Here are meet guidelines for you to know whether you are a novice to national swimmer! As Always PLEASE communicate with your Group Coach and Coach Shawn to answer ANY questions you may have about a swim meet. 

Show-up 15 minutes prior to the start of warm-up – this allows you to check-in for your days events…i.e.…. highlight your name and events that you are swimming for that day, usually located in the hallway at the host pool…Next you need to announce your arrival with a coach…. It is also a good idea to get familiar with the facility…and finally this give you time to get changed and get to the team area before the start of warm-up.

·   Stay in the team area…this allows the coaches to best be able to make sure that each athlete is ready for their event and behind the blocks at the appropriate time…prior to swimming your event, meet with a coach to receive a race plan…and after you swim your race visit with a coach to receive a post-race analysis….finally it shows team spirit and support for other liquid lightning swimmers…

·   Ask permission to go somewhere…please ask a coach to go to the bathroom or get something to eat or visit with your parents…it makes our job easier if we know where you are…also, again being ready for your event or relays…

·   Things to bring in your team swim bag
1. Extra cap and goggles- caps rip and goggles can break
2. Extra towel – always a good idea to be able to dry off
3. T-shirt or sweatshirt and sweatpants…once you have properly warmed-up for your days events you want stay warm….you stand the best chance to swim your best when your body maintains a better core body temperature…ie…you don’t want your skin to be cool…the best choice of apparel to wear would be team apparel….this also should be different from the clothes you wore to the pool.

 EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT SWIM MEETS... 

Swim meets are a great family experience! Listed below are in-depth guidelines geared to help you through your first few swim meets. Don’t be afraid to ask more seasoned swimmers and their families questions that arise before, during and after meets. We’ve all been new to the sport of swimming at some point! 

A few weeks before the meet: 

Consider: 

• •Which meets do I choose for my swimmer? Many local meets have shorter courses for beginners. Coaches are the BEST resource for meets & events for swimmer!•Which individual events does my child wish to swim? Coaches will be happy to discuss the events with you and your swimmer.•Relays are put together by the LL coaches; parents and swimmers do not have input in this. If your swimmer does not wish to swim relays, leave a note in the comment section stating that when you sign up for the meet.

Watch for emails from the team: 

• •Before the meet sign up deadline.oOnce you receive this email you can accept or decline the invitation to the meetand pick the events your swimmer wishes to swim.oSome meets will offer an “Open” session. Generally this is for age 13 and overswimmers, however, anyone can swim “Open” rather than their age group.Please get Coach permission before entering 'Open' events if you are not of age.•Once you’re signed up.oYou’ll be able to see your swimmer’s events, heat times and which LiquidLightning swimmers are swimming in the meet once registration closes and theinformation is posted.
•  

A few days before the meet: 

• •Review the meet information (found on our website under the specific meet you areattending). These have all the basic info you will need, including the address of the pool,when warm ups start, how many awards will be given out, etc. Information on who iscoaching and contact information for the coaches will also be available on the websitepage.•Print or write out the individual entry page that has your child’s events on it. Thisway, you will ensure you know which specific events your swimmer will swim at the meet.The coach may have put your swimmer in a relay, and that will be indicated on theindividual entry page too.•Consider downloading “Meet Mobile: Swim” and “OnDeck”. Both apps can helptrack your swimmer’s progress during and after the meet. OnDeck requires you to sign inusing your LL username and password.•Print out the heat sheet and highlight your child’s events. Typically a heat sheet isprovided Online that lists all the Events, Heats, Lanes and swimmer’s names. Werecommend you print it yourself, or have it open on your smartphone.**Some parentsfind attaching the heat sheet to a clip board is helpful for keeping things organized anddry at the meets.

**Once your child has swum more than once at a meet, he or she will have times listed on the heat sheet. A swimmer with NT means “no time” on the heat sheet and those swimmers typically swim together. A "no-time" swimmer will most likely swim in one of the first heats of the event. 

The day before the meet: 

• •Pack a mini cooler for your swimmer or your family to snack on during the meet.There will be concession stands at most meets, but it may be nice to bring your ownwater, beverages and healthy snacks.
• •Pack blankets and chairs if you know you will be hanging out all day. There isusually space available in a gym, cafeteria or hallway to set up a “home base”.
• •Bring an extra blanket/towel or seat cushion to save your seat in the stands.
• •Figure out what your swimmer will wear and lay it out the night before if you areleaving early in the morning.
• •Pack a black sharpie and a highlighter
• •View the heat sheets (if available online). Write your child’s events (heat, lane,event number) on a post-it note to use in the morning.•This helps him/her remember what events he/she is swimming and what eventnumber to listen for.
• •You should write them in numerical order.
• •Here is an example:
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The day of the meet: 

Dress in Layers yourself. The pool area is usually very warm; make sure you dress appropriately.