be assigned some “dry land” time—this is an opportunity to cross train with functional exercises (e.g., Core training) to improve the swimmer without overtraining in the water.

Practice groups are not assigned for convenience but with the best interests of the swimmer in mind. Any concerns should be addressed with the swim coach.

Attendance at practice is not mandatory, but aswimmer's rate of improvement will be largely dependent on how many practices he or she attends.  For the Advanced Senior group, 100% attendance is expected. 

COMPETITION

For most of our swimmers and our coaches, swim meets are where we test our mettle, individually and as a team.  LTP Racing Club swims year round.  Each year, the coach will pick several meets for the team to attend, including meets our team will host. Attendance is encouraged, but not mandatory. Meets are fun! Swimmers bond and get to know their coaches even better. Parents get to know each other better as well.

Travel -Coaches typically block a number of rooms at a hotel near the meet for all parents and swimmers to stay.  Prior to the meet sign-up, parents will be informed of these hotel arrangements so they can make their own reservations.

Team dinners -At most meets that LTP Racing Club attends, there will be a planned team dinner at a specified location.  The coach will inform the swimmers and parents ahead of time of the location and time of this dinner. Attendance is not mandatory but strongly encouraged as this is a time for the swimmers to bond and the parents to interact.

Events- Parents are notified by email of sign-up and the meet entry deadline. A link to the sign-up is provided. Before each meet, the coach will be sending out a list of the events he/she recommends for each athlete.  Parents sign-up on LTP’s website for the individual events for each swimmer.

Relays -Swimmers will be placed on relays at the coach’s discretion. The coach will include this in the list he/she will send out prior the meet. Many times relay sign-ups change last minute during the meet and when this happens, parents may be charged or reimbursed based on what relays their child swam.

Dress code- All swimmers are expected to wear the team apparel with pride at meets.

Meet facilities –All swimmers must respect the hosting facilities and help keep the common areas organized and clean.

Meet preparation -Each swimmer is expected to prepare for meets. This includes, but is not limited to, proper nutrition, rest and hydration, and proper clothing.  In preparation for championship meets, after months of very intense training, swimmers tend to go through a phase of rest, commonly referred to as tapering.  This phase lasts roughly two weeks and happens immediately before the championship meet. During this phase, along with the nutrition guidelines, senior swimmers will be asked to do a full body shave, which helps ensure optimum performance. 

Timeliness -Being on time to meets is crucial. Times for warm-up and meet start times are always made available by the coach, but it is the swimmer’s responsibility to be certain of these times. Swimmers should be present 15 minutes prior to the warm-up times in order to allow for proper stretching. Each swimmer needs time to warm up before the meet begins. Teams have designated times and designated lanes of which the coach will make the swimmer aware.

DUES & FEES

Families are expected to remain current in the payment of all fees as set forth in the Schedule of Fees and Monthly Dues.  The following special circumstances will apply:

• Injured swimmers can take medical leave if the injury/illness precludes practice for 4 weeks or more, and notice has been provided in writing to the swim office. Dues will be reduced to $10 a month to hold the swimmer’s place on the team for the duration of the leave. No refunds will be given for the annual registration fee, the USA Swimming fee or any meet fees paid.

• Any family suffering a financial hardship and falling behind in payments must contact the office to discuss a payment schedule. Otherwise swimmers in arrears 15 days or more will not be allowed to practice or compete.

• Families who wish to terminate their relationship with LTP must give a notice in writing to the swim office. All fees and expenses incurred to the date of the termination will be the full responsibility of the family.  No refunds will be given for the current monthly fees, the annual registration fee, the USA Swimming fee or any meet fees paid.

• Upon termination of membership with the team, failure to retire any unpaid balance, including dues, fees, etc., entitles LTP to notify the South Carolina Swimming organization of delinquency. This notice to the LSC can prohibit membership with any other swim club in the league.