Vestal Area Swim Team

As a member of the Vestal Area Swim Team, we believe in teamwork, integrity, respect and good sportsmanship. The undersigned athlete participating with/for the Vestal Area Swim Team (VEST) agrees to abide by the guidelines outlined below in addition to those established by the staff:

1. Understand and follow the rules of USA Swimming at all times.
2. Make every team practice, meet participation and activity an opportunity to learn.
3. Swimmers are expected to remember that at practice, during swim meets, team activities and in public, they are representing Vestal Area Swim Team.
4. They should represent VEST with excellence, respect, team spirit, good sportsmanship, and politeness.
5. Swimmers are expected to follow the directions and show respect, common courtesies, and good sportsmanship at all times to the team members, coaches, staff, competitors, officials, parents and for all facilities and other property used during practices, competitions and team activities. Disrespect or failure to obey instructions will not be tolerated from any athlete.
6. Swimmers should be punctual and arrive on time for all practices and meets and team events. Pool time is very valuable.
7. Give your best at all times.
8. Never argue with an official. Use the appropriate rules and guidelines to resolve a dispute.
9. Control your temper. Verbal or physical abuse is not acceptable.
10. Work equally hard for yourself and/or your team.
11. Be a good sport. Applaud good performances whether they are made by your team or the opposition.
12. Treat all swimming participants, as you would like to be treated.
13. Do not bully or take unfair advantage of another competitor.
14. Cooperate with your coaches, teammates, opponents, management, event staff and officials.
15. Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit, not to satisfy the expectations of others.
16. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, ethnicity, cultural background or religion.
17. Dishonesty, theft, and/or vandalism will not be tolerated.
18. There shall be no drinking of alcohol or use of tobacco products or illegal drugs or any substances banned by USA Swimming
19. Swimmers are expected to respect each other. Fighting, bullying, intentional touching or striking another athlete will subject the swimmer to the most severe discipline. When wearing VEST branded garments, you are expected to represent yourself according to this Code of Conduct. You are an ambassador of the organization.

 VIOLATIONS- Failure to uphold the Code of Conduct

Vestal Area Swim Team is a zero tolerance organization. The coaches and leadership staff have the authority to impose penalties for violation of the Vestal Area Swim Team Code of Conduct. The penalties include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Swimmer will be given a verbal warning
2. Swimmer will need to be accompanied by a parent at practice for a time determined by the coach.
3. Swimmer will be suspended from practice for a time determined by the coach. (fees will not be refunded.) 
4. Swimmer will be permanently removed from the Vestal Area Swim Team.

Yellow group:  (1 hour 4 days a week) 

This is the beginning group for those who are new to the sport of competitive swimming. This group will focus on the fundamentals of swimming and bring an emphasis on good technique. In order to participate in this group, the swimmer must be able to swim the entire length of the pool, both front crawl and back crawl, without any assistance. The program focuses on making all strokes technically legal.

Green group: (1.5 hours 5 days a week)

This is the intermediate group for those who have had some experience in the sport of competitive swimming. This group will not only focus on building a better base for techniques but also introduce endurance training. In order to participate in this group, the swimmer must be able to easily swim laps across the pool using all four strokes (front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke, and butterfly).

Gold group: (2 hours 5 days a week)

This is the advanced group for those who have had a lot of experience in the sport of competitive swimming. This group focuses on more endurance practice while applying techniques previously worked on. This program emphasizes on expert stroke technique and analysis, mastering drills and endurance, starts and turns, mental conditioning, goal setting, meet preparation and race strategy. In order to participate in this group, the swimmer must be able to easily swim various lengths and speeds using all four strokes (front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke, and butterfly) according to the given workout.