About Swimming…
*Morning practice start date: June 20, 2023
The NCR Dolphins Swim Team has many components: Swimmers, Coaches, Parents and Friends of the team.
Our team begins with the Coaching Staff with head coach Hugh Harris and up to 3 assistant coaches. These coaches instruct and lead the team throughout the entire summer. Practices, meets, photos, relays, time trials, pasta pot lucks and much more. We cannot do anything without them, and the kids will do almost anything to please them. Children can be as young as 5 and as old as 18 by May 31st of the season year. Swimmers are divided into age groups (male and female)
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Minimum Requirements
A stroke assessment will be conducted by coaches prior to the Time Trials when held during the swim season or during practice to ensure that all members of the team meet the minimum requirements. Swimmers meet the requirements based on coaches' discretion.
The PrinceMont Swim League follows USA Swim Rules, found at USA Swimming website
- 8 years old and under: must complete 25 meters of freestyle without stopping
- 9 years old and over: must complete 50 meters of freestyle without stopping
A stroke assessment will be conducted by coaches prior to the Time Trials when held during the swim season or during practice to ensure that all members of the team meet the minimum requirements. Swimmers meet the requirements based on coaches' discretion.
The PrinceMont Swim League follows USA Swim Rules, found at USA Swimming website
Practices...
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The NCR Dolphins Swim Team start their practices the day after Memorial Day. Until the Public schools are out for the summer, practices will only be held Monday – Thursday in the evenings from 5:30pm until 6:30pm. There is no practice on Friday evenings.
Please have your swimmers ready to practice by 5:30. If there are special needs or concerns, please contact the coaching staff prior to your swimmer entering the water for that day. Swimmers should enter the pool through the normal entrances (rest rooms). Starting the Monday after the Public schools are out, we will begin morning practices at the pool. These are normally held from 8:30am until 9:30am or, Mondays – Friday. Definitive hours are set just prior to the Parent’s Meeting, and are posted on the NCR Dolphins website and sent out in an email. Please be sure you are signed up for our emails to get the very latest in information from the swim team. For morning practices or for meets, swimmers should enter the pool through the chemical room (door to the left of the main entrance, behind green gate, up driveway). |
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Code of Conduct...
As members and parents of members of the New Carrollton Swim Team (NCR), we all have the responsibility of actions that will exemplify the ideals of our swim team organization and The New Carrollton Recreation Club (NCRC, Inc - The New Carrollton Pool).
PRACTICE BEHAVIOR
All swimmers are expected to follow the oral direction of any coach at any time, and at no time will disrespectful attitudes be tolerated from any swimmer. It is important that the coaching staff's relationship with the swimmers be that of direct control. When a coach is working with as many swimmers as they often do, it is important that the coaches have the swimmers undivided attention at all times. When a coach signals for quiet, it is to be done immediately. If a swimmer fails to demonstrate this ability of self-control, that swimmer will be removed from the workout situation*.
If this problem should continue with a swimmer and it is necessary for the coach to remove a swimmer from the workout situation a second time, the swimmer will be sent home and one of the coaches or the Representative of the swim team will contact the parents of the swimmer to explain the situation*.
If the problem persists and it is necessary for the coach to remove the swimmer from the workout situation * for a third time, the swimmer will be sent home and The Representative of the swim team will meet with the parents of the swimmer and inform them of the situation and the fact that the swimmer is no longer a member of the New Carrollton Swim Team.
The use of profanity, verbal abuse, or physical abuse towards another swimmer or a member of the coaching staff will never be permitted during a workout or swim meet.
SWIM MEET BEHAVIOR
All meets begin with the playing and/or singing of The National Anthem. At this time, all swimmers are to be in the New Carrollton Team Area. When The National Anthem is played all swimmers should be standing quietly facing the flag until the end of The Anthem.
Swimmers are to stay in the team area and wait to be sent to the Clerk of Course. During this time, the swimmers are to be encouraging and cheering their teammates. These events are being swum by individuals (except the relays), but each swimmer's results contribute to the total team score, so we need to encourage each other.
PRACTICE BEHAVIOR
All swimmers are expected to follow the oral direction of any coach at any time, and at no time will disrespectful attitudes be tolerated from any swimmer. It is important that the coaching staff's relationship with the swimmers be that of direct control. When a coach is working with as many swimmers as they often do, it is important that the coaches have the swimmers undivided attention at all times. When a coach signals for quiet, it is to be done immediately. If a swimmer fails to demonstrate this ability of self-control, that swimmer will be removed from the workout situation*.
If this problem should continue with a swimmer and it is necessary for the coach to remove a swimmer from the workout situation a second time, the swimmer will be sent home and one of the coaches or the Representative of the swim team will contact the parents of the swimmer to explain the situation*.
If the problem persists and it is necessary for the coach to remove the swimmer from the workout situation * for a third time, the swimmer will be sent home and The Representative of the swim team will meet with the parents of the swimmer and inform them of the situation and the fact that the swimmer is no longer a member of the New Carrollton Swim Team.
The use of profanity, verbal abuse, or physical abuse towards another swimmer or a member of the coaching staff will never be permitted during a workout or swim meet.
SWIM MEET BEHAVIOR
All meets begin with the playing and/or singing of The National Anthem. At this time, all swimmers are to be in the New Carrollton Team Area. When The National Anthem is played all swimmers should be standing quietly facing the flag until the end of The Anthem.
Swimmers are to stay in the team area and wait to be sent to the Clerk of Course. During this time, the swimmers are to be encouraging and cheering their teammates. These events are being swum by individuals (except the relays), but each swimmer's results contribute to the total team score, so we need to encourage each other.
Swimmer Nutrition...
Your swimmer should eat foods rich in carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are classified into starches, which are found mainly in grains, legumes (beans), and tubers (potatoes); and sugars, which are found in plants and fruits. The carbohydrates containing the most nutrients are found in unrefined grains, tubers, vegetables, and fruit, which also provide protein, vitamins, minerals, and fats. Carbohydrates are burned during metabolism to produce energy.
Avoid foods made from refined sugar, such as candy and soft drinks, which are high in calories but low in nutrients and fill the body with what nutritionists call empty calories.
Before a meet, eat a light breakfast such as cereal, toast or fruits, enough to give you some energy, but not so much that you feel too "full" to swim. During the meet you may also want to snack on fruits or foods containing grains to sustain your energy.
And...drink plenty of water! It gets pretty hot on that pool deck between events. Also stay in the shade and wear sunscreen.
During our HOME meets, we cook a lot of breakfast foods, as well as offer standard swim meet fare (hot dogs/hamburgers, etc) for sale. Most away meets offer these items also.
Avoid foods made from refined sugar, such as candy and soft drinks, which are high in calories but low in nutrients and fill the body with what nutritionists call empty calories.
Before a meet, eat a light breakfast such as cereal, toast or fruits, enough to give you some energy, but not so much that you feel too "full" to swim. During the meet you may also want to snack on fruits or foods containing grains to sustain your energy.
And...drink plenty of water! It gets pretty hot on that pool deck between events. Also stay in the shade and wear sunscreen.
During our HOME meets, we cook a lot of breakfast foods, as well as offer standard swim meet fare (hot dogs/hamburgers, etc) for sale. Most away meets offer these items also.
Swim Meets!!!
The Swim Season
Each team in PMSL swims 5 dual meets during the summer season, swimming against each team within your division one time, then one more against the corresponding seeded team in another division. Meets are Saturday mornings and usually start at either 8:00am or 8:30am. This section explains about these meets, what the roles of the parent volunteers are during and what is needed both before and after these weekly events.
The post-season includes the Divisional and All-Star meets, which take place on consecutive Saturdays following the final dual meets. In the Divisional meet, all teams in a division compete at an agreed upon venue within the division and compete for division champion (combination of divisional meet scoring and dual meet record). Each team is allowed to enter two swimmers in each event and one relay team per relay event.
The winners of each Divisional meet event are automatic All-Star entries. The rest of the All Star field is filled by best times until the event is filled (3 heats of 8 swimmers each).
Divisional team results have bearing on divisional ranking and what division teams are in the following year. All Stars have no bearing on team rankings or divisions.
Meet Officials
Most everyone who has ever attended a swim meet has wondered why the meet slows down and the officials in white shirts are just standing around talking. Or why there are so many adults standing around the finish end of the pool. Timers and officials play a critical role in the swim meet.
There are a number of officials that are required to run a meet. Their goal is to provide a level play field for all swimmers. Referee, Starter, and Stroke & Turn officials are required to have taken PrinceMont officials training within the last 15 months. (Details are in the PrinceMont handbook)
Other Officials
There are a number of other duties parents perform during Home Meets, and these include:
Concessions
One of the most important parts of our home swim meets are the folks that handle our food concession stand(s). They give up their time during the meet to make sure food is cooked and served (and money collected), make sure drinks are cold (or hot for coffee, tee or hot chocolate), food is fresh.
We serve breakfast sandwiches early, then convert to hot dogs/hamburgers/etc around 9:45 - 10 am. They also handle all the “donations” brought by swimmer families, and distribute them on the food table.
Set-Up & Take-Down
The set up for a home meet begins the night before (Friday evening around 6 pm). We need volunteers to help with as much as we can get done that evening, especially the installation of the pool bulkhead. The day of the meet, we start at 6:30 am, and try to get it all done by 7:15 am.
Take down requires ALL parents to assist in taking down all meet equipment, and restoring the pool to pre-meet conditions. We are usually completely finished by 12:30 pm with everyone helping!
Away Meets
Away meets are different in a way, because we don’t have concessions to worry about, but still need at least 9 timers, 2 Stroke and Turn Officials, A Starter, Team Rep, 1 Place Judge, Data Manager, Ribbon Writers and at least one Clerk Of Course person.
If needed, we’d like to be able to supply our member families to assist the Home Team in whatever way we can to make a more efficient meet (which means we’re done and home to NC Pool a lot quicker!).
Each team in PMSL swims 5 dual meets during the summer season, swimming against each team within your division one time, then one more against the corresponding seeded team in another division. Meets are Saturday mornings and usually start at either 8:00am or 8:30am. This section explains about these meets, what the roles of the parent volunteers are during and what is needed both before and after these weekly events.
The post-season includes the Divisional and All-Star meets, which take place on consecutive Saturdays following the final dual meets. In the Divisional meet, all teams in a division compete at an agreed upon venue within the division and compete for division champion (combination of divisional meet scoring and dual meet record). Each team is allowed to enter two swimmers in each event and one relay team per relay event.
The winners of each Divisional meet event are automatic All-Star entries. The rest of the All Star field is filled by best times until the event is filled (3 heats of 8 swimmers each).
Divisional team results have bearing on divisional ranking and what division teams are in the following year. All Stars have no bearing on team rankings or divisions.
Meet Officials
Most everyone who has ever attended a swim meet has wondered why the meet slows down and the officials in white shirts are just standing around talking. Or why there are so many adults standing around the finish end of the pool. Timers and officials play a critical role in the swim meet.
There are a number of officials that are required to run a meet. Their goal is to provide a level play field for all swimmers. Referee, Starter, and Stroke & Turn officials are required to have taken PrinceMont officials training within the last 15 months. (Details are in the PrinceMont handbook)
- Referee
- Starter
- Stroke & Turn
- Sweep Judges
Other Officials
There are a number of other duties parents perform during Home Meets, and these include:
- Team Rep
- Head Judge
- Head Timer
- Timers
- Meet Manager
- Clerk Of Course
- Runner
- Data Management
- Ribbon Writers
- Announcer
- 50-50 Handler
Concessions
One of the most important parts of our home swim meets are the folks that handle our food concession stand(s). They give up their time during the meet to make sure food is cooked and served (and money collected), make sure drinks are cold (or hot for coffee, tee or hot chocolate), food is fresh.
We serve breakfast sandwiches early, then convert to hot dogs/hamburgers/etc around 9:45 - 10 am. They also handle all the “donations” brought by swimmer families, and distribute them on the food table.
Set-Up & Take-Down
The set up for a home meet begins the night before (Friday evening around 6 pm). We need volunteers to help with as much as we can get done that evening, especially the installation of the pool bulkhead. The day of the meet, we start at 6:30 am, and try to get it all done by 7:15 am.
Take down requires ALL parents to assist in taking down all meet equipment, and restoring the pool to pre-meet conditions. We are usually completely finished by 12:30 pm with everyone helping!
Away Meets
Away meets are different in a way, because we don’t have concessions to worry about, but still need at least 9 timers, 2 Stroke and Turn Officials, A Starter, Team Rep, 1 Place Judge, Data Manager, Ribbon Writers and at least one Clerk Of Course person.
If needed, we’d like to be able to supply our member families to assist the Home Team in whatever way we can to make a more efficient meet (which means we’re done and home to NC Pool a lot quicker!).
Swim Parents...
It takes the entire team to run the NCR Dolphins Swim Team. Whether it's meets, relays, Divisionals, banquets or even special events, everyone needs to help physically as well as monetarily.
Parents of our swimmers are a special breed. They're everywhere. In the past we could count on our parents to assist us without asking, but they, for the most part, were used to the swimming venues, and in swimming, help is needed everywhere.
We are asking for your dedication to the team. After all, it's your children who swim, and it's your children who will benefit in the long run from a parent (or parents) who are actively involved, who want to do MORE than their share, and show their children that they too care about the team in ways that's hard to explain.
The NCR Dolphins cannot run this team with just a few primary parents, too many details to look after. Yes, we have a comprehensive website. Yes, we try to keep you informed and up-to-date. Yes, many of you volunteer.... BUT, we need EVERYONE! BOTH parents if there are two.
As a parent of a member of our swim team, you will be expected to:
Parents of our swimmers are a special breed. They're everywhere. In the past we could count on our parents to assist us without asking, but they, for the most part, were used to the swimming venues, and in swimming, help is needed everywhere.
We are asking for your dedication to the team. After all, it's your children who swim, and it's your children who will benefit in the long run from a parent (or parents) who are actively involved, who want to do MORE than their share, and show their children that they too care about the team in ways that's hard to explain.
The NCR Dolphins cannot run this team with just a few primary parents, too many details to look after. Yes, we have a comprehensive website. Yes, we try to keep you informed and up-to-date. Yes, many of you volunteer.... BUT, we need EVERYONE! BOTH parents if there are two.
As a parent of a member of our swim team, you will be expected to:
- Help out at meets either during set-up or break-down;
- Help officiate at meets home and away (as timers, stroke and turns, referee, starter, data, something...)
- Participate in all or most of the special events we hold during the year;
- BE THERE FOR YOUR KID(s).