ABOUT SWIM MEETS

Swim meets are a great family experience! They are a place where the whole family can spend time together. Listed below are some very in-depth guidelines geared to help you through your first couple of swim meets. It may seem a little overwhelming, but we tried to be as specific and as detailed as we possibly could. If you have any questions, please ask your coach.

BEFORE THE MEET STARTS

1. Arrive at the pool at least 15 minutes before the scheduled warm-up time begins. This time will be listed in the meet information emailed out to all SJA swimmers and also in the team newsletter.

2. Swimmers must now get "checked in" before going into the locker rooms at meets. Please make sure your swimmer follows each swim meet's rules surrounding actively checking in to his or her races. Don't forget, write each event-number on your swimmer's hand in ink. This helps him/her remember what events he/she is swimming and what event number to listen for.

3. Once "checked in," your swimmer must go through the entrance and find a place to put their swim bags. The team usually sits in one place together, so look for some familiar faces or on the wall for our team name if you arrive early.

4. Your swimmer now gets his/her cap and goggles and reports to the pool and/or coach for warm-up instructions. It is very important for all swimmers to warm-up with the team. Swimmers' bodies are just like cars on a cold day-they need to get the engine going and warmed-up before they can go all out.

5. After warm-up, your swimmer will go back to the area where his/her towels are and sit there until his/her next event is called. This is a good time to make sure he/she goes to the bathroom if necessary, gets a drink, and just gets settled in.

6. The meet will usually start about 10-15 minutes after warm-ups are over.

7. According to USS rules (because of insurance purposes), parents are not allowed on deck unless they are serving in an official capacity. Similarly, all questions concerning meet results, an officiating call, or the conduct of a meet, should be referred to the coaching staff. They, in turn, will pursue the matter through the proper channels.

8. Heat Sheets. A heat sheet is usually available for sale in the lobby or concession area of the pool. Heat sheets generally sell for one to two dollars per day. It lists all swimmers in each event in order of "seed time". When the team entry is sent in, each swimmer and his/her previous best time in that event is listed. If the swimmer is swimming an event for the first time, he/she will be entered as a "no-time" or "NT". A "no-time" swimmer will most likely swim in one of the first heats of the event.

WHAT TO TAKE TO A SWIM MEET

1. Most important: Swim suit and SJA cap -- and goggles (if your swimmer uses them). Two of each are always good in case one breaks during the meet.

2. Towels: Realize your swimmer will be there a while, so pack at least two.

3. On-deck warm clothes: Each swimmer may want to bring two sets of clothes because they can get wet and soggy. This could be a sweatshirt, warm (water proof) shoes, swim parka, etc.

4. T-shirts: Two or three. Same reason as above.

5. Games: Travel games, coloring books, books, cards, anything to pass the time. (see note)

6. Food: Each swimmer is usually allowed to bring a small cooler. It is better to bring snacks. They usually have snack bars at the meet, but the lines are long and most of the time they only sell junk food. Suggestions for items to bring:

Drinks: Water, Hi-C, fruit juice, Gatorade, other electrolyte replacement drinks

Snacks: Granola bars, fun fruits, yogurt, cereal, jello cubes, sandwiches, bagel, protein bars, BelVita Crackers

Once you have attended one or two meets, this will all become very routine, and you'll figure out what works for your swimmer on deck. Please do not hesitate to ask any other Saint Joeseph Aquatics parents for help or information!

These meets are a lot of fun for the swimmers. They get to visit with their friends, play games, and meet kids from other teams. They also get to "race" and see how much they have improved from all of the hard work they have put in at practice.

* PLEASE NOTE: Electronics are advised against being on deck at meets as SJA coaches want the swimmers focused and present with their teammates cheering eachother on and getting mentally ready for their next race. Electronics tend to be a distraction from being present and feeling the energy on deck. We also have had many electronics lost, stolen, or dropped in pools. Please understand coaches take no responsibility for what happens to an electronic should you as a parent allow your swimmer to take one on deck.

MEET STARTS

1. It is important for any swimmer to know what event numbers he/she is swimming (again, why swimmers should have the numbers on their hands). He/she may swim right away after warm-up, or they may have to wait a while.

2. A swimmer's event number will be called, usually over the loudspeaker, and he/she will be asked to report to his/her lane. Swimmers should report with their caps and goggles. Generally, girls events are odd-numbered and boys events are even-numbered. You can expect at least 4-8 heats of each event.

3. The swimmer swims his or her race.

4. After each swim:

A. He/she is to ask the timers (people behind the blocks at each lane) his/her time.

B. He/she should go immediately to their coach. The coach will ask him/her their time and discuss the swim with each swimmer.

C. Generally, the coach follows these guidelines when discussing swims:

a. Positive comments or praise about the race;

b. Suggestions for improvement next time the swimmer swims that race; and 

c. Positive guidance to keep them motivated both during the meet as well as in later practices.

5. Things you, as a parent, can do after each swim:

A. Tell him/her how great they did! The coaching staff will be sure to discuss stroke technique with them. You need to tell him/her how proud you are and what a great job he/she did.

B. Take him/her back to the towel area and relax if they are choosing to sit with you instead of on deck. In general, let them chill and socialize with the team.

C. This is another good time for them to check out the bathrooms, get a drink, or something light to eat but nothing heavy or greasy.

D. The swimmer now waits until his/her next event is called and starts the procedure again.

6. When a swimmer has completed all of his/her events, he/she and their parents get to go home. Make sure, however, you, as a parent, check with the coach before leaving to make sure your swimmer is not included on a relay or has an additional swim that day. It is not fair to other swimmers who may have stayed to swim on a relay where your swimmer is expected to be a member, and he/she is not there. (The coaches speak from experience on this issue.)

In the event that your swimmer is at a Prelims/Finals meet, BE SURE to check with the coaches before you leave to ensure your swimmer is not racing again in the finals of the event that evening. There are severe consequences for the swimmers next race should they be a No Show for a finals event without prior communication to the swim meet.

GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP

It is customary after every race, while still in the water, for swimmers to shake hands with their opponents in the lanes on either side of them. This is a tradition dating back a long time. The swimming community is small but vast. You will see that swimmer again, and we at SJA want to be remembered as a great team with a reliable spirit of good sportsmanship at every turn. Even in a disappointing situation, being a leader and congratulating someone else on THEIR success is a huge moment to act with humility and offer them congratulations.

What Happens If Your Child has a Disappointing Swim?

It is inevitable that at some point your child is going to come out of a swim a little or a lot disappointed. Your job as a parent, as in everything is to be supportive and encouraging. Remind them that it is ok to have bad races because it helps us learn things and maybe once the disappointment/anger/frustration/sadness subsides they'll be able to see a few things that they can do differently for next time.

If your child comes up to you and says, "That was a bad race, don't tell me it wasn't," there is nothing wrong with a swimmer negatively evaluating a race. The important thing is for the child not to dwell on it. Eventually when you feel appropriate, you should move the swimmer on to something good, or happy, or even silly. Then down the road try to engage them in some reflective thinking such as: "All right, you have had a bad race. How do you think you can do better next time?" or "What are you going to do right now to ensure you don't have a bad race for your next swim." If they don't want to talk that is ok too, you can always suggest talking to the coaches and just move on from it as a family.

The important thing with any athlete is that they know their parents are a soft space to land, where they will be supported and loved no matter what they do, even if you yourself are disappointed.