Metuchen YMCA Swim Team - MEY Manta Rays

 

Glossary of Terms

 

  • AGE GROUP - The division of swimmers according to age, usually in two-year bands.  In USA Swimming, swimmers compete within their respective age groups, usually in the following manner:  10&Younger, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, and 17-18.  Most meets combine the two older age groups into a 15-18 age group.  The age cutoff of NJ YMCA teams is December 1st.
  • ​DISQUALIFICATION (DQ) - At a meet, when a swimmer breaks a rule of swimming, they are disqualified. (For example, if a swimmer finishes a breaststroke race by touching the wall with only one hand, instead of two.) Their race is "not counted," and the swimmer will not receive a time. Disqualifications are indicated on meet results with "DQ" in place of the swimmer's time. During the race, meet officials will indicate a disqualification by raising one arm with an open hand above their head.
  • DISTANCE - How far a swimmer swims in an event. Distances for Sort Course are: 25 yards/meters (1 length), 50 yards/meters (2 lengths), 100 yards/meters (4 lengths), 200 yards/meters (8 lengths), 400 meters (16 lengths), 500 yards (20 lengths), 800 meters (32 lengths), 1000 yards (40 lengths), 1500 meters (60 lengths), and 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).
  • DRYLAND -The program of exercises and various strength regimens swimmers do out of the water.
  • FALSE START - When a swimmer is in motion or leaves the starting block before the starting signal is given. One false start will disqualify a swimmer or a relay team.
  • LONG COURSE - A type of competitive pool which measures 50 meters in length. This is the standard course for International, Senior National and Olympic competition. The swim year is divided into two seasons: Short Course season, competed in 25-yard/meter pools during fall and winter, and Long Course season, competed in 50-meter pools during spring and summer.
  • OVERHEAD STARTS - Start procedures at a meet in which swimmers of the previous heat remain in the water, close to the wall, during the start of the next heat.
  • QUALIFYING TIME - The time a swimmer must have achieved previously in an event in order to enter a meet.
  • SCRATCH -To withdraw from an event after having declared an intention to participate.  In a Prelims and Finals (championship) format, swimmers who qualify for finals usually have 30 minutes to withdraw if they don’t wish to participate.  Failure to participate in finals without scratching normally results in disqualification from the rest of the meet. In a timed finals format, there’s no penalty for missing an event without scratching.
  • SEED TIMES - The time a swimmer uses to enter competitions. This time (generally the swimmer's best time) is used to determine a swimmer's heat and lane, when compared to other entrants. This system ensures that each swimmer is competing immediately with swimmers with similar best times.
  • SHORT COURSE - A type of competitive pool measuring 25 yards or 25 meters in length.
  • SPLIT - A per lap time that coaches use to determine pace for each swim.
  • STARTER - The USA Swimming official at a meet responsible for starting each heat, calling the next heat to the block, and ensuring that each swimmer gets a fair start.
  • STROKE AND TURN JUDGE - A USA Swimming certified official who determines the legality of a swimmer's strokes and notifies the Referee of disqualifications, if necessary.
  • TIME STANDARDS  - A set of times by course, event, age group, and classification established by USA Swimming for classifying swimmers for entry into meets (e.g., a 10 year-old girl who’s best time in the 50y Freestyle is 32.05 seconds is classified as an “A” swimmer and can’t compete in a BB/B/C/Mini meet in that event).  The time standards are updated every four years and are based on the Top 16 times for each event/age group.  Also, Qualifying Times.
  • TOUCH PAD - The part of the electronic timing system that rests against the wall at the finishing end of each lane. Swimmer's times are electronically recorded when the pad is touched.
  • USA SWIMMING - The abbreviation for United States Swimming Inc. which is the governing body for all amateur swimming in the United States.

 

Frequently Asked Questions - Swim Parents

 

  1.  I am a new swim parent, what is my responsibility?

Your primary responsibility as a swim parent is to bring your child to practice sessions and to swim meets adequately nourished and prepared to swim with swimsuit, swim cap, towel(s), goggles, and a water bottle. Your secondary responsibility is to become involved in your child’s sport by actively volunteering. As a parent, you should encourage your swimmer to do his or her best, set a good example for other parents and swimmers, and accept the delegated authority of all meet officials without rancor, criticism or action.

  1. What are the swimmers’ responsibilities?

Swimmers need to respect their coaches, be on time, aim to have 100% practice attendance, pay attention and give 100% effort. They also have to respect all other swimmers at practices and meets, accept all coaching decisions enthusiastically and respectfully, and accept officials’ decisions with dignity and grace. The use of foul or improper language will not be tolerated.

  1. What is a work bond?

A work bond is a concept used by swim clubs to ensure that all families contribute to the club’s operations and events. Families are required to volunteer to a certain number of events per swim season, in specific roles to fulfill their work bond. A financial fee is assessed for those families that do not fulfill their work bond requirement. This practice helps maintain the club’s ability to run events and support its swimmers and staff effectively. Details are found in the parent handbook that is distributed to all swim families at the start of the season.

  1. When does the swim season start and end?

The swim season typically starts at the beginning of September (specific date provided by coach) and ends after championships and conferences (February or March of the following year).

  1. How will I know what group/ level my swimmer will be placed in?

The coach determines the appropriate level for each swimmer based on age and ability. This typically takes place during tryouts.

  1. When does registration take place?

Team registration generally takes place in September of each swim year, after tryout results are released by the swim coach director.

  1. Where do I purchase the team suit?

Team suits can be purchased from the Ultimate Swim Shop website. Please find additional information on our team website.

  1. Is the team suit required for meets?

Yes.

  1. What type of meets should my swimmer expect to participate in during the swim season?

The types of meets that you should expect during the swim season are dual meets (YMCA), invitational meets (YMCA or USA Swimming) and championship meets.

  1. What is a dual meet?

Our regular season consists of dual meets, which are meets between two teams in our league.

  1. What is an invitational meet?

An invitational meet is a larger meet consisting of three or more teams, lasting one to three days. These meets are usually separated into age group sessions. As with all meets, they are listed on the team’s website and SE app. Invitational meets have additional fees attached to them that are the responsibility of the parent.

  1. What is a relay team?

A relay is a group of four swimmers combining to achieve a composite time. As with individual swims, a relay team can qualify for championship meets.

  1. What is an event?

An event is a swim race based upon gender, distance and stroke. i.e. Girls 11-12 50 Free

  1. What is a heat?

A heat is a group of swimmers similar to gender, event and speed within an event.

  1. What is a lane assignment?

A lane assignment is the lane the swimmer reports to within a heat.

  1. How do I sign up for a meet?

Signups for swim meets are via the team’s app. Find the meets listed under the event section and declare your intention to swim no later than 3 days before the meet.

  1. Do I pick events for my child?

Generally, coaches choose events for swimmers for dual meets, swimmers generally choose for invitational and championship meets, subject to any qualifying times. Any questions related to what events to swim should be directed to the swimmer’s immediate coach.

  1. My child is sick the day of the meet and cannot swim. How do I proceed?

Please contact your child’s coach as soon as possible via the instructions provided. Usually this can be via email, text to the Coach’s cellphone. Prompt contact is important so any adjustments can be made to the team lineup.

  1. Do I have to register my swimmer with USA Swimming?

Registration for USA Swimming is only required if your swimmer will be participating in USA Swimming meets. There is an additional yearly fee that families are responsible for.

  1. What do I do if my child receives a disqualification (DQ)?

    1. If your child received a DQ for a race infraction; please discuss it with your child’s coach AFTER the meet. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES shall a parent or interested party confront a swim official of any team on the pool deck during the course of a meet with a video or verbal rebuttal. At one time or another, all swimmers have received a DQ – it happens and can be used as an opportunity to practice good sportsmanship and training tool.

 

USA Swimming Registration

Q: How do I register for USA Swimming?
A: There are two ways, but the preferred and required method is through our website. We have a page labeled “USA Swimming Registration” that includes step-by-step instructions and direct links.
It’s important to use these specific links because they connect the registration directly to our MEY YMCA roster. If the general USA Swimming site is used instead, the swimmer may not appear on our team roster.

 

 

Do I need a USA Swimming membership for meets?

Q: Do I need USA Swimming registration to compete?
A: USA Swimming membership is only required for USA Invitational meets.
It is not required for our regular YMCA dual meets. Any meet where there is a per-event entry fee and USA sanctioning will require a valid USA Swimming membership.

 

 

Championship Requirements

Q: Are there requirements for YMCA Championships?
A: Yes. In addition to meeting the time standards for championship events, swimmers must also meet a participation requirement.
Swimmers must compete in a minimum of three (3) YMCA dual meets during the season. We have six dual meets total, so attending half will meet the requirement.
USA Invitational meets do not count toward this requirement — only YMCA dual meets qualify.

 

 

Volunteer Program

Q: What is the volunteer program?
A: The volunteer program allows swimmers (generally ages 9–10 and up) to help the team in a variety of ways. This can include in-water assistance, helping coaches, or out-of-water roles such as assisting with events, bulletin boards, or newsletters.

Q: How does my child join the volunteer program?
A: Parents should complete the volunteer form (available on the website under Agreements) and email it to the Head Coach, noting which areas their child is interested in.
After that, the Head Coach will schedule an initial shift that includes shadowing and an overview of expectations. Following that first shift, the coaching staff will reach back out to establish a more consistent schedule if it’s a good fit.