Osprey Aquatics—Meet FAQ

The entry time should be determined by using the fastest time achieved by the swimmer in a USA Swimming sanctioned event. This must take into account both the times achieved in that event (for example: 100 yard Freestyle (Short Course)) and the converted time from the equivalent events, (100 meter Freestyle (Long Course)). Formulas for converting times are included below. In a pinch, use the slowest time that qualifies the swimmer for the event, (i.e. the slowest "B" time at a "B/A+ Meet"). If the swimmer has never competed in a particular event, ask the coach to provide an "estimated time." Parents should not be deciding that their child can swim in an A+ meet or even a B/A+ meet if they have no time, without the coaches approval.

More and more meets are allowing for on-line meet entries. The web site for meet entries will be found on the meet sheet. If the team hosting the meet is using Swim Connection for meet entries, then your swimmer's times can be automatically entered. However, you should still verify that the times are correct, in particular if the fastest time for a particular event is a converted time or was swum in a previous season.

** Unless a meet accepts 'no time' entries, it is not a good idea to enter "No Time" for an event. Many meets reject this type of entry and consequently fail to register the swimmer for that event.

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What must I do at a meet?

Wait... and wait... and wait... But seriously, swim meets are a great family experience! They are a place where the whole family can spend time together. Listed below are some guidelines geared to help you through your first couple of swim meets.

Before the Meet Starts

Arrive at the pool before the scheduled warm-up time. This time will be listed in the meet information handed out to all Osprey swimmers and in the team newsletter.

Upon arrival, find a place to put your swimmer’s blankets, swim bags and sleeping bags. The team usually sits together, so look for the Big Blue EZ-UP and some familiar faces.

Your swimmer will need to "check in." This is usually done at the "Clerk of Course." Ask where "Heat and Lane Assignments" will be posted.

Your swimmer will need to circle the number of each event they are swimming, that day. Only those swimmers that check in will be allowed swim.

Once "checked in," write each event-number on your swimmer’s hand in ink. This helps them remember what events they are swimming and what event numbers to listen for.

Your swimmer now reports to the coach for warm-up instructions. It is very important for all swimmers to warm-up with the team.

After warm-up, your swimmer should return to the team area and wait until their event is "Posted." This is a good time to make sure they go to the bathroom, get a drink, or just are settled in.

The meet will usually start about 10-15 minutes after warm-ups are over.

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What is the "Four-Hour Rule?"

USA Swimming Rules & Regulations state:

205.3.1 F - With the exception of championship meets, the program in all other age group competition shall be planned to allow the events for swimmers 12 years and younger to be completed in four (4) hours or less for a timed finals session or in a total of eight (8) hours or less per day for a preliminaries and finals meet.

Because of the popularity of Swimming in our area, this rule makes it very difficult to host a meet. In order to comply with this rule, teams often:

Impose a "Cap" on the meet, (limit the meet to a certain number of swimmers)

Choose shorter events

Require minimum or maximum qualification times (such as "C/B" or "AA+")

Limit the number of events for each competitor

Rule that swimmers may swim the first or last event, (but not both)

Require a "Scratchdown"

Swim from both ends

Swim two courses (Odd & Even Heats or Events)

Swim "Two-to-a-lane"

Do "Dive-Over" starts

Split the meet into two sessions by age group

Split the meet into two venues

Meet hosts are required to monitor and project a meet timeline based on the entries they receive. They must reject all entries received after it becomes apparent that the 4-hour rule has been exceeded. This is the reason why our team's entries are sometimes returned.

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What is a "Scratch Down?"

Sometimes meets get too large. If the Referee and the Meet Director determine that the meet will run too long, they can require that swimmers choose the three or four events that they most want to swim and scratch the rest. That is, they must "Scratch Down" to three events. Scratch Downs cause a great deal of confusion at a meet. Often, scratch downs are announced on the first morning of the meet. Just when the athletes should be checking in and warming up, they are told that they must scratch down. They must find their coach, choose the events that they want to swim and get back in line to check in. If you know that a scratch down is required, discuss this with your coach in advance.

Pacific Swimming rules require that "Scratch Downs" apply equally to both genders and all age groups. Referees rarely require that an athlete scratch to fewer than three events. You are entitled to an immediate cash refund for all mandatory scratches. Meet hosts often offer a coupon for use at the snack bar. You may accept this but they are required to give you cash if you request it.

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