WELCOME, swimmers and parents to the Concord Hills Swim Team. The Concord Hills Piranhas is a member of the Greater Knoxville Interclub Swim Association (GKAISA). This handbook includes information concerning membership in Concord Hills Swim Team and its sanctioning organization GKAISA. If you need information not addressed in this handbook, please feel free to ask any swim team Board member listed below.

TEAM PHILOSOPHY

The Concord Hills Swim Team is dedicated to the emotional and physical growth of its swimmers and to the morale of the community in which they live. The coaches, the swim team Board, and all of the volunteers will strive to make swimming a fun experience. At the same time, they will foster in both parents and swimmers alike, the benefits of hard work and sacrifice, the traits of good sportsmanship, the value of self-discipline, the seeds and fruits of leadership, the exhilaration of competitive zeal, and the joy of community spirit.

Team Goals

Improve swimmers’ skills

Develop good sportsmanship

Encourage and develop teamwork

Enable swimmers to accomplish their dreams

Have fun while developing a love for swimming

Prerequisites

To join the Concord Hills Swim Team, your child must:

• be no older than 18 as of June 1
• be able to swim one length of the pool in any stroke (except Junior Piranha swimmers)
• be able to tread water for one minute

Swim Team Board of Directors

Oversight of the Concord Hills Piranhas Swim Team is provided by a Board of Directors, that operates independently of the Concord Hills Homeowners Association (CHHA).  Although independent from CHHA the Swim Team is bound to an Agreement that establishes the relationship between the Swim Team and CHHA.   The Board consists of volunteers who give their time and talents to coordinate all swim team activities. Volunteers are also needed each year to serve on various subcommittees. Please consider volunteering for one of these important roles.  The current Board of Directors are:

President: Ben Duby (423) 231-2982

Vice President: Lee Anna Miller

Treasurer: Chris Brown

Secretary/Communications: Danielle Chandler

At-Large Member: Sara Whitley

At-Large Member: Amy Samples

At-Large Member: Faith Chesney

Volunteer Coordinators: Lynn Adams and Mindy Bratcher

Use of Pool Facilities

Per our Agreement with the Concord Hills Homeowners Association (CHHA), swimmers or their families should not come to practice early or plan to stay late to use the facilities.  Furthermore Swim Team members are only allowed to use the big pool during their assigned group practice times. Swimmers are required to exit the pool at the end of their assigned practice time.  At no time is the use of the small area of the big pool or the kiddie pool allowed for swimmers, or siblings of swimmers.  Abuse of this rule may result in being banned from the pool facilities by CHHA.  If a family desires unrestricted access to the pool before or after practice, or access to kiddie pool during practice they are invited to become members of the pool, which is separate from being a member of the Swim Team.  The Concord Hills Homeowners Association offers full Rec Club memberships.  More information is available here: www.concordhillsrec.org

Volunteering for Swim Meets

Swim meets are staffed and run by team volunteers and WE NEED ASSISTANCE FROM EVERY FAMILY! Interest and reliability are the only qualifications for most meet jobs. In order for a meet to run smoothly, approximately 70 worker positions are required to be filled when we are the host team and 40 when we travel. Worker positions are shared between the host and visiting teams and are divided between the first and second half of the meet. We require each family to sign up and work a half of the Blue & White Intrasquad meet AND four dual meets during the season. If your child will be participating in the two city-wide meets, you will be expected to volunteer in some capacity. This is the only way we can make our team work.

Please sign up for your volunteer functions on our website: (http://www.concordhills.swimtopia.com)

If you have never worked before – don’t worry. We will show you what to do. We will have training along with the hands-on experience you receive at the Blue & White Meet.

The following list is a summary of the worker positions required for a swim meet.

Positions marked with GFNF are "Good For New Families"

8&Under Clerk of Course (GFNF with strong English language):

Work as a team to gather and arrange 8&Under swimmers in their proper event, heat, and lane in the clerk of course staging area. If swimmers have not reported to Clerk of Course, help find them or ask a coach to do so.  

Escort 8&Under swimmers from the clerk of course setting area to the starting blocks while keeping them in proper event, heat, and lane order.

Arrange 8&Under swimmers in their proper relay teams according to the event card, remind them of their order and stroke, and walk them to the appropriate end of the pool.

Check In (GFNF): Sits at entrance gate of the pool and ensures all swimmers and parents sign in upon arrival. Parents who are working also sign in with the volunteer coordinator. Requires early arrival at the meet.

Clean up (GFNF): Cleans up the pool area after the meet. This includes arranging all chairs, tables, and umbrellas back onto the pool deck and general clean-up of the pool area. Home meets only - perfect job for those with several swimmers in the family. You'll never miss your child swim. Requires time after the meet.

Computer Entry(GFNF): Enters swimmer's times into computer. May require time after the meet.

Event Card Reader (GFNF): Reads the event cards to the Computer Entry worker.

Event Card Sorter: Receives all event cards and judge slips from the deck. Sorts event cards and judge slips; staples DQ’s to proper event card, places cards in order of finish, clips all papers together by event #; and passes to Scorer. Responsible for correctly ordering all event cards and judge slips for proper storage after the meet.

DQ/Jump Judge Runner (GFNF): Picks up DQ cards and Jump Judge forms (relays only) from Stroke and Turn and Jump Judges and takes them to the referee.

Finish and Overcall Judges: Calls finish order of each heat for all lanes (which lane finishes first, second, etc.). Records finish order by lane, event and heat number, and signs finish slip. This can be a challenging job but is an excellent position for those with picture memories.

Head Timer: Oversees lane timers, signals starter when all timers are ready; starts a watch on each event, and serves as the back-up for lane timers.

Hospitality (GFNF): Distributes water to workers during the meet.

Jump Judge: Calls early starts during relay events. Records proper and improper starts, event and heat number, and signature on jump slip. Jump Judges work both relays during the meet (Medley relay 1st half and Free Relay 2nd half).

Meet Director: Ensures forms needed for all meets are at the pool before the beginning of the season. Contacts visiting team via phone and/or e-mail one week prior to meet to explain how things are done at Concord Hills. On meet day, arrive about 1-1/2 hours before start to help with setup. After start of meet, ensure workers have what is needed to keep meet running smoothly (often there are no demands after start). For away meets, speak with visiting team meet director and pass along information to communications secretary to be sent to Concord Hills team (no duties during the meet).

*Meet Referee: Has authority over all meet officials, assigns and instructs them, leads all discussions regarding rules, makes final decisions concerning any protests, interprets applicable USA Swimming and GKAISA rules for meet. Referees must be CERTIFIED by attending a GKAISA Stroke and Rules Clinic and pass a written exam.

Paper Scorer: Enters points earned by each team on master score sheet using event cards and judging sheets and maintains running score for each team. Requires time after the meet.

Parking/Parking Coordinator (GFNF): Places no parking signs along roads near pool prior to and removes them after the meet. Provides directions to families as they arrive at the pool including assisting with unloading at parking lot entrance. Requires early arrival at the pool.

Ready Bench (GFNF): Lines up swimmers in the proper heat and lane behind the starting blocks. You will have a heat sheet to assist you (a heat sheet is a list of all the events and swimmers in the meet).

Ribbons: 2nd half of the meet only. Sorts and labels finish ribbons for the swimmers using event cards. Sorts event cards by team for coaches. May require time after the meet.

Runner (GFNF): Picks up timer sheets from scribes and finish cards from judges after events are complete. Takes them to the card sorter at the scoring table. Picks up DQ cards and Jump Judge forms (relays only) from Stroke and Turn and Jump Judges and takes them to the referee. Wear good sneakers.

Scribe (GFNF): Gathers event cards from swimmers, verifies name of swimmer, records finish time given by timer, and assists ready bench workers with getting swimmers to starting blocks.

Set up (GFNF): Prepare the deck for the meet. This includes moving and arranging tables and chairs, connecting sound system, setting up starting system, etc. Requires early arrival at the meet.

Timer (GFNF): Initiates stopwatch on starting flash, not the sound, verifies watch has started, calls for back-up if needed, stops watch when any part of swimmer’s body touches the wall, provides finish time to scribe, and resets watch for next event.

*Starter: On signal from Head Timer, the starter assumes full control for the swimmers; announces events and distance to swimmers and timers; starts event with a starting horn. Announcements may also have to be made about combining of heats or other changes occurring during the meet. Starters must be CERTIFIED by attending a GKAISA Stroke and Rules Clinic and pass a written exam.

*Stroke & Turn Judge: Judges proper execution of strokes, turns, and touches by swimmers in assigned lanes. Records infraction, event, heat, and lane number, signature, and gives judging slip to DQ runner. Stroke & Turn Judges must be CERTIFIED by attending a GKAISA Stroke and Rules Clinic and pass a written exam.

Volunteer Coordinator: Oversees worker sign-in upon arrival at the meet. Ensures all positions are filled and workers are in place at start of meet and at shift change.  Requires early arrival at the meet.

*Denotes that this position requires special training. Specialized positions are not difficult or demanding they just require a little knowledge and can be a lot of fun. GKAISA provides "FREE" clinics to teach parents how to perform these functions. More details about these clinics will be provided as they become available. If you would like to obtain the training required for any of these duties, please email the board at [email protected].  

Other Volunteer Positions

Volunteers are also needed to fill a number of roles that support team activities outside of meets. Some of these roles include: registration, t-shirt/swim suit/swim cap orders, swimmers/coaches gifts, tent rentals, end-of-year party, etc. Please e-mail or call one of the Board members if you would be willing to help.

Understanding a Swim Meet

Here are some of the more fundamental rules governing a swim meet. Obviously, it is much more involved that this, but an understanding of how a meet is scored and rules for participation can help you enjoy swim meets.

Dual meets consist of two teams swimming in head-to-head competition. For duel meets all swimmers, except seniors, will receive a ribbon according to their finish in their respective heat.  There are 70 events in a dual meet, consisting of 5 individual events and 2 relays spread out over 10 age groups (5 each for girls and boys). Age groups are broken down into 8 & under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, and 15-18. The swimmer swims the entire season in the age group according to their age as of May 31st. Swimmers are allowed to swim in 4 events in a GKAISA meet (unless the swimmer is designated as an exhibition swimmer).

Order of Events: Individual Medley, Freestyle, Medley Relay, Back, Breast, Fly, and Free Relay.

Event Numbers: Girls’ events are odd numbered, while boys’ events are even numbered.

Lane Assignments: At dual meets, visitors swim in the even lanes while the host team members swim in the odd lanes.

Team Scoring: In individual events at dual meets, team scoring is based on results of only the first heat of each event. In addition, each team receives points for a maximum of two finish places. For example, if three swimmers from Concord Hills finish in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, the swimmers receive place ribbons based on actual finish order, but the team receives points only for the first two swimmers. Similarly, only one relay per team may score per event.

In the large meets (City and Smoky Mountain) there is no limit to the number of individuals or relays in each event from a single team that can score.  Ribbons and medals are awarded to the top finishers (i.e. those that “final”).  In each individual event the top 6 or 8 finishers (depending on the number of lanes in the pool) and the next tier of finishers swim final and consolations heats to determine final placement.  Heat ribbons are usually awarded to the top finishers in each heat.

Swim Meet Do's and Dont's

Our meets are always quite competitive. This season, we will swim an intrasquad meet and five dual meets. In addition, we will participate in the Smoky Mountain Invitational and the City Meet Championships.

Please read the following information carefully:

• It is critical that the Head Coach knows whether your child will be participating in meets. Rearranging a meet line-up is very difficult at the last minute when swimmers do not show. You will need to sign up your child for the meets, and it will be assumed that your child is not swimming unless you do so. RSVPs for meets are done on the website (http://www.concordhills.swimtopia.com).  After the window for online declarations have closed, you will need to call or text Coach Lucy to inform her of any changes in intent to swim/not swim a meet.
• NEVER leave a meet early without informing Coach Lucy. There may be a last minute change and your swimmer may be needed to swim.
• Please be on time for all meets and practices. Swimmers should be at the pool and ready to swim at the scheduled arrival time. This gives swimmers time to set up, find out what events they will be swimming and familiarize themselves with the pool during warm-ups.
• Dual meets last from 3-4 hours. The Smoky Mountain Invitational and City Meet are day-long events. Day long events require that the swimmers arrive early (usually before 8 AM) for warm-ups. As team rosters have to be submitted weeks in advance, it is very important that the coaches know if you cannot attend.
• Swimmers are to remain in the designated staging area during swim meets. If swimmers are out of place and cannot be found, they often miss swimming an event.
• Substitutions are prohibited in Smoky and City Meets. If your swimmer is in a relay at either meet and cannot swim, the entire relay team will be scratched, so the other three swimmers don't get to swim the event. In the City Meet, not only do we forfeit the entry fee for any swimmer who does not show up, but we also pay a penalty fee for each no-show.

Recommended Clothing/Gear

Change of clothes

Sweats for cooler evenings

Healthy snacks, water, sport drinks, or money for concession stand.

Books, playing cards, games, etc.

Lawn chairs, blankets

Patience – meets take time

Team Spirit!

Pre-Meet Preparations

Stay out of the sun prior to a meet.

Conserve energy by not engaging in other sports prior to a meet.

Meet Day Diet

Worst Foods: Fatty foods like potato chips, doughnuts, french fries, danishes, and proteins like peanut butter, any meat or fish.  All these foods are slow to digest, will be in the stomach for many hours, and will rob muscles of blood in order to digest the food.

Best Foods: Pasta, cereals, bagels, breads, fruits, and vegetables. These are out of the stomach in 2 hours.  If these foods are eaten more than 3 hours before swimming they can provide energy in time for the race.

During the Meet: Bananas, crackers, plain toast (no butter), all in modest amounts. Fruit juices, water or Gatorade equivalent are necessary throughout the meet. Lack of liquids will affect your performance even before you feel thirsty.

Home Meet Concessions

Concessions will be available at all home meets.  Families MAY be asked to donate beverages and/or food items for our home meet concession operation to help reduce expenses. Thank you in advance for your support of this important fund raising activity.

Team & Parent Communications

We plan to use E-MAIL to spread the latest word about Piranha happenings. Please help us by including your e-mail address on your registration forms so we can contact you promptly (and cheaply!) about team issues. Additionally, we use the Swimtopia App to send text messages in the event that weather cancels a meet or practice.  Both the free and paid versions of this app will allow you to receive team texts if you are logged in.

PIRANHA'S SPECIAL EVENT SCHEDULE

We will have special fun events to provide an opportunity for the kids to have fun together outside of swim practice and swim meets. Watch your e-mail and posters at the pool for more information.

SWIM TEAM RULES

SWIMMERS MUST BEHAVE PROPERLY

Normal pool rules apply. No wrestling, horseplay, pushing, running

BUT Cheering is heavily encouraged AT MEETS!

PICK UP ALL TRASH AND PLACE IN PROPER CONTAINER

No gum

No glass containers

Keep restrooms clean during practice times and meets

SWIMMERS MUST LEAVE THE POOL IMMEDIATELY AFTER PRACTICE

Parents are not required to attend practices, but should not allow swimmers to loiter without parental supervision.

SWIMMERS MUST INFORM A COACH BEFORE LEAVING POOL AREA

This includes going to the restroom for safety reasons

At meets this is critical--missed events hurt the team!

NOTIFY COACH IF SWIMMER IS UNABLE TO ATTEND MEET

Please declare "Attending" or "Not Attending" for each meet by the published deadline. Changes due to one swimmer can have a ripple effect across the team.

OBEY MEET OFFICIALS & COACHES

AT MEETS PARENTS ARE EXPECTED TO SUPERVISE THEIR CHILDREN OR HAVE ANOTHER PARENT WHO WILL DO SO

PARENTS MUST PROVIDE AN EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBER

See registration form.

PARENTS ARE EXPECTED TO ASSIST WITH THE CONDUCT OF ALL MEETS

Volunteers are key to successful meets

RESPECT THE PROPERTY OF OTHERS

It’s recommend you mark all goggles, team shirts, and other common items.

HAVE FUN, BE SAFE, AND SWIM FAST!!!!!!

CODES OF CONDUCT

As a parent/guardian of a swimmer and member of Concord Hills Swim Team, I will:

1. Practice teamwork with all parents, swimmers, coaches, officials, and volunteers by supporting the values of: Perseverance, Honesty, Accountability, Commitment, and Teamwork.

2. Respect the coaches’ decisions on all group placements, practice types, and meet entries. I realize they know best and will not question their judgment.

3. Maintain self-control at all times and demonstrate good sportsmanship by conducting myself in a manner that earns the respect of my child, parents, other swimmers, coaches, officials, and volunteers at all meets and practices.

4. Enjoy my involvement with Concord Hills Swim Team by supporting the swimmers, coaches and other parents with positive communication and actions.

5. Commit to work my required volunteer sessions at regular season, Smoky Mountain, and City Championship meets.

6. Bring questions or concerns regarding decisions made by coaches, officials, and volunteers to a member of the Coaching Staff or Swim Team Committee in a private setting.

7. Refrain from critical or abusive language or gestures toward coaches, officials, volunteers, and swimmers.

8. Refrain from interfering with coaches during designated practice times.

As an athlete and member of Concord Hills Swim Team, I will:

1. HAVE FUN!!!

2. Perform to the best of my abilities at practice and meets.

3. Promote a positive team spirit by being humble in victory and courageous in defeat; congratulating my competitors and cheering for my teammates.

4. Follow directions of coaches, officials, volunteers, and lifeguards at practice and meets.

5. Respect my coaches’ decisions. I realize they know best and will not question their judgment.

6. Use swimmer signups (or ask my parents to do so) so coaches know I will be attending meets.

7. Behave in a way that reflects positively on me, my family, and my team.

8. Treat all swimmers, coaches, parents, officials, and volunteers with respect.

9. Respect the property of others and of the facilities I use for training and meets.

10. Not use profanity, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or banned substances.

11. Not take part in any form of bullying, harassment, hazing, or abuse (verbal or physical). This includes using social media or other electronic communications for bullying, etc.

Examples of Violations:

Disruption of practice to the detriment of other team members

Poor manners, poor sportsmanship, disrespectful comments

Petty theft, vandalism, or destruction of public or private property

Offensive behavior which results in the public embarrassment of Concord Hills Swim Team

OTHER INFORMATION

Swimmer's Ear

Swimmer’s ear is an inflammation of the outer ear canal frequently occurring when water remains in the ear and is not only painful but costly to the swimmer in doctor's bills and missed practices/meets. Commercial ear drops may be purchased or you can make your own using equal parts of white vinegar and alcohol.  EAR DROPS SHOULD BE USED AFTER EVERY MEET AND PRACTICE to avoid swimmer's ear.