Tips
for Coaches - Updated for 2004
Welcome to another year of RSL Swimming! The RSL is a blend of many driving forces, both competitive and recreational and this is true of swimmers and parents alike. Balancing these many demands can be a trying experience, but it does bring its rewards. Listed below are some tips which hopefully will help you during this swim season. We’re sure not everything can be covered, so those of you, who’ve been around the league a few years, are urged to email ideas to: comments@rslswim.org. - Thanks 1. In Dual meet competition, know your competitor. If you don’t, ask your team rep and/or the swimmers themselves, as having the right match-ups is an important element to scoring. 2. Your goal as a coach during the Dual Meet season is to both win meets (no swimmer likes to lose), but at the same time provide a fun, team-oriented experience. In addition, you MUST qualify as many swimmers for Finals as possible. With the ever increasing size of teams, this becomes a real challenge. Depending upon the number of lanes available, it’s a good rule of thumb to consider placing no more than two swimmers in any event for scoring and thus using the balance of entries for Finals qualifying. Naturally, this depends upon team size. If you’re coaching a smaller team, then you’ll be using every entry for both purposes. 3. If you are not familiar with Team Manager Software, make sure your Data person provides you with all the reports available. Some will be more helpful than others, but you should get a look at all of them and the options available. You’ll need these to keep track of who has swum what and when. The reports are a real help for Finals entries as well. 4. It is always a good practice to qualify kids in events only after they are somewhat proficient in the stroke. While the RSL tries to be consistent in its Stroke & Turn officiating, rest assured that the best officials will be at Finals. What a shame if a swimmer qualifies, not because of proficiency, but because something was missed only to have that swimmer DQ’d at Finals. 5. Always remember that you are NOT in charge of the Meet. This responsibility is the Team Rep’s and theirs alone. While a good Rep should always seek out your advice, as well as others, the meet responsibilities fall to them. Of course, once the meet starts the Referee is in charge. Therefore, make sure you and the Rep are on the same page when issues arise. It is always best to ask about possible situations prior to their occurrence. 6. During a meet,
you should not challenge a Stroke & Turn official on their decisions.
Your discussion must be with the Referee. If you disagree strongly with
a decision, then contact your Rep. The RSL provides a means by which
you can calmly and rationally challenges decisions. 8. RSL rules are for a reason. Make sure you have a copy. If you still do not understand a rule, contact you Rep. Whenever there is a question pertaining to a rule or its interpretation, always remembers that the league assumes coaches will use both common sense and conduct their activities in an ethical manner. 9. Whenever an upcoming Dual Meet is a foregone conclusion, i.e. you are assured of either a victory or defeat; remember that there is no bonus point awarded for large wins. Therefore, take this opportunity to qualify more swimmers in events than normal. Even if this means entering your best swimmers in events they would not normally swim, in order to make room for others. Remember, when planning your Finals entries, your best swimmer may be 10th in an age group and thus out of the scoring in their best events. However, that same swimmer may be at the top of the B or C divisions in their "off" strokes. For the good of team, your swimmers should swim what scores. 10. It is always a good idea to explain your goals and practices to both swimmers and parents prior to the first meet. While Dual Meets are unavoidably more individual swimmer focused, Finals is a pure team event. Winners in all divisions receive the same amount of points. Parents should understand that with hard work each child can get their "chance in the sun". However, there are only so many spots available at Finals and thus the possibility of not getting an entry must be equally explained. 11. Communication is a prerequisite. Keep swimmers informed of what the goals are for each Dual Meet and insist that swimmers communicate to you if they intend to be present for the meet. Nothing will cause more frustration than entering a swimmer that doesn’t show. It is a good thing to ask what the Baseball or Soccer coach would say, if John or Jane simply chose not to come to a game without telling anyone. Swimmers who join a team have a responsibility to the other members. Too often, a relay fails to swim because only 3 of the 4 kids are present. Even a last minute phone call works, as changes can be made up to 15 minutes prior to the start of the meet. 12. While summer swimming is for fun, we do keep score. Soccer without nets wouldn’t appear to be too much fun and the same is true in the RSL. Please remember though to keep this in balance. There is always something positive to be found, even in a loss. 13. In order to
make your meets run smoothly, familiarize yourself with the other volunteer
jobs required. Know who does what. Try downloading the training information
found on the RSL website. Visit the Forms page. 15. Check your Meet Entry Planner. This is the most important sheet at the meet. When all else fails, it is the deciding factor when it comes to meet entries. 16. Remember you can’t be a success by yourself. It takes volunteers. Be understanding and respectful of them. 17. Make sure you
introduce yourself and keep in contact with the other coaches in your
division. Often they may be able to help if asked about meet issues.
20. Regardless
of how you plan your relays, in close meets the last 6 events often
determine the winner. Know your swimmers and position the relays so
that you'll garner the most out of them.
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