Swim Meet 101

SWIM MEET BASICS:

Swim meets are a great family experience. There is a place where the entire family can spend some time together. Listed below are some very in-depth guidelines geared to help you through your first couple of meets. It may seem a little overwhelming, but the details are specific to give you a good idea of what to expect.

WHAT TO TAKE TO THE MEET:

1. Team Cap, goggles, suit and several towels

2. Water bottle.

3. Healthy and nutritious snacks to eat during the meet

 4. Write the event numbers your swimmer will be swimming that day at the meet on their hand. You may want to use a sharpie marker because it will hold up better in the water. Writing the event numbers helps your swimmer remember what events they are swimming and what event number to listen for during the meet over the loudspeaker. When you get to the meet you will need to get a hold of a heat sheet to be able to write their specific heat and lane for each event.

 5. You may want to have some money for snacks that are available at the meet along with usually a swimwear company that has swim gear available at the larger Invitationals.

BEFORE THE MEET STARTS:

1. Arrive at the pool at least 15 minutes prior to the start of warmups...this time will be sent out the week of the meet. We do not know the specifics until the meet is set up and the number of swimmers is confirmed.

2. Find our team’s “camp” ~ at most Invitationals you will find by going into the gym and looking for the sign on the wall or from the friendly faces of other families.

3. Once your chairs, blankets and bags have been dropped off it is time to get suits on if not already on, get caps, goggles and towels and be ready to go into the pool room for warm-ups.

4. It is very important for all swimmers to warm up with the team. A swimmer’s body is just like a car on a cold day ~ they need to get the engine going and warmed up before they can go all out. It is also important to get their counts for the backstroke flags and a start or two off the blocks so that they feel comfortable with their new surroundings, this is especially important for younger swimmers...but older swimmers also need practice on backstroke if they are doing that stroke in the meet.

5. After warm-ups your swimmer will go back to the area where their team is sitting and wait until their first event is called. This is a good time to make sure they have used the restroom, if necessary, get a drink, or just get settled in for the session. You may want to pack healthy and nutritious foods for your swimmer to snack on during the meet.

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

 7. All questions concerning meet results or an officiating call or conduct of a meet should be referred to a coach and then they will pursue the matter through the proper channels.

 8. Psych Sheets or Heat Sheets...a Heat Sheet is usually available for sale in the lobby or possibly in the concessions area of the facility and lists all the swimmers, their times and the heat and lane that they are in for each session.--A Psych Sheet lists all the swimmers in each event in the order of their “seed time” and is available before the meet usually via e-mail through coaches. When the team entry is sent in each swimmer and their previous best time (up until the time the entries were due into the Host team) in that event is listed. ***If the swimmer is swimming in an event for the first time they will be entered as a “no time” or “NT”. A “NT” swimmer will most likely swim in one of the first heats of the event. Sometimes we receive a psych sheet a few days ahead of the meet so that you have a bit of an idea what is coming up for the weekend...sometimes we do not.

ONCE THE MEET STARTS:

1. It is important for any swimmer to know what event numbers they are swimming prior to the warmups...have at least the event numbers and what they are swimming so that they can prepare properly for the day. They may also swim directly after the warmups and so they need to again be prepared for the events of the day.

2. All meets are now computerized...so a swimmer will usually report directly to their heat and lane for the competition several heats before they swim. Swimmers should report with cap and goggles behind the blocks unless there is a Bullpen for younger swimmers.

3. The swimmer swims their race to the best of their ability.

4. After each swim: Every swimmer is to ask the timers (people behind the blocks at each lane) for their time ~ this is your swimmer’s responsibility. They are to report to their coaches before visiting mom and dad in the stands to receive notes on what they need to do next time swimming, or make sure they are aware of relays at the end of the meet etc.

5. Generally, the coaches follow these ideas when giving instructions after a swim: positive comments about that swim, and suggestions for improvement.

6. Things you as a parent can do after a swim: tell them how great they did; their coaches will be sure to discuss technique with them...you need to reassure them that they did a good job and how proud of them you are. Take them back to the “camp” area and relax until their next swim. This is also a great time to check out the restrooms, get a drink or something light to eat.

7. The swimmer now waits until their next event is called and starts the whole process all over again for their next event. ● When a swimmer has completed all their events and has made sure (by speaking with their coach) they are not involved in a relay for the session you are all welcome to go home for the day. ● ***It is important for all swimmers on the relay to stay to swim on a relay where your swimmer is expected to be a member and then they do not show up for the event. ● We will then have three very disappointed swimmers, and you will be required to pay for the entire relay if it does not swim. ● If we find a replacement then the payments will be spread out amongst all the four swimmers swimming in the relay.

 8. Results are usually posted somewhere in the facility. Awards are often gathered for a team and given to the coach at the end of the meet and will be placed in the family file folders at each Y to be collected in the next couple of days at practices.