Shouse Village Sharks Swim Team

Transcription

1 Shouse Village Sharks Swim Team Parents Handbook 2016 Edition Members of Northern Virginia Swim League

2 Version History No Section Attachments (pg 36-38) Team Records (pg 8) Attendance Policy (pg 12) Seeding and Meet Sheets (pg 22) 5 Awards (pg 20) 6 Limited Social Activities (pg 10) 7 Seeding (pg 15 & 22) 8 Rules for Competition (pg 5 & Att 5) Change (blue text identifies change since last season) Updated to reflect 2010 season To help the Team Rep identify when a record is broken, it is the responsibility of the parents and swimmer to inform the team rep Seeding meets is not to be based on practice attendance Clarify guidelines for seeding A-meets to reinforce use of the fastest swimmer as documented by time on books for individual and relay events New section on Special Awards identifying a standard set of trophies & award criteria Limitations on participants at swim team social activities; team members vs. non-team members Clarify guidelines for seeding Divisionals; swimmers who were available to compete in A meets will have priority in divisional seeding open lanes can be filled with swimmers who may not have been available for an A-meet. New NVSL Standards of Conduct in Attachment 5 which promote good behavior for meet participants, officials, and spectators 9 Att 1-6 Updated Attachments: Who s who, season schedule, addresses, clinic dates 10 B-meet Rules New B-meet rules include unofficial heats at Updated (Att 6) end of each stroke regardless of age/sex 11 A meet Rules New A meet rules include change in Age Up rule, Updated and adding 25m Fly to 8&Unders for A meets 12 B-meet Rules IM s do receive ribbons. Event Numbering has Updated changed, events are numbered 1-46 and 1-54 when IM s are included. 13 All General wording throughout for clarity and less repetition. Added financial hardship rules. Date (Swim Committee Adopted change) Standard May 08 July 08 Sept 08 March 09 June 09 April 10 April 10 April 10 Mar 2010 B-meet Mtg May 2012 May 2013 Feb

3 Table of Contents Page No. 1. ABOUT THE SHARKS SWIM TEAM HOW WE'RE ORGANIZED IMPORTANT BASIC STUFF HOW TO STAY INFORMED SOCIAL: WE'D RATHER HAVE FUN THAN BE IN DIVISION ONE! MEET AND PRACTICE ATTENDANCE, ETC EXPLANATION OF OFFICIAL LEAGUE EVENTS SWIMMING COMPETITION DECIDING WHO SWIMS SO, THIS IS YOUR FIRST SWIM MEET? MY KID SAYS SHE'S SUPPOSED TO SWIM LIKE A BUTTERFLY VOLUNTEERS: WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE DRESSED IN WHITE? WHADDAYA MEAN MY KID DQ'D? HINTS TO HELP YOUR SWIMMER BE MORE SUCCESSFUL SWIM INSTRUCTION AND YEAR-ROUND SWIM PROGRAMS Attachment 1: Who s Who 2015 of Shouse Village Officials Attachment 2: 2015 Swim Team Schedule Attachment 3: Addresses to Pools for 2015 Away Meets Attachment 4: Schedule of NVSL 2015 Officials Clinics Attachment 6: Summary of Vienna Area B Meet Rules

4 1. ABOUT THE SHARKS SWIM TEAM Our Philosophy The philosophy of the Shouse Village Sharks Swim Team is that having fun is the most important thing we can do. Most of the kids don't care if we're in a top division or a bottom division. We'd all like to be division champions and we achieved that goal with our championships in the 1997,1998, 2005 and 2009 seasons. But only one team out of six can claim this honor. Personal development is what is most important and for a swimmer that means improving your times. We believe that by establishing a healthy environment that encourages our kids to do their best, recognizes their contributions, and is fun for the entire family, we will have met our goals. We've all taken our kids to sports events and stood on the sidelines as spectators as two or three parents ran the team. Swimming isn't like that. Because it takes more than 50 parents to run a typical swim meet, parents should expect to volunteer at the meets your child swims. Swimming is also unique in that there's a place on the team for anyone 18 years old or younger who can swim across the pool without assistance. How many other sports have kids five years old to 18 years old on the same team cheering for each other? Expectations Although swimming is considered an individual sport, our summer league is structured with an emphasis on the team. Any team is only as good as the people on it. In keeping with our philosophy articulated above, our expectations are simple: 1. The Shouse Village Sharks is not a swim lesson program. A swimmer must be able to pass the pool swim test to join the team. We don't care how fast or slow, or how beautiful the stroke is. Our coaches will help your child become a better swimmer, but in fairness to the other 80- plus swimmers on the team, we must insist that all swimmers be able to swim. Your child will feel better about being on the team if he or she is roughly competitive with other kids the same age. 2. Keep your commitments: We're planning on swimmers being available for all swim meets unless you tell us otherwise, preferably at least three days in advance. 3. Pay attention to the coaches: Disruption isn't fair to the other swimmers. 4. Do your best: It's a lot more important than being the best. 5. Have fun! 4

5 2. HOW WE'RE ORGANIZED Northern Virginia Swim League Membership The Shouse Village Sharks was first organized in 1971 with 35 swimmers and joined the Northern Virginia Swim League (NVSL) in The NVSL began in 1956 with eight member pools with the goal of sponsoring competitive swimming and diving among the community pools in northern Virginia. It has grown to become the largest summer swim league in the U.S., with more than 10,000 swimmers on more than 100 teams. During the offseason, the NVSL ranks teams based on swimmers' times and each team's prior year performance, and then divides the teams, based on these rankings, into divisions of five or six teams. Vienna Developmental Swim League Our team also participates in a developmental swim league that currently includes local pools Cardinal Hill, Hunter Mill, Dunn Loring, Lakevale, Vienna Aquatic, and Vienna Woods. These swim teams also are NVSL members but not normally in our division. While our developmental league is officiated in the same manner as the NVSL program, these meets are not scored, and give all swimmers particularly newer, younger swimmers a chance to race. These meets also serve as an excellent training ground for parents who are officiating for the first time. For more information about A and B-meets, please Sec. 8 Swimming Competition. Rules for Swimming Competition U.S.A. Swimming is the governing body for swimming in the United States that establishes rules for the different strokes and the conduct of competition. The NVSL and Vienna Developmental Leagues base their operating rules on U.S.A. Swimming guidelines, modified somewhat to accommodate the facilities and skill levels of our member organizations. Each member family of the Shouse Sharks may receive a copy of the official NVSL Handbook that contains detailed explanations of all the NVSL s rules and regulations that govern our meets. Refer to NVSL Standards of Conduct in Attachment 5 which promotes good behavior for meet participants, officials, and spectators. SVCA Sponsorship The Sharks Swim Team is sponsored by the Shouse Village Community Association (SVCA), which owns and manages our pool facilities. The SVCA provides coaches' salaries through funds appropriated from the annual member assessment and is reflected in the SVCA budget. The Sharks Swim Team pays for all other team expenses any additional salary and bonuses, NVSL insurance premiums, team T-shirts, trophies, ribbons, equipment, supplies, etc. through registration fees, donations, and concession stand sales, which is our main source of income. Surplus income is contributed back to the community generally in the form of pool improvements. Team Management: Swim Team Committee, Team Rep, and Coaches The Swim Team Committee manages the team in coordination with a member of the SVCA Board of Directors, who serves as Board liaison to the swim team. Committee members are responsible for running our swim program, including: hiring the coaches; recruiting parent volunteers; organizing and managing concession operations; handling the team's finances, registration, and other fund-raising activities; buying equipment and supplies; and planning the 5

6 team's social events and awards ceremony. Various committee members handle these jobs (with the help of a great many other swim parents) and also fill numerous officiating jobs at meets. The NVSL Team Representatives ("reps") are also volunteer parents responsible to the Swim Team Committee and is our main representative with the NVSL and the other teams in our division. The Team Reps manage our A-meets, organize officials, prepares our pool for home A- meets, prepares meet entry lists, and maintains team records and results. In turn, the B-meet coordinator organizes officials and time cards for B-meets. The coaches are responsible for managing the swimming portion of our swim team program, and answer to the Swim Team Committee chair and Team Reps. Who's Who A Sharks Swim Team Who's Who can be found in Attachment 1. A description of all officiating roles is included in the section, "Who Are All These People Dressed in White? 6

7 3. IMPORTANT BASIC STUFF Membership Requirements Membership on the Sharks is open to all boys and girls from the ages of 5 through 18 whose families reside in Shouse Village, either as homeowners or renters. Children who are summer-long guests of a Shouse resident are also eligible to join. There are no limits on how many members can be on the team. No prior swim team experience is required, however, youngsters must be able to pass the basic pool test that Shouse Village requires for children to be unaccompanied at the pool, which includes: 1) treading water for one minute, 2) swimming one length (25 meters) of the pool without stopping, and in addition, 3) demonstrating a strong swimming stroke. Instruction on strokes, turns, technique, and overall conditioning will be incorporated into practices. Registration To join the team, please complete the team's registration form and a medical history/emergency care permission form and submit these forms with the applicable registration fee to the Team Registrar identified in Attachment 1. In the event you have not received a registration form, contact the Registrar directly before the registration deadline. Registration forms and fees must be submitted before your swimmer can participate in swim practice, meets, or team social events. Swimsuits and TeamWear The Sharks, like every other NVSL swim team, has an official team suit, a T-shirt, and a cap. T-Shirts and caps will be issued by the team, but team swimsuits must be purchased separately as they are not included in the registration fee. The style of the team suit changes every two years. A sales representative will come to the community center before the season starts to assist with sizing and allow for on-site purchases. You can also buy them directly at Sport Fair in Arlington, Accessories for the Well-Dressed Swimmer Other recommended accessories includes towel(s), the bigger and thicker the better, goggles (competition-style, not the "play" type), sweats for cool days, a hat or other sun protection, sunscreen, and a bag to carry everything in. What to Bring to Swim Meets In addition to the teamwear and other gear listed above, swimmers should bring a water bottle (a must on hot humid days) and an extra towel to sit on. Because of the length of some meets, especially any Monday night B-meet, swimmers also might want to bring a book, playing cards, and a nutritious snack (see "Nutrition Tips for Swimmers" for suggestions). Swimmers are responsible for all their personal belongings brought to practices and meets. Schedules The schedule for practices, meets, and official events are in Attachment 2, including our social activities since "We'd Rather Have Fun Than Be in Division 1!!" 7

8 Addresses for Away Meets Addresses for the away meets are included in attachment 3 as well as the NVSL website The Team Rep will also directions to swim families the day before away A- meets and B-meets. Safety Safety is of paramount importance. Swimmers must observe all pool safety rules posted both at our pool and at visitor pools. The diving end of our pool varies from 3 1/2 to 4 feet deep depending from which side a swimmer will be starting a race. Other pools are about the same. Swimmers who ride a bicycle to practice are reminded to wear a bike helmet. We have a designated spot in the pool parking lot for bikes. Insurance Since SVCA pool insurance specifically excludes the practice for and conduct of athletic competition, the swim team carries supplemental liability and medical insurance through the NVSL that covers meets, swim practices, and social events. This insurance covers only what your personal medical insurance does not cover. If you have questions, please see the Team Rep. Team Records It is always a thrill to see a swimmer break a record and have their name on the Record Board. The team s records for all the individual and relay events is posted at the pool including the name, date, and record setting time of each NVSL event. To help the Team Rep identify when a record is broken, it is the responsibility of the parents and swimmer to inform the team rep when a swimmer is within range of challenging a record and when the record is broken. The team rep will then know to capture the proper documentation of the new record and update the record board and record archives. Proper documentation is required to demonstrate that a new record has been achieved (e.g., A-meet sheets, B-meet time cards). 8

9 4. HOW TO STAY INFORMED There's no excuse for not being in the loop! Here's how to stay informed: Sharks Parents Handbook Yes, this very handbook that you're reading now was substantially revised and expanded to include even more stuff than ever before, including more "whys, whazats, & how-tos" geared toward new members (and to refresh older members). Sharks Swim Team Who's Who. Attachment 1 includes names and phone #s of key swim team officials, committee members, and other parent volunteers who manage team operations. They will gladly answer any of your questions. Sharks Website The Shouse Sharks website hosted by Team Unify, is our repository for meet commitments, meet results, records, parent social volunteer assignments, and swim team social committee documents. You must be logged in to view information on the website. Returning users will retain their log-in from prior years unless a request to the webmaster is made otherwise. . Please don t make us call you! is an indispensable way to pass on information, get your questions answered quickly, and to distribute time-sensitive updates. Be sure to include your desired address on your registration forms so we can communicate with you and get you access to our team website. Group s are sent via TeamUnify. Please make sure your filter does not block team communications. Family File. In the pool lobby, there is a hanging file system with a file for each swim family. Get in the habit of checking your file on a regular basis for handouts and meet ribbons. NVSL Handbook. In addition to our parents' handbook, all swim families will receive a copy of the NVSL handbook, a valuable little book that explains the intricate rules governing swimming competition. They will be distributed some time before the first swim meet. If you do not receive a copy, please see our Team Rep. Web Sites for NVSL and Sharks The NVSL presence on the Internet continues to expand. Check out the NVSL Web site at: The main site has everything you want to know about team and division standings, NVSL rules and regs, NVSL records for boys and girls, directions to the pools, etc. 9

10 5. SOCIAL: WE'D RATHER HAVE FUN THAN BE IN DIVISION ONE! Social Activities and Outings If you get to know the parents of swimmers in Division I teams, some of them will tell you that swimming isn't always fun. At the pinnacle of the NVSL are the six best teams and they all want to be # 1. At Shouse Village, we like to win, but it isn't our reason for being. Some of the fun things we try to plan include: Sundaes on Sunday Pancake Breakfasts Weekly Pep Rallies Bingo Bunco Sharks Movie Night Laser Tag Progressive Dinner for 13 and up Swim Team Banquet! This is our final team gathering, to be held in the evening by our pool. Featuring pool games and relays for the whole family, dinner, an end-of-season awards ceremony, and announcement of All-Star swimmers. Please plan to join us! Spontaneous pep rallies and " Afternoons at the Movies" may also be scheduled as time permits. Check for times and details. Refer to Attachment 2 for a schedule of the social activities. Social Activities Limited to Team Members Swim team social events are limited to swim team members only; however, activities held insdie the pool during normal pool hours are open to the neighborhood. This would include things like Sundaes on Sunday. 10

11 6. MEET AND PRACTICE ATTENDANCE, ETC. Attendance Policy The Sharks swim season is nine weeks long from the first day of practice through Divisionals. Attendance by every swimmer at every possible practice is essential. We realize, however, that there are numerous end-of-school-year activities, spring sports are still ongoing, and summer jobs, camps, and vacations happen, so we don't penalize swimmers who can't make all the practices. Nevertheless, it is important for swimmers to attend every practice possible. Practice sessions focus on improving swimming skills, building up endurance, and developing confidence in the water and consistent attendance at practice will result in improved performance at meets. Absences are not to be factored into seeding meets (e.g., A-meets, Divisionals) which is based solely by fastest times. It would be extremely difficult to administer fairly a system based on attendance. Practice Times Practice will be held after school, between 4:00 pm and 6:45 PM starting after Memorial Day. Once school is out for the summer, practice will take place in the morning starting at 8:00 AM. Practice times are usually divided by age groups. After the first few weeks of practice, we may adjust practice times based on age and/or ability levels to distribute the workload fairly among the coaching staff and to make practices more meaningful for the swimmers. Refer to the schedule in Attachment 2 for details of the practice times by age group. Vacations, Camps, Absences or Emergencies Please, please notify the Team Rep (preferably by ) of any swim meets that your swimmer cannot attend. Known absences (e.g. vacations, camps, etc.) should also be included on your Registration Form. For A meets, you should notify the Team Rep no later than the Wednesday morning before the Saturday meet (see below). Once the meet entry is official, NVSL limits who can be substituted into events. If your swimmer is scheduled to swim at a Saturday meet but becomes ill or meets up with some emergency preventing attendance at the meet, please contact the Team Rep right away, or another team official or committee member who can relay this information to the coaches. Your promptness many mean the difference of whether we can find a substitute swimmer in time. Making Up Missed Practice Please inform the coaches when your swimmer will need to miss any regularly scheduled practices and arrange to do one of several things: See if your child can attend an earlier (or later) practice session, or ask the coach for a workout sheet that your swimmer can complete on his or her own. Once morning practices start, we will begin to offer 2x per week Tues/Thurs afternoon practices for swimmers who attend camp. These practices are offered to campers only (not late sleepers) and must be approved ahead of time. Practice Decorum: Why Can't I Interrupt Practice To Talk to the Coach? Swim practice is much like school, a matter between the coaches and the swimmers. If you wish to observe practice, please do so from the deck chairs along the far side of the pool. This is to let the coaching staff do their jobs and tend to the safety and welfare of your children. Because 11

12 there are no lifeguards on duty during morning practice, the coaches need to keep their eyes focused on all the bodies in the water. If you have a question or concern about something that occurs at practice or about meets, either bring it to the attention of the Team Rep or a committee member or wait until after practice to discuss it with the coach. Swim Meet Decorum: Why Can't My Child Sit with Me? During swim meets, swimmers must remain in the designated team area until they have finished swimming in all events, including relays. This is important especially for younger swimmers who may not be aware of or remember what events they are swimming. It is impossible for the coaches to locate a child for an event while the meet is in progress. If a parent would like to congratulate, hug, or console a child after an event, please go to the team area to do so. Parents may sit with their child in the team area. Parents should also emphasize to swimmers the importance of proper behavior during swim meets no roughhousing, running, or poor sportsmanship, and no noise when events are being announced. Swimmers need to concentrate on the meet, be where they are supposed to be when it's their turn to swim, and cheer for their teammates. Inclement Weather Policy Generally, practices and swim meets will procede as usual even in the rain. If there is a thunderstorm with lightning, Fairfax County public safety rules require pool facilities to close temporarily. Always assume a meet will be held on schedule and plan to arrive on time. Team officials hate to reschedule meets and won't postpone or stop a meet in progress unless they actually hear thunder and see lightning. If it is a passing storm, the meet will be temporarily delayed. Expect communication from your Team Rep. regarding the status of the meet. Bring your cell phones so that you are able to check your s. If there is inclement weather on a weekday before practice starts, a notice will be posted at our pool indicating whether there is a postponement or cancellation of practice. The coach may choose to do dryland exercises inside the community center if it is available, so look for s from the Team Rep or coach if you are unsure or head down to the pool and pop in. You can also try calling the pool guardroom, , to determine whether the pool will be open. 12

13 7. EXPLANATION OF OFFICIAL LEAGUE EVENTS NVSL Meets, Carnivals, and Championship The NVSL summer season includes five dual A-meets, a Divisional Relay Carnival, an All- Star Relay Carnival, an Individual Divisional Championship, and an Individual All-Star Meet, which are described below. A description of the B-meet league is provided as well. NVSL Dual A-Meets NVSL-regulated dual meets are known as "A-meets" and are swum against the other teams in our division, one at a time on five consecutive Saturday mornings. Generally, the three fastest swimmers for each event on our team compete in these meets, but our newest team members also frequently participate! A-meets are scored, and at the end of the season, the team with the best record is awarded the Division Championship trophy. Descriptions of the events swum at a dual meet, age grouping, etc. begin in Sec. 8 Swimming Competition. Explanations of strokes that are swum at meets are found in "My Kid Says She's Supposed To Swim Like a Butterfly," Sec.11. NVSL Relay Carnivals The Divisional Relay Carnival is a relays-only swim competition swum on a Wednesday evening with all the teams in our division. Each club competes in freestyle relays (each swimmer swims freestyle) and medley relays (each swimmer swims a different stroke) in each of the age and gender groups. (For further description of relays, see "My Kid Says She's Supposed To Swim Like a Butterfly," page 27). All NVSL divisions hold relay carnivals on the same date. The results are sent to the NVSL and the 18 fastest relay teams in the league are invited to compete in the All-Star Relay Carnival the following week. NVSL Divisionals After the dual meets are concluded, each NVSL Division has an Individual Championship meet, commonly referred to as "Divisionals." Each of the six teams is allowed to enter two swimmers in each event in each age group; individual swimmers may only swim in two events. Two heats of each event are swum. If a team does not have two swimmers for an event, the other teams can bid in additional swimmers to fill the empty lanes. This is an individual meet and is not scored. However, only the swimmers' Divisional times are used to determine who will qualify for All Stars. Individual Medley swimmers also compete at Divisionals for All Stars. Swimmers compete only for best times, and awards are given for 12 places, plaques for 1st through 6th place; and ribbons for 7th through 12th place finishes. For our team s seeding qualifications for Divisionals, refer to the section entitled Seeding and Meet Sheets (pg 22) NVSL All Stars Times from all 18 Divisional championships are sent to the NVSL, where the fastest 18 swimmers in each event league-wide are selected for All Stars. All Stars can be overwhelming for a first-time participant, as approximately 600 swimmers plus parents, coaches, and officials converge at one pool for a meet that takes about six hours. If your child is fast enough to be named an All Star, it is a thrill she or he will never forget. 13

14 B-Meets with the Vienna Developmental League The Shouse Sharks also participate in a developmental swim league that currently includes six other swim organizations in the Vienna area. These clubs are also members of the NVSL and are seeded in various divisions within the League. In this League we swim four-five "B-Meets" each season in dual and sometime tri-meets. These B-meets are held on Monday evenings, are officiated in the same manner as A-meets, but are not scored. Swimmers are not seeded according to times, which means that all swimmers, particularly newer, less experienced swimmers, have a chance to race. Multiple heats are often held in various strokes to accommodate the number of swimmers who wish to participate. B-meets provide all swimmers the opportunity to establish a recorded time in various strokes, which can be used to seed them in an A-meet event. The section headed, "Swimming Competition" describes swimming rules as they apply to B-meets. Time Trials Our only official pre-season event that every swimmer whether new or returning needs to attend is called Time Trials. Refer to the schedule in Attachment 1 for the date and time of time trials Time trials is basically a "trial meet", very similar to a B-meet in that it is not scored, has multiple heats in most if not all events, and has no relays. A time trial includes only the four individual events freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. Swimmers are organized into five age groups just as they will be for all regular season meets: 8 & Unders, 9-10 year-olds, 11-12's, 13-14's, and 15-18's, with separate boys and girls events in each age group. We conduct time trials to establish a base time for each swimmer in each stroke. The coaches will use the recorded times to seed swimmers in our first regulation A-meet the following Saturday. (Later in the handbook, we discuss how meet entry lists are prepared for A-meets.) For this reason, swimmers will be asked to swim in as many of the four strokes as they know how; seasoned swimmers should swim all four strokes; younger, or less experienced swimmers might only do freestyle and backstroke. Since time trials are run just like a swim meet, it is officiated in the same manner, with referee, starter, stroke and turn judges, and timers. Place finishes are not recorded and there are no ribbons awarded at this event. Swimmers can and will be DQ d. Time trials is a useful way for swimmers (and officials!) to shake off winter cobwebs, calm some nerves going into the first A-meet, and try out new team cheers! 14

15 8. SWIMMING COMPETITION All official events in which the Shouse Sharks participate through the NVSL and Vienna Developmental League are governed by U.S.A. Swimming rules for competition. An unlimited number of swimmers can be members of a team. Swimmers compete in different age groups, as described below. Our swim competition in both Leagues takes place in 25-meter pools, using six lanes, three for each team. This means for A-Meets each team can have up to three swimmers per individual event. For B-Meets there is no limit on how many swimmers swim an event. Age Grouping A-meets and all other NVSL competition include the following age-group categories, one each for boys and girls: 8 & Under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, and B-meets also include a separate 6 & Under age group for boys and girls. The eligibility of a swimmer to compete for the season in a particular age group is determined by his or her age on the 1 st of June. At both A- and B-meets, swimmers may compete in their own and/or higher age groups, with the exception of the Mixed-Age Relay at A-meets. Swimmers may never swim in a younger age category (e.g., a 12-year old can never swim in the 9-10 age group). At Divisionals and All-Stars swimmers must compete in their own age group. Strokes and Events Swim meets feature four competitive individual strokes: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. There also are freestyle, mixed-age, and medley relays, which feature four swimmers and are swum only at A-meets. The individual medley, or IM, is swum at Divisionals, All Stars and the last two B-meets of the season. For a description of the individual strokes and relays, please see "My Kid Says She's Supposed To Swim Like a Butterfly," Sec. 11. All events for swimmers 8 years and younger are 25 meters (one length of the pool). Individual events for swimmers 9 and older are 50 meters (two lengths), with the exception of the butterfly, which is swum as a 25-meter event for 10 and unders. Relays can be 100-meter or 200- meter, depending on the type and age group. A-Meet Events A-meets consist of 52 events 40 individual and 12 relays swum in numerical order, as shown in the table on the following page: 15

16 A-Meet Events and Distances Freestyle Backstroke Breaststroke Butterfly Relays Boys Event # Age Group Distance (meters) Girls Event # 1 8 & Under & Under & Under & Under & Under 100 Free Medley Medley Medley Medley Mixed Age 200 Free 52 Notes: 1. Medley relays are swum in this sequence: backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle. 2. The mixed age relays are swum by, in order, an year old, a 9-10 year old, a year old, and a year old. B-Meet Events The age groupings, distances, and events for "B-meets" are the same as for A-meets, with the addition of a 6 & Under age group for boys and girls There are no relays swum at a B-meet, but there may be IM events since these events are included in Divisionals. Like the A-meets, events are swum in the order of freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, from youngest to oldest in each stroke. Multiple heats may be held in each event to incorporate all swimmers in that age group who want to compete. There are a total of 46 B- meet events, 54 with the addition of IMs. Refer to Attachment 6 for a summary of B-meet rules. 16

17 Timing and Time Cards In swim competition, timing recording how long it takes a swimmer to complete an event from entry dive to finish touch is everything. It determines a swimmer's place finish in a race. The difference between 1st and 2nd place can be just tenths or hundredths of seconds! In an A-meet, a swimmer's place finish determines how many points he or she earned for the team (see "Scoring" below). Thus, the measuring and recording of a swimmer's time is central to the outcome of the meet. The means for recording swimmers' times is a 3x5 index card called a Time Card that includes the team and swimmer name, age group, event number, and space at the bottom to record the swimmer's finish time. For A&B-meets, time cards are pre-printed in advance of the meet. Time cards follow a routine chain-of-custody that varies slightly between A- and B-meets. For A-meets, the Chief Timer hands them out for each event to a runner who passes them to the Timers in each lane. For B-meets, time cards go from the coach, to the swimmer, to the Clerk of Course, back to the swimmers, & finally to the lane Timers. For all meets, once swimmers finish their event, Timers give the cards to the Chief Timer, who passes them on to a Runner who gives them to the scoring table (where they are handled by Time Recorders, Scorers, & Ribbon Writers). Cards then go to the Announcer and finally to the Team Rep at the end of the meet. The coach and Team Rep use all recorded times from A- and B-meets to seed swimmers for upcoming A-meets. Scoring A first-place finish in an individual A-meet event earns 5 points for the team, a second garners 3 points and a third-place finish 1 point. Relays are winner take all for 5 points. There are 420 points up for grabs in an A-meet. Unless one or more places are not awarded in an event due to DQs or lack of swimmers, a team needs 211 points to win. In the event of a tie, the points for the places involved are split equally among the tied swimmers. For example, in a two-way tie for second place, each swimmer earns 2 points (3 points for second plus 1 point for third equals 4 points, with half going to each swimmer). No third place would be awarded in this situation because the next swimmer is fourth. For a two-way tie for third place, each swimmer is awarded 1/2 a point. Awards Swimmers participating in NVSL A-meets receive ribbon awards for 1st through 6th place for each individual event. Winning relay teams also receive first-place ribbons one for each relay team member. Our coach and Team Rep also award Shark swimmers with a Personal Best ribbon when they improve their time. For B-meets, we award official swimmers with 1st through 6th place ribbons, along with Competitor ribbons for any places over 6 th place. Unofficial swimmers will receive Competitor ribbons. Both official and unofficial swimmers receive Personal Best ribbons if the new time is better than their previous best time. (For more information, see B-Meet Regulations below.) At the Divisional Championship, awards are given for 12 places (since there are 2 heats in each event): plaques for places 1-6, and ribbons for At the end of the season, at the Sharks team picnic and awards ceremony, every member of the team receives a participation trophy. Divisional awards, and special team awards or trophies are given to selected swimmers in recognition of their special contributions and achievements 17

18 Shouse Sharks Special Awards (adopted 2009) (2) High Point Trophies 1 boy, 1 girl (4) Most Improved Trophies 1 boy, 1 girl for both 11 and ups & 10 and unders (4) Coaches Award Trophies 1 boy, 1 girl for both the 11 and ups & 10 and unders (2) Spirit Award Trophies - 1 boy, 1 girl Award Criteria: Most Improved Award Criteria: The purpose of this award is to encourage developing swimmers. The criteria includes; Time dropped during the season, Number of personal bests, Learned new stroke or new skill (e.g. flip turns or overcame DQ issue) Coaches Award Criteria: This award is meant for swimmers who demonstrate qualities that set a good example for other swimmers. The criteria for this award will be: Leadership (this mainly applies to 11 and ups category), Work ethic, Commitment, Sportsmanship Spirit Award Criteria: The criteria for this award includes Enthusiasm, Participation in Spirit activities, Encouragement of teammates Awards may be subject to change and may include additional recognitions. All selections made by coaches for the Special Awards will be reviewed one week prior to banquet in order to ensure: no child receives more than one special trophy, no child receives the same special trophy two years in a row. Officiating Officials are present at all our swim competitions (including B-meets) to ensure that the competition is fair and equitable and that the technical rules of swimming (USA Swimming rules) are being followed. The rules are designed to ensure uniformity in the sport, and each swimming stroke has specific rules designed to ensure that no swimmer gains an unfair competitive advantage over another. During swim practices, the coaching staff will instruct swimmers, especially beginners, on specific techniques for each stroke. Trained officials, such as Stroke and Turn Judges, observe swimmers during each event to ensure compliance with the rules. Please see "Who Are All These People Dressed in White?" in Sec. 12 for a description of the various officials and their duties. Disqualification (or DQs) If a swimmer commits an infraction of the rules during a swimming event knowingly or unknowingly he or she will be disqualified from that event. This means that the swimmer will not receive an official time nor be eligible for a place award for that event. DQs can result from a variety of actions: improper swimming technique for the stroke being swum, not getting to the starting deck on time, false starting, walking on or pushing off of the bottom of the pool, or unsportsmanlike conduct. (DQs are covered in more detail in "Whaddaya Mean My Kid DQ'd?" in Sec. 13.) DQs are necessary to keep the competition fair for all competitors; they're not intended to penalize swimmers. A supportive rather than critical attitude from parents can make these episodes positive learning experiences. We all make mistakes! DQs alert swimmers and coaches about what aspect of a swimmer's technique needs to be corrected during swim practices. 18

19 9. DECIDING WHO SWIMS A-Meet Regulations Because A-meets are scored, the competitors generally consist of the fastest swimmers for each particular stroke and age group. A-meet swimmers may compete in two individual events (e.g., freestyle and breaststroke) in their age group, plus one age-level relay, and one mixed-age relay. Being a small team, we have a lot of overlap between our A-meet and B-meet swimmers! Seeding and Meet Sheets In A-meets, the home team has lanes 1, 3, and 5 while the visiting team has lanes 2, 4, and 6. (Lane 1 is always on the right side as you stand facing the pool at the starting end.) The fastest swimmers swim in lanes 3 and 4, the next fastest in lanes 2 and 5, and the next fastest in lanes 1 and 6. A-meet swimmers are seeded in an individual event based on their fastest time attained in prior competition, and according to how many points the coach thinks the swimmer can make. For the first meet of the season, seedings are based on times recorded at Time Trials (see page 10). From then on, the head coach and Team Rep will review all swimmer's times recorded at the most recent A- and B-meets, and complete a meet entry list, called a Meet Sheet, in which they assign swimmers to compete in the upcoming A-meet. To further clarify the seeding guidelines, Coaches and NVSL rep participate in the seeding meetings and are expected to follow the guidelines. o Fastest times on the books per age group is to be used to seed both individual and relay events. (fastest times on the books applies for the current season.) Please note additional requirements for Divisionals, listed below. o Can not swim-up a faster, younger swimmer if a swimmer in the age group is available, but has a slower time. o Can not use split times on a 25m to seed relays. o Even if the difference in a time is.001s, fastest time is used to seed the swimmer, not the coach s preference. o Swim offs should not be used for determining relay members. o Coaches can encourage close swimmers to update times at the next B-meet. o If any mistake is identified in the time on the books (including DQs) this is to be brought to the attention of the NVSL rep to address (i.e., correct or justify). o In order to have a swimmer s times qualify for Divisional seeding, a swimmer will have had to be available to compete in an A-meet. o Those swimmers who were available to compete in an A meet will have priority in divisional seeding. Once all of these swimmers in an age group have selected their strokes for Divisionals, the coaches can then seed the remaining open lanes with times of swimmers who may not have been available for an A-meet. Our coach and Team Rep have access to the times for all swimmers in our division, so we can fine-tune our seeding to pit our best swimmers in each stroke, lane to lane, against the best swimmers of our opponent in the upcoming A-meet. 19

20 This makes it important for parents and/or swimmers to notify the coaches or the Team Rep by the Wednesday morning before each Saturday A-meet if a swimmer will be unable to attend the meet. This allows the coaches time to re-seed events and assign replacements to swim before the meet sheets must be officially exchanged between teams the Thursday night before the meet. Once meet sheets are exchanged, the list is final, and we can only replace a missing swimmer with one who has a slower recorded time. We cannot swap swimmers among events to optimize our scoring chances. Don t assume that because your swimmer is new to the team that he or she won't qualify to swim at a Saturday meet. If the swimmer with the fastest time in your child's age group or event is going to be absent, and your child has the next best time, he or she may be substituted to replace the absent swimmer. Always check on Fridays. There, the meet sheet for the Saturday A-meet will be posted listing all swimmer assignments for every event. Younger swimmers especially don't always remember what events the coach tells them they're going to swim, so parents please check the entry sheet for your child's name. "Aging Up" Occasionally, the coaches might decide to "age up" a swimmer to an older age group event if that swimmer is competitive in the older age and if there is no other swimmer available for that event in the older group. Since points are awarded only for the first three place finishes in each event, and we are allotted three lanes per event for our swimmers, we want to be sure those lanes are occupied to improve our chances for winning points. Because we are a small team by NVSL standards, we often don't have enough swimmers in each age group to fill our lanes for each event. We are further limited by the A-meet rules that limit swimmers to only two individual events. Aging up selected swimmers is a key coaching strategy for winning more points at swim meets. B-Meet Regulations Our B team is called a developmental swim team precisely because it gives all swimmers a chance to participate, develop their swimming skills, and improve their times. Unlike A-meets, which are strictly regulated for events and number of swimmers, B-meets allow all swimmers who want to compete to race by holding multiple heats in each event. Swimmers are not seeded in B-meets, nor do teams swim in assigned lanes. Basically, all team members can participate in B-meets. A swimmer may swim in two events in his or her own age group including IMs. Since our team is small, however, we are allowed to let our A-meet swimmers participate in B-meets under the following conditions: (See Attachment 6 for a Summary of the B-meet Rules) Swimmers who have won 1st or 2nd place ribbons at the prior A-meet in a particular stroke (e.g., freestyle) may swim that stroke unofficially, for time only. Unofficial swimmers at B- meets do not receive place ribbons; they receive Competitor ribbons. Swimmers who receive a 3rd place ribbon at the prior A-meet may compete for ribbons in a B-meet in any stroke except for the 3rd-place stroke. If these swimmers swim the 3rd-place stroke, they can do so, unofficially, under the same conditions listed above (i.e. they receive only Competitor ribbons, and cannot receive place ribbons). Swimmers who wish to do this must tell the coach so that time cards can be marked properly. 20

21 No Meet Sheets for B-Meets One aspect of B-meets that can be confusing is that there is no meet sheet prepared by the coach that identifies which swimmers are swimming what strokes. Swimmers aren't seeded or assigned lanes for races since we don't keep score. Swimmers may choose any two strokes he or she wants, as long as they have a legal stroke. Swimmers will be asked to declare their intention to swim in the meet and make their stroke selections via our website. Swimmers' time cards are printed Sunday mornings and marked appropriately to designate Official/Unofficial swimmers. Thus, swimmers are not permitted to change their events after the time cards have been produced. Time cards are handed to swimmers as they wait in the team area for their turn to swim. Because there is no written meet sheet, and because swimmers, especially younger ones, often forget what they're supposed to swim. here are some simple guidelines: Have your child check with the coach if they are unsure whether s/he has a legal stroke. The coach may re-assign a child s selection if their stroke is not yet ready for a meet. If your swimmer will not attend the B-meet, also communicate this to the coach Check with the coaches before the meet starts to find out what strokes your child will be swimming 21

22 10. SO, THIS IS YOUR FIRST SWIM MEET? Here's a timeline of what happens before, during, and after any home A-meet. Night before: 8:00 AM Pool manager and lifeguards begin pool set-up arrange deck chairs for spectators, set up officials area, attach lane ropes in pool, setup backstroke flags, etc Shouse officials and Sharks swimmers begin to arrive. Team Rep and others finish pool setup, test starter system, hook up mikes for announcer, set up lane markers and time boards for each lane, set up scoring tables. Concessions workers arrive to set up grills, tables, make coffee, prepare food for sale. Coaches, officials, other volunteers hang banners, balloons, set up tents, water station, etc. 8:15 AM Shouse swimmers begin warm-ups in pool. 8:30 AM 8:45AM 9:00 AM 9:10 AM to 11:00 AM (approximate) Visiting team begins warm-ups in pool just vacated by Sharks. Overall pool set-up continues. More officials arrive. Parents and others bring food donations for concession stand, which opens for business. Pool is cleared of swimmers. Team cheers begin. Referee instructs stroke and turn officials; chief timer issues instructions to timers. Starter and sound systems tested. Clerks of Course start assembling swimmers for irst 3 or 4 events. Announcer asks officials to report to pool deck. Announcer welcomes visitors; introduces meet officials, followed by playing of national anthem. First event announced, meet begins. Meet underway. As each event is being swum, swimmers for next event line up behind timers. When swimmers finish their event, all vacate the pool quickly, return to team area to await their next event. Swimmers in 8 & Under age group start their events from end of pool opposite lane timers. All other swimmers start at end with lane timers. Meet officials all attend to duties as described in Sec :30 AM Around this time, there's a 10-minute break in meet before relays begin. 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM Meet finishes. Team officials wrap up required business. Mad dash to concession stand for burgers. Shouse swim families help with pool tear down and storing swim team equipment inside community center. Pool manager and lifeguards set pool back up for community use. Swimmers required to pick up all belongings in team area. Visitors head home. 22

23 B-Meets B-meets on Monday nights are run the same way, except that pool set-up begins at 4:00 PM, once the pool is closed for community swimming. Officials, meet workers, parents begin arriving by 5:30 PM., concessions workers may come earlier. Visiting team starts arriving by 5:30 PM. Shouse swimmers report and start warm-ups at 5:45 PM. By 6:30 PM, all is set to go and the meet begins. Away Meets For away meets, the opposing team performs all set-up, organizing duties. Sharks families meet in Shouse parking lot to receive directions and streamers for cars. Before leaving for meet, check in with coach and/or Team Rep so they know all swimmers scheduled to swim are on their way to the meet. Sharks swimmers have last warm-up time at visiting pool. Shouse parents participate in officiating duties. At the meet conclusion, those that wish may meet up at a predetermined lunch venue to celebrate together. 23

24 11. MY KID SAYS SHE'S SUPPOSED TO SWIM LIKE A BUTTERFLY If you're not a former swimmer, the strokes and their rules can be a bit bewildering. The team has a few copies of the official U.S. Swimming Rules for anyone to borrow if interested. The following are an abbreviated version of the rules modified for use in the NVSL. Freestyle The freestyle is defined as any means of swimming across the pool. Any stroke and kick are acceptable. There are, however, a few don'ts associated with this stroke, specifically: (1) you cannot walk on or push off the bottom, or pull yourself along using the lane lines, and (2) in a 50-meter race (two pool lengths), you must touch the wall at the 25-meter end before touching the wall at the 50- meter end. (This may seem obvious, but sometimes swimmers miss the wall at the turning end of the pool.) Backstroke Like the freestyle, almost anything goes in the backstroke as long as you stay on your back. Watching swimmers learn the backstroke can be fun (in a perverse sense) as they bounce off the lane lines and wonder where they are. Eventually, they will learn to guide off the lane lines, to use the overhead backstroke flags and lane-line markings to know where they are in the pool, and to count strokes from the flags to the wall. Backstroke starts are different from the other strokes because the swimmer is in the water, with feet planted against the wall, hanging onto the legs of a teammate standing on the deck or to the lip of the pool awaiting the starter's signal. "Legs" must be grabbed below the knee. Persons serving in an official capacity (such as timers or coaches) may not serve as "legs". If your swimmer is a backstroker and is old enough to swim the 50-meter event, he or she will eventually learn the backstroke flip turn. This is the one exception to staying on your back and can be used only as part of a turn (not a finish) at the pool wall. Breaststroke The breaststroke has two components: the kick and the arm pull. The pull and its recovery must both be under the breast and cannot extend further back than the waist area. The kick is a "frog" kick, with the toes pointed outward during the propulsive part of the kick. The arm pull and kick must be in an alternating sequence, and the elbows must stay below the water except for tagging the wall at the finish. Breaststroke turns and finishes require a simultaneous two-handed touch. Butterfly A well-executed butterfly (or "fly") is the most beautiful exhibition of power you'll ever see in a swimming pool. Bitterfly is the hardest stroke for most swimmers to perfect and while they're learning it many look like they're drowning. There are two components to the fly: the arm pull and the kick. The arm pull must be an over-the-water recovery (elbows breaking the surface of the water) with the arms moving simultaneously. The kick is a dolphin-style kick with both legs moving simultaneously. Unlike the breaststroke, there is no requirement to alternate the kick and pull. Fly turns and finishes require a simultaneous two-handed touch at the wall. 24