Swim Meet Basics

(Excerpt from USA Swimming's Sample Club Handbook)
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 handed out to all swimmers and also in the team newsletter.
2. Upon arrival, find a place to put your swimmer's blankets, swim bags and/or sleeping bags. The team usually sits in one place together, so look for some familiar faces.
3. … Make sure your swimmer checks in with his or her coach!…
4. Once "checked in", write or have the swimmers write each event-number on his or her hand in ink. This helps him/her remember what events he/she is swimming and what event number to listen or watch for. You can find event information in the "heat sheet." See #9 below for information on how to obtain one.
5. 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. A swimmer's body is just like a car on a cold day-he/she needs to get the engine going and warmed-up before he/she can go all out.
6. After warm-up, your swimmer will go back to the area where his/her team [and family] is sitting and wait there until his first event is called. This is a good time to make sure he/she goes to the bathroom if necessary, gets a drink, or just gets settled in.
7. The meet will usually start about 10-15 minutes after warm-ups are over.
8. According to USA Swimming rules (because of insurance purposes), parents are not allowed on deck unless they are serving in an official capacity [this does not apply at most EFSL meets – parents and other families are allowed on the deck at most pools]. Similarly, all questions concerning meet results, an officiating call, or the conduct of a meet, should be referred to a coach. He or she in turn, will pursue the matter through the proper channels.
9. Psyche Sheet or Heat Sheets. A psyche sheet is usually available for sale in the lobby or concession area of the pool. 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 (up to the date that the entry was submitted) 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. A Heat sheet may be available close to the start of the meet that lists the actual heat and lane a swimmer will be competing in.

MEET STARTS

1. It is important for any swimmer to know what event numbers he/she is swimming (again, why they should have the numbers on their hand). He/she may swim right away after warm-up or they may have to wait awhile.
2. Most meets are computerized. There are generally two ways a swimmer gets to his/her lane:
   1. A swimmer usually reports directly to [a marshalling area] for competition a number of heats before he/she actually swims. [The heat currently being marshaled is usually annotated on a wall somewhere near the start or marshalling area.] Check with your swimmer's coach for specific instructions.
   2. In some novice meets, a swimmer's event number will be called, usually over the loudspeaker, and he/she will be asked to report to the "clerk of course" or "bullpen". Swimmers should report with his/her cap and goggle.
   3. Generally, girls events are odd-numbered and boys events are even-numbered. Example: "Event #26, 10-Under Boys, 50 freestyle, report to Clerk of Course." The "Clerk of Course" or "bullpen" area is usually where all swimmers checked in before the warm-up.
   4. The clerk will usually line up all the swimmers and take them down to the pool in correct order. You can expect at least 4-8 heats of each event.
3. The swimmer swims his or her race.
4. After each swim:
   1. He/she is to ask the timers (people behind the blocks at each lane) his/her time.
   2. Depending on the coaches' instructions, the swimmer may be asked to do some recovery swimming if a "warm down" pool or lanes are available.
   3. The swimmer should then go immediately to his or her coach. The coach will discuss the swim with each swimmer. Some coaches may wish to talk with the swimmer before her recovery swim.
5. Generally, the coach follows these guidelines when discussing swims:
   1. Positive comments or praise
   2. Suggestions for improvement
   3. Positive comments
6. Things you, as a parent, can do after each swim:
   1. Tell him how great he did! The coaching staff will be sure to discuss stroke technique with him. You need to tell him how proud you are and what a great job he did.
   2. Take him back to the team area and relax.
   3. This is another good time to check out the bathrooms, get a drink or something light to eat.
7. The swimmer now waits until his next event is called and starts the procedure again. When a swimmer has completed all of her events she and her 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. 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 she is not there.
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. The coach will give the awards to the swimmers at a later time.

EFSL-SPECIFIC INFORMATION

The pool areas are generally small, humid and noisy. It is advisable to arrive early and set up your chairs. Each participating team is given a designated area of the pool deck.
You will be given a warm-up start time. Please remember that this is the time that your swimmer needs to be on the deck, ready to warm-up. Warm-up times are limited, so if your swimmer is late, they will not get an adequate warm-up.
Meets usually last about 5 hours, and most have a short break in the middle so that officials may take a break and eat. Many teams sell heat sheets that help you keep track of how the meet is running.
Finally, parents should come prepared to help volunteer at the meets. Some of the meet positions require special training, but there are many positions that parents can help with. Teams are always looking for timers! Volunteering at away meets also counts towards your families total volunteer hours.Coming soon - what to expect at a swim meet