Practice Policies
How long are practices?
Practices last approximately 60 minutes. Please make every effort to be early to practice and ready to start promptly. See the meet and practice schedule for more details.
How often should swimmers attend practice?
While area schools are in session, swim practice is held every weekday afternoon and Saturday mornings. During the summer recess, practice is held every weekday morning. Swimmers are encouraged to come as often as fits your schedule. Swimmers improve the more they are in the pool.
Do all swimmers need a cap?
Swimmers must wear Tuckahoe caps during meets. Exceptions will be made at the discretion of the coaches. All swimmers will need to purchase Tuckahoe caps during registration.
Do all swimmers need fins?
Yes, every Tuesday and Thursday are fin days. Practice fins are available at most swim stores or online swim retailers. Sizing can be a little tricky so it may be helpful to visit a local retailer. Please avoid scuba or snorkeling fins.
Can my swimmer wear a swim shirt?
When doing laps and working on stroke technique shirts can be very heavy and restrictive. Swim shirts are for before and after practice and while kids are playing in the pool.
How are practice lanes assigned?
Practice lanes are assigned by the coaches based on the swimmer’s ability and age. At the discretion of the coaches, swimmers may be moved from lane to lane based on the speed of the individual and the group. This may change daily or remain constant through the season and may depend on such things as the child's proficiency with varies strokes, the type of drill or exercise, or the energy level of a child on any given day.
Can swimmers attend another age group's practice?
The short answer is "no". However, on a very limited basis the coaches may make an exception to this rule when it is shown to be in the best interest of both the team and the individual swimmer. Please do not send your swimmer to a different practice session unless it has been authorized by both the coaches and team reps in advance.
Does an adult need to remain at Tuckahoe during practice?
We do not have a set rule regarding dropping off a child at practice but it is not uncommon for our youngest swimmers to have an issue during practice that requires parental help. Our coaches and volunteers are not in a position to leave practice to care for a swimmer in such event. We therefore strongly encourage that all of our 8 and under swimmers have an adult at TRC that may assist the child should they be unable to complete practice. If you intend to have another individual stay with your children during practice, please note that Tuckahoe Bylaws require all visitors to be members or pay a guest fee each day they visit including when attending a swim practice. You will need to make the appropriate arrangements with our front desk staff in advance. For our older swimmers, in most situations it is reasonable to "drop off" assuming you intend to return before practice ends.
When is an appropriate time to speak to Coaches?
Our Coaches and Swimmers work best together when they are able to concentrate on each other during practice. While our coaches like to be available to parents, please do not disturb a coach during practice to ask questions and please also try to avoid "hovering" over practice. Anyone not participating in an ongoing practice is asked to stay a reasonable distance away from our practice lanes so as to not disturb the coaching staff or distract the swimmers. Our Coaches and Team Reps reserve the right to ask people to leave the practice area if this becomes an issue. Questions can be addressed after practice or at other times around the pool. Our Head Coach and Assistant Coaches will remain available for "Office Hours" after practice from 11:00 am to 11:30 am on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday to field questions from parents. Senior Coaches are available to answer questions at any time before or after practice. Potlucks are a good time to address questions with our coaching staff. Coaches are also available to answer questions via email but please recognize that their jobs do not allow them the ability to check email routinely throughout the day. Feel free to communicate with Team Reps regarding ancillary team issues not related to coaching or stroke development.
