H2O BEHAVIOR/DISCIPLINE POLICY
In order to ensure the safety of our swimmers and provide an optimal learning environment, swimmers must
maintain an appropriate manner of conduct AT ALL TIMES as discussed in the H2O handbook. Failure of any
swimmer to maintain control of his/herself while in the pool may result in the following:
NON RECORDABLE INCIDENTS
INDIVIDUAL TIMEOUTS - The coach may have the swimmer sit on the pool deck in a chair until the coach
determines the swimmer is again in control of his/herself and ceases to be a safety issue and/or the swimmer
can show he/she is ready to rejoin the group. The swimmer may not re-enter the pool without first gaining the
attention and approval of the coach. During this type of timeout the swimmer may not leave the pool area.
ANY swimmer who fails to comply with a timeout or who cannot gain control within ten minutes will be
escorted out of the pool area and will not be allowed to return to practice that day and it will then be
considered a recordable incident.
GROUP TIMEOUTS – The coach may ask all swimmers to sit on the edge of the pool and point out a
swimmer(s) undesirable behavior to the group. The coach is using this as a teaching opportunity for all
swimmers to inform them of a behavior which is unacceptable and using the power of peer pressure to stop
and prevent further events of the undesirable behavior. ANY swimmer who fails to comply with a timeout
or who cannot gain control within ten minutes will be escorted out of the pool area and will not be
allowed to return to practice that day and it will then be considered a recordable incident.
EXERCISE – The coach may ask a swimmer(s) to participate in a physical task such as push-ups to cease an
undesirable behavior or attitude. The swimmer is expected to complete the assigned task completely. ANY
swimmer who fails to comply with the physical task will be escorted out of the pool area and will not be
allowed to return to practice that day and it will then be considered a recordable incident.
PARENT MEETING – Coaches may request a meeting with the parent(s) of any swimmer who shows
repeated behavior patterns or excessive need of timeouts in order to maintain control. The coaches and
parents will discuss the child’s behavior and may determine whether the child has the emotional maturity to
continue in the swim program at that time. The parent(s) should consider this meeting as a warning that
continued behavior from the swimmer will become recordable incidents. This policy constitutes a written
warning of impending disciplinary action.
RECORDABLE INCIDENTS
SUSPENSION FROM PRACTICE – Any swimmer who engages in abusive language, physical aggression, or
severely disruptive behavior which threatens the safety, well-being, control or learning environment of other
swimmers will be escorted from the pool area for the remainder of the day’s practice time. A coach or board
member will attempt to contact the parent(s) to inform him/her the swimmer is done with practice for the day. If
Revised October 2008
the parent(s) cannot be reached the child is to remain seated on the bottom seat of the bleachers until the
parent returns for pickup. A discipline form will be completed by the coaching staff.
WARNING – If a swimmer receives a second recordable incident in a season, a conference will be held with
the parent(s). The parents will be informed of the two recorded behavior incidents. The parents will be
informed a third recorded incident will result in suspension from the team for the rest of the season. This
policy constitutes a written warning of impending suspension.
SUSPENSION FROM THE TEAM – Any swimmer who receives a third recordable incident will be suspended
from the team for the remainder of the season. The parent(s) will be informed the swimmer is suspended from
the team for the remainder of the season. The parent(s) are obligated to pay any debt owed to H2O at such
time. It is the responsibility of the parent(s) to check on financial standing and make any such payment
arrangements as necessary. NO REFUNDS will be given due to team suspension. This policy constitutes
written notification of team suspension.
APPEAL – Parent(s) may request a meeting in writing with the Board of Directors to appeal the decision for
team suspension. The parent(s) must be able to offer clear and convincing reasons/evidence his/her swimmer
did not engage in the recorded behavior incident. The Board will listen to the parent(s) and may then bring in
the coach to further clarify the situation or may talk to the coach privately. The Board will have two weeks from
the date the appeal request is received to make a determination. The Board’s decision will be communicated
to the parent(s) in writing. The decision of the Board is final.
All discipline is at the discretion of the coaches.
COMMONS AREA
The school graciously allows H2O to use its facilities. As such we must show respect for all MJHS rules, its
administration, buildings, and property. Pick up all your trash and belongings after each practice. Appropriate
behavior is expected AT ALL TIMES from parents, swimmers, siblings, and other spectators in the commons
area. Appropriate behavior includes, but is not limited to:
1. NO running, climbing, jumping on the bleachers
2. NO running in the hallway, commons area, bathrooms, or cafeteria.
3. NO one should go beyond the drinking fountain for any reason.
4. NO playing ball in the school building.
5. NO excessive yelling or screaming.
AT ANY TIME a coach, board member, or school staff has permission to stop any inappropriate behavior in
the commons area.
Revised October 2008