Swim Meet Information For BBD
Swimmer and Parents
Meet Requirements
Types of Swim Meets
YMCA Swim Meets
USS Swim Meets
Swim Meet Entries
Recommended Swim Meet Procedures
(swimmers and parents)
Terminology
Order of Events for Dual Meets
Meet Requirements
Each swimmer on the Team is required to
compete in at least three YMCA meets (dual or invitational) per season.
However, swimmers are strongly encouraged to compete in an additional
three meets (either YMCA or USA-S) for a total of at least six meets per season,
before the championship season.
Types of Swim Meets
Mini Meets: These
meets are offered for the benefit of swimmers aged eight years of younger. Each
swimmer competes only against children of the same age.
A, B, C Meets:
Participation is limited to swimmers with corresponding time achievements. Often
meets are offered with a format that combines only one or two of the various
time standards (i.e. A-B Meets or B-C Meets). A swimmer with a few “C” times and
a few “B” times would be able to swim many events at a B-C Meet. “A” , “B” and
“C” times for each age group may be located on the goal sheet provided to each
swimmer by the Team at the onset of each winter swim season.
Swim-Your-Own-Age Meets: Swimmers
compete only against swimmers the same age.
Invitationals: As
the name suggests, only certain teams are “invited” to attend, at the discretion
of the host team.
Dual Meets:
“Dual” meaning two teams: one team competing against another. The team that
accumulates the highest number of points wins the competition.
Championship Meets:
ALL SWIMMERS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND ALL CHAMPIONSHIP MEETS FOR
WHICH THEY QUALIFY! There are a series of YMCA championship meets and a
series of USA-S championship meets. Each is described in greater detail below.
YMCA Swim Meets
Important Note Regarding Age Determination:
Determination of a swimmer’s age for a particular swim
season, with respect to YMCA age group swimming, is that swimmer’s age as of
December 1st. In other words, when a swimmer experiences a birthday,
that swimmer is still required to swim in whichever age group they were
categorized at the outset of that season based upon the December 1st
date guideline mentioned above. They do not “age up” on their actual birth date
for any YMCA competition
YMCA Dual Meet: A
competitive, scored swim meet between two YMCA teams. As is the case in other
sporting events, the team earning the greatest number of points becomes the
victor. There are no qualifying times for these types of meets. Competition is
designed to serve as a learning experience and to serve as a measure of
improvement for swimmers. As a YMCA team, BBD is required to participate in
several YMCA dual meets each season. Typically, YMCA dual meets are conducted in
one afternoon. Registration for those swim meets occurs one to two weeks prior
to the Meet. Registration procedures and details regarding the meet are made
available in the weekly BBD Newsletter.
YMCA Invitationals:
These meets are sponsored by a local YMCA. Typically, there are
no minimum time standard requirements (or “time cutoffs”) for entry.
YMCA 8 & Under State Meet:
This meet is the required championship meet for all of
BBD’s 8 & under swimmers. There are no qualifying times for this meet and it is
a wonderful experience for both new and old swimmers alike. BBD has participated
in this meet since its inception. Swimmers that have participated in BBD’s
Pre-Team Program are invited to enter.
YMCA Cluster Championship:
Attendance at this Meet is strongly encouraged by the Head Coach. This is the
only opportunity for our entire Team (all ages and all ability levels) to swim
together as a team. Teams from the YMCA’s Michigan “Cluster” (Birmingham, Royal
Oak, Rochester, Livonia, Farmington, Flint, and Grand Rapids Area, to name a
few) compete for the Michigan Cluster title. There are no qualifying times for
this meet. In order to participate, swimmers must have swum in three
YMCA dual or invitational meets during the season.
This requirement is also essential in order to compete in any of the following
meets:
YMCA State Championship: All swimmers
who attain qualifying times are required to compete in this championship meet!
As the title suggests, this meet involves every YMCA
team with qualifying swimmers in the state. One of our primary team goals is to
achieve an outstanding performance at this meet.
YMCA Zone Championship: All swimmers who
attain qualifying times are required to compete in this championship meet!
Teams from the YMCA’s “Great Lakes Zone” (Michigan,
Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia) compete for the Great Lakes Zone
title. Time standards (qualifying times) for the Zone Meet are determined by the
YMCA Zone Committee. BBD has traditionally performed extremely well at this very
competitive meet.
YMCA Nationals: All swimmers who attain
qualifying times are required to compete in this elite championship meet!
As the title suggests, this meet involves every YMCA
team in the nation that has swimmers who have qualified. This meet represents
the ultimate swimming experience for YMCA swimmers and features the highest
level of competition available within the nationwide YMCA organization. The
“best of the best” are pitted against one another in this exclusive four-day
meet. The qualifying times are tough, as is the competition. “Short course”
(25-yard pool) national championships occur in the spring and “long course”
(50-meter pool) championships take place in the summer.
USS Swim Meets
Important Note Regarding Age Determination:
There is no date cutoff that determines a swimmer’s
age for a particular swim season (as is the case with the YMCA policy). A
swimmer’s age with respect to USA-S meets is their actual age on the first day
of a swim meet. In other words, when a swimmer experiences a birthday, that
swimmer is now required to swim in that age group. They must “age up” on their
actual birthday – even if it occurs mid-season.
12 & Under State Championships: All 12 &
Under swimmers with a valid USA-S membership who attain qualifying times are
required to compete in this championship meet! As
the title suggests, this meet involves competition between 12 & Under swimmers
from every USA-S team in the State that has swimmers who have qualified. This is
a three-day swim meet, following a “prelim/final” format. Time standards
(qualifying times) for this meet correspond to the Michigan Swimming “AA” times
that appear in the Michigan Swimming Swim Guide. This publication is available
online from the Michigan Swimming website.
13 & Above State Championship: All
swimmers aged 13 and older with a valid USA-S membership who attain qualifying
times are required to compete in this championship meet provided that the
date of the meet does not conflict with the YMCA Zone Meet!
As the title suggests, this meet involves competition between swimmers aged 13 &
above from every USA-S team in the State that has swimmers who have qualified.
This is a three-day swim meet, following a “prelim/final” format. Qualifying
times for this meet correspond to the Michigan Swimming “AA” times that appear
in the Michigan Swimming Swim Guide. This publication is available online from
the Michigan Swimming website.
Junior and Senior Nationals. All swimmers
with a valid USA-S membership who attain qualifying times are required to
compete in these prestigious championship meets! As
the title suggests, this meet involves competition between the nation’s fastest
and most talented swimmers. Qualifying times are published annually by United
States Swimming of America. BBD has been extremely proud to have sent several
talented swimmers to each of these meets in past years.
Swim Meet Entries
Parents are responsible for entering their children
in meets. Coaches do not prepare individual entries, although they are happy to
answer questions about what events you should choose.
Entering a meet is done by reviewing the information
on upcoming meets available on the BBD website, selecting the events you wish to
enter and communicating that selection to the Entry Chair along with payment of
your entry fee. The meet Entry Chair then gathers all the entries from all the
swimmers, provides the compiled entries to the coaching staff for preparation of
relay entries and sends the entire BBD team entry to the club hosting the meet.
Because the host team has a deadline for accepting entries, BBD needs to impose
a deadline for collection of our entries. Due to the amount of work which must
be done after we collect the individual entries and the short window we have to
complete this work to get the entire team entry in before our deadline, the BBD
entry deadline is strictly enforced.
The process is simple and, beginning this year it
will be even simpler with our adoption of an on line entry system. The number
one thing parents can do to make this process work is to visit the website
regularly and keep track of upcoming entry deadlines.
THE ENTRY PROCESS
The Meet Packet
For each meet on the schedule we will post a “Meet
Packet” on the BBD website. The Meet Packet will be posted on the Schedule and
Entries page. The Meet Packet has details regarding the meet such as where and
when it will be held, warm up and meet start times, and a list of events along
with any other pertinent information. The Meet Packet will also identify and
provide contact information for the particular meet entry chair who will be
handling the entries for that meet. The Meet Packet will also set forth, in
bold letters, the entry deadline.
Host clubs generally do not provide us with this
information until fairly close to the meet. We post or packet as soon as we
receive it but generally there will only be a 2 week window from when it is
first posted until the entry deadline. (This is why it is important to check
the website regularly).
Preparing Your Entry
Review the packet and make sure there are no
qualifying times or other criteria which would make your swimmer ineligible for
the meet. (The vast majority of our meets are open to everyone). Once you have
determined you want to attend a particular meet and that you are eligible to
swim in that meet, select the events you wish to enter. (Again, make sure you
meet the qualifying time, if any, for each event.)
Note that you do NOT enter relay events. The
coaches prepare all relay entries.
Submitting Your Entry On Line
For the 2007-2008 season we will be using an on line
entry system. No more last minute trips to Y to drop off your entries!
Use of the on line entry system is mandatory. We
will no longer accept paper entries.
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After
the deadline, the team entries will be posted on the BBD website. Please
review these entries to make sure you are entered and the correct events.
While this system is basically foolproof, it is possible to enter yourself in
the wrong meet if we are accepting entries for 2 or more meets simultaneously
so please check your entries.
DISTRIBUTION OF USER NAMES AND PASSWORDS
We will distribute user names and passwords in late
September. Distribution will be by email so make sure we have your email
address. We will announce on the BBD website when we have distributed the user
names and passwords. If you have not received your information at that time,
contact the Entry Chair immediately.
You will receive a separate user name and password
for each child in your family. You will be able to change the password the
first time your log in. BBD will not have access to the password you set up so
if you lose it, follow the instructions on the on line entries website for
retrieving it.
Failure to cooperate in the process of
distributing user names and passwords either by failing to provide us with an
email address or providing us with an email address which you do not check
regularly will result in you not being allowed to enter meets.
IN GENERAL
Please Note: There are times when entry
deadlines are very close to the date the swim meet information is published in
the weekly BBD Newsletter. It is imperative that one pay very close attention to
these deadlines! Please be prompt in submitting
entries, as due to the size of BBD, this is a monumental task for the entry
chairpersons! When possible, meet entries that have been submitted to the host
club by the BBD entry chairpersons are posted on the website. It is highly
recommended that these posted entries be reviewed prior to attending the meet
to ensure accuracy and to allow for any corrections to be made prior to the
meet. Direct any questions or concerns to the appropriate entry
chairperson. Please remember that our meet entry chairpersons are volunteers.
Kindly treat them with respect, and be respectful of their time.
Meet fees vary and are usually charged on a “per
event” basis, often with a small surcharge for USA-S meets in order to assist in
covering the cost of championship swim meets. Fees for each meet are listing
along with all other pertinent information regarding that particular swim meet
in the weekly BBD Newsletter.
PROOF OF ENTRY TIMES
In order for a swimmer to be entered in a
championship meet, the swimmer must have swum a time that is equal to or faster
than the entry time cuts that have been established for the championship swim
meet (USA-S State Meets, YMCA State Meet, YMCA Zone Meet, and YMCA National
Meet) and be able to produce written PROOF (attached to the BBD entry
form) of when and where the time was achieved. An acceptable proof of
time consists of a copy of the official meet results (i.e. signed by the meet
official). The BBD Head of Computers has all of the official meet results from
any swim meet (YMCA and USA-S) that was attended by BBD as a team. However,
any times achieved by a swimmer at any swim meet other that that attended by
BBD as a team (i.e. middle school, high school, USA-S), the swimmer is
responsible for obtaining a copy of the official meet results and providing them
to the BBD Head of Computers in order to provide acceptable proof of entry time.
It is highly recommended that obtaining a copy of the official meet
results be accomplished as soon after the meet has occurred as possible.
Sometimes, copies of the official meet results from swim meets can be purchased
from the host team for a nominal fee. The more time that passes, the less likely
it will be to obtain a copy of the official meet results. Often official meet
results are not retained by teams or coaches. Thus, waiting until the end of
winter swim season and the eve of a championship swim meet to seek a copy of
official meet results often proves unsuccessful. Results from Michigan USA-S
swim meets can possibly be obtained by the BBD Head of Computers from the
Michigan Swimming website. However, the swimmer is
responsible for informing the BBD Head of Computers which times cuts were
achieved at which meet.
Please note that according to United States of
America Swimming rules, entry times must be exact times achieved in
either an individual event or as the lead-off swimmer in a relay. Relay splits
other than that for the lead-off swimmer in a relay are not expectable.
For the most part, qualifying entry times for championship meets must be
achieved by a swimmer in the current swim season. A few times for championship
meets must be achieved by a swimmer in the current swim season. A few exceptions
are: YMCA Zone Meet and YMCA Nationals, which will allow qualifying times
achieved at the prior year’s championship meet. USA-S championship meets
typically accept qualifying times that were achieved at any officially
sanctioned Michigan swim meet (USA-S, YMCA, high school) that occurred at any
time within the prior year from the date of the championship meet. Please note
that summer league swim meets (NSSL, SISCA, MICSA) are not officially sanctioned
Michigan swim meets and, therefore, times achieved in these venues are
ineligible.
Assembling the proof book for championship meets is
monumental undertaking, especially for a team of BBD (300 + swimmers). PLEASE
NOTE: If the BBD Head of Computers is not in possession of written proof of a
swimmer’s entry time at the time the team’s entry is due, the swimmer will
NOT be entered in the championship meet. If you are in doubt as to
whether, or not, the BBD Head of Computers is in possession of written proof of
a swimmer’s entry time it is recommended that you contact him/her to verify that
you have the same times BEFORE the team’s entry is due.
Fines are incurred for entry times that are not provable and
sometimes penalties are levied against the team.
Fines are the responsibility of the Swimmer, they must be paid immediately on
site, and will not be paid by the BBD.
Recommended Swim Meet Procedures
Parents
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Recommended Swim Meet Procedures
Arrival: Allow
ample time for travel to ensure that swimmer(s) report promptly on the
pool deck for proper check in and warm up.
Relays are often designed based upon which swimmers
are present at the time of warm-up. It is extremely difficult and
frustrating for the coaching staff to incorporate swimmers who arrive late into
the completed relay lineup.
Purchase a meet program and thoroughly
review it: Most swim meets have printed programs
available for a small fee. (An exception to this is YMCA Dual Meets.) Meet
programs (sometimes referred to as “Heat Sheets”) allow you to ensure that your
swimmer has been entered properly in all events selected on his/her entry form.
For new or younger swimmers please write the event number, heat and lane on
their hand. The program is also a valuable tool for assistance in located the
heat and lane in which your swimmer will be swimming, as well as keeping track
of teammates.
If your swimmer has not been entered correctly,
contact the coaching staff. Typically, this does not present a problem, provided
the error is caught before the start of the swim meet. At times errors are made
by BBD, by the host club, or by the parent of the swimmer on the meet entry
form. Sometimes a swimmer’s time will have been improved since the meet entry
form was submitted, therefore making that swimmer ineligible to compete in the
event in which he or she was originally entered. For example, a swimmer who has
recently attained a “B” time can no longer compete in that particular “C” event.
“A”, “B”, and “C” times for each age group may be located on the Goal Sheet
provided each swimmer by BBD at the onset of each winter swim season.
Please Note: The
details of entering combination (A/B/C) swim meets and keeping track of “all
those times” can be tricky. Swimmers with all “A” times and one or two “B” times
can sometimes enter events at an “A” swim meet. It is important to carefully
check the swimmer’s best time against the “A” and “B” cutoff times indicated on
the Goal Sheet. Check with the coaching staff if you have any questions.
Uniform: All BBD
swimmers are required to wear the team swimsuit and team cap when
representing BBD in competition.
Jewelry: Ensure
that your swimmer has removed any and all jewelry from their person. This
is a safety issue and could result in the swimmer’s disqualification according
to the rules!
Marshalling: Upon
arrival, familiarize yourself and your swimmer with the marshalling area
procedures. This will ensure that no swimmer misses an event. Make certain that
your swimmer reports to marshalling on time.
Scratching:
Removing a swimmer from an event is allowable only with
permission from the coaching staff.
Departure: Never
allow a swimmer to leave a swim meet prematurely. Always
check with the coaching staff before departing. Most swim meets offer
relay events at the conclusion of the individual events (i.e. at the end of the
meet). Please understand that it can be extremely upsetting to the remaining
three members of a relay team to be scratched from competition because of a
teammate’s premature departure. Please be
considerate of your BBD teammates!
OBSERVE, ENJOY, APPLAUD, SUPPORT AND, ABOVE
ALL, NEVER CRITICIZE
YOUR SWIMMER’S EFFORTS—it’s not as easy as it looks!
Swimmers
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Recommended Swim Meet Procedures
Arrival: It is extremely important
that you promptly arrive on the pool deck for proper check in and warm-up.
Check-in: Immediately check in with
the coaching staff in attendance. Relays are often designed based upon which
swimmers are present at the time of warm-up. It is extremely
difficult and frustrating for the coaching staff to incorporate swimmers who
arrive late into the completed relay lineup.
Scratching: Removing yourself from
an event (“scratching”) is allowed only with permission
from the coaching staff.
Post Swim: Immediately after each of
your swims, speak with a member of the coaching staff.
Departure: When you have completed
your individual events, notify the coaching staff before you leave. Most swim
meets offer relay events at the conclusion of the individual events (i.e. at the
end of the meet). Please understand that it can be extremely upsetting to the
remaining three members of a relay team to be scratched from competition because
of a teammate’s premature departure. Please be
considerate of you BBD teammates!
Terminology
Age Group Swimming:
The program through which USA-S provides fair and open
competition for its younger members. It is designed to encourage maximum
participation, provide an educational experience, enhance physical and mental
conditioning, and develop a rich base of swimming talent. Nationally recognized
age groups are: 10 & Under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18 and 15-18. Local meets
may also include events for 8 & Unders.
Backstroke: The
name of a swimming stroke executed on the back consisting of alternating
circular arm pulls and a flutter kick.
Backstroke Flags:
A string of pennants stretched over the pool so that when
performing the backstroke, swimmers will know how far away the wall is in order
to successfully execute their turns and finishes.
Block: The
starting platform used at the commencement of a race in competition.
Breaststroke: The
name of the swimming stroke executed in a prone position by extending both arms
in front of the head beneath the water surface while drawing the knees forward
and outward and then sweeping the arms back with palms out while kicking outward
and backward. To be performed legally, the arms must remain above the waist and
there can be no flutter in the kick. The kick appears easy, but is difficult for
young swimmers to master.
Bulkhead: An
upright removable partition designed to divide a pool into different sized pools
(or “courses”), such as dividing one 50-meter pool into two 25-yard pools.
Butterfly: The
name of the swimming stroke executed in a prone position by simultaneously
moving both arms in a circular motion above the water surface while kicking the
legs up and down simultaneously (i.e. a dolphin like kick). This stroke requires
a great deal of proper timing and strength. To be performed legally, both arms
must go above the water at the same time and both legs (with the angles
held together) must kick together.
Circle Seeding: A
method of “seeding” swimmers in a swimming event that enables the fastest
swimmers entered in that event to compete in the center lanes in order to
experience less resistance (drag) in the water. Entrants in the event with the
fastest times are placed in the two center lanes of each heat; entrants in the
event with the next fastest times are then placed in the two outside adjacent
lanes of the center lanes of each heat, etc. This seeding method is most often
utilized in championship meets with a prelim/final format.
Coach: A person
who instructs or trains athletes in the fundamentals of a competitive sport and
directs them strategy.
Code of Conduct:
An agreement signed by a swimmer prior to travel, stating that the swimmer will
abide by certain behavioral guidelines.
Crawl: The name
of a competitive swimming stroke consisting of alternating overarm strokes and a
flutter kick performed while in the prone position on one’s stomach.
Cut: Slang
terminology describing a qualifying time. A time standard necessary to enter a
particular swim meet or event.
Deck Entry: As
the name suggests entry into a swim meet on the pool deck on the day of the
meet. Due to paperwork difficulties, this sometimes may mean that the swimmer
must swim in the slowest heat and may be ineligible for awards, depending upon
the format established prior to the meet.
Deck Seeding: A
method of “seeding” swimmers in a swimming event that categorizes swimmers into
heats according to each swimmer’s best time, from slowest to fastest (i.e. the
slowest swimmers compete in the first heat and the fastest swimmers compete in
the last heat of the swimming event). As the term suggests, entrants are
“reseeded” on the pool deck at the swim meet, if necessary, based upon those
entrants who are actually present at the time of the meet in order to eliminate
entrants from the heats who are not present.
“Deek” or DQ:
Slang terminology describing being disqualified from a swimming event after the
race has occurred due to swimming rule violations with regard to such things as
the swimmer’s start, stroke technique, turn or finish. The time achieved will be
considered null and void, just as if the swimmer had never swum the race and no
points will be attributed to the Team’s score, if the swim meet is being scored.
The letters “DQ” will appear, rather than the time achieved, on the official
results of the meet. Some rule violations must be seen by two officials in order
to declare a “DQ”. At the conclusion of the race an Official will take the
swimmer aside, inform them of the disqualification, and explain the reason. As
difficult as it may sometimes be, this should be viewed as a learning
experience. In this instance, please make certain that the swimmer consults a
member of the coaching staff present at the swim meet.
Distance: A term
used to refer to swim events 400 meters/500 yards or greater in distance.
Drag: Resistance
in the water that retards motion.
Drill: A swimming
exercise or specific maneuver, sometimes performed in the water, involving a
portion of a stroke, used to improve technique.
Dryland Training:
Exercise training performed out of the water (i.e. on dry land)
that assists in developing strength and endurance to aid and enhance swimming
performance; usually includes stretching, calisthenics and/or weight training.
Electronic Timing:
An electronic timing system existing partially in and partially
out of the water utilized to accurately record each swimmer’s time for a race.
The electronic timing system is used in conjunction with computer software to
facilitate the most accurate compilation of the “official results” of the meet
(i.e. times and placement for all events swum). Large “touch pads” placed
slightly beneath water level register each swimmer’s time immediately upon
contact with some portion of the swimmer’s body at the conclusion of the race.
Young swimmers are notorious for not touching the pads hard enough, so often
three back-up timers are used to record their times.
False Start: An
illegal start at the commencement of a race that occurs when a swimmer is
moving, in any way, prior to the sound of the official “start” of the race
(signified by the starting gun or the “beep” from the electronic timing system).
At a USA-S swim meet, swimmers are allowed only one false start which results in
disqualification from the race. At some other swim meets, swimmers are allowed
two false starts before disqualification occurs.
Final: The
championship heat of an event in which the top six or eight qualifying swimmers
(depending on the number of lanes in the pool) from the preliminary meet
compete.
Finish: Signified
by swimmers touching the wall at the end of a race.
Free or Freestyle:
The name of a competitive swimming event in which the competitor
is given more latitude than in related events (i.e. the swimmer is “free” to
swim a stroke of their choice). However, the term is more commonly used to
describe the competitive swimming stroke otherwise known as the (front crawl or
“crawl”. (See “crawl”)
Goal: A specific
time achievement a swimmer sets and strives for. Can be short- or long-term.
Gutter: The area
along the edge of the pool in which water overflows and is recirculated through
the filtration system.
Heat: A group of
swimmers comprising a portion of those swimmers entered in a single event of a
swim meet. Often more swimmers enter one event than can compete simultaneously
due to pool size limitations. In other words, if twenty swimmers enter Event No.
20 and the venue consists of and eight-lane pool, not all swimmers may race at
the same time. The entrants are then divided into “heats” based on speed.
Typically, the slowest swimmers will compete in the first heat and the fastest
swimmers in the last heat. Times swum from each participant in that event are
then analyzed determining placement (finish order) in the event.
Heat Sheet: Slang
terminology describing a printed “program” for a swim meet that indicates the
type of order of occurrence of each swim event (including the participants’
names and fastest time swum in the past) listed in order of appearance by
“heat”. These listings allow participants and spectators to see where each
swimmer is “seeded” in an event. Sometimes swimmers’ ages as well as specific
lance assignments are included, making it easier to follow the meet and locate
certain swimmers. Often other pertinent information is included in the head
sheet, such as a listing of the teams participating in the meet, the names of
the head coach for each team and number of swimmers entered from each team;
qualifying times for various championship meets; and various advertisements.
High School Rules:
A set of rules established to govern high school swim meets.
These rules are also occasionally utilized to govern swim meets other than high
school swim meets. This set of rules differs from USA-S and YMCA rules.
I.M.: Slang
terminology describing a swim event called the Individual Medley. Participants
in this event are required to swim each of the four swimming strokes in the
following order: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle.
Interval: A
specific time interval determined by the coaching staff within which swimmers
are required to perform specific maneuvers or stroke drills during a training
session. Interval training is a technique used to assist in gaining endurance
and overall conditioning of the swimmers.
Junior Nationals:
National level swim meets held in both short-course and
long-course seasons; one of each to be held on the eastern side of the United
States and one of each to be held on the western side of the United States,
limited to swimmers 18 years of age and under. Qualifying standards must be met,
and swimmers are limited to entry in four individual events and three relays.
Lap Counter: A
set of plastic display numbers that is used to facilitate in counting the number
of a swimmer’s laps swum during a long distance race. Also can be used to refer
to the person stationed at the “turn end” of the pool, who is performing the
duty of selecting the appropriate plastic display number and submerging it
beneath water level in order to communicate with the swimmer and assist in
counting the number of laps swum.
Long Course: A
swimming pool that is 50 meters in length. USA-S conducts most of its outdoor
summer competition in long course pools.
Long Distance:
Any freestyle event equal to or greater in distance than 800 meters.
LSC: The
abbreviation for Local Swim Committee, which is the USA-S governing body for
swimming on a local level.
Marshalling: A
process utilized in age group swimming to facilitate the flow of swimmers to the
starting blocks promptly and in an orderly fashion in order to keep the meet
moving along at a reasonably quick pace. Upon arrival at a swim meet, parents
and swimmers should immediately familiarize themselves with both the marshalling
area and procedure utilized by the host swim club to inform participants when
events are being marshaled. When a swimmer’s event number is being “marshaled,”
the swimmer should go directly to the marshalling area and check in. Swimmers
are then organized by lane and heat and escorted to the starting blocks by
workers of the host club at the appropriate time.
Meet: Slang
terminology referring to a swim meet. (see “Swim Meet”)
Middle Distance:
A term referred to events equal in distance to at least 200 yards/meters but not
greater than 500 yards/meters.
National Age Group Time Standards:
A set of time standards (qualifying times) derived from
previous years’ results that are broken down by age and sex, as well as by “B,”
“A,” “AA,” “AAA,” and “AAAA” divisions. These time designations are national in
nature and may be used for entry or qualifying purposes at various swim meets.
Many LSCs have their own time standards as well.
National Age Group “Top 16” Times:
A set of time standards set for both short and long course swim meets based upon
previous years’ achievements. Only times meeting these standards may be
submitted to USA-S each year for consideration of a national “Top 16” ranking.
Negative Split: A
technique or strategy of swimming the second half of a race at a time which is
equal to or faster than the time swum in the first half of the race.
Official: A judge
who patrols the deck of the pool at a sanctioned swim competition who enforces
the set of rules chosen to govern that particular swim meet (i.e. USA-S , high
school, etc).
Pace Clock: A
large clock containing a large “second” hand and a smaller “minute” hand that is
used to check swimmers’ pace or maintain time intervals at swim practice (may
also be digital in nature).
Prelims: Slang
terminology referring to those races, heats or trials in which swimmers qualify
for the championship and consolation final races of an event.
Pre-Seeding: A
method of “seeding” swimmers in a swimming event that categorizes swimmers into
heats according to each swimmer’s best time, from slowest to fastest (i.e. the
slowest swimmers compete in the first heat and the fastest swimmers compete in
the last heat of the swimming event). This method differs from “deck seeding” in
that entrants are not “reseeding” on the pool deck at the swim meet, if
necessary, base4d upon those entrants who are actually present at the time of
the meet in order to eliminate entrants from the heats who are not present,
Those lands assigned to entrants that are not present will remain empty during
the competition.
Program: (See
“Heat Sheet”)
Proof of Times:
Some championship meets require that entry times for swimmers be proven prior to
competition. This is done by providing the officials at the championship meet
with a copy of the official meet results (signed by the meet referee) from the
meet in which the entry time was attained.
Q-Time: Slang
terminology referring to a qualifying time necessary to be achieved in order to
enter and compete in a particular event and/or competition.
Relay: A swimming
event in which four swimmers compete together as a team achieving one time.
Safety: The
condition of being safe and secure from danger, harm or evil. Safety procedures
are designated to prevent accidents or injury.
Scratch: To
withdraw from a swimming event in a swim competition.
Seed: One’s
ranking among a group of competitors in a sporting event (i.e. in one event of a
swim meet). There are three different methods utilized: (see “Circle Seeding”,
“Deck Seeding” and “Pre-Seeding”).
Senior Swimming:
The program through which USA-S provides fair and open competition in National
Swimming Championships. It is designed to afford maximum opportunity for
participation, provide an educational experience, enhance physical and mental
conditioning and develop a pool of talented athletes for international
competition. There are no age restrictions on senior competition.
Shave Down: The
act of shaving the body of hair prior to championship competition to reduce
resistance (drag) and heighten sensation in the water in an effort to assist in
increasing speed.
Short Course: A
pool consisting of 25 yards or 25 meters in length. USA-S conducts most of its
winter competition in short course pools.
Split: A
swimmer’s intermediate time in a race. Splits are registered every 50 yards or
meters and are used to determine if a swimmer is on record pace according to a
goal. Under certain conditions, splits may also be counted as official times. In
a relay, the time swum for one of the four individuals comprising the relay
team.
Sprint: A term
used to describe short distance events. In training, to swim as fast as possible
for a short distance.
Streamline: A
position in which the swimmer’s body is as straight and tight as it can possibly
be. The arms are positioned about the head with elbows locked, hand over hand.
The head is tucked down between the arms and the legs are held together tightly
with knees locked and toes pointed. This technique is used to reduce drag,
gaining maximum distance beneath the water during a “start” and/or “push off”
from the wall.
Swim Meet: A
sporting event organized by a swim team or swimming body in which certain
swimming events are designated and established for swimmers to enter and
compete. Some swim meets employ the use of qualifying times required for entry.
Competition is designed to serve as a learning experience and to serve as a
measure of improvement for swimmers. By implementing what has been learned and
achieved in practice, swimmers test themselves against the clock in an effort to
achieve certain goals established by the swimmer in conjunction with the
coaching staff.
Taper: A process
utilized in training in which workout intensity is gradually reduced just prior
to championship competition to allow the swimmer’s body and mind to rest and
recover from rigorous training (facilitating the process of rebuilding and
increasing muscle mass).
Touch Pad: A
large sensitive board placed slightly beneath water level on the wall at the
“finish end” of the pool, which registers each swimmer’s time immediately upon
contact with some portion of the swimmer’s body at the conclusion of a race.
Touch pads are used in conjunction with computer software to facilitate the most
accurate compilation of each swimmer’s “official” time.
USA-S: An
abbreviation for United States of America Swimming, Inc., the national governing
body for amateur competitive swimming.
USA-S Card: A
card issued by United States of America Swimming signifying that a swimmer is a
registered member of that organization, indicating the swimmer’s name and
official USA-S Number. Swimmers may be asked to provide proof of
membership at a USA-S swim meet, therefore the card should accompany swimmers to
all USA-S swim meets.
USA-S Number: A
number unique to every swimmer assigned upon joining the United States Swimming
organization, that consists of a combination of letters and numbers (the date of
birth [six digits]) followed by the first three letters of the swimmer’s legal
first name, the first letter of the swimmer’s middle name, and the first four
letters of the swimmer’s last name). For example, Kevin Michael Fogarty, born on
May 20th, 1996, would have a USA-S number of 052096KEVMFOGA. If the
swimmer’s first or last names do not contain enough letters (or if the swimmer
has no middle name) as asterisk will be used to fill in the empty places. If a
duplicate number should occur, the computer at USA-S will send the swimmer a new
membership card, as well as notify the swimmer’s registration chair and the BBD
swim club.
USA-S Rules: A
set of rules established to govern USA-S sanctioned swim meets. Technical rules
are also utilized to govern swim meets beginning on Sept. 1st, 2006.
Warm Down: A
technique constituting the final phase of a training session in which low
intensity swimming is used by swimmers in order to rid the body of excess lactic
acid, and the gradually reduce heart rate and respiration. May also be utilized
immediately after competing in a race.
Warm-up. A technique
constituting the initial phase of a training session in which low intensity
swimming is used by swimmers prior to the middle phase of a training session
to warm muscles and loosen muscle tone and gradually increase heart rate and
respiration. Is also utilized immediately prior to competition.
Order of Events for Dual Meets
|
# |
Girls' Event |
# |
Boys' Event |
|
1
|
8 &
Under Girls 100 Medley Relay |
2 |
8 &
Under Boys 100 Medley Relay |
|
3 |
10 & Under Girls 200 Medley Relay |
4 |
10 & Under Boys 200 Medley Relay
|
|
5 |
11‑12 Girls 200 Medley Relay |
6 |
11‑12 Boys 200 Medley Relay |
|
7 |
13‑14 Girls 200 Medley Relay |
8 |
13‑14 200 Medley Relay |
|
9 |
15‑19 Girls 200 Medley Relay |
10 |
15‑19 Boys 200 Medley Relay |
|
11 |
10 & Under Girls 200
Freestyle |
12 |
10
& Under Boys 200 Freestyle |
|
13 |
11‑12 Girls 200 Freestyle |
14 |
11‑12 Boys 200 Freestyle |
|
15 |
13‑14 Girls 200 Freestyle |
16 |
13‑14 Boys 200 Freestyle |
|
17 |
15‑19 Girls 200 Freestyle |
18 |
15‑19 Boys 200 Freestyle |
|
19 |
8 & Under Girls 100
Individual Medley |
20 |
8 &
Under Boys 100 Individual Medley |
|
21 |
10 & Under Girls 100
Individual Medley |
22 |
10 &
Under Boys 100 Individual Medley |
|
23 |
11‑12 Girls 100 Individual
Medley |
24 |
11‑12 Boys 100 Individual Medley |
|
25 |
13‑14 Girls 100 Individual
Medley |
26 |
13‑14 Boys 100 Individual Medley |
|
27 |
15‑19 Girls 100 Individual
Medley |
28 |
15‑19 Boys 100 Individual Medley |
|
29 |
8 & Under Girls 25 Freestyle |
30 |
8
& Under Boys 25 Freestyle |
|
31 |
10 & Under Girls 50
Freestyle |
32 |
10
& Under Boys 50 Freestyle |
|
33 |
11‑12 Girls 50 Freestyle |
34 |
11‑12 Boys 50 Freestyle |
|
35 |
13‑14 Girls 50 Freestyle |
36 |
13‑14 Boys 50 Freestyle |
|
37 |
15‑19 Girls 50 Freestyle |
38 |
15‑19 Boys 50 Freestyle |
|
39 |
8 & Under Girls 25 Butterfly |
40 |
8 & Under Boys 25 Butterfly |
|
41 |
10 & Under Girls 50
Butterfly |
42 |
10 & Under Boys 50 Butterfly |
|
43 |
11‑12 Girls 50 Butterfly |
44 |
11‑12 Boys 50 Butterfly |
|
45 |
13‑14 Girls 100 Butterfly |
46 |
13‑14 Boys 100 Butterfly |
|
47 |
15‑19 Girls 100 Butterfly |
48 |
15‑19 Boys 100 Butterfly |
|
49 |
8 & Under Girls 50 Freestyle |
50 |
8
& Under Boys 50 Freestyle |
|
51 |
10 & Under Girls 100
Freestyle |
52 |
10
& Under Boys 100 Freestyle |
|
53 |
11‑12 Girls 100 Freestyle |
54 |
11‑12 Boys 100 Freestyle |
|
55 |
13‑14 Girls 100 Freestyle |
56 |
13‑14 Boys 100 Freestyle |
|
57 |
15‑19 Girls 100 Freestyle |
58 |
15‑19 Boys 100 Freestyle |
|
59 |
13‑14 Girls 500 Freestyle |
60 |
13‑14 Boys 500 Freestyle |
|
61 |
15‑19 Girls 500 Freestyle |
62 |
15‑19 Boys 500 Freestyle |
|
63 |
8 & Under Girls 25
Backstroke |
64 |
8 &
Under Boys 25 Backstroke |
|
65 |
10 & Under Girls 50
Backstroke |
66 |
10 &
Under Boys 50 Backstroke |
|
67 |
11‑12 Girls 50 Backstroke |
68 |
11‑12 Boys 50 Backstroke |
|
69 |
13‑14 Girls 100 Backstroke |
70 |
13‑14 Boys 100 Backstroke |
|
71 |
15‑19 Girls 100 Backstroke |
72 |
15‑19 Boys 100 Backstroke |
|
73 |
8 & Under Girls 25 Breaststroke |
74 |
8 &
Under Boys 25 Breaststroke |
|
75 |
10 & Under Girls 50 Breaststroke |
76 |
10 &
Under Boys 50 Breaststroke
|
|
77 |
11‑12 Girls 50 Breaststroke |
78 |
11‑12 Boys 50 Breaststroke |
|
79 |
13‑14 Girls 100 Breaststroke |
80 |
13‑14 Boys 100 Breaststroke |
|
81 |
15‑19 Girls 100 Breaststroke |
82 |
15‑19 Boys 100 Breaststroke |
|
83 |
8 & Under Girls 100 Free Relay |
84 |
8 &
Under Boys 100 Free Relay |
|
85 |
10 & Under Girls 200 Free Relay |
86 |
10 &
Under Boys 200 Free Relay |
|
87 |
11‑12 Girls 200 Free Relay |
88 |
11‑12 Boys 200 Free Relay |
|
89 |
13‑14 Girls 200 Free Relay |
90 |
13‑14 Boys 200 Free Relay |
|
91 |
15‑19 Girls 400 Free Relay |
92 |
15‑19 Boys 400 Free Relay |
