Long Reach Swim Club of the Bath Area Family YMCA

Parent/Guardian Handbook

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the Long Reach Swim Club of the Bath Area Family Y. This handbook will serve as your introduction to the team and is intended to give you an idea of how the team operates and functions as well as give expectations of swimmers and parents alike.

The Bath YMCA competitive swimming team, also known as the Long Reach Swim Club (LRSC), is and has been for many years, one of the most successful age group swim teams in the state of Maine. Our success cannot be measured solely in terms of its number of wins and losses, but in the improvement of our members and success in preparing our swimmers for further levels of competition. Historically, 75% of LRSC graduating seniors go on to participate in swimming at the college level.

LRSC is an organization of approximately 175 swimmers that range primarily in age from 7-18 years old. Interested individuals must, as a minimum, demonstrate their swimming ability to the coach (-es). Once the coach (-es) has approved the potential swimmer, she/he may join the team. If the coach feels the swimmer is not ready for LRSC, options for improvement may be suggested. Our name “LONG REACH” gets its name from the original name of the stretch of river on which Bath is located. Our mascot fish is the “Snail Darter” which is an endangered species fish that lives in the Tennessee River. Its strength is its ability to survive the onslaught of man.

LRSC strives to offer a fun learning environment that allows an athlete to, learn skills, set goals, learn a positive work ethic, while providing a positive experience where the self motivated swimmer can thrive. In doing so, we hope to provide productive student athletes that will be confident self motivated leaders and role models for the future.

COACHES PHILOSOPHY

A swimmer with a sincere desire to meet goals, improve technique, and improve times, will do so. A half-hearted effort will yield a similar half-hearted result. Because it is important that children develop as well rounded individuals, swimmers that wish to participate in an out of season sport/activity are encouraged to do so. As those activities come to an end, a greater priority should be given to swimming.

LRSC practices begin early in the fall and for a majority of swimmers ends in early March. Attendance to all assigned practices is very important if goals are to be achieved. It is also helpful to the coach if he/she is informed that a child will be participation in other activities throughout the course of the season. Though attendance is not mandatory for each practice, it is equally important for the coach to know when practices will be missed. The greater the attendance, the greater one’s chance for success. Spring/Summer team begins in early May.

Once at practice, a swimmer is expected to be on deck on time and remain until the practice is over, unless other arrangements are made with the coach. A swimmer should be at practice because they want to be. If they and the parent understand why they are there, discipline problems should be eliminated.

It is important for parents to play an active role in the development of their swimmer. Positive support and awareness of their efforts and achievements is vital for a positive well rounded experience. Parents should remember that it is the child on the team and the parental role is that of parent. LET THE COACH DO THE COACHING. When at LRSC, it is a time for a coach-swimmer relationship to occur. Interference with this arrangement will greatly diminish such a relationship. Parents are welcome to observe any practice from the stands, yet it is up to the coaching staff to run practices and handle any problems that may arise on deck. If you as a parent have a question relating to the way things or a situation is handled, please contact the coach so that a discussion may be established.

A swimmer should set attainable goals. The coach can help with these goals. Without goals, activities become tiresome and lack direction. This may cause a swimmer to become discouraged and he/she may lose interest. Parental support is crucial to the success of the swimmer in meeting those goals. Remember, goals should be those of the swimmer and not that of a coach or parent.

It should be pointed out that although any number of swimmers of similar age or skill may start at the same time, practice the same amount as the others, that they WILL NOT improve or develop at the same rate. Please do not compare swimmer to swimmer. Each is his or her own person and should be judged accordingly.

It is my intent to make this a fun, lifetime activity for your son/daughter to be involved with. I am not a pressure coach and believe in quality not quantity and I achieve progress with most swimmers very subtly. Only the self-motivated will flourish. Not all swimmers will respond as optimally as is hoped with competitive swimming or the coaches. This is both natural and expected. Every effort will be made to provide a safe, fun, learning environment for all participants.

TEAM HISTORY

The original Bath YMCA, built the Archibald MacNicol Main Memorial Swimming Pool in 1962 at the Summer Street location in the renovated Uptown Theatre at a price tag of $314,000. In December of 1963 the Bath YMCA swim team records its first win over the Camden YMCA under Coach Russ Ferris. The league consists of Y teams from Camden, Bath, Portland and Bangor. After various coaches and levels of team success the 1967-68 Bath team wins its first combined state championship under Coach Richard Petit. In 1971, under Coach Nick Kolesnikoff, the team name, Long Reach Swim Club is added as the team joins the newly established AAU LSC, “Maine Swimming”. In 1980 under Coach Tom MacDonald and Coach Beth Prelgovisk, the team earns 5-state championship team titles. Under Coach Jay Morissette, from 1986 to present LRSC has won 36 additional state Y championships and 17-Maine U.S. state championships and11 summer team titles. LRSC has produced over 70 YMCA top 16 swimmers and many national qualifiers. In April 2001, the new $6 million YMCA is opened on Centre Street in Bath.

SIGN UP /REGISTRATION

As mentioned before, all potential LRSC members MUST be screened by the coaching staff BEFORE entry onto the team is allowed. Once on the team, swimmers can expect email in prior to the season from the coach to learn of the intent to be on the team for the upcoming season. A swimmer only needs to tryout 1 time. A parents meeting will be set for mid-September where seasonal registration and additional information will be covered. Upcoming team issues and a question and answer period will follow. To be on the winter team, all swimmers must be annual members of the Bath YMCA and pay the team fee. Fees are based on which practice group your swimmer is involved in. If unable to attend the registration meeting, you may register your swimmer(s) anytime before your swimmer(s) begins participation. Summer swim team swimmers need not necessarily have an annual Bath YMCA membership.

SWIMMER RESPONSIBILITIES

All swimmers on LRSC have certain responsibilities to remain in good standing on the team. Swimmers not in good standing risk losing ongoing participation on the team. Those responsibilities are yet not limited to:

– Pay all applicable program costs in a timely fashion
– Attend most practices
– Make themselves available for at least 3 Y swim meets
– Participate in the swim team Aqua-thon fundraiser
– Make themselves available for the YMCA state championships
– Demonstrate good sportsmanship and respect for others
– Follow all YMCA building rules

PRACTICES

LRSC generally has 4 practice levels held Monday-Friday. Practices are grouped largely by ability level. In certain cases, practice levels can be set to accommodate extenuating circumstances. The coach will make recommendations as to the level of each swimmer. Parents should have swimmers to practice in time to be on deck on time and arrange pick up as close to practice end time to avoid “hanging around”. Soaping and shampooing are strongly recommended to prevent the “itchies”. Swim suits generally last 4-6 months depending on usage. Nothing is immune to chlorine and water goes pretty much where it wants. Practice breakdown looks something like this:

A group Monday – Friday for 1-1:30 hours. This is the highest level for the fastest and most dedicated swimmers.

B group Monday – Friday for 1 hour. Lanes are available for B level swimmers in A practice and vice versa. B swimmers are highly skilled and work on skills and endurance are stressed.

C group Tuesday – Thursday 45 minute practices. This group is designed for newer or younger swimmers that may have a season or two experience that are still learning about the “basics”.

D group Tuesday + Thursday, 45 minute practices. This group is for the majority of 8+ under aged swimmers and newer 12 and under aged swimmers. They learn strokes and competitive basics.

Swimmers are expected to remain for the entire practice session. Water bottles are recommended for all practice groups.

EQUIPMENT

Team swimming suits are not required but are encouraged. Cost estimates are boy suits $35 and girl suits $75. Goggles and swim caps are highly recommended. You may also purchase a pair of flippers, but they are not needed.

EMAILS

Once the winter season commences, an almost weekly email will be sent with necessary or pertinent information on upcoming events, meets, meetings, or anything else related or unrelated to LRSC. The views and opinions in the email are not necessarily those of the Bath YMCA or any other human being. Also, check our web site for information.

www.lrsc.org

Our web site is the oldest swimming web site in Maine. There is a lot of information about this team and our league. Posted on the site is meet information and results. Team and state records, team top 10 list and pool records are also maintained. Links to other swim and LRSC type addresses are also available.

YMCA DUAL MEETS

YMCA dual meets are held almost exclusively on Saturdays. Home swim meets are held at the Bath Area Family YMCA. Away meets are scheduled at any of the other 11 YMCA pools in Maine.

Approximately 1 week before the meet in question, the coach will email asking if your swimmer(s) are attending the meet of question.

Early in the winter meet season a meet schedule will be distributed. As soon as a swimmers/family knows which meets they are available for the season, they should let the coach know. LRSC provides buses to away swim meets whenever possible, though swimmers are not required to ride the bus. A parent note is required if a swimmer elects to ride the bus only 1 way.

Swimmers usually compete against swimmers in their age group. A swimmers age is determined by how old they are on December 1 of the current season. Age groups are 8 & under, 10 & under, 12 & under, 14 & under, and senior, which is actually 12 + older. If this does not make sense, it will soon enough. Some meet formats have non gendered, and/or multi aged events. Not all meets are scored as team results. Swimmers generally swim 3-4 times per meet and meet ribbons are awarded based on race finish. Meets can last from 2:30 – 4 + hours dictated by any of a dozen different factors. There should never be glass or hot beverages or street shoes on deck at any time. Swimmers should bring warm deck clothes and an extra towel. Swimmers should plan to sit with the team for the meet duration unless other arrangements are cleared with the coach. It is strongly discouraged for swimmers to seek out a parent after a race to get parental coaching. This situation undermines the coaching staff from being effective with the swimmer in question and will only confuse the swimmer as to who to listen to for swim meet related issues. Please believe me when I say doing this does more harm than good to your swimmer. For home meets, swimmers are asked to donate different food type concession stand items for sale during the meet. If a swimmer is unable to attend a scheduled meet due to illness or other extenuating circumstances, they MUST notify the coach as soon as possible before the meet in question.

YMCA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

All swimmers are required to make themselves available for the State championship meet, which is held in early March. To be eligible for states, a swimmer must have participated in at least 3 dual meets over the course of the season and still be in good standing with the Y and the team. While at states (historically held at the University of Maine, Orono), swimmers swim in any of 5 different sessions. Most sessions last 3 ish hours, some longer and some shorter. The swimming events that each swimmer will participate in at this meet are selected by the coach. Every effort is made to put the swimmer in events where they have the best chance for the highest level of success. Sometimes a swimmer will be in an event, which may not be a favorite. Swimmers may swim a maximum of 3 events. Relays for states are selected the day of the meet by the coach based on a number of factors which include but are not limited to swimmers times, seasonal dedication etc… Transportation to the state championship meet is the responsibility of each swimmer. If you plan to spend the night for states, reservations should be made at least 3 months in advance to insure getting a room.

YMCA NEW ENGLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS

LRSC does not often participate in this meet. Unlike the State meet, this meet has cut off times, which require a swimmer to have swum a faster time than the cut time to be eligible to swim that event at that meet. Swimmers age for this meet are based on however old the swimmer is on the first day of the meet. This meet is held mid to late March. Relay events do not have cut off times. Participation in this meet is not required even if cut off times are achieved. Transportation and accommodations are each swimmers responsibility. As with the state meet, if transportation is an issue for participation in the meet, let the coach know as soon as possible so that arrangements can be explored.

Travel/housing costs for coaches to YMCA New England Championships will be the responsibility of LRSC.

YMCA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Nationals are held the first week in April. Unlike States and New England Championships, which are age group meets, Nationals is made up of 1 division, the senior division made up of 12 + older swimmers that have swum faster than an established cut off time.

All eligible swimmers are encouraged to set as a short or long term goal, entry to this meet. It is by far, one of the top swim experiences a YMCA age group swimmer can participate in. LRSC will register qualified swimmers and make necessary travel arrangements. Swimmers and coaches travel and housing costs will be the responsibility of each swimmer, although the swimmer may engage in authorized fund raising activities to help offset costs. If other arrangements need to be considered please let the coach now as soon as possible.

US National Level Meets

All registration meet fees for the following stated meets will be the responsibility of LRSC.

Travel/housing costs for coaches to attend the following meets will be the responsibility of the swimmer(s); Sectional, National or International level meets, Futures Meets, Junior National Championships, TYR Pro Series Meets, US Open, National Championships, Disability Swimming Championships, Open Water Nationals,
Travel/housing costs for coaches to Olympic Trials will be the responsibility of LRSC.

SETTING RECORDS

To set an LRSC age group record, a swimmer must be representing LRSC at either a YMCA or USA Swimming meet or appropriate time trial.

To set a Pine Tree Cluster YMCA(Maine YMCA league) swimming record, a swimmer must be a full YMCA member in good standing, representing their YMCA in any officially sanctioned YMCA meet.

To set a Maine USA Swimming state record a swimmer must be a USA swimming member in good standing and be participating in a sanctioned USA swim meet or time trial.

YMCA State records may not be set at a USA meet. No LRSC age group team record may be set by a swimmer that has competed for any post secondary institution or masters swim meet.

LRSC TOP 10 LIST

The Top 10 List is an ongoing list I began to compile in the early 1990’s. This is a list of names and times of swimmers with the top 10 times ever swum in any event by an LRSC swimmer during his/her membership on the team. I have researched it back to the beginnings of the team and believe it to be quite accurate. To make a list, a swimmer may achieve the time at either a YMCA, or USA meet.

FINANCES

YMCA membership fee’s and team fee’s are paid to the YMCA and help the Y to pay the coaching staff as well as support staff needed to oversee/manage the team program. The team is in turn responsible for its own expenses such as transportation, meet entry fees, officials, meet ribbons, banquet awards, equipment, etc…

LRSC raises its monies to operate by holding an annual winter season AQUA-THON. Swimmers are issued a pledge card in which they are asked to raise at least $50, by soliciting pledges from relatives, teachers, friends, neighbors, businesses, strangers, corporations or any other creative place that can find. Any swimmer that raises more than $100 will be offered a gift certificate to the business of their choice within the Bath Area Family YMCA’s service area at the season ending banquet. Amount of the gift certificate is dependent on the amount raised.

TEAM PICTURES

Each year, a team photo session is arranged. On the scheduled day and time, swimmers meet at the designated spot and sit for one or more group pictures. All team members are encouraged to be at the session, yet are not required to purchase a copy of the picture. Ordering may be done on picture day or later. Pictures are distributed at the season ending banquet.

SEASON ENDING BANQUET

The awards banquet is usually held in late March. The banquet is a chance for swimmers to be recognized for their efforts over the winter season.

All swimmers receive a certificate of participation for the season. Most Improved trophies are awarded in each age group. Coach’s Award trophies are awarded to any number of swimmers that may have had a noteworthy season. It is not possible to give trophies to all deserving swimmers as it may involve 100 or more trophies and 4 hours. State record plaques, and the Stella Mank Award are awarded. Aqua-thon recognition is also done at this time.

After the banquet, there is often usually a food and/or snacking fellowship period.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

LRSC has always had a very strong parent volunteer group, and that has been a big factor in our success. It is hoped that all parents will participate, to help make the season run smoothly, more fun for swimmers, and to guarantee the continued success of the LONG REACH SWIM CLUB.

Parents will see that the tremendous dividends that are paid to the swimmers are also shared by the parents/guardians who participate. The obvious reason for this sharing is that swimmers may not have a positive experience without the sacrifice and support they receive from a parent or guardian. Subtle support is not often seen or appreciated by the swimmer, yet in the long run they will be better for it. Parents can expect to be contacted to support team activities or committees.

We have a loosely organized parent organization and interested parents are encouraged to join in over the course of the season.

The following areas are just some that need your help.

Timers: for each home meet, the team needs up to 3 timers for each lane in the pool. LRSC provides stopwatches or you may use your own.
Meet management: this area of involvement includes a meet announcer, computer operator, scoreboard operator as well as a few others if they can fit into my tiny new office.
Concessions: leader coordinates and administrates meet concessions and volunteers.
Officials: all meets require swim officials. Interested people must attend an Officials clinic to become certified. Nominal existing swim knowledge is required to become involved as an official.
Other: I will probably come up with something.

Team Travel

Team Travel Policy & Code of Conduct for LRSC Swimming Purpose: Athletes are most vulnerable to misconduct during travel, particularly overnight stays. This includes a high risk of athlete-to-athlete misconduct. During travel, athletes are often away from their families and support networks, and the setting – new changing areas, locker rooms, workout facilities, automobiles and hotel rooms – is less structured and less familiar.

Team Travel is defined as overnight travel to a swim meet or other team activity that is planned and supervised by LRSC Swimming (Team).

Section 1: USA Swimming Required Policies These items are Code of Conduct stipulations in the USA Swimming Rulebook.

Team travel policies must be signed and agreed to by all athletes, parents, coaches and other adults traveling with the team. (305.5.D)
Team managers and chaperones must be members of USA Swimming and have successfully passed a USA Swimming-administered criminal background check. (305.5.B)
Regardless of gender, a coach shall not share a hotel room or other sleeping arrangement with an athlete (unless the coach is the parent, guardian, sibling, or spouse of that particular athlete). (305.5.A)
When only one athlete and one coach travel to a competition, the athlete must have his/her parents’ (or legal guardian’s) written permission in advance to travel alone with the coach. (305.5C)

Section 2: Additional Policies

During team travel, when doing room checks, attending team meetings and/or other activities, two-deep leadership and open and observable environments shall be maintained.
Athletes shall not ride in a coach’s vehicle without another adult present who is the same gender as the athlete, unless prior parental permission is obtained.
During overnight team travel, if athletes are paired with other athletes they shall be of the same gender and should be a similar age. Chaperones and/or team managers should ideally stay in nearby rooms.
When only one athlete and one coach travel to a competition, at the competition the coach and athlete should attempt to establish a “buddy” club to associate with during the competition and when away from the venue.
To ensure the propriety of the athletes and to protect the staff, there will be no male athletes in female athlete’s rooms and no female athletes in male athlete’s rooms (unless the other athlete is a sibling or spouse of that particular athlete).
A copy of the Team Code of Conduct must be signed by the athlete and his/her parent or legal guardian.
Team officials shall obtain a signed Liability Release and/or Indemnification Form for each athlete.
Team officials shall carry a signed Medical Consent or Authorization to Treat Form for each athlete.
Curfews shall be established by the team staff each day of the trip.
Team members and staff traveling with the team will attend all team functions including meetings, practices, meals, meet sessions, etc. unless otherwise excused or instructed by the head coach or his/her designee.
The directions & decisions of coaches/chaperones are final.
Swimmers are expected to remain with the team at all times during the trip. Swimmers are not to leave the competition venue, the hotel, a restaurant, or any other place at which the team has gathered without the permission/knowledge of the coach or chaperone.
When visiting public places such as shopping malls, movie theatres, etc. swimmers will stay in groups of no less than two persons.
The Head Coach or his/her designee shall make a written report of travel policy or code of conduct violations to the appropriate team leadership and the parent or legal guardian of any affected athlete.
Safety
i. All team travel participants must wear seat belts and remain seated in vehicles;
ii. Team travel lodging will use hotel rooms with interior entrances; and
iii. When available, a supervised team room may be provided for relaxation and recreation.
Behavior
i. All swimmers must stay in the assigned hotel room;
ii. Two different curfews will be established – in own rooms and lights out;
iii. Be quiet and respect the rights of teammates and others in hotel;
iv. Needs and well being of the team come first;
v. Be prompt and on time;
vi. Respect travel vehicles;
vii. Use appropriate behavior in public facilities;
viii. Coaches may enact cell phone and/or computer usage guidelines; and
ix. Dress code for team travel will be announced during pre-travel preparations.
Financial
i. No room service without permission;
ii. Swimmers are responsible for all incidental charges;
iii. Swimmers are responsible for any damages or thievery at hotel;

USA SWIMMING LEAGUE

There are swim teams in Maine that are not YMCA teams. They have a national USA team charter and are eligible for any USA meet held in the U.S. YMCA teams are allowed to charter a team and be a part of Maine Swimming Inc., the governing organization for all Maine USA swim teams. LRSC is such a member.

LRSC USA swimming is not required of swimmers. There is an additional registration cost to join USA swimming.

Benefits of USA swimming include but are not restricted to the following: swimmers get the opportunity to pick and choose which meets and events to participate in as opposed to a Y meet where the coaching staff selects the events. Additional exposure to more racing and unusual events has more often than not resulted in faster success to a swimmer. Meet notices are posted on the team website. USA meets charge a per event fee to be paid at time of sign up. In USA meets, a swimmers age is determined by age on the first day of the meet in question. USA also exposes swimmers to many other swimmers and formats of swimming meets they may normally not see. There are no separate USA swim practices, only LRSC practices.

Safe Sport

Electronic Communication Policy

Long Reach Swim Club

PURPOSE

The Long Reach swim club of the Bath Area Family YMCA recognizes the prevalence of electronic communication and social media in today’s world. Many of our swimmers use these means as their primary method of communication. While the Club acknowledges the value of these methods of communication, the Club also realizes that there are associated risks that must be considered when adults use these methods to communicate with minors.

GENERAL CONTENT

All communications between a coach or other adult and an athlete must be professional in nature and for the purpose of communicating information about team activities. The content and intent of all electronic communications must adhere to the USA Swimming Code of

Conduct regarding Athlete Protection.

For example, as with any communication with an athlete, electronic communication should not contain or relate to any of the following:

drugs or alcohol use;
sexually oriented conversation; sexually explicit language; sexual activity the adult’s personal life , social activities, relationship or family issues, or personal problems; and inappropriate or sexually explicit pictures

Note: Any communication concerning an athlete’s personal life, social activities, relationship or family issues or personal problems must be transparent, accessible and professional.

Whether one is an athlete, coach, board member or parent, the guiding principle to always use in communication is to ask: “Is this communication something that someone else would find appropriate or acceptable in a face‐to‐face meeting?” or “Is this something you would be comfortable saying out loud to the intended recipient of your communication in front of the intended recipient’s parents, the coaching staff, the board, or other athletes?”

With respect to electronic communications, a simple test that can be used in most cases is whether the electronic communication with swimmers is Transparent, Accessible and Professional.

Transparent: All electronic communication between coaches and athletes should be transparent. Your communication should not only be clear and direct, but also free of hidden meanings, innuendo and expectations.

Accessible: All electronic communication between coaches and athletes should be considered a matter of record and part of the Club’s records. Whenever possible, include another coach or parent in the communication so that there is no question regarding accessibility.

Professional: All electronic communication between a coach and an athlete should be conducted professionally as a representative of the Club. This includes word choices, tone, grammar, and subject matter that model the standards and integrity of a staff member.

If your communication meets all three of the T.A.P. criteria, then it is likely your method of communication with athletes will be appropriate.

FACEBOOK, TWITTER, BLOGS, AND SIMILAR SITES

Coaches may have personal Facebook (or other social media site) pages, but they are not permitted to have any athlete member of the Club join their personal page as a “friend.” A coach should not accept any “friend” request from an athlete. In addition, the coach should remind the athlete that this is not permitted. Coaches and athletes are not permitted to “private message” each other through Facebook. Coaches and athletes are not permitted to “instant message” each other through Facebook chat or other IM method.

The Club has an official Facebook page that athletes and their parents can “friend” for information and updates on team‐related matters.

Coaches are encouraged to set their pages to “private” to prevent athletes from accessing the coach’s personal information.

TEXTING

Subject to the general guidelines mentioned above, texting is allowed between coaches and athletes during the hours from 7am until 9pm. Texting only shall be used for the purpose of communicating information directly related to team activities.

EMAIL

Athletes and coaches may use email to communicate between the hours of 7am and 9pm.

When communicating with an athlete through email, a parent, another coach, or a board member must also be copied.

REQUEST TO DISCONTINUE ALL ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS

The parents or guardians of an athlete may request in writing that their child not be contacted by coaches through any form of electronic communication.

Bullying Policy

Bully Prevention Policy

The Bath Area Family YMCA believes it is very important for all people to feel safe in our facilities and programs. We have an obligation to promote mutual respect, tolerance, and acceptance. We will do everything possible to ensure a safe and healthy environment is created and maintained for your family.

The Bath Area Family YMCA will not tolerate behavior that infringes on the safety of any participant. A swimmer shall not intimidate, harass, or bully another participant through words or actions.

Bullying is any single incident or pattern of behavior directed at another person that results in that person feeling intimidated, frightened, or harassed or results in physical or emotional injury of the person.

Types of Bullying:

There are four types of bullying:

Verbal bullying is saying or writing mean things. Verbal bullying includes:

Teasing
Name calling
Inappropriate sexual comments
Taunting
Threating to cause harm
Social bullying, sometimes referred to as relational bullying, involves hurting someone’s reputation or relationships. Social bullying includes:
Excluding someone out on purpose
b. Telling other children not to be friends with someone, or other shunning behavior
c. Spreading rumors about someone
d. Embarrassing someone in public
e. The “Silent Treatment”
Physical bullying involves hurting a person’s body or possessions. Physical bullying includes:
Hitting/kicking/pinching
b. Spitting
c. Tripping/pushing
d. Taking or damaging someone’s property
e. Making mean or rude hand gestures
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Electronic technoloty includes devices and equipment such as cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as communication tools including social media sites, text messages, chat, and websites.

The Bath Area Family YMCA expects participants, family members and staff to immediately report incidents of bullying to the Swim Coach. Staff who witness such acts take immediate steps to intervene when safe to do so. Each complaint of bullying should be promptly investigated and documented.

This policy applies to swimmers at Bath Area Family YMCA sponsored activities, including all swim practices and swim meets, or at the Bath Area Family YMCA facilities. It also applies to all off-site swim meets and team provided transportation.

To ensure bullying does not occur in our programs, the Bath Area Family YMCA will provide staff development training in bullying prevention and cultivate acceptance and understanding in all participants and staff to build our team’s capacity to maintain a safe and healty environment.

The Bath Area Family YMCA will make reasonable efforts to keep a report of bullying and the results of investigation confidential.

YMCA staff will discuss this policy with their participants in age-appropriate ways and will assure them that they need not endure any form of bullying. Swimmers who bully are in violation of this policy and are subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the program.

If there is a violation of this policy, the following disciplinary actions will be taken:

First event: Warning- Y Staff will immediately take child aside, and review the bullying policy, and redirect that child. Solutions will be developed by the child and Y Staff to prevent similar behaviors in the future. The incident will be documented.
Second Incident: Meeting with the Coach- Parents will be notified and a meeting scheduled before the child returns to the program. The child and his/her parent(s) will meet with the Swim Coach to discuss the problem behavior and solutions to the problem.
Third Incident: In cases of severe or repeated bullying, the child will receive a consequence, which will include time spent away from the YMCA and all team activities.
Separation: In the event of dangerous bullying (such as serious physical violence or threats), or where repeated efforts to address a chronic problem have failed, the child may be asked to leave the program and/or forfeit participation in the YMCA

In the event of a serious episode, the Executive Director may choose to immediately remove the participant from the YMCA and all programming.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Some swimmers may be sensitive to pool chemicals, more than others (genetics I think). Exercise induced asthma, athlete’s foot, and warts are all common things swimmers are prone to. As with any activity a physical from a doctor is a good idea before participation. Not all swimmers will enjoy the competitive swimming experience, another person on the team, one or more of the coaches etc…. Trial and error will smelt out these things. High School swimmers are encouraged to continue with LRSC upon entry into high school. The supplement to ongoing training may help a swimmer to achieve a higher set of goals.

MISCELLANEOUS

As with any activity there will be successes and failures. Try to learn from a failure and it then becomes a successful learning experience.

Each swimmer is largely responsible for his or her own successes or failures. The attitude one adopts and effort one gives will invariably lead to the result one achieves. Take responsibility for what you want and know what effort it will take to get there.

Full dedication and effort does not guarantee a success. If you do not achieve a goal, look to yourself first to see if you gave every effort you could, or if you are making excuses.

Wasted potential is a life long crime.

Set yourself up for success.

The more you practice the luckier you will become.

Certain coaches on the staff collect vinyl record albums. If you are looking to clean out some stuff and find some old albums, feel free to donate them.

THE LONG REACH SWIM CLUB STRIVES TO OFFER, A VALUABLE, FUN, LIFELONG ACTIVITY, THAT ALLOWS FOR GROWTH OF MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT

Competitive Swimming Definitions

“A” – Time classification for a swimmer. National Age Group Time Standard “A”. “A” time is .01 seconds faster than the “BB” time standard and .01 slower than the “AA” time standard. See the NAGT published chart.
“AA” than “A” time standard. Faster – Time classification for a swimmer. .01
“AAA” than the “AA” time standard. Faster – Time classification for a swimmer. .01
“AAAA” than the “AAA” time standard. This is the fastest time standard listed on the NAGT chart. Times faster than this are approaching National cuts or Top Times consideration. Faster – Time classification for a swimmer. .01
A-Meet – Swim meet which requires swimmers to have previously achieved an “A” time standard in the events they wish to enter.
A-B Meet – Swim meet that offers separate competition for both “A” swimmers and “B” swimmers, usually with medals for the”A” swimmers and ribbons for the “B” swimmers. Swimmers compete in separate brackets against other swimmers of their own ability. Usually only “A” swimmers can score individual event team points.
A-B-C and all swimmers “C” and down compete in the “C” division. The “B” division is the most limited with both top (.01 slower than “A”) and bottom (.01 faster than “C”) limitations. Division. All swimmers “A” time or faster compete in the “A” experienced – Swim meet similar to the A-B meet except that there are 3 divisions. This type of meet includes every ability level of swimmer from Novice to very
Add Up – Aggregate Time – times achieved by 4 swimmers in individual events which are added together to arrive at a provable relay entry time.
Admission – Certain swim meets charge for spectators to view the meets. These are usually the larger more prestigious meets. Sometimes the meet program (heat sheet) is included in the price of admission.
Age Group-18. Some LSC’s have divided the swimmers into more convenient divisions specific to their situations: (ie) 8-under, 13-Over, 15-Over, Junior, Senior.,17 – Division of swimmers according to age. The National Age Group divisions are: 10-under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16
Alternate decided, the next two fastest swimmers other than the finalist are designated as alternates. The faster of the 2 being first alternate and the next being second alternate.If a finalist cannot participate, the alternates are called to take their place, often on a moments notice.finalist are – In a Prelims/Finals meet, after the
Anchor – The final swimmer in a relay.
Approved Meet – Swim meets conducted by organizations (other than USA-S member clubs or LSC’s) that have applied to USA-S or the local LSC for approval. If approval is granted, swimmers may use times achieved as USA-S qualifying times. A USA-S official must be present at all sessions of the meet. Approval does not mean Sanctioned.
ASCA education and career advancement.coaches – The American Swim Coaches Association. The professional organization for swim coaches throughout the nation.Certifying coaches and offering many services for
“B” – Time classification for a swimmer. National Age Group Time Standard “B”. “B” time is .01 seconds faster than the “C” time standard and .01 slower than the “BB” time standard. See the NAGT published chart.
“BB” – Time classification for a swimmer. National Age Group Time Standard “BB”. “BB” time is .01 seconds faster than the “B” time standard and .01 slower than the “A” time standard. See the NAGT published chart.
B-Meet – Swim meet which requires swimmers to have previously achieved a “B” time standard in the events they wish to enter. Some meets have no bottom cut time allowing “C” swimmers also to compete.
B-C Meet – Swim meet that offers separate competition for both “B” swimmers and “C” swimmers, usually with ribbons for the “B” swimmers and smaller ribbons for the “C” swimmers. Swimmers compete in separate brackets against other swimmers of their own ability. Swimmers are not allowed to enter an event that they have an “A” time in.
Backstroke – One of the 4 competitive racing strokes, basically any style of swimming on your back. Backstroke is swam as the first stroke in the Medley Relay and second stroke in the I.M. Racing distances are 50 yds/mtr, 100 yds/mtr, and 200 yds/mtr. (LSC’s with 8-under divisions offer the 25 yd back)
Banner – A team sign that is displayed at swim meets. Banners are usually made from nylon material and carry the Team Logo and possibly the name of a popular team sponsor. Some size restrictions are enforced at certain meets.
Beep – The starting sound from an electronic, computerized timing system.
Big Finals Prelims/Finals meet who, after the Prelims swim, qualify to return to the Finals. Big Finals is the fastest heat of finals when multiple heats are held.in a – The top 6 or 8 swimmers (depending on the # of pool lanes)
Blocks – The starting platforms located behind each lane. Some pools have blocks at the deeper end of the pool, and some pools have blocks at both ends. Blocks have a variety of designs and can be permanent or removable.
BOD – Board of Directors of the LSC or USA-S.
Bonus Heat is slower than the swimmers participating in Big Finals. The Bonus Heat may refer to Consolation Finals or and extra heat in addition to Consolation finals.meet, that – The heat held during the finals session of a Prelims/Finals
Bottom – The floor of the pool. Bottom depths are usually marked on the walls or sides of the pool.
Breaststroke – One of the 4 competitive racing strokes. Breaststroke is swam as the second stroke in the Medley Relay and the third stroke in the I.M. Racing distances are 50 yds/mtr, 100 yds/mtr, and 200 yds/mtr. (LSC’s with 8-under divisions offer the 25 yd back)
Bull Pen – The staging area where swimmers wait to receive their lane and heat assignments for a swimming event. Area is usually away from the pool and has rows of chairs for the swimmers to sit. The Clerk of the Course is in charge of the Bull Pen.
Bulletin – One of the most important communication devices for a swim club. Bulletin boards are usually in the entrance ways of pools and have timely information posted for swimmers and parents to read.
Butterfly – One of the 4 competitive racing strokes. Butterfly (nicknamed FLY) is swam as the third stroke in the Medley Relay and first stroke in the I.M. Racing distances are 50 yds/mtr, 100 yds/mtr, and 200 yds/mtr. (LSC’s with 8-under divisions offer the 25 yd back)
Button – The manual Timing System stopping device that records a back-up time in case the touch pad malfunctioned. The button is at the end of a wire, plugged into a deck terminal box. There are usually 3 buttons per lane.It is the timers responsibility to push the button as the swimmer finishes the race.
Camp advice as to what will be the best for the swimmer, or call USA swimming for details on the many camps they offer.coaches LSC, or a USA-S coach. There are many types of camps for just about every level of swimmer. When selecting a camp, ask for your your – A swimming function offered by USA-S,
Cap covering worn on the head of swimmers. The colors and team logo’s adorning these caps are limitless. National Caps, State Team Caps, award caps, plain practice caps, etc.lycra – The latex or
Car pool – The major transportation service provided by parents of a swim club, to shuttle swimmers to and from practices.
Carbohydrates – The main source of food energy used by athletes. Refer to a Nutritional Manual for more information.
Championship Meet – The meet held at the end of a season. Qualification times are usually necessary to enter meet.
Championship Finals Prelims/Finals meet who, after the Prelims swim, qualify to return to the Finals. The fastest heat of finals when multiple heats are held. Big Finals.in a – The top 6 or 8 swimmers (depending on the # of pool lanes)
Check-In – The procedure required before a swimmer swims an event in a deck seeded meet. Sometimes referred to as positive check in, the swimmer must mark their name on a list posted by the meet host.
Check-Out – The parents job at the motel. This is listed here to remind parents to request “Late Check Out” times if offered at no charge by the motel. This makes the last day of the meet a little less hectic.
Chlorine – The chemical used by most pools to kill the bacteria in water and keep it clear and safe to swim in.
Circle Seeding – A method of seeding swimmers when they are participating in a prelims/finals event. The fastest 18 to 24 swimmers are seeded in the last three heats, with the fastest swimmers being in the inside lanes. (Ie) Lane 4 in the final 3 heats. See rule book for exact method for seeding depending on the lanes in the pool.
Clinic clinic, Coaches clinic.Officials – A scheduled meeting for the purpose of instruction. (Ie)
Closed Competition – Swim meet which is open to the members of an organization or group. Summer club swim meets are considered to be “Closed Competition”.
Club – A registered swim team that is a dues paying member of USA-S and the local LSC.
Code – A set of rules that have been officially published.
Code of Ethics – A Code of Conduct that both swimmers and coaches are required to sign at certain USA-S/LSC sponsored events. The Code is not strict and involves common sense and proper behavior.
Colorado – A brand of automatic timing system.
Consolation Finals Prelims/Finals meet who, after the Prelims swim, qualify to return to the Finals. Consolations are the second fastest heat of finals when multiple heats are held and are conducted before the Championship heat.in a – After the fastest 6 or 8 swimmers, the next 6 or 8 swimmers (depending on the # of pool lanes)
Convention – United States Aquatic Sports annual, week long, meeting where all rules changes are decided and working committees are established. Representatives are sent by each LSC to make up the voting body.
Course – Designated distance (length of pool) for swimming competition. (Ie) Long Course = 50 meters / Short Course = 25 yards or 25 meters.
Daktronics – A brand of automatic timing system.
Deadline meet entries must be “postmarked” by, to be accepted by the meet host. Making the meet deadline does not guarantee acceptance into a meet since many meets are “full” weeks before the entry deadline.date – TheThe date meet entries must be “postmarked” by, to be accepted by the meet host. Making the meet deadline does not guarantee acceptance into a meet since many meets are “full” weeks before the entry deadline.
Deck – The area around the swimming pool reserved for swimmers, officials, and coaches. No one but an “authorized”USA-S member may be on the deck during a swim competition.
Deck Entries – Accepting entries into swimming events on the first day or later day of a meet.
Deck Seeding – Swimmers report to a bull pen or staging area and receive their lane and heat assignments for the events.
Dehydration – The abnormal depletion of body fluids (water). The most common cause of swimmers cramps and sick feelings.
Developmental – A classification of meet or competition that is usually held early in the season. The purpose of a developmental meet is to allow all levels of swimmers to compete in a low pressure environment.
Distance meters (30 lengths).1500 yards (4 lengths), 200 yards (8 lengths), 400 yards (16 lengths), 500 yards (20 lengths), 1000 yards (40 lengths), 1650 yards (66 lengths). Distances for long course are: 50 meters (1 length), 100 meters (2 lengths), 200 meters (4 lengths), 400 meters (8 lengths), 800 meters (16 lengths), ,100 – How far a swimmer swims. Distances for short course are: 25 yards (1 length), 50 yards (2 lengths)
Disqualified – A swimmers performance is not counted because of a rules infraction. A disqualification is shown by an official raising one arm with open hand above their head.
Dive – Entering the water head first. Diving is not allowed during warmups except at the designated time, in specific lanes that are monitored by the swimmers coach.
Diving Well – A separate pool or a pool set off to the side of the competition pool. This pool has deeper water and diving boards/platforms. During a meet, this area may be designated as a warm-down pool with proper supervision.
Division I-II-III – NCAA member colleges and universities are assigned divisions to compete in, depending on the schools total enrollment. Division I being the large universities and Division III being the smaller colleges.
Double Dual – Type of swim meet where three teams compete in dual meets against each other, at the same time. Separate Meet scores would be kept for Team A vs. Team B, Team A vs. Team C, and Team B vs. Team C.
Dual Meet – Type of meet where two (2) teams/clubs compete against each other.
Draw – Random selection by chance.
Dropped Time – When a swimmer goes faster than the previous performance they have “dropped their time”.
Dryland – The exercises and various strength programs swimmers do out of the water.
Dry Side – That part of the Code book (rule book) that deals with the “Administrative” Regulations of Competition.
Entry – An Individual, Relay team, or Club roster’s event list into a swim competition.
Entry Chairperson – The host clubs designated person who is responsible for receiving, and making sure the entries have met the deadline, or returning the entries if the meet is full. This person usually will find discrepancies in the meet entries and notify the entering club to correct any errors.
Entry Fees – The amount per event a swimmer or relay is charged. This varies depending on the LSC and type of meet.
Entry Limit – Each meet will usually have a limit of total swimmers they can accept, or a time limit they can not exceed.Once an entry limit has been reached, a meet will be closed and all other entries returned.
Electronic Timing – Timing system operated on DC current (battery). The timing system usually has touchpads in the water, junction boxes on the deck with hook up cables, buttons for backup timing, and a computer type console that prints out the results of each race. Some systems are hooked up to a scoreboard that displays swimmers time.
Eligible to compete – The status of a member swimmer that means they are registered and have met all the requirements.
Equipment – The items necessary to operate a swim practice or conduct a swim competition.
Event – A race or stroke over a given distance. An event equals 1 preliminary with its final, or 1 timed final.
False Start – When a swimmer leaves the starting block before the horn or gun. One false start will disqualify a swimmer or a relay team, although the starter or referee may disallow the false start due to unusual circumstances.
False Start Rope – A recall rope across the width of the racing pool for the purpose of stopping swimmers who were not aware of a false start. The rope is about 1/2 way on yard pools and about 50 feet from the starting end on meter pools.
Fastest to Slowest heat and one boys heat until all swimmers have competed.girls – A seeding method used on the longer events held at the end of a session. The fastest seeded swimmers participate in the first heats followed by the next fastest and so on. Many times these events will alternate one
Fees – Money paid by swimmers for services. (Ie) Practice fees, registration fee, USA-S membership fee, etc.
FINA – The international, rules making organization, for the sport of swimming.
Finals – The final race of each event. See “Big Finals”, “Consolation Finals”, “Timed Finals”, etc.
Final Results – The printed copy of the results of each race of a swim meet.
Fine – The monetary penalty assessed a swimmer or club when a swimmer does not achieve the necessary time required to swim in an event, and cannot prove they have done the time previously.
Fins – Large rubber fin type devices that fit on a swimmers feet. Used in swim practice, not competition.
Flags – Pennants that are suspended over the width of each end of the pool approximately 15 feet from the wall.
Format – The order of events and type of swim meet being conducted.
Fund Raiser – A money making endeavor by a swim team/club usually involving both parents and swimmers.
Freestyle – One of the 4 competitive racing strokes. Freestyle (nicknamed Free) is swam as the fourth stroke in the Medley Relay and fourth stroke in the I.M. Racing distances are 50 yds/mtr, 100 yds/mtr, 200 yds/mtr, 400 mtr/500 yd 800 mtr/1000 yds, 1500 mtr/1650 yds. (LSC’s with 8-under divisions offer the 25 yd free)
Gallery – The viewing area for spectators during the swimming competition.
Goals – The short and long range targets for swimmers to aim for.
Goggles – Glasses type devices worn by swimmers to keep their eyes from being irritated by the chlorine in the water.
Gun – The blank firing pistol used by the starter to start the races.
Gun Lap – The part of a freestyle distance race (400 meters or longer) when the swimmer has 2 lengths plus 5 yards to go.The starter fires a gun shot over the lane of the lead swimmer when swimmer is at the backstroke flags.
Handbook – A reference manual published by teams/clubs and LSC’s or other swimming organizations.
Hats – See “caps”.
Headquarters – The motel designated by the meet host. Usually, hospitality rooms and meetings relating to the meet will beheld at this location. Many times this motel is one of the sponsors of the meet.
Heats – A division of an event when there are too many swimmers to compete at the same time.The results are compiled by swimmers time swam, after all heats of the event are completed.
Heat Award – A ribbon or coupon given to the winner of a single heat at an age group swim meet.
Heat Sheet – The pre-meet printed listings of swimmers seed times in the various events at a swim meet. These sheets vary in accuracy, since the coaches submit swimmers times many weeks before the meet. Heat sheets are sold at the admissions table and are used mainly to make sure the swimmer has been properly entered in all the events they signed up for. Parents enjoy looking at the seedings prior to the race plus swimmers can tell the order the events will be conducted and get a rough idea how long the meet sessions will last.
High Point – An award given to the swimmer scoring the most points in a given age group at a swim meet. All meets do not offer high point awards; check the pre meet information.
HOD – House of Delegates. The ruling body of an LSC composed of the designated representative of each club plus the board of directors (BOD) of the LSC. One vote per club and board member.
Horn – A sounding device used in place of a gun. Used mainly with a fully automatic timing system.
Illegal – Doing something against the rules that is cause for disqualification.
IM of each stroke. Distances offered: 100 yds, 200 yds/mtr, 400 yds/mtr.swam. Equal distances must be Freestyle – Individual Medley. A swimming event using all 4 of the competitive strokes on consecutive lengths of the race.The order must be: Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke,
Insurance so check with your club for detailed information.apply, – USA-S offers “accident insurance coverage” which is automatic when swimmer, coach, official, pays their USA-S membership fee. Many restrictions
Interval – A specific elapsed time for swimming or rest used during swim practice.
Invitational – Type of meet that requires a club to request an invitation to attend the meet.
J.O. – Junior Olympics. An age group championship meet conducted by the LSC.
Jump – An illegal start done by the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th member of a relay team. The swimmer on the block breaks contact with the block before the swimmer in the water touches the wall.
Juniors – A USA-S National Championship meet for swimmers 18 years old or less. Qualification times are necessary. National Meets are conducted both short course (in April) and long course (in August).
Jr/Sr Camp – A training and information camp sponsored by the LSC for those swimmers registered in the LSC who National Camp qualified for USA-S Junior or USA-S Senior Nationals.
Kick – The leg movements of a swimmer. A popular word to “yell” to encourage swimmers during a race.
Kick Board – A flotation device used by swimmers during practice. A lightweight object used with great accuracy by coaches.
Kyroscope – A brand of automatic timing system.
Lane – The specific area in which a swimmer is assigned to swim. (Ie) Lane 1 or Lane 2. Pools with starting blocks at only one end: As the swimmers stand behind the blocks, lanes are numbered from Right (lane 1) to Left (Lane 6).
Lane Lines – Continuous floating markers attached to a cable stretched from the starting end to the turning end for the purpose of separating each lane and quieting the waves caused by racing swimmers.
Lap – One length of the course. Sometimes may also mean down and back (2 lengths) of the course.
Lap Counter – The large numbered cards (or the person turning the cards) used during the freestyle events 500 yards or longer. Counting is done from the end opposite the starting end. The numbers on the cards are “odd numbers”only with the final lap being designated by a bright orange card.
Late Entries received by the meet host after the entry deadline. These entries are usually not accepted and are returned to sender.that are – Meet entries from a club or individual
Leg – The part of a relay event swam by a single team member. A single stroke in the IM.
Length – The extent of the competitive course from end to end. See lap.
Little Finals Prelims/Finals meet who, after the Prelims swim, qualify to return to the Finals. Little Finals are the second fastest heat of finals when multiple heats are held and are conducted before the Championship heat.in a – After the fastest 6 or 8 swimmers, the next 6 or 8 swimmers (depending on the # of pool lanes)
Long Course – A 50 meter pool.
LSC – Local Swim Committee. The local level administrative division of the corporation (USA-S) with supervisory responsibilities within certain geographic boundaries designated by the Corporation.
Lycra – A stretch material used to make competitive swim suits and swim hats.
Malfunction – A mechanical or electronic failure – not a human failure by the swimmer.
Mark – The command to take your starting position.
Marshall – The adult(s) (official) who control the crowd and swimmer flow at a swim meet.
Medals – Awards given to the swimmers at meets. They vary in size and design and method of presentation.
Meet – A series of events held in one program.
Meet Director – The official in charge of the administration of the meet. The person directing the “dry side” of the meet.
Meters 50 meters, short course meters is 25 meters.Long course meters is – The measurement of the length of a swimming pool that was built per specs using the metric system.
Mile – The slang referring to the 1500 meter or the 1650 yard freestyle, both of which are slightly short of a mile.
MSI – Maine Swimming, Inc.
MPA – Maine Principals’ Association
NAIA – National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
NAGTS – National Age Group Time Standards – the list of “C” through “AAAA” times published each year.
Nationals – USA-S senior or junior level meets conducted in March/April and August. See Senior or Junior Nationals.
Natatorium – A building constructed for the purpose of housing a swimming pool and related equipment.
NCAA – National Collegiate Athletic Association
Newsletter – A written communication published by a club or association.
NGB – National Governing Body
Non-Conforming Time – A short course time submitted to qualify for a long course meet, or vice versa.
Novelty Meet – A meet that does not fall into a specific category because of limited events, sessions, or age brackets.
Novice – A beginner or someone who does not have experience.
NRT – National Reportable Time. A time list published once a year, which if a swimmer equals or betters the time on the list, they may submit their time in that event for consideration for national recognition.
NFSA – National Federation of State High School Association
NT – No Time. The abbreviation used on a heat sheet to designate that the swimmer has not swam that event before.
Nutrition – The sum of the processes by which a swimmer takes in and utilizes food substances.
Nylon – A material used to make swim suits.
Officials – The certified, adult volunteers, who operate the many facets of a swim competition.
Olympic Trials – The USA-S sanctioned long course swim meet held the year of the Olympic Games to decide what swimmers will represent the USA on our Olympic Team. Qualification times are faster than Senior Nationals.
Omega – A brand of automatic timing system.
OT – Official Time. The swimmers event time recorded to one hundredth of a second (.01).
OTC – Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
OVC – Official Verification Card. A 3 copy form for certifying a national qualifying time made by a swimmer and issued only by a verification official of the area in which the meet was held.
Open Competition – Competition which any qualified club, organization, or individual may enter.
Parka – Large 3/4 length fur lined coats worn by swimmers. Usually are in team colors with logo or team name.
Pace Clock – The large clocks with highly visible numbers and second hands, positioned at the ends or sides of a swimming pool so the swimmers can read their times during warmups or swim practice.
Paddle – Colored plastic devices worn on the swimmers hands during swim practice.
Pelican Pete – The “Safety Mascot” of USA-S swimming.
Plaque – A type of award (wall plaque) given to swimmers at a meet.
Pool – The facility in which swimming competition is conducted.
Positive Check In – The procedure required before a swimmer swims an event in a deck seeded or pre seeded meet. The swimmer must mark their name on a list posted by the meet host.
Practice attends with their swim team/club.a swimmers – The scheduled workouts
Prelims – Session of a Prelims/Finals meet in which the qualification heats are conducted.
Prelims-Finals and the next fastest 6 or 8 swimmers (Consolation Heat) return in the evening to compete in the Finals. A swimmer who has qualified in the Consolation Finals may not place in the Championship Finals even if their finals time would place them so. The converse also applies.swimmers, – Type of meet with two sessions. The preliminary heats are usually held in the morning session. The fastest 6 or 8 (Championship Heat)
Pre-seeded – A meet conducted without a bull pen in which a swimmer knows what lane and heat they are in by looking at the Meet heat sheet, or posted meet program.
Proof of Time – An official meet result, OVC, or other accepted form. Swimmers/Coaches must supply proof of time with some meet entries, and other meets it is not required unless a swimmer misses a cut of time at the meet.
Psyche Sheet – Another name for a “Heat Sheet” or meet program.
Pull Buoy – A flotation device used for pulling by swimmers in practice.
Qualifying Times – Published times necessary to enter certain meets, or the times necessary to achieve a specific category of swimmer. See “A” “AA” (etc.) times.
Race – Any single swimming competition. (Ie) preliminary, final, timed final.
Ready Room – A room pool side for the swimmers to relax before they compete in finals.
Recall Rope – A rope across the width of the racing pool for the purpose of stopping swimmers who were not aware of a false start. The rope is about 1/2 way on yard pools and about 50 feet from the starting end on meter pools.
Referee – The head official at a swim meet in charge of all of the “Wet Side” administration and decisions.
Registered – Enrolled and paid as a member of USA-S and the LSC.
Relays – A swimming event in which 4 swimmers participate as a relay team each swimmer swimming an equal distance of the race. There are two types of relays: 1.) Medley relay – One swimmer swims Backstroke, one swimmer swims Breaststroke, one swimmer swims Butterfly, one swimmer swims Freestyle, in that order. Medley relays are conducted over 200 yd/mtr and 400 yd/mtr distances. 2.) Freestyle relay – Each swimmer swims freestyle. Free relays are conducted over 200 yd/mtr, 400 yd/mtr, and 800 yd/mtr distances.
Rest Area – A designated area (such as a gymnasium) that is set aside for swimmers to rest during a meet.
Ribbons – Awards in a variety of sizes, styles, and colors, given at swim meets.
Safety – The responsible and careful actions of those participating in a swim meet. USA-S and each LSC now have a “Safety Coordinator” and each meet must have “Marshalls” in charge of safety.
Sanction – A permit issued by an LSC to a USA-S group member to conduct an event or meet.
Sanction Fee – The amount paid by a USA-S group member to an LSC for issuing a sanction.
Schedule – USA-S or LSC list of meets with dates, meet host, meet location, type of meet, and contacts address and phone.
Scratch – To withdraw from an event after having declared an intention to participate. Some meets have scratch deadlines and specific scratch rules, and if not followed, swimmer can be disqualified from remaining events.
Seed – Assign the swimmers heats and lanes according to their submitted or preliminary times.
Seeding – Deck Seeding – swimmers are called to report to the Clerk of the Course. After scratches are determined, the event is seeded. Pre Seeding – swimmers are arranged in heats according to submitted times, usually a day prior to the meet.
Senior Meet – A meet that is for senior level swimmers and is not divided into age groups. Qualification times are usually necessary and will vary depending on the level of the meet.
Senior – A USA-S National Championship meet for swimmers of any age as long as the qualification times are met.
Senior Nationals – Nationals are conducted long course in the spring (usually in late March) and in the summer (usually in late July or August).
Session – Portion meet distinctly separated from other portions by locale, time, type of competition, or age group.
Shave at very important (Championship) meets.Seniors, leg, and exposed torso hair, to decrease the “drag” or resistance of the body moving through the water. Used only by arm – The process of removing all
Short Course – A 25 yard or 25 meter pool.
Simultaneously – A term used in the rules of butterfly and breaststroke, meaning at the same time.
Splash – United States Swimming newsletter that is mailed bi-monthly.
Split first 50 time is taken as the swimmer swims the 100 race. It is common to take multiple splits for the longer distances.A swimmers is timed. (Ie) distance, that – A portion of an event, shorter than the total
Stations – Separate portions of a dryland or weight circuit.
Start – The beginning of a race. The dive used to begin a race.
Starter – The official in charge of signaling the beginning of a race and insuring that all swimmers have a fair takeoff.
Still Water – Water that has no current caused by a filter system or no waves caused by swimmers.
State – A meet held twice a year (Short Course and Long Course) sponsored by the LSC. It is common to hold a Championship Senior meet and Age Group meet separately. Qualification times are usually necessary.
State Qualifier – A swimmer who has made the necessary cut off times to enter the State meet.
Stand-up – The command given by the Starter or Referee to release the swimmers from their starting position.
Step-Down – The command given by the Starter or Referee to have the swimmers move off the blocks. Usually this command is a good indication everything is not right for the race to start.
Stroke.Freestyle – There are 4 competitive strokes: Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke,
Stroke Judge.Disqualified – The official positioned at the side of the pool, walking the length of the course as the swimmers race.If the Stroke Judge sees something illegal, they report to the referee and the swimmer may be
Submitted Time – Times used to enter swimmers in meets. These times must have been achieved by the swimmer at previous meets.
Suit.Paper – The racing uniform worn by the swimmer, in the water, during competition. The three most popular styles/types of suits worn are: Nylon, Lycra,
Swim-A-Thon – The “Fund Raiser” copyrighted by USA-S swimming for local clubs to use to make money.
Swim America – The professional swim lesson program administrated by the American Swim Coaches Assoc. licensed to Coaches.
Swim-off – In a Prelims/Finals type competition, a race after the scheduled event to break a tie. The only circumstance that warrants a swim-off is to determine which swimmer makes finals or an alternate, otherwise ties stand.
Swimming World – The most informational and popular of the professional magazines. All swimmers and parents who are interested in swimming should consider a subscription. Ask your coach for address.
Taper – The resting phase of a senior swimmer at the end of the season before the championship meet.
Team – USA-S Registered club that has the right to compete for points.
Team Records – The statistics a team keeps, listing the fastest swimmer in the clubs history for each age group/each event.
Timed Finals times.the those – Competition in which only heats are swum and final placings are determined by
Time Standard – A time set by a meet or LSC or USA-S (etc) that a swimmer must achieve for qualification or recognition.
Timer – The volunteers sitting behind the starting blocks/finish end of pool, who are responsible for getting watch times on events and activating the backup buttons for the timing system.
Time Trial – An event or series of events where a swimmer may achieve or better a required time standard.
Top 10 – A list of times compiled by the LSC or USA-S or Swimming World that recognizes the top number of swimmers Top 16 in each age group (boys & girls) in each event and distance.
Touch Out – To reach the touchpad and finish first in a close race.
Touch Pad – The removable plate (on the end of pools) that is connected to an automatic timing system. A swimmer must properly touch the touchpad to register an official time in a race.
Transfer – The act of leaving one club or LSC and going to another. Usually 120 days of unattached competition is required before swimmer can represent another USA-S club.
Travel Fund – A sum of money set aside for a swimmer to use for travel expenses and entry fees to specified meets.
Tri-meet – A meet with 3 team competing for points to see who places 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
Trophy – Type of award given to teams and swimmers at meets.
Unattached – An athlete member who competes, but does not represent a club or team. (abbr. UN)
Uniform pants, suits, hat, goggles, T-shirt, etc.,sweat – The various parts of clothing a swimmer wears at a meet. May include: Parka, Warmup jacket, Team duffel bag
Unofficial Time – The time displayed on a read out board or read over the intercom by the announcer immediately after the race. After the time has been checked, it will become the official time.
USA-S – The governing body of swimming. United States Swimming.
USA-S Number – A 14 part number assigned to a swimmer after they have filled out the proper forms and paid their annual dues. The first 6 parts are numbers of swimmers birthdates: Day/Month/Year using zeros as place holders. The next three parts are letters standing for the first three letters of their First Name. Their first initial in their Middle Name and the last four letters are their first four letters of their last name. For example: USA-S# for swimmer Kent Michael Nelson, a member of Maine Swimming, registering for the up and comming swim year and was born on Aug.27, 1976 would be 082776KENMNELS.
USOTC – United States Olympic Training Center located in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Vertical – At right angle to the normal water level.
Vitamins – The building blocks of the body. Vitamins do not supply energy, but are necessary for proper health.
Warm-down – The loosing a swimmer does after a race when pool space is available.
Warm-up – The practice and loosing session a swimmer does before the meet or their event is swum.
Watch – The hand held device used by timers and coaches for timing a swimmers races and taking splits.
Water – For the purpose of filling swimming pools and swimmers drinking to properly hydrate themselves.
Weights – The various barbells / benches / machines used by swimmers during their dryland program.
Whistle – The sound a starter/referee makes to signal for quiet before they give the command to start the race.
Work Out – The practice sessions a swimmer attends.
Yards – The measurement of the length of a swimming pool that was built per specs using the American system. A short course yard pool is 25 yards (75 feet) in length.
Yardage – The distance a swimmer races or swims in practice. Total yardage can be calculated for each practice session.
Zones – The country is divided up into 4 major zones: Eastern – Southern – Central – Western. At the end of the long course season (in August) the Zone Administration sponsors a championship age group meet.

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LRSC Handbook