FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

QUESTIONS

JOINING NCA

PRACTICE

BILLING

SWIM MEETS

OTHER

 

ANSWERS

  • How do I try-out with NCA? 

For a swim assessment, go to https://ncaswim.com/get_started/ and fill out the form. A coach will contact you to schedule a try-out.

 

  • Does my swimmer need to know all 4 strokes to try-out?

​No, we are looking for swimmers who are comfortable in the water and have a grasp of the strokes- they do not have to be experts. The minimum requirement for our 10U Bronze Pre-Team program is a lap of side breathing and a lap of backstroke. if a coach feels like your swimmer needs additional lessons we will refer you to a program in the area for more lessons. 

 

  • When does billing take place?

​Billing occurs on the 1st of the month. Any account updates or changes need to occur before midnight on the last day of the month.

 

  • What does a swimmer need for their first practice? 

A swimsuit and goggles.

 

  • How do coaches pick events for swimmers?
    • We try to have all swimmers swim all the events for their age group.
    • NT events are selected first. If a swimmer has NT (no time), then coaches see this as an opportunity. Coaches know the kids can do it because they have already done it in workouts.
    • If a swimmer has not swam an event in a while, then these will be the coach's 2nd choice for events. We want to develop all swimmers to be well-rounded and learn to swim and improve at all strokes and in all events. Like in school, they need to study for all subjects, not just the ones they like.
    • “Favorite events” (also know as the events they have done before). Coaches pick these events last. We know that they can do them, and it’s good to skip them at some meets so when they come back to them, they are more likely to have drops in times. These successes build confidence.
    • The major exception to the above is when we come to championship meet time. We pay close attention and enter kids in events that they are close to getting cuts in for championship meets like JOs and Far Westerns.

 

  • ​What is the difference between short course and long course?
    • ​Short course is referred to as SCY, or Short Course Yards
    • Long course is referred to as LCM, or Long Course Meters
    • 1 SCY lap = 25 yards
    • 1 LCM lap = 50 meters
    • 50 meters = ~55 yards (more than half a football field!)
    • LCM has fewer turns and thus has more swimming distance per length
    • LCM training focuses more on refining technique for maximum efficiency & endurance
    • Great turns & underwater kicks are ESSENTIAL for great LCM swimming.
    • 10 yds underwater in a 25 SCY pool means, 15 yds of swimming 
    • 10 m underwater in a 50 LCM pool means, 40 m of swimming

 

  • What does a swimmer need to bring to a swim meet?
    • ​Swimsuit, googles, and NCA swim cap
    • Towels
    • Water and healthy snacks 
    • Chair
    • For warmer weather, t-shirt, sandals, sunscreen
    • For colder weather, pants, sweatshirt, parka, warm shoes
    • Cash (if you want to buy snacks/drinks at concessions)
    • Sharpie to write down heat/lane assignments

 

  • What does it mean to "check-in" at a meet?

​A swimmer needs to check-in to let the meet host know who is actually at the meet to seed the swimmers into heats. On the day of the meet, before the meet starts, locate the check-in table and confirm the events that you will be swimming that day. If you do not check-in, you will not be allowed to swim that day. If a meet is pre-seeded, there will be no need to check-in as the swimmers have been seeded and the heat and lane assignments are already determined prior to the meet.

 

  • What is the difference between timed finals and prelims/finals meet?
    • Timed Finals: Only heats are swum, and the final placing is determined by the times achieved in all of the event's heats
    • Prelims/Finals: Prelims are swum first in the morning and the fastest times of an event qualify for the finals of that same event later in the day. The time swum during the finals determine the placing of the event.​

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  • What is an LSC?

​A Local Swim Committee (LSC) is a separate and independent corporation to whom USA Swimming has delegated certain governing and supervisory responsibilities within the geographic boundaries designated by USA Swimming. There are 59 LSCs nationwide, and 5 LSCs in California. NCA is part of the San Diego-Imperial Swimming LSC. 

 

  • ​What is a zone?

​The 59 LSCs are divided into 4 different zones: Western, Eastern, Southern, and Central. NCA is part of the Western Zone, along with 16 other LSCs including: Alaska, Arizona, Central California, Colorado, Hawaii, Inland Empire, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Pacific Swimming, Pacific Northwest, Sierra Nevada, Snake River, Southern California, Utah, and Wyoming

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