Falcon Pointe Flyers

WHAT YOUR SWIMMER SHOULD KNOW

First and foremost, have fun! Do their best and enjoy practice. PLEASE leave the coaching to our amazing coaches and just encourage your swimmers. Thank you in advance for respecting these practice guidelines.

• Attend only your designated practice time unless instructed by the coach.
• Please bring your practice equipment (goggles, fins, etc.), and make sure goggles are adjusted & ready to go prior to practice. Please have your equipment labeled.
• Apply any sunscreen (especially on the face) preferably at home but at least 15 minutes prior to practice.
• While waiting to practice please show courtesy to the group that is already in the water.
• Team suits last longer if you wear a training suit to practice.
• Be sure to WEAR YOUR SMILE at all times!

WHERE TO GO FOR SWIM PRACTICE

MAY Practices will be held at the Round Rock Aquatic Center (2801 Gattis School Rd., Round Rock, TX 78664)

JUNE Practices will be held at Gilleland Creek Pool (700 North Railroad Ave, Pflugerville, TX 78660)

WHEN TO ARRIVE FOR SWIM PRACTICE

As a general guideline, please be on deck and be ready to get in the water at least 5 minutes prior to your swimmer’s scheduled practice start time. Practice duration is typically 30 minutes for each age group.

WHAT TO BRING FOR SWIM PRACTICE

The following equipment is suggested for practice:

• SWIM SUITS — Please have your child wear an appropriate racing style swim suit to practice. If your swimmer has a team swimsuit, they may wear it BUT racing suits traditionally last longer if they are only worn for meets. We do not recommend sun shirts or sun suits as they will slow the swimmers down and inhibit their stroke development.
• PRACTICE CAP — Please write your child's name in black sharpie clearly and largely on their practice caps (if they have one). Children look the same in suits, goggles, and caps; this will help the coaches identify and learn your swimmers name during the first month of practice. Practice caps will be distributed the first day of practice.
• FINS — Fins are strongly encouraged for practice, especially for the younger swimmers it will help them build leg strength and keep up during the first weeks of practice.
• KICKBOARDS — Should kickboards be needed, they will be provided by the team during training. If a swimmer brings their own kickboard make sure it is identifiable.
• GOGGLES — There are many goggles made for "kid-sized-eyes." We would suggest trying on a few goggles for fit. Speedo, TYR, and Water Gear all make simple goggles that should offer a good fit for children. Take the goggles carefully out of the box. Place eye pieces on eyes. Press lightly but firmly. If it is a good fit the goggles should seal and stay "sucked-on" the eye socket area for a few seconds. And, while the large lenses may work great for snorkeling — remember that's not what we're doing at the pool. Super-sized goggles don't stay on as easily when diving in. We also recommend getting a second spare set of goggles for the meets. This will come in very handy!
• SHIRT — Each swimmer receives a classic current year t-shirt with registration. Additional spirit gear can be purchased at orientation.
• SWIM CAPS — It is required that all swimmers with shoulder length hair or longer wear a cap at all swim meets, furthermore, it is suggested that all swimmers wear swim caps at meets to promote team identification and spirit. At all swim meets, it is required that the official Redfish swim cap be worn.

TRAINING GROUPS

It is important, and expected, that a swimmer train with his respective age group. Training groups are established by age (rather than speed or stamina). Coaches strive to do what is best for the swimmers and relative to the team atmosphere and training challenges. It has proven best in this situation to have swimmers grouped by age.

Training with the appropriate age group allows coaches to teach and coach relative to age specific techniques. It promotes team unity and helps facilitate age-related activities. Relay and swim meet organization is also enhanced by this grouping.

ATTENDANCE

We strive to foster a strong summer club team environment. While we know everyone has different vacation schedules, as well as other commitments, we hope you will be able to attend as many practices, meets, and social events as possible.

It is not necessary to alert the coach if you are going to miss a scheduled practice. However, if you cannot attend a meet (or will arrive late/leave early), we ask that you communicate this information. We would rather have your swimmer eligible for the meet than miss an opportunity.

Per league rules, swimmers are required to attend 2 practices to be eligible for the weekend's meet. If your swimmer has special needs at some time (due to Middle or High School orientation week, high school weight training class, VBL or similar) please let the head coach know. We can attempt to make arrangements such that your swimmer remains eligible for the weekend's meet. This rule is not meant to exclude team members from swimming a meet but to prevent swimmers from ONLY swimming meets.

NEW SWIMMERS

Parents are asked to introduce their new swimmer to the Coaches, or have your swimmer take charge & introduce themselves. Please let our Coach know of any special health or anxiety issues. Coaches will help integrate appropriately.

Need to communicate with a coach?

Thank you for trusting our coaches to do what they think is best for your swimmer and others involved in the program. If you have any questions or develop special circumstances, please see our Head Coach, on or off deck. They will direct the assistant coaches relative to any issues that arise. The least distracting time is between practices or when swimmers are not yet in water.