| Questions & Answers |
GENERAL>
Q: What is expected of parents?
A: Swimming is very much a team sport. Our team consists of Coaches, Swimmers and Parents. It is important as a parent that
you participate and volunteer for/with the program. We will need volunteers for various fundraisers and events. In addition, we
need you to encourage your swimmer. There are going to be times where they will struggle and we need to provide as much
support as possible.
Q: Are there going to be non-swim meet team activities?
A: Yes, there will be several opportunities to volunteer for fundraising activities, and we do try to have get togethers for
enjoyment and relaxation.
Q: How do I pay meet fees?
A: You are welcome to pay by cash or check; please place it inside of a sealed envelope with the swimmer’s name on it. It needs
to be placed in the Coach’s folder in the front of the mailboxes.
PRACTICE >
Q: What do the swimmers do at practice?
A: Swim, swim and more swim. Depending on the age and level the swimmer could swim over 50 laps. Instruction is taken on
developing the fundamentals and reinforcing previous practices, plus a big emphasis on building endurance. The coaches try to
use different methods and keep the practices fresh so not to “burn out” any swimmers.
Q: What equipment does a swimmer need for practice?
A: The swimmer will need their standard gear: Swimsuit, goggles, towel and swim cap. We suggest that the swimmer uses a
backpack or bag to keep all this equipment together.
Q: What happens if my swimmer has to miss practice?
A: Missing an occasional practice is acceptable, but a swimmer cannot perform at his/her best without practice. If a swimmer (for
whatever reason) misses several practices, that swimmer may not want to swim in the next meet because their performance may
suffer.
MEETS >
Q: What are Inter-Squad meets?
A: Inter-squad meets are meets where ONLY GSST swimmers compete. The team is separated into a BLUE and WHITE squad
and practice/swim as if they were at a meet.
Q: What are Sanctioned meets?
A: Sanctioned Meets follow the guidelines presented by USA Swimming. The meet is conducted under USA Swimming technical
and administrative rules. All times are recognized by USA Swimming.
Q: What does the fee to USA Swimming cover?
A: You receive several benefits from joining USA Swimming. (www.usaswimming.org)
Q: What are Summer League meets?
A: Summer league meets are held at various local pools in the area. They are often weekday evening events and will consist of
two or three teams.
Q: Where can I get information about meets?
A: The swimmer will have a mailbox (folder) at the Rec Center and meet information will be put in their folder. Please check this
box regularly.
Q: How do we prepare our swimmer(s) for meets?
A: Be at the pool on time for warm-ups. Each team is allotted a certain amount of time and lanes for warm-up. If a swimmer is late
he/she will not be allowed to warm up.
Try to have your swimmer eat an hour before the warm up. This will allow time for the food to digest. Very seldom will a swimmer
have an event immediately after warm-ups, but the one hour rule is a good rule of thumb.
Q: Who gets the swimmers to the starting blocks?
A: It is the swimmer and/or parents responsibility to be positioned in the correct heat and lane. Coaches do not have time to round
up swimmers. Parents need to be respectful of boundaries established at meets allowing only coaches, officials and swimmers.
Q: What do the swimmers do at meets?
A: Based on age and skill level the swimmers will be entered into various events. The events may vary between different meets,
based on how the swimmer has performed in preceding practices. This is very important; after events swimmers are expected to
communicate with the coach for feedback and wait for their next race.
Q: How do swimmers compete at meets?
A: Swimmers are broken down by gender and age group.
The age groups can vary but are normally:
8 and Under or 10 and Under,
11-12,
13-14,
15-16 or 15 and Over.
Q: What should my swimmer eat before and during meets?
A: That depends on the swimmer. The key is to eat a healthy, light breakfast about an hour before meet warm-ups. During the
meet have healthy snacks for your swimmer: fruit, crackers, vegetables, water and/or sports drinks.
Q: How does my swimmer know what events & heats in which they are entered?
A: The events are normally communicated to the swimmer on the last practice before the meet. At the meet, a meet heat sheet is
sold that has a listing of all the events, swimmers and best qualified times. The price of a heat sheet is normally $5-$10,
depending on the meet. It’s important to get your heat sheet early, since they can sell out quickly. Another option is for families to
share sheets to get event information.
Q: How do I read a heat sheet?
A: Think of the heat sheet as a lineup card for the races. It will list all the events with their heats, the swimmers and their lanes. In
addition it will list their best times in that event. Each event is given a sequence number so you can see the level of meet
completion.
Q: How are swimmers selected for a heat and lane?
A: The qualification for selection is based on 1) age and 2) time. The meet tries to group swimmers with similar swimmers of their
skill level. In a 4 heat event, Heat 1 would have the lower swimmers, while Heat 4 would have the faster swimmers. Lanes are
organized in a similar way. The faster swimmers in a particular heat are grouped in the middle lanes (4-5-6), while the slower
(based on best time) will be in the outer lanes.
Q: How do we know if our swimmer is swimming in a relay?
A: If a swimmer is swimming a relay, they will be listed in the heat sheet, if it is not in the heat sheet, the relay status will be
communicated by the coaches.
Q: How soon should I have my swimmer ready for his/her race?
A: Heats can go very quickly. A good rule of thumb is to have your swimmer ready 6-7 heats ahead of their race. In the younger
swimmer’s events they usually only swim 25s, 50s, maybe 100s, but races can go extremely fast, so be ready.
Q: What type of contact will my swimmer have with the coaches during the meet?
A: The coach will be there with the swimmer throughout the meet. Because the coach is responsible for all swimmers, they will be
positioned at a location where they can watch the entire pool. After each event, the swimmer will need to speak to the coach to
discuss the swimmer’s technique in that particular race.
Q: When/where are the scores/times from the meet posted?
A: That will depend on the meet but normally final time sheets are attached to a centralized wall (or board). The results are
grouped by gender.
Q: Is there an award for placing at a meet?
A: That depends on the meet. Many events will reward ribbons for the first six to eight finishes for each event. Awards are given to
the coaches AFTER the event and they are presented to the swimmers at a later date.
Q: My swimmer was disqualified, what can I do?
A: You need to talk to your coach, but please not at the meet. Coaches need to be watching events and talking to swimmers. AT
NO TIME SHOULD A PARENT DISCUSS A DQ WITH AN OFFICIAL. Please remember that judging in swimming is a suggestive
activity, officials must view multiple swimmers under water. It is the policy of all judges/officials to give the swimmer the benefit of
the doubt.
Q: I still have questions?
A: Call Coach Brook at 251-968-1427
Q: What is expected of parents?
A: Swimming is very much a team sport. Our team consists of Coaches, Swimmers and Parents. It is important as a parent that
you participate and volunteer for/with the program. We will need volunteers for various fundraisers and events. In addition, we
need you to encourage your swimmer. There are going to be times where they will struggle and we need to provide as much
support as possible.
Q: Are there going to be non-swim meet team activities?
A: Yes, there will be several opportunities to volunteer for fundraising activities, and we do try to have get togethers for
enjoyment and relaxation.
Q: How do I pay meet fees?
A: You are welcome to pay by cash or check; please place it inside of a sealed envelope with the swimmer’s name on it. It needs
to be placed in the Coach’s folder in the front of the mailboxes.
PRACTICE >
Q: What do the swimmers do at practice?
A: Swim, swim and more swim. Depending on the age and level the swimmer could swim over 50 laps. Instruction is taken on
developing the fundamentals and reinforcing previous practices, plus a big emphasis on building endurance. The coaches try to
use different methods and keep the practices fresh so not to “burn out” any swimmers.
Q: What equipment does a swimmer need for practice?
A: The swimmer will need their standard gear: Swimsuit, goggles, towel and swim cap. We suggest that the swimmer uses a
backpack or bag to keep all this equipment together.
Q: What happens if my swimmer has to miss practice?
A: Missing an occasional practice is acceptable, but a swimmer cannot perform at his/her best without practice. If a swimmer (for
whatever reason) misses several practices, that swimmer may not want to swim in the next meet because their performance may
suffer.
MEETS >
Q: What are Inter-Squad meets?
A: Inter-squad meets are meets where ONLY GSST swimmers compete. The team is separated into a BLUE and WHITE squad
and practice/swim as if they were at a meet.
Q: What are Sanctioned meets?
A: Sanctioned Meets follow the guidelines presented by USA Swimming. The meet is conducted under USA Swimming technical
and administrative rules. All times are recognized by USA Swimming.
Q: What does the fee to USA Swimming cover?
A: You receive several benefits from joining USA Swimming. (www.usaswimming.org)
- Subscription to USA Swimming's award-winning Splash Magazine
- Opportunity to swim in USA Swimming meets, open only to members!
- Eligibility to participate in local and national swimming camps.
- Opportunity to qualify to become a member of the U.S. World or Olympic Swim Teams!
- Track your times through a My USA Swimming account.
- Excess accident and liability insurance – covers all USA Swimming-sanctioned activities.
- Athletes receive certificates of accomplishment by achieving Top 10 times.
- Discounts on travel – special rates on United for travel to USA Swimming events.
Q: What are Summer League meets?
A: Summer league meets are held at various local pools in the area. They are often weekday evening events and will consist of
two or three teams.
Q: Where can I get information about meets?
A: The swimmer will have a mailbox (folder) at the Rec Center and meet information will be put in their folder. Please check this
box regularly.
Q: How do we prepare our swimmer(s) for meets?
A: Be at the pool on time for warm-ups. Each team is allotted a certain amount of time and lanes for warm-up. If a swimmer is late
he/she will not be allowed to warm up.
Try to have your swimmer eat an hour before the warm up. This will allow time for the food to digest. Very seldom will a swimmer
have an event immediately after warm-ups, but the one hour rule is a good rule of thumb.
Q: Who gets the swimmers to the starting blocks?
A: It is the swimmer and/or parents responsibility to be positioned in the correct heat and lane. Coaches do not have time to round
up swimmers. Parents need to be respectful of boundaries established at meets allowing only coaches, officials and swimmers.
Q: What do the swimmers do at meets?
A: Based on age and skill level the swimmers will be entered into various events. The events may vary between different meets,
based on how the swimmer has performed in preceding practices. This is very important; after events swimmers are expected to
communicate with the coach for feedback and wait for their next race.
Q: How do swimmers compete at meets?
A: Swimmers are broken down by gender and age group.
The age groups can vary but are normally:
8 and Under or 10 and Under,
11-12,
13-14,
15-16 or 15 and Over.
Q: What should my swimmer eat before and during meets?
A: That depends on the swimmer. The key is to eat a healthy, light breakfast about an hour before meet warm-ups. During the
meet have healthy snacks for your swimmer: fruit, crackers, vegetables, water and/or sports drinks.
Q: How does my swimmer know what events & heats in which they are entered?
A: The events are normally communicated to the swimmer on the last practice before the meet. At the meet, a meet heat sheet is
sold that has a listing of all the events, swimmers and best qualified times. The price of a heat sheet is normally $5-$10,
depending on the meet. It’s important to get your heat sheet early, since they can sell out quickly. Another option is for families to
share sheets to get event information.
Q: How do I read a heat sheet?
A: Think of the heat sheet as a lineup card for the races. It will list all the events with their heats, the swimmers and their lanes. In
addition it will list their best times in that event. Each event is given a sequence number so you can see the level of meet
completion.
Q: How are swimmers selected for a heat and lane?
A: The qualification for selection is based on 1) age and 2) time. The meet tries to group swimmers with similar swimmers of their
skill level. In a 4 heat event, Heat 1 would have the lower swimmers, while Heat 4 would have the faster swimmers. Lanes are
organized in a similar way. The faster swimmers in a particular heat are grouped in the middle lanes (4-5-6), while the slower
(based on best time) will be in the outer lanes.
Q: How do we know if our swimmer is swimming in a relay?
A: If a swimmer is swimming a relay, they will be listed in the heat sheet, if it is not in the heat sheet, the relay status will be
communicated by the coaches.
Q: How soon should I have my swimmer ready for his/her race?
A: Heats can go very quickly. A good rule of thumb is to have your swimmer ready 6-7 heats ahead of their race. In the younger
swimmer’s events they usually only swim 25s, 50s, maybe 100s, but races can go extremely fast, so be ready.
Q: What type of contact will my swimmer have with the coaches during the meet?
A: The coach will be there with the swimmer throughout the meet. Because the coach is responsible for all swimmers, they will be
positioned at a location where they can watch the entire pool. After each event, the swimmer will need to speak to the coach to
discuss the swimmer’s technique in that particular race.
Q: When/where are the scores/times from the meet posted?
A: That will depend on the meet but normally final time sheets are attached to a centralized wall (or board). The results are
grouped by gender.
Q: Is there an award for placing at a meet?
A: That depends on the meet. Many events will reward ribbons for the first six to eight finishes for each event. Awards are given to
the coaches AFTER the event and they are presented to the swimmers at a later date.
Q: My swimmer was disqualified, what can I do?
A: You need to talk to your coach, but please not at the meet. Coaches need to be watching events and talking to swimmers. AT
NO TIME SHOULD A PARENT DISCUSS A DQ WITH AN OFFICIAL. Please remember that judging in swimming is a suggestive
activity, officials must view multiple swimmers under water. It is the policy of all judges/officials to give the swimmer the benefit of
the doubt.
Q: I still have questions?
A: Call Coach Brook at 251-968-1427
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