1. sports
2. swimming

Mandell JCC Sharks Swim
Team
Parent and Swimmer Manual
2014 Long course
Season
New and returning Sharks Families!
The start of a brand new season is upon us, and we are very excited about this upcoming year. We
wish to welcome all new and returning Sharks. We are looking forward to a rewarding and fun season.
We take a great deal of responsibility in providing a safe and productive environment for our athletes
and look forward to working with each of you, as partners in this endeavor. One of the most valuable
characteristics of a strong, motivated team, is the parents’ support within the organization. We
therefore encourage each of you to take an active part in our Sharks swim team parents committee.
This group assists the coaches with many behind the scene details. We look forward to working with
your swimmers this season.
As always, if you should have any questions please feel free to contact Coach David Laudati at 860231-6320 / dlaudati@mandelljcc.org.
Thank you,
The Coaching staff
SWIM TEAM PHILOSOPHY
The Mandell JCC Sharks Swim Team is a nonprofit member of United States Swimming dedicated to
the development of competitive and recreational swimmers through technique and endurance
development.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Interested swimmers ages of 6 and 17 are eligible to join. A tryout is required.
SWIM TEAM APPAREL
Our swim suit Company is Swim Wear in Motion. Our swim suit fittings are on Sept 22nd and 23rd
from 4:30pm to 6:30pm. Any swimmers who is unable attend the fitting may order our team suit
online. Please visit our team website and click the team apparel link on the left hand side. All
swimmers must purchase a team suit. All 11 and older USS Swimmers must purchase a team
drag suit.
COMMUNICATION
Communication between parents and coaches is a key component to the success of your swimmer
individually and the Sharks Team as a whole. Email and our Sharks website are our primary
communication vehicles. Throughout the season you will receive emails keeping you current on
upcoming meets, results, special events and more. Please be sure you read all emails and respond
when requested in a timely manner. You will also find the team website is our main tool for up to date
news on the team. Our website is:
WWW.MandellJCCSharks.org
Friend us on Facebook
USS SWIM Meets
The Mandell JCC is a member of Connecticut Swimming, Inc. This is the local governing body for
competitive swimming in the state of Connecticut. Connecticut Swimming, Inc., ( "CSI"), is one of
fifty-nine (59) Local Swimming Committees of USA Swimming, the National Governing Body for
competitive swimming in the United States. Swim meets are held on Friday evenings, Saturdays
& Sundays through out Connecticut.
Meet registrations deadlines must be adhered to. Only those swimmers signed up will be entered in
meet(s). For the Long Course season meet signup will be done online. Signups will be done through
signupgenius.com. The links will be posted on our website as well as in weekly emails to parents.
Swimmers must be on deck 15 minutes before warm-up. Swimmers must check in with a coach
on the pool deck. Any swimmer not on deck on time will be scratched from the meet. Once
scratched, a swimmer cannot be reenter in the meet. If your swimmer is sick or unable to attend
a meet please email Coach Dave at dlaudati@mandelljcc.org
PRACTICE GUIDELINES
The main purpose of practice is to improve the swimmer’s technique and increase his/her
speed and endurance. Each practice will be targeted toward our goal of the week as
determined by the coaches.
There is a direct relationship between the amount of practice and the level of improvement.
Good hard practices will show great improvement on the swimmer’s times and endurance
level.
Practice is the key for a swimmer to become better. Just “showing up” to practice doesn’t cut
it either! ---PRACTICE DOESN’T MAKE PERFECT, PERFECT PRACTICE DOES!
PRACTICE TEAMS
USS Team Groups
8 & Under ...Pre Requisite: (Ages 7yrs – 8yrs) Must have swam competitively for 1 or more seasons or be a
USS Swimmer. This program is for swimmers who have the ability to compete in USS Swimming. These
swimmers will be able to swim and compete in all competitive strokes and increased swimming events.
Age Group 1...Prerequisite - (Ages 10 & under) must be 9 years old and have swum competitively for a
minimum of 1 season. This program is for swimmers who have the ability to compete in USS Swimming. These
swimmers will be able to swim and compete in all competitive strokes and increased swimming events. These
swimmers are making a greater commitment and dedication to the sport of swimming
Age Group 2 ...Prerequisite – Ages 12 & under. Have swam competitively for a minimum of 2 seasons.
This program is for serious USS swimmers who have the ability to compete in USS Swimming. These swimmers
will be able to swim and compete in all competitive strokes and increased swimming events.
Also these swimmers have shown a maturity and ability to handle large training volume needed to progress in
the sport of swimming.
Pre Senior ...Prerequisite – Ages 110 – 15yrs. Have swum competitively for a minimum of 3seasons.
This program is for serious 13 and over swimmers (11/12 swimmer who has made CT age group cut and coach
recommendation may be moved to this group) who have the ability to compete in USS Swimming. They swim
or plan on swimming for a High School team or for our senior level program. These swimmers will be able to
swim and compete in all competitive strokes and increased swimming events. Also these swimmers have shown
a maturity and ability to handle large training volume needed to progress in the sport of swimming.
Senior...Prerequisite – 8th Grade or higher, Must have CT Senior Championship cut & Coaches recommendation.
This program s for our most dedicated and committed swimmers. Having goals to reach zone level meets and
higher. Also these swimmers have shown a maturity and ability to handle large training volume needed to
progress in the sport of swimming.
COACHES
Head Coach
David Laudati
Head 10/under Coach
USS Certified Level 3 Coach
7th year as Head Coach, and 10th year with the
Sharks Swim Team
Contact Info: 860-231-6320 /
dlaudati@mandelljcc.org
Assistant Head Coach
Mike Krajewski
Head 11/Over Coach
USS Certified Level 1 Coach
1st
year with the Sharks Swim Team
Contact Info: mkrajewski@mandelljcc.org
Shannon Dunn
Coaches – 8 & unders and Age Group 1
USS Certified Level 1 Coach
1st year with the Sharks Swim Team
Juan Dominguez
Coaches – 8 & unders and Age Group 1 & Age
Group 2
USS Certified Level 1 Coach
2nd year with the Sharks Swim Team
Callie Schnog
Coaches Age Group 2 & Pre Senior/Senior
USS Certified Level 1 Coach
th
4 year with the Sharks Swim Team
Ann Colloton
Coaches – 8 & unders and Age Group 1 &
Age Group 2
USS Certified Level 1 Coach
2nd year with the Sharks Swim Team
Karyl Shaughnessy
Coaches - 8 & under, & Age Group 1
USS Certified Level 1 Coach
2nd year with the Sharks Swim Team
1st
Jim Shea
Coaches Pre Senior/Senior
USS Certified Level 1 Coach
year with the Sharks Swim Team
SWIMMER’S RESPONSIBILITES
All swim team members must:
1. Adhere to swimmer code of coduct.
2. Report to practice on time and with a positive attitude
3. Encourage and support each other during meets and practices
4. Act with sportsmanship at all practice and meets
5. Notify coaches in advance if they will miss a practice or a swim meet
6. Be fair and kind to all members of the swim team
7. Obey and listen to the coaches at all meets and practices
8. Have one pair of goggles – we recommend 2 pairs (place your name on the strap)
9. One team suit and one practice suit. (Do Not wear your team suit at practice. ( It is for Meets only.)
10. MOST IMPORTANTLY – ALL TEAM MEMBERS MUST HAVE FUN, SWIM GREAT AND
HAVE A SUPER SEASON!
MJCC SHARKS SWIMMERS CODE OF CONDUCT AGREEMENT:
I, ___________________________________, as a member of Mandell JCC (MJCC) Sharks Swim Team, acknowledge
that following certain basic rules of conduct is important to my development as a swimmer, my
relationship with my parents, coaches, and teammates as well as the community reputation of The MJCC Sharks. I
realize that not acting in a proper way while engaged in team activities is harmful to myself and to my team, and
prevents me from becoming the best swimmer and person I can be. I therefore pledge to observe the following basic
rules of conduct while involved in MJCC Sharks Swimming related activities:
1.
Respect teammates, coaches, officials and opponents at all times by showing good sportsmanship both on
and off the pool deck.
2.
Support and encourage teammates by setting a positive example.
3.
Listen to and learn from my coaches. Refrain from disruptive behavior at practice and meets.
4.
Arrive on deck at least 5 minutes prior to the start of practice and 15 minutes prior to warm-up sessions
at meets
5.
At times, The MJCC Sharks will travel together as a team and sometimes as individual families in order to
compete with top level competition. Everyone is expected to behave in an exemplary manner. The
reputation of The MJCC and The Sharks, as well as the other athletes with you, is dependent on your
behavior.
6.
Always notify a coach when I need to leave the deck area at either practice or meet.
7.
I will not place my hands/ feet or any part of my body on another swimmer.
Meet Conduct
No team personnel, competitor or spectator shall act in an unsportsmanlike-like manner. This includes, but is not
limited, to the following:
- Making insulting or derogatory remarks, gestures or acts, including taunting.
- Trying to influence or showing disgust with officials' decisions.
- Interfering with meet officials or coaches in the performance of their duties.
- Using obscene language.
Failure of swimmer to comply with the Code of Conduct may result in, but not necessarily be limited to:
1 Being prohibited from participating in some or all team activities.
2 Immediately being sent home from a meet or practice.
3 Being temporarily or permanently dismissed from the team.
All instances of disciplinary action will be documented and communicated to the parent/guardian for their review.
The Head Coach together with the assistant coaches will make the final decision in matters of discipline or dismissal
based on the degree of violation of the above code.
SWIM TEAM PARENT RESPONSIBILITES AT SWIM MEETS
Parents are required to work at all home and away meets. We can train you in a few minutes to be
a timer, concession stand worker or ….. We cannot hold a meet without your support. It is written in
the by-laws of both leagues that we must supply X number of timers, judges, table workers…
If you are interested in being a certified Official please contact Coach Dave. Officials (starter and
stroke judges) involves an additional 2 hour training program held here at our JCC.
SWIM TEAM PARENTS COMMITTEE
Members
Chair – Paul Palmer
Becky Crespi
Lisa Greene
Carrie Laspada
Jen Dominguez
Karen Tiernan
Katie Russo
Neil Fox
Clark Finley
Val Sorenson
Laura Harker
The Swim Team committee is responsible for working with the coaches to ensure a successful and fun
season.
The Committee will help with:
Home meets and Away meet Responsibilities
Hosted USS Meets
Awards Dinner
Fundraising
Annual Swim-a-Palooza
Make A Splash Event
Swim Team recruitment
Official recruitment and Training
Input on Policy & Procedures
The parents committee will meet 1 month during the winter season plus 3/4 other meeting a year.
If you would like to be a member please let
Coach David Laudati or Committee Chair, Paul Palmer know.
HOW PARENTS CAN SUPPPORT & AIDE IN THEIR SWIMMERS SUCCESS
The most valuable source of inspiration and motivation for the swimmer is his/her parents. More than
anyone else, swimmers seek their parent’s admiration. A highly motivated swimmer reflects his
parent’s enthusiasm. Keep in mind that pushing a child so hard that the child can never meet the
parent's expectation will result in frustration for both.
All parents are expected to participate in meets. The team is dependent on this group for hospitality,
organization of meets, communication and transportation.
Daniel Brand wrote an exceptional article on the role of swim team parents.
1. Give encouragement to the swimmer when needed.
2. Get the swimmer to practice regularly and on time.
3. Attend meets
4. Become familiar with various officials’ duties at meets and prepare yourself for officiating.
5. Become an active member of the parents committee.
6. Help with rides to away meets
7. Keep records of your child’s times and events for each meet to compare and discuss. This helps
the swimmer to feel accomplished and improvement relating to their individual times.
8. Set an example of a healthy attitude towards competition, one you would want your child to see
and follow.
9. Check with the coach whenever you have a question pertaining to the team program or your child’s
participation in it.
10. Review goals with swimmers
Parents can further help the team in the following ways:
1. Giving encouragement does not mean stroke correction. Please leave the training to the coach.
2. If you have any questions or concerns about the training needs of your child, please see a coach.
3. Private instruction is impossible at a team practice. Most instruction is given at a group level and
the swimmer that pays attention is the one that gains.
4. Please do not assume when a swimmer is doing a stroke incorrectly that he/she has not been told by
the coaches, or that the swimmer is not trying to correct this habit. Habits are difficult to break.
Some are never completely eliminated.
We are looking forward to a very rewarding, successful and fun swimming season. Thank you for
becoming an active parent and reading this manual.
MJCC SHARKS PARENTS CODE OF CONDUCT AGREEMENT:
Parents are indeed an integral component of the Mandell JCC (MJCC) Sharks, the team could not survive without
parental involvement. Parents are encouraged to participate in team activities and functions and they should
support and ensure that both they and their child abide by the Swimmer Code of Conduct. Swimmers and family
members represent not only themselves but the Sharks and the MJCC community.
Parent’s Code of Conduct:
- As a parent, I will not coach or instruct the team or any swimmer at a practice
or meets or interfere with coaches on the pool deck.
- As a parent I will demonstrate good sportsmanship by conducting myself in a manner that earns
the respect of my child, other swimmers, parents, officials and the coaches .
- Maintain self-control at all times. Know my role.
- Swimmers – Swim
Coaches – Coach
Officials – Officiate
Parents – Parent
- I understand that criticizing, name-calling, use of abusive language or gestures directed toward the coaches,
officials, and/or any participating swimmer will not be permitted or tolerated.
- Enjoy involvement with the Sharks by supporting the swimmers, coaches and other parents with positive
communication and actions and volunteering for work assignments at home and away meets.
- During competitions, questions or concerns regarding decisions made by meet officials are to be directed to a
member of our coaching staff
Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct may result in, but not necessarily be limited to:
1 My child or myself being prohibited from participating in some or all team activities.
2 My child or myself immediately being sent home from a meet or practice.
3 My child and myself being temporarily or permanently dismissed from the team.
All instances of disciplinary action will be documented and communicated to the parent/guardian for their review.
The Head Coach together with the assistant coaches will make the final decision in matters of discipline or
dismissal based on the degree of violation of the above code.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Thank you,
The Coaching staff