1) A great squad mate gives relentless effort: Remember, your coach should not have to 'coach' effort! You cannot control many things that will happen during your swimming season, but you can control what efforts you put into training and competing. The only way to get better is to give your maximum effort. This not only makes you better, it pushes your squad to get better as well.
2) A great squad mate is unselfish: Put the squad first. Your job is to do what it takes to help the club be successful. This isn’t always easy, but great squad members find a way to put the success of the club above their own success.
3) A great squad mate is honest: All great squads and relationships are built on honesty. Your coach and squad members need to know that they can trust you during the ups and downs of competition.
4) A great teammate is humble: Swimming is a team sport. You may be the star of your club or your squad, either way, remember that the club comes first. Put your individual accomplishments aside and give praise to your peers. Clubs succeed when no one cares who gets the credit.
5) A great squad mate holds themselves and their squad mates accountable: You should have high standards for yourself and your squad. If a squad member is not fulfilling duty to their ability you can’t be afraid to confront them and get them back on track. You might need to help them buy-in to a particular strategy or help them accept their role on the team. Don’t accept a negative attitude from squad mates, be the swimmer that reaches out to them to help your club as a whole.
6) A great squad mate strives to improve: You can always be a better player swimmer tomorrow than you are today. Work to improve your performance and you will lift your teammates. Stay and work after training and see how many squad members start to join you.
7) A great squad member is optimistic: Don’t be a swimmer constantly complaining to others about what’s wrong. Look for the positives in your squad members and coaches.
8) A great squad member has respect for others: Respect your teammates. Respect your coaches. Respect your family, Respect your teachers. Respect your facilities. Respect your school. Look people in the eye. Nod and acknowledge your coach when they are addressing you. Clean up after yourself. Be polite. Encourage and cheer on your squad mates. Help create a culture of mutual respect.
9) A great squad swimmer is a leader: You don’t have to be the best swimmer on your team to be a leader. You don’t even need to be a vocal leader. Every player can lead by their actions. Is what you do on a daily basis making your squad better? Challenge your squad mates during drills. You’ll improve and so will they. Bring energy to every training session. Don’t talk bad about squad mates or coaches outside the club environment. These are all ways you can lead your club towards success
10) A great squad swimmer is resilient: Help your squad mates use temporary setbacks or losses as an opportunity to grow and improve. Don’t make excuses, look for solutions. As a mentally tough swimmer, pride yourself on being resilient. Your ability to bounce back will be infectious and help make your entire squad more resilient. In any situation, one swimmers positive outlook can make a difference. Try to be that swimmer.
11) A great squad swimmer helps foster a family atmosphere: Support your squad like family. Your season is going to have highs and lows, so are your squad mates. Squads that build close relationships are usually the squads having the most fun and having the most success.
12) A great squad mate takes responsibility: All of your actions, within and away from the squad, are a representation of your club, your school or organization, and your family. Take responsibility for your behavior and actions at all times. Conduct yourself in such a way that your parents, coaches, and teachers would be proud of you. You never know who is looking at you for cues on how to behave.