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The Meet Starts
1.
Know what events your swimmer is competing
in.
It is important for swimmer to know what event numbers he is
swimming. Again, a heat sheet and sharpie are a swim parent’s
best friends!
2.
Listen for
event announcements.
Upcoming events are usually announced over the loudspeaker,
asking swimmers to report to the starting blocks or to the
“bullpen, “ a staging area used at very large meets or
for swimmers 8 years and younger. Swimmers should report with cap
and goggles. Example: “Event #26, 10-Under Boys, 50
freestyle, first call to report to the starting
blocks.”
3.
Check in
with the coaches.
GSC coaches ask their swimmers to check in with them before
each race. This is when coaches give last minute reminders and
encouragement to the swimmers about their upcoming race. Swimmers
should allow enough time when reporting to the blocks for this
important step!
4.
Report to
the Clerk of Course.
§
Some meets will have a clerk of course. This is an
area where all swimmers in that event are assigned their proper
heat and lane assignments. Clerk of course will post heat and lane
assignments on the pool deck. The swimmer needs to know where these
are posted. It is then up to the swimmer to go to the starting
blocks a few events prior to their swim so they do not miss their
event. The clerk of course will lead younger swimmers out to the
starting blocks for their event.
§
It is important for each swimmer to know what event
they are swimming. They need to listen to the announcer as to which
event is being called to the blocks or to the clerk of course.
§
The timers behind the starting blocks often check to
make sure that swimmers are lined up in the right order. However,
it is always a good idea to have your swimmer check in with the
lane timers to make sure they are in the right lane and
heat.
§
Swimmers should cheer for each of their teammates
while the meet is going on.
5.
Parents,
find a seat.
According to USA Swimming rules, parents are not allowed on
deck unless they are serving in an official capacity. Parents must
sit in the spectator area, usually bleachers on the side of the
pool.
6.
Swimmers, swim your race.
§
The announcer will announce the event prior to the first race
in that event. For example "Event #1 Girls, 8 and under 25
yard freestyle, there are 5 heats, heat 1". After the 1st
heat the announcer will only say the heat number until the
next event starts.
§
They will blow a whistle to let the swimmers know it is time to
get up on the blocks. Once this whistle is blown, the
officials need quiet so everyone can hear the call for the start of
the race. Please be courteous and not yell for your child
until after the starting buzzer sounds.
§
Once the swimmers are all up on the starting blocks, the
announcer will say "take your mark"
§
The swimmers will all assume a starting position that suits
them - once everyone is motionless, they will press the starting
buzzer. Warn your children whistles are to let them know to
get ready, buzzer means go.
§
Once they have started to race, cheering is acceptable.
If you are a cheering person, cheer but many swimmers tell us
that they cannot really hear people cheering. If the
mood hits ya - cheer, if not, they know you love and support
them!
§
The other parents/teams are there supporting and loving their
kids too. Be kind and supportive of other
teams/swimmers/families. Kids are not swimming
"against" other swimmers; they are swimming "with" them. Make
friends! You will soon notice you see the same faces at all
the races and it is fun for parents as well as the children to
visit with their swimming friends outside the
GSC.
7.
Check in with the coaches...again!
§
Time to see how all that hard work in practice is going to pay
off! After each race, your swimmer should go immediately to their
coach. Generally, the coaches follow these guidelines after a race:
a) Positive comments or praise b) Suggestions for
improvement.
§
Your child WILL get DQed (disqualified) at some point. It
happens. They are not computer programs and swimming has a
LOT of rules to remember. Let the coaches talk about the
mistake....our job as parents is to be proud, say good job, and get
them ready to go out there again.
8.
Check in
with parents. Parents
should follow these guidelines after your swimmer’s
race:
9.
Tell your swimmer how great they did! The coaching staff will
be sure to discuss stroke technique with them. You just need to
tell your swimmer how proud you are of their effort.
10.
Take your swimmer back to the spectator area and relax, find
something to eat, and wait for next event to be
called.
11.
Repeat above steps until all events have been
completed.
12.
Final check
in with the coaches before heading home. When a
swimmer has completed all of his events for the day, he is able to
go home. Be sure, however, to 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 he is not
there.
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