CSRA Sailfish Swim Team

Click the pdf link below to learn about heat sheets and how to mark your swimmers' events on his or her arm.

General Tips

Your first swim meet can be a bit overwhelming for swimmers and parents. Here are some tips to make your first meet go smoothly!

1. Swim meets can be long and hot, sometimes lasting four hours or more.
2. Swim meets can be crowded and, at times, loud. Be prepared for lots of people! The baby pool is closed during swim meets so bring something for younger siblings to do while the swim meet is going on. For Away meets, please be respectful of other teams’ pool rules, as they aren’t always the same as our rules.
3. Bad weather can interfere with meets. Because it is the summer and thunderstorms pop up, be prepared for bad weather. If there is thunder, the kids must get out of the pool and all families must clear the pool deck and wait for 30 minutes. These rules are for everyone’s safety. We do not like to call meets early, but will do so if the weather does not clear up in a timely manner. If the meet is called before the Individual Medley event is complete (which is just past the meet mid-point) we will postpone the remainder of the meet and schedule a make-up date. We will try to maximize the chances of completing the meet in one day, however, due to all that is involved with a rescheduled date. The Team Representatives from both teams will make the final call as to waiting out the weather or calling the meet.
4. Swim meets are loads of fun! This is a fun, family-oriented league. Meets are like big summer parties. Enjoy your time with other families. Cheer on the kids – they love to hear the crowd encouraging them as they swim. Try cheering for every heat…the last few heats in each event often include swimmers who really enjoy fan support.

What To Bring

1. Plenty of food – for your swimmers (and for you!). No glass is allowed on the pool deck. Food is usually sold at both home and away meets. You can always visit the concession stand. Some clubs only accept cash, so please don’t count on being able to use a card.
2. Plenty of water. It likely will be hot, and even though the kids are in the water and may not feel thirsty, their bodies need constant hydration. Please remind your children to drink plenty of water throughout the meet.
3. An extra towel for each swimmer. The kids will be in and out of the water quite a bit and their towels will get wet. It’s nice to have a dry towel to use mid-way through the meet. Some evening meets may get a bit chilly. Having a blanket in the car is not a bad idea.
4. Bug Spray.
5. Sunscreen. Shade can be scarce at meets.
6. Pop-up tent, if you have one.
7. Folding / tailgate chairs. Seating can be scarce as well.
8. Cards/Games/Activities. There can lots of downtime at meets. Some clubs do have playgrounds for younger kids, but many families also bring cards, books or other activities to occupy their kids.
9. Extra goggles & swim cap. It is very stressful for the kids to realize that their goggles are broken just before they race. The same goes for torn caps – it happens. Expect something to break at the last minute. It will help your swimmer feel more comfortable and less stressed if you are prepared.

Navigating The Swim Meet

1. Bring your heat sheet. Heat sheets typically will be sent out by email prior to home meets. If you would like a paper copy, please print out your heat sheet at home and bring it with you. For away meets, sometimes we are not given heat sheets. In that event, our coaches will tell the kids their events, heats and lanes for their swims. Heat sheets typically are posted at the host pool.
2. Writing down your child’s events. You will see many swimmers with their event number, heat number and lane number written on their arms or legs with Sharpie markers. This helps the kids keep track of which events they are swimming, which heat they are in and which lane they need to be in before the start of the race. This is very helpful to get everyone lined up for their events. It also helps teach them some self-responsibility. For younger swimmers (under 11) please write your child’s first and last name and age on the back of their right shoulder blade. This helps coaches, shepherd, and meet timers quickly identify swimmers throughout the meet. It is helpful to have your swimmer's name and events written on them before you arrive to the meet.
3. Volunteers make swim meets possible. We ask at least one member of each family volunteers for half of every meet their swimmer participates in. If you are unable to volunteer at your assigned time, it is your responsibility to find a replacement and notify the volunteer coordinators.
4. Relays are always fun. Our coaches will do their best to have each child swim in at least one relay during the season. If you need to leave a meet early, please let the coaches know so that they can plan the relays accordingly. If your child scratches from a relay, that means the other children cannot swim, so please communicate your plans with your coaches!
5. Please do not approach the computer table with questions. The volunteers running the computers are working hard to keep the meet running and score the meet. If you have a question concerning your child or his/her times, please ask a coach or parent representative.
6. DQ’s – a DQ happens when a swimmer makes a mistake in swim technique, or commits another rule infraction, and is “disqualified”. DQ’s are not a big deal and should not be a cause for concern. EVERY swimmer gets a DQ at some point, even Olympic swimmers! DQ’s should not be viewed as a penalty, but rather a learning opportunity, and a chance for our coaches to see where your child may need help, and then work on the issue during swim practice. All DQ’s are written down on slips that are reviewed by our coaches. Our league takes DQ’s seriously, both to promote fairness between teams, and to help teach our young swimmers the rules of the sport. Our meets include at least two (2) stroke judges at all times, one from each team. In addition, the starter (who is not a stroke judge) makes all determinations on false starts. Just a few examples of reasons for DQ’s include (1) failure to make a two-hand (simultaneous) wall touch during breast stroke or butterfly, (2) putting feet down on the bottom of the pool during a race, and (3) leaving the staring block before the sound of the horn (or leaving early during a relay). Please encourage you child and emphasize the positives if he or she gets a DQ.
7. Where should we sit? The before meet email will detail where you should sit depending on home or away meet locations. Please avoid the starters area, computer operator area, behind the blocks, and sheperd staging area.
8. How does my child make it to their races? The Sheperds for your child’s age group with gather the children 3-5 events before that swimmer’s event and have them lined up. Even though we have shepherds lining the kids up, it is ultimately the parent’s responsibility to make sure the swimmer is where they need to be. Please make sure your swimmer stays close by and you are paying attention to order of events and starter announcements so your swimmer doesn't miss their race!
9. For meet efficiency we will try to combine heats to swim full lanes every heat. This may mean your child's heat/lane changes. Please instruct your child to inform the timer at the end of the lane of their name to verify the correct time is recorded for the correct swimmer.

One of the most helpful things you can do as a new swim parent is to talk to a seasoned Swim Team parent. A fellow parent who can answer questions and help you through your first meet will go a long way toward maximizing your meet experience!

And as always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to email the Swim Team representative or talk to any of our coaches.

Understanding Disqualifications

A false start or any violation of the stroke rules, witnessed by an appropriate official, results in the disqualification (DQ) of the swimmer.

DQs are a crucial part of swimmers’ development. They strictly enforce proper stroke technique and should be considered educational not punitive.

Officials and Procedures

Stroke and Turn Judges are responsible for the enforcement of stroke rules. A DQ slip (form) is written up and signed by the Judge. One copy of the form is submitted to the Data Table for recording and one copy is submitted to the Team Representative who subsequently informs the Coach.

The Starter has responsibility for ensuring a fair start to each race. A false start occurs whenever a swimmer starts prior to the starting signal.

Stroke Judges ensure that relay exchanges are fair. A fair exchange occurs when the departing swimmer is in contact with the pool deck when the incoming swimmer touches the end of the pool. Two Judges are assigned to each end of the pool and both Judges must independently observe a violation (dual confirmation) for a disqualification to be declared.

Officials are trained always to give the benefit of the doubt to the swimmer. Any violation called by an official is an "I saw" not an "I think I saw."

Common DQs

Freestyle

Failure to touch the wall at the turning end of the pool.

Walking on the bottom or pulling on the lane lines.

DQs are rare in freestyle.

Backstroke

Not staying on back.

Improper flip turn.

Breaststroke

Non-simultaneous 2-hand touch, or 1-hand touch at turn or finish

Incorrect kick such as scissor or flutter kick

Arm pull past waistline.

Two arm pulls without intervening kick.

Two kicks without intervening arm pull.

Butterfly

Arm(s) under water during recovery, judged at the elbows.

Non-simultaneous 2-hand touch, or 1-hand touch at turn or finish

Incorrect kick, flutter kick, breaststroke kick, non-simultaneous leg movements during kicks

Non-simultaneous arm movement.

Relay Races

Any stroke violation above

Swimmer leaves the deck before the previous swimmer touches the wall.

Running start, or swimmer is pushed at start.

False Start

Swimmer starts the race before starting signal is given.