ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS:

• Swimmers MUST maintain passing grades in all classes.
• Athletes are expected to maintain a focus on academic achievement throughout the year. To participate and compete, athletes must meet UIL Eligibility standards.
• Coach Becker will conduct routine grade checks in Skyward and contact your teachers about your grades and behavior if needed.
• Failing one 6-week grading period will result in being placed on probation.
• Failing two 6-week grading periods will result in removal from the period/team.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS/ BEHAVIOR RESPECT:

• You MUST be a competitive swimmer and have all four strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly) legal.
• Swimmers MUST give 100% in the pool and the classroom.
• Swimmers MUST participate in 100% of all scheduled swim meets.
• Be prepared. Show up on time for the athletic period and after-school practice with all necessary equipment.
• Make healthy decisions in and out of the pool.
• Give your best effort daily. You hurt yourself and your team if you refuse to meet practice expectations. Slacking off, complaining, or having a negative attitude during swims or workouts will not be tolerated.
• Swimmers MUST treat teammates, coaches, officials, volunteers, and other swimmers with respect at all times.
• Swimmers MUST seek out Coach Becker after each race for feedback and reflection.
• Report any injuries or illnesses immediately to Coach Becker.
• The coaching/training staff must also be informed of allergies, asthmatic conditions, etc.
• All athletes MUST check with the trainer before telling the coach they will not practice due to an injury.
• Swimmers MUST behave as ladies and gentlemen at all times, but especially on school trips when acting as Liberty Hill ISD representatives. Athletes reflect the school district, those who coach them, and their families.
• Swimmers MUST realize their responsibility as athletes at LHHS. They represent the school and the community, and we want them to make good, responsible decisions.
• Swimmers dress, and behavior will meet the expected standards of the school district.
• There shall be no gambling. This can only lead to hard feelings and detract from the team's unity.
• School policy provides for suspension from school and the team for drinking, smoking, or vaping while on school trips or while involved in school activities.
• Support and encourage your teammates. Team morale and unity are vitally important.
• Have fun! Joining this team is an opportunity to improve your fitness and compete to the best of your ability, as well as to reach your goals and make new friends!
• IF YOU ARE NOT PLANNING ON COMPETING IN SCHEDULED SCHOOL SWIM MEETS, YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN THE SWIM ATHLETIC PERIOD.

CELL PHONES & ELECTRONICS:

• Cell phones and AirPods are prohibited during the athletic period (unless otherwise specified).
• Apple watches or other Smartwatches may be worn to record workouts and runs, but they MAY NOT be used for texting during practice.

ATHLETIC PERIOD TRYOUTS:

• During the second week of school, we will conduct tryouts to determine whether athletes can display a certain fitness level* to remain eligible for the Swim athletic period/team.
  • Cuts are entirely up to the coach’s discretion.
  • Attitude and work ethic are also taken into consideration.

PRACTICE (OFFICIAL SEASON):

The LHHS Swim Season lasts until the last qualified meet of the season:

Championship Meets:

• The District Meet 
• Qualifiers from the District Meet will attend the Regional Meets
• Finally, State qualifiers from Regionals will attend the 5A State Meets

• We’ll also have an End-of-Season Banquet/Awards Dinner to celebrate the season’s accomplishments and our Seniors.
• Athletes are expected to be enrolled in the 4th-period Athletics Swim Class all year. (Seniors who may want to change their schedule to have an off period upon school approval or become our team manager may be exempt.)

SPORTSMANSHIP:

• Swimmers are asked to stay in the pool until all swimmers have completed the race. The exception would be if an official asks you to vacate the pool.
• Swimmers should practice good sportsmanship at all times. After a race, shake the hands of the swimmers in neighboring lanes. Congratulate other swimmers and teams.
• Swimmers should never throw swim goggles or a swim cap in victory or defeat after a race.
• Swimmers must be mindful of slapping the water in victory or defeat after a race.
• Swimmers are encouraged to thank the meet volunteers (timers and officials).
• Swimmers should always take pride in themselves, the athletic department, and LHHS.

POLICY ON SHARPIES:

• No sharpie writing/ drawing will be allowed on the face, front of the torso, legs, arms, or backs of LHHS Swimmers at meets except for writing the swimmer’s events. Swimmers who violate this policy will be removed from competition and asked to remove said writing/drawing before returning.

TRAVEL LOGISTICS:

Swimmers must be on time!

• All team members will ride to and from practice and athletic contests via transportation provided by the school district. Only team members, coaches, and student assistants can ride team buses/vehicles.
• Students may return home with their parents from athletic contests with advance notice and written permission once during the season(use it wisely). Prior to leaving, athletes must be signed out with Coach Becker.
• Before leaving, the team will meet at the front of LHHS at the time provided by Coach Becker.
• Swimmers are expected to stay for the duration of the meet to support and cheer on their team/teammates. DO NOT ask to leave meets early unless arrangements have been made ahead of time with Coach Becker.
• Swimmers will be taken back to LHHS once the competition is over.

There is no school transportation home from after-school athletics or meets, so each athlete must arrange their own transportation home from LHHS.