Lancer’s Swim Meet parent guide

Swim meets are a new experience for many Lancer swimmers, and parents the following is information to make that experience more enjoyable.

Swim meets often have 300 to 700 swimmers entered in a meet. Our home meet has a maximum of 500 swimmers. Pool deck space is limited so we ask parents and swimmers not to “camp out” on the pool deck. A designated “Crash area” (usually a gymnasium) is more comfortable for swimmers and their families. Both the West and East gym will be reserved at Harney pool.

Swimmers are to see there coach before and immediately following their event. In order for corrections/praise to be effective it needs to be given while the event is still fresh in both the swimmers mind and coaches.

Coaches and Officials make every effort to see that swimmers are in the correct heat and lane. However; it is up to the swimmer to be at the correct place at the correct time and pay attention once they are behind the starting blocks. Parents are not allowed behind the blocks unless they are a timer. Some but not all swim meets have a staging area called the “clerk of the course”. The event name and number are announced in the gym and pool deck swimmers should then report to the clerk of the course. The Clerk of the course will organize and place swimmers in proper heat and lane.

Pictures may be taken but NO flash photography is allowed at the start.  

Lancer parents and swimmers have a reputation for being one of the most supportive and polite teams in our League. We lead by example and take pride in being a positive roll model for all teams.

What to bring to the meet!

·         Direction to the pool/event entry sheet  Posted on the web-site 1-2    days before

·         Swim gear—cap/goggles/suit/2 towels/sweat suit for swimmer

·         Snacks (Apples/oranges/breakfast bars/cheese stick/crackers/sandwiches

·         Drinks (Water/Gatorade)

·         Sleeping bag or blanket for swimmer to lounge on in crash area between events

·         Book/homework/small games/deck of card to keep them busy between events (Please secure high cost items such as I-Pods or leave them home)

·         Lawn chairs (a must for parents)

 Heat sheet or psych sheets are sold at the meet. If your child entered late they will not be listed in the program these are printed 3 to 5 days ahead of the meet.

 Food is sold in the concession area (this is a fund raiser for the host team). Most meets have a vendor selling various swim gear, T-shirt/goggles/suits

 Event results are posted in the crash area, designated hall or lobby. The times posted are usually accurate, electronic touch pads are very sensitive and are backed up with two stop watches. When there is a large discrepancy between the touch pads and stop watches an average is taken to determine the time.  

Swim meet rules and etiquette

1.     Good sportsmanship – no arguing with official’s/throwing goggles/temper tantrums.

2.     No diving in the pool during general warm-ups; during warm-up enter the pool feet first (Starts which are conducted at the end of general warm-up’s are when you are allowed to dive in under coach control) Swimmers can be removed from the meet, this is a safety issue.

3.     Disqualifications are handled by the Official’s/Judges please do not confront or argue with an official or judge this can result in your removal from the meet. If we become “unglued” our swimmers miss the opportunity to learn from their mistake, and how to do it correctly next time.

4.     Please police your trash up in the crash area and pool deck

5.     Don’t compare your child with another on the team or worse with a sibling (each child learns at there own pace).

6.     Cheer for your child as well as their teammates and friends.

7.     Avoid the temptation to coach or give your child last minute tips, the coach has specific technique tasks that they will give your child and too much coaching will only lead to confusion and failure.

8.     Don’t participate in negative conversations or gossiping about other swimmers/parents/coaches. If you have concerns or issues please speak to your coach after the meet or between sessions.

9.     Do Not be late for warm-ups, coaches are required to turn in a scratch sheet during warm-ups (late arrivals risk being dropped from the meet with NO REFUNDS)