General Questions
What to Bring to a Meet?
* Team suit, goggles, cap(s), extra towels
* Blanket, parka, sweats, etc. (something to keep warm on cold mornings and evenings)
* Something to snack on / eat (most meets offer food at reasonable prices)
* Sharpie pen to write swimmer's name, heat, and lane
* Optional Shade: Umbrella / Pop up tent
* Lawn chair or lawn blanket to sit on
* Water to stay hydrated
* Sunscreen
* Great Attitude
What are Time Trials?
Time trials are the first meet of the season. These times are used to obtain each swimmer's base time for each stroke, and seed swimmers for their first meet. If a swimmer misses time trials, their first swim time in any event becomes their base time. This a great opportunity for parents to learn how to do the various swim meet jobs, such as timing, shepherding, recording, etc.
What are Non-League Meets?
Additional meets we schedule with teams who are not in our league. These meets provide additional swim opportunities for all of our swimmers. The roster of non-league teams we swim again can change from year to year.
What are Dual Meets? A dual meet is a meet between us and one other team. Most of our meets are dual meets and they last for about 3 hours. We schedule dual meets on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings throughout June and July.
What are Invitational Meets? Invitational meets include many teams determined by the Host Team. Registration is optional and costs for these events vary. Families are responsible for fees, and meeting registration deadlines. Fees are non-refundable.
How Long do Swim Meets Last? Dual meets (meets with two teams) on Wednesdays and Saturdays should last about 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Invitational meets (meets with multiple teams) vary depending on the size of each team, so please plan accordingly.
When Does my Child Warm-up? Swimmers should plan to arrive at the pool no later than 1/2 hour before the start time for away meets, and 1 hour prior to the start time for home meets. Age Groups 9 and up warm-up first. 6-unders and 7-8s warm-up during the last few minutes of the BEST warm-up swim period and will only swim a few laps.
Does my Swimmer have to Warm-up Before a Meet? Warm-ups are strongly encouraged, however, you will be allowed to swim in a meet even if you miss warm-ups. Walls and blocks are different at every pool, so warm-ups help swimmers be prepared on what to expect. Warm-ups are also a great way to warm up your muscles before you swim to help avoid injury. We usually do not recommend 6 and under to warm-up unless they want to as they tend to get grumpy and worn out a lot faster then other age groups. If your child feels like warming up we definitely encourage it.
What is the order of a Medley Relay? Backstroke, Breastroke, Butterfly, Freestyle
What is the Order of an Individual Relay? Butterfly, Backstroke, Breastroke, Freestyle
How to Mark your Swimmers that are 8 and Under? Write on your swimmers back with a permanent marker. Last Name, First Initial - Age (Ex. Doe, J - 7/8) then under that all events they are swimming in listing in order of Stroke, Heat-Lane (Ex. FR 1-3, (for Freestyle, Heat 1, Lane 3)
Should look like this:
(all on back for shepherds / coach to see easily)
Doe, J 7/8
#25 FR 1-3
#36 BK 2-4
#49 FLY 1-2
How to Mark your Swimmers that are 9 and Older? Write on your swimmers back with a permanent market their Last Name, First Intitial (Ex. Doe, J). All events should be written on their hand so they can keep track of their events since they won't have a shepherd assisting them. On their hand they should write Event Number, Stroke, and Heat-Lane (Ex. #25 BK 2-4, (for Event #25, Backstroke, Heat 2, Lane 4)
Should look like this:
(on back)
Doe, J
(on hand)
#25 BK 2-4
#36 BR 1-5
#49 FR 1-3
How do I get the Permanent Marker off my Child's Skin After a Meet is Over? Baby oil or spray on sunscreen does the trick! Great to apply in the shower if you want to avoid the mess.
How many Events Can my Child Swim in at a Meet? Swimmers are allowed to swim a maximum of three individual events and two relays each meet. The Coach decides the events in which each swimmer is entered.
How Many Laps Does my Child Swim for Each Event?
8 and under = one lap (25 yards)
9-14 years = 2 laps (50 yards)
15-18 years = 4 laps (100 yards)
7-18 years = 100 IM (4 laps, one of each stroke)
Can I Drop Off My Child At the Meet?
NO! There must always be a legal guardian present or an adult that you designate to be in charge of your child in case of an emergency.
Can we Leave the Meet When my Child is Done?
Yes, however, we encourage your child to stay and cheer on their teammates!
Will my Child Improve at Every Swim Meet?
No. Swimmers are working hard all season long and some days they are more tired than others. In some meets, swimmers might go their best times, while in the next meet they might go slower. This is normal.
What Can my Child Do to Try and Avoid Disqualification During a Meet (ages 7 and up)?
Avoid false starts for all swims (a swimmer who falls or slips off the starting block before the start of a race without intention to begin or delay the swim shall not be disqualified)
Freestyle: Feet must touch the wall on turn. No part of the body may touch the bottom of the pool.
Backstroke: Both feet must be entirely in water at start of race. Must stay on back the entire race except on flip turn. Once the swimmer turns onto the stomach for the turn the arm and body must be in continuous turning action.
Breaststroke: Head must break surface after each pull before hands turn upward at widest part of the stroke. Hands start backward progression. Both hands must touch at turn and finish. Hands cannot touch one at a time.
Butterfly: Feet must stay together on kick. Two hand touch at turn and finish. Hands cannot touch one at a time. No underwater recovery (breaststroke pull into wall).
Can my 6 and Under be Disqualified During a Dual Meet?
They will not disqualified except under either of the following circumstances:
i. when violating the rules of Article 101 affords the swimmer a "decided advantage" over another swimmer, or
ii. When, in the judges' opinion, the swimmer willfully violates the rules in an attempt to gain an advantage over another competitor.
We are trying to provide leniency to the young swimmers who are still learning the proper form of the stroke, or who are physically unable to perform the stroke. Infractions which "do not make a difference" such as a one-handed touch when a two-hand touch is required, or grabbing onto the lane line to rest, should not be used to disqualify a swimmer. Infractions, which enable the swimmer to beat another competitor who is performing the stroke correctly, such as flutter kicking while swimming the butterfly, or change to a freestyle stroke at the end of the breaststroke race, should be grounds for disqualification.
Can my Child Swim Up an Age Group?
During any one meet, a swimmer may swim all of his/her individual events in his/her own age group and he/she may swim up in an older age group in one or both Medley and Free Relays but is allowed to swim a relay event, Medley and/or Free Relay only once. However, if a swimmer swims up an age group in an individual event he/she must swim in that age group for the entire meet, including relays.
What is Buddy Night?
Buddy Night is an event that Bishop Estates Swim Team hosts that provides an opportunity for swimmers to spend time outside of practice and a meet with their assigned buddy from swim team. This is also a great way for families and swimmers to get to know each other better and interact outside of a meet. A Buddy Night can be an evening at the pool for the kids to swim free play with floaties, games/activities to participate in outside of the pool, and potluck style dinner. Traditionally kids will bring their buddy a small gift, but it is not required.
