To hone competitive skills, swimmers participate in swim meets sponsored by various swim clubs in the Florida Gold Coast LSC and other jurisdictions. These official competitions allow swimmers to focus on individual performances and win medals and ribbons. At some meets, trophies are awarded to the best overall swimmer per age group (high point trophies) and best overall team.
There are seven different age group classifications recognized by United States Swimming (the governing body of the sport): 8 and Under, 10 and Under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18, and Senior. The Senior classification includes any age registered swimmer who has achieved the prescribed qualifying time for the event. Not all age group classifications are offered at every swim meet. The swimmer’s age on the first day of a meet will determine the swimmer’s age for the entire meet. Events are made up of various distances in the 4 racing strokes or a combination of all 4 strokes (individual medley - I.M.) and are for both individuals and teams.
The Section on Fundamentals of Strokes provides more detailed information for the basic principles of each stroke. Each stroke and turn has to comply with certain rules as set out by the Federal International Swimming Association (FINA). These are described in detail in the USA Swimming rule book.
Strokes:
Freestyle (front crawl)
Backstroke (back crawl)
Breaststroke
Butterfly (Fly)
I.M. (Fly - Back - Breast - Free -- in that order)
Distances:
25 in all 4 strokes (Fly - Back - Breast - Free)
50 in all 4 strokes (Fly - Back - Breast - Free)
100 in all 4 strokes (Fly - Back - Breast - Free)
200 in all 4 stroke (Fly - Back - Breast - Free)
200 I.M. (50 Fly - 50 Back - 50 Breast - 50 Free -- in that order)
400 Free
400 I.M. (100 Fly - 100 Back - 100 Breast - 100 Free -- in that order)
500 yards Free
800 yards Free
1000 yards Free
1500 Free
1650 yards Free
Coaches determine which distances are appropriate for each swimmer in competition.
Relays: 4 swimmers compete as a team in either a Freestyle or a Medley relay.
The order for the Medley relay is back, breast, fly and free.
In the freestyle relay all swimmers swim freestyle.
4 X 50 Free or Medley Relay
4 X 100 Free or Medley Relay
4 X 200 Free Relay
Within each age-group there are different nationally recognized levels of achievement based on times. All swimmers begin as "C" swimmers. As they improve, they advance from "C", to "BB", "B", "A", "AA", "AAA", and ultimately "AAAA". United States Swimming publishes the times required for each level every year. This permits fair, yet challenging, competition on all levels.
In some cases, a swimmer may be in a different level in each stroke. An example: a "C" breaststroke time, a "B" freestyle time, and a "AA" backstroke time.
Some swim meets set certain qualification standards. In order to swim in a certain classification, a swimmer must have achieved the qualifying time for that particular classification.
Dual Meets
Occasionally, we will compete with one other team in a dual meet. These meets help promote team unity, but usually limit the number of events a swimmer may enter. They are generally only 2 to 3 hours.
Fun Invitational ABC County/Sub JO Meets
These meets generally do not have any qualification time standards. Most of the time these meets offer each one of the competitive strokes in the two distances offered for each age group. These meets usually have one or two sessions a day, or two consecutive days (i.e. Saturday morning and Sunday morning, depending on the age group in which a swimmer competes).
Qualification Meets
These meets have a minimum qualifying time that a swimmer needs in order to enter the meet. Occasionally there is a top and bottom cut-off time. In that case swimmers faster than the top or slower than the bottom times are ineligible to enter.
Age Group Championships
At the end of each short course (winter) and long course (summer) season, a Championship meet is sanctioned by the Florida Gold Coast, the governing body of swimming for our region. The Florida Gold Coast sets the qualifying time standards for these championship meets. Generally, the standards fall between the national "A" and "AA" time standards.
Zone Championships
After the Age Group Championships are held in the summer, a swimmer may qualify to participate in the South Eastern Zone Championships. This is an all-star meet where swimmers compete as a member of the Florida Gold Coast Zone team, which competes against other states from the southeast.
Speedo / USA Junior National Championships
One of the highest levels of achievement for swimmers to strive for is the participation in the Junior National Championships. United States Swimming sponsors an eastern United States Junior National meet, a central United States Junior National and a western United States Junior National meet each season. Swimmers meeting qualifying time standards for this meet will travel to different locations throughout the eastern half of the United States to compete against the best 19-Under swimmers in the nation.
Phillips 66 / USA National Championships (Senior Nationals)
Other than the Olympic Trials and the World Championship Trials, each of which is held every four years, the highest level of competition for our senior swimmers is the USA National Championships. Swimmers can qualify for national teams that represent the US in international competition by their performances at Senior Nationals.
For those new to the sport, swimming has its own jargon. We will try to provide definitions and explanations for the most commonly used terms.
"A". Time classification for a swimmer. National Age Group Time Standard "A".
"AA". Time classification for a swimmer.
"AAA". Time classification for a swimmer.
"AAAA". Time classification for a swimmer. This is the fastest time standard listed on the NAGT chart. Times faster than this are approaching National cuts or Top 16 Times consideration.
A- Meet. Swim meet which requires swimmers to have previously achieved an "A" time standard in the events they wish to enter.
A-B Meet. Swim meet that offers competition for both "A" swimmers and "B" swimmers.
A-B-C. Swim meet similar to the A-B meet except that there are 3 levels of swimmers accepted. This type of meet includes every ability level of swimmer from Novice to very experienced.
Admission. All swim meets charge for spectators to view the meets. There is also a charge for the meet program (heat sheet).
Alternate. In a Prelims/Finals meet, after the finalists are decided, the next two fastest swimmers other than the finalists are designated as alternates. The faster of the 2 being first alternate and the next being second alternate. If a finalist cannot participate, the alternates are called in to take their place, often on a moment’s notice.
Anchor. The final swimmer in a relay.
"B". Time classification for a swimmer. National Age Group Time Standard "B".
"BB". Time classification for a swimmer. National Age Group Time Standard "BB".
B Meet. Swim meet which requires swimmers to have previously achieved a "B" time standard in the events they wish to enter. Some meets have no bottom cut time allowing "C" swimmers also to compete.
B-C Meet. Swim meet that offers separate competition for both "B" swimmers and "C" swimmers. Swimmers are not allowed to enter an event that they have an "A" time in.
Beep. The starting sound from an electronic, computerized timing system.
Button. The manual Timing System stopping device that records a back-up time in case the touch pad malfunctioned. The button is at the end of a wire, plugged into a deck terminal box. There is usually 1 button per lane. It is the timer’s responsibility to push the button as the swimmer finishes the race.
Championship Finals. The top 8 or 10 swimmers (depending on the # of pool lanes) in a Prelims/Finals meet who, after the Prelims swim, qualify to return to the Finals. The fastest heat of finals when multiple heats are held. Big Finals.
Circle Seeding. A method of seeding swimmers when they are participating in a prelims/finals event. The fastest 18 to 24 swimmers are seeded in the last three heats, with the fastest swimmer in the last heat, the second fastest swimmer in the second last heat and so on. When there are eight lanes, the fastest swimmer in each heat is in Lane 4, the next fastest in Lane 5, next in Lane 3, lane 6, Lane 2, Lane 7, Lane 1 and Lane 8.
Consolation Finals. After the fastest 8 or 10 swimmers, the next 8 or 10 swimmers (depending on the # of pool lanes) in a Prelims/Finals meet who, after the Prelims swim, qualify to return to the Finals. Consolations are the second fastest heat of finals when multiple heats are held and are conducted before the Championship heat.
Deadline. The date meet entries must be turned in to the coach. Making the meet deadline does not guarantee acceptance into a meet since many meets are "full" weeks before the entry deadline. Deadline is typically 2 weeks before the start of the meet.
Deck. The area around the swimming pool reserved for swimmers, officials, and coaches. No one but an "authorized" USS member may be on the deck during a swim competition.
Deck Entries. Accepting entries into swimming events on the first day or later day of a meet.
Deck Seeding. Swimmers report to a bull pen or staging area and receive their lane and heat assignments for the events.
Distance. How far a swimmer swims. Distances for short course are: 25 yards (1 length), 50 yards (2 lengths),100 yards (4 lengths), 200 yards (8 lengths), 400 yards (16 lengths), 500 yards (20 lengths), 1000 yards (40 lengths), 1650 yards (66 lengths). Distances for long course are: 50 meters (1 length), 100 meters (2 lengths), 200 meters (4 lengths), 400 meters (8 lengths), 800 meters (16 lengths), 1500 meters (30 lengths).
Disqualified (DQ). This notation is used for a swimmer who has been disqualified for some infraction of the rules. Swimmers who are disqualified do not place, score points, or receive awards. Their time is not official because of disqualification.
Dive. Entering the water head first. Diving is not allowed during warm-ups except at the designated time, in specific lanes that are monitored by the swimmers coach.
Dropped Time. When a swimmer goes faster than the previous performance they have "dropped their time".
Entry Fees. The amount per event a swimmer or relay is charged. This varies depending on the LSC and type of meet.
Entry Limit. Each meet will usually have a limit of total swimmers they can accept, or a time limit they can not exceed. Once an entry limit has been reached, a meet will be closed and all other entries returned.
Electronic Timing. Timing system operated on DC current (battery). The timing system usually has touch pads in the water, junction boxes on the deck with hook up cables, buttons for backup timing, and a computer type console that prints out the results of each race. Some systems are hooked up to a scoreboard that displays swimmers time.
Event. A race or stroke over a given distance. An event equals 1 preliminary with its final, or 1 timed final.
False Start . When a swimmer leaves the starting block before the horn or gun. One false start will disqualify a swimmer or a relay team, although the starter or referee may disallow the false start due to unusual circumstances.
False Start Rope. A recall rope across the width of the racing pool for the purpose of stopping swimmers who were not aware of a false start. The rope is about 1/2 way on yard pools and about 50 feet from the starting end on meter pools.
Fastest to Slowest. A seeding method used on the longer events held at the end of a session. The fastest seeded swimmers participate in the first heats followed by the next fastest and so on. Many times these events will alternate one girls heat and one boys heat until all swimmers have competed
Final Results. The printed copy of the results of each race of a swim meet.
Fines. The monetary penalty assessed a swimmer or club when a swimmer does not achieve the necessary time required to swim in an event, and cannot prove they have done the time previously.
Flags. Pennants that are suspended over the width of each end of the pool approximately 15 feet from the wall.
Gallery. The viewing area for spectators during the swimming competition.
Gun lap. The part of a freestyle distance race (400 meters or longer) when the lead swimmer has 2 lengths plus 5 yards to go. The starter signals with a series of short continuous beeps when the lead swimmer is at the backstroke flags.
JD. This notation is used for a judge's decision. This happens when the place judge's list of finishing order does not match the times. This usually happens when the times are within hundreds of seconds of each other. The Chief Place Judge follows a standard procedure for determining time and place.
Heats. Since all the swimmers entered in a race cannot swim at the same time, they are put into groups (called heats) of 6, 8 or 10 swimmers depending on the number of lanes in the pool. The heats are arranged so that swimmers of comparable ability are swimming together.
Heat Sheets (Psyche Sheets). The meet program is called the heat sheet or psyche sheet and is usually offered for sale at each competition.
High Point. An award given to the swimmer scoring the most points in a given age group at a swim meet. All meets do not offer high point awards; check the pre meet information.
Horn. A sounding device used in place of a gun. Used mainly with a fully automatic timing system.
Jump. An illegal start done by the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th member of a relay team. The swimmer on the block breaks contact with the block before the swimmer in the water touches the wall.
Lane. The specific area in which a swimmer is assigned to swim. (i.e.) Lane 1 or Lane 2. Pools with starting blocks at only one end: As the swimmers stand behind the blocks, lanes are numbered from Right (lane 1) to Left (Lane 6).
Lane lines. Continuous floating markers attached to a cable stretched from the starting end to the turning end for the purpose of separating each lane and quieting the waves caused by racing swimmers.
Lap. One length of the course. Sometimes may also mean down and back (2 lengths) of the course.
Lap Counter. The large numbered cards (or the person turning the cards) used during the freestyle events 500 yards or longer. Counting is done from the end opposite the starting end. The numbers on the cards are "odd numbers” only with the final lap being designated by a bright orange card.
Leg. The part of a relay event swam by a single team member. A single stroke in the IM.
Long Course. A 50 meter pool.
Mark. The command to take your starting position.
Marshall. The adult(s) official who control the crowd and swimmer flow at a swim meet.
Meet Director. The official in charge of the administration of the meet. The person directing the "dry side" of the meet.
Mile. The slang referring to the 1500 meter or the 1650 yard freestyle, both of which are slightly short of a mile.
Non-Conforming Time. A short course time submitted to qualify for a long course meet, or vice versa.
NT. No Time. The abbreviation used on a heat sheet to designate that the swimmer has not swam that event before.
Officials. The certified, adult volunteers, who operate the many facets of a swim competition.
OT. Official Time. The swimmers event time recorded to one hundredth of a second (.01).
OVC. Official Verification Card. A 3 copy form for certifying a national qualifying time made by a swimmer and issued only by a verification official of the area in which the meet was held.
Positive Check In. The procedure required before a swimmer swims an event in a deck seeded or pre seeded meet. The swimmer must mark their name on a list posted by the meet host.
Prelims-Finals. Type of meet with two sessions. The preliminary heats are usually held in the morning session. The fastest 6 or 8 (Championship Heat) swimmers, and the next fastest 6 or 8 swimmers (Consolation Heat) return in the evening to compete in the Finals. A swimmer who has qualified in the Consolation Finals may not place in the Championship Finals even if their finals time would place them so. The converse also applies.
Pre-seeded. A meet conducted without a bull pen in which a swimmer knows what lane and heat they are in by looking at the Meet heat sheet, or posted meet program.
Proof of Time. An official meet result, OVC, or other accepted form. Swimmers/Coaches must supply proof of time with some meet entries, and other meets it is not required unless a swimmer misses a cut of time at the meet.
Qualifying times. Some swim meets have qualifying times (time standards) that have to be met in order to participate.
Referee. The head official at a swim meet in charge of all of the "Wet Side" administration and decisions.
Scratch. To withdraw from an event after having declared an intention to participate. Some meets have scratch deadlines and specific scratch rules, and if not followed, swimmer can be disqualified from remaining events.
Seeding. Deck Seeding - swimmers are called to report to the Clerk of the Course. After scratches are determined, the event is seeded. Pre Seeding - swimmers are arranged in heats according to submitted times, usually a day prior to the meet.
Session. A session is a 3 or 4 hour period ( morning - 8 a.m. to noon, afternoon - noon to 5 p.m. and for meets with finals 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.).
Split. A portion of an event, shorter than the total distance, that is timed. (i.e.) A swimmer’s first 50 time is taken as the swimmer swims the 100 race. It is common to take multiple splits for the longer distances.
Short Course. A 25 yard or 25 meter pool.
Starting Blocks. To allow swimmers to get further out into the pool at every start, starting blocks are used from which racing dives are executed at the sound of a gun or electronic beep.
Swim-off. In a Prelims/Finals type competition, a race after the scheduled event to break a tie. The only circumstance that warrants a swim-off is to determine which swimmer makes finals or an alternate, otherwise ties stand.
Timed finals. Many meets are run as timed finals which means that the heat time is the final time. Order of finish is determined by ranking the times for all the heats from fastest to slowest. In other meets, the heats are used as qualifiers to make the finals. The 8 (or 6) swimmers with the fastest times make the finals; the next 8 (or 6) make the consolations, and two are named as alternates in case one or more swimmers are scratched from the finals or consols.
Unattached. An athlete member who competes, but does not represent a club or team. (abbr. UNA)
Warm-Ups. Prior to each competition, there is a warm-up period during which swimmers not only warm up their muscles, but also get familiar with the pool.
Coaches will pick or now and then the coach will allow the swimmer to pick what they will swim for each meet. If the swimmer or the parents would like to have any input in the event selection, please contact the coaches in a timely manner.
Swimmers will learn to swim and compete in every event regardless of the stroke and the distance. It is important for the development of the swimmer that he/she does not lock themselves into a certain event. Oftentimes, a swimmer’s "best" stroke changes as they mature and his/her body goes through physical changes. Approximately 2 weeks prior to a meet, you will receive information on a meet invitation on which you will find the date, location, warm-up times, the number of events to be entered as well as the cost.
Swimmers will not be entered in the meet unless the meet form and fees have been received by the deadline listed on the meet info sheet. If you fail to return your form, the club will assume that your swimmer will not be participating or the coach will pick the events. There will be no reminders or further follow-up if your form is not returned.
Please put entry fees and info sheet form in an envelope and turn in to Coach "Rich" by the deadline listed on the form. Please use a separate form for each swimmer. Multiple forms may be placed in one envelope.
Since the clubs' hosting the meets do not give refunds for swimmers who scratch if illness or something else prevents an entered swimmer from swimming, parents will still have to pay the meet fees. The club hosting the meet does not issue a refund once the deadline is past.
Role of parents at swim meets
Supporter. Swimmers always have some level of nervousness before swim meets. Parents can help by supporting and encouraging the swimmer to do his/her best. It is not helpful to put pressure on swimmers to perform or to compare one swimmer's performance with another's. There are always ups and downs in swimming. Swimmers will not better their times at every swim meet; there will be occasions when they even add time. During such disappointing moments, it is important for parents to help the swimmer put short term setbacks in the context of a long term goals.
Overseer. For swimmers going to their first meet, it is important for parents to make sure the swim bag has all the necessary equipment and that water and nutritious food are brought along. It helps to have a high carbohydrate dinner two nights before, so plan the menu accordingly.
Official. Swimming competitively demands a much higher level of parental participation than other sports do, simply because of the number of officials necessary to run swim meets. Most swim clubs sponsor swim meets because they are a major source of revenue. By sponsoring more higher caliber swim meets clubs earn more money. None of this is possible unless we have a strong committed membership.
Swimmers are provided with information sheets in advance of meets outlining warm-up and start times and the events they will be swimming. Swimmers must wear the Wellington suit and cap whenever they compete. For local meets parents or swimmers are individually responsible for travel to and from the pool. No additional supervisory staff is usually required at the pool, other than the coaching staff.
Swimmers should arrive at the pool on time. It is the swimmers' and parents' responsibility to make time allowances for traffic and weather conditions when planning departure times.
When championship meets are local, the Coaches will determine whether the swimmers will travel to the meet as a group or stay in a hotel close to the competition site or use van rentals.
It is a basic philosophy of the Club that participation in at least one travel opportunity per swimmer per year encourages maturity and self-reliance. All swimmers travel with the Club under the arrangements made by the Club and adhere to the published Club behavior policies. See the section about rules and regulations for away meets and the Wellington Swim Team code of behavior. Travel arrangements are made with safety as the primary concern. Swimmers will be given an information sheet describing times, costs and transportation and accommodation arrangements well in advance of the meet.
For away meets, Chaperons will be appointed from interested parents. For the duration of the away meet, the Chaperon/Manager will be considered a staff member accountable to the designated Head Coach of the meet and ultimately the Head Coach of the Club. The Club provides a supervisory ratio of one staff to 10 swimmers, although the Coaches may modify that ratio depending on the age group of the swimmers participating.
Travel costs associated with away meets will be paid for in advance. Hotel accommodation is also used by the Club for away meets. Rooming lists are generally made out by the designated Head Coach and swimmers are asked to be polite and courteous to their roommates. Swimmers may be required to attend team meetings and functions at away meets.
When the Wahoos of Wellington hosts a swim meet, we must provide volunteers from our membership. Each family will be required to work a set number of sessions. We simply cannot have a swim meet if we do not have enough volunteers. We wouldn't like to be in a situation where our meets could not start until parents from other clubs volunteered to work.
We hope that will not happen because we have a very dedicated and cooperative membership.
Jobs available
Meet officials. These jobs include timer, stroke, and turn judge, clerk of the course, finish judge, referee and starter.
Administration/Office. There are many behind the scenes activities that are necessary in running a swim meet. These include producing heat sheets, final sheets, collating and duplicating, Computer expertise is necessary for the compilation of meet results.
Food. The club provides food for its officials and coaches, as a token of gratitude for volunteering their time. Sometimes members provide some of the food, some is donated and some is purchased. Being involved in food means organizing and setting up the meals for the officials and coaches. In addition, Wellington swimming can run a concession for swimmers and spectators. Concession duty involves cooking and selling food during the competition to raise funds for the club. In order to get their preferred work times, families must sign up for their sessions with their pool representative by a certain date.
Example Descriptions of Meet Volunteer Positions:
Results
An individual who prints out the labels and attaches them to ribbons and places them in the appropriate Team envelope or bin. Runner
An individual who delivers, results and disqualification cards to the results table after each event.
Console Operator
An individual who operates the console which records the times of each swimmer.
Stroke/Turn Judge - (Requires USA Certification)
An official who monitors for USA allowed technique in strokes, turns, and wall touch.
Responsible for disqualification of swimmers for improper technique in strokes, turns, and wall touch.
Starter
Official who calls swimmers to blocks and ensures fair start for all
Timer
An individual using a digital stopwatch and/or a button to record a swimmer's time during an event.
Back Up Timer
An individual who will fill in for the timer in the event of a mehanical failure or human error.
