Basics of a Swim Meet
What to Expect
Meets are LOUD, FUN and BUSY. Upon arrival, have your swimmer check in with one of the coaches. Be sure to bring plenty of extra towels, sweatshirts and healthy drinks and snacks to keep your swimmer comfortable. The early season meets can be cool in the evenings. Meets will last approximately 3 hours.
Strokes
The four competitive swim strokes are: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly.
The combination of these four strokes is called the individual medley or “IM.”
Disqualifications: During competition a swimmer may swim in an illegal manner, whichwill result in a disqualification. The coach will be provided with the “DQ” at the end of the meet. This should be regarded as a learning opportunity for the swimmer. The coaches will focus on correct technique with the swimmer at practice. The older the swimmers are, the more strictly the judges watch proper technique. A swimmer will not be entered in an event unless the coach feels the swimmer is able to swim the stroke legally and consistently.
Relays: Every meet will have two sets of relays. The freestyle relay is made up of 4 swimmers all swimming freestyle. The medley relay is made up of 4 swimmers each swimming a different stroke in the following order: backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle. The coaches will always decide on relay participants based on the swimmer’s best times. We will always field an “A” relay made up of our fastest swimmers in each age group. At some meets, we may be able to field a “B” and a “C” relay to give more swimmers an opportunity to participate in a relay.
Age Group Categories
- Shrimps (6 and Under)
Shrimps will be required to swim NO LESS THAN 10 METERS INDEPENDENTLY at the start of the season. The GCSL mandates that beginning swimmers must be able to swim the entire length of the pool (25 meters) UNASSISTED after the 2nd meet. Mountainbrook’s goal is to have our shrimps swim the length of the pool by time trials (an intrasquad, mock swim meet). The club offers swim lessons that are not of a competitive nature should your child be unable to swim a full lap independently.
At each swim meet, the shrimps swim first. They will dive from poolside or off the block and swim the length of the pool in any way they can. All shrimps will receive an “I did my best” ribbon upon exiting the water. The shrimp results are not added to the team score.
Shrimps who are able to legally swim additional strokes will be entered into the 8 & Under events for those strokes.
- 7 - 8 year olds (8 & Under)
These swimmers should be able to swim one length of the pool (25 meters) of freestyle and demonstrate at least one other stroke.
- 9 - 10 year olds
These swimmers should be familiar with all four competitive strokes but do not have to be proficient all all strokes. They should be willing to learn and practice stroke technique to gain knowledge of any unfamiliar strokes. Their events require them to swim at least one length (25 meters) of the pool during meets. They may also compete in the 100 Meter Individual Medley (IM) - one length of the pool in order: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle
- 11 - 12 year olds
These swimmers have the same requirements as the 9-10 age group except their events require them to swim 2 lengths (50 meters) of the pool per event. They may also compete in the 100-meter Individual Medley (IM), which requires them to swim one 25 meter length of each stroke in order: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle.
- 13 - 14 year olds
These swimmers have the same requirements as the 11-12 year age group.
- 15 - 18 year olds
These swimmers have the same requirements as the 11-12 and 13-14 year age group.
Know Your Events
Swimmers are encouraged to record their events on their arm with a sharpie pen. Write the event #/heat#/lane # and event name (i.e. 22/1/3 free, 43/2/2 fly, etc). Younger swimmers should also write their name on their shoulder. This allows timers, clerk of course, and shepherds to keep track of your children and ensure they end up in the correct lane and heat.
Designated Team Area
It is very important during a swim meet for all swimmers to stay in their designated team area. Parents are responsible for making sure their swimmers stay in the this area during the meet. The coaches and volunteers are not responsible for locating swimmers.
Be On Time for Your Events
Your swimmer should report to the clerk of course at least five events prior to their scheduled event! This means cap on, goggles on, ready to go!
Food
Healthy food is encouraged during the swim meets. Junk food, ice-cream, and candy should not be eaten until after your swimmers’ individual events AND relays are completely finished. Feel free to pack your dinner and eat at the pool. Some away meets have substantial concessions and/or a grill. Information regarding food availability will be sent by the coach or swim team representative prior to the meet.
