We use the word declare to indicate if an athlete will participate in a meet. About 10 days before a meet the link to declare will go live on the SwimTopia website. You simply click the green box and sign up for the meet.
How does my athlete decide what to swim?
The coaches decide on events. You can leave notes on the declaration or email the coaches to make requests but ultimately the coach has a plan.
When will we know what events we are signed up for?
An entry report will be posted on www.nashvilleschoolswimclub.org in the ‘Meets’ tab. Additionally, when the heat sheet is received from the meet host it will also be posted in the same place.
Run us through a meet and what is expected of my athlete.
Arrive at the meet on time. Warm up times will be communicated either by email or posted in the team calendar. The warm up time is the time we enter the water for warm ups. We recommend getting to the facility 30 minutes before warm ups.
Find your team! Athletes stay with their team during the meet. Parents stay with the spectators during the meet. We will ask for 1 or 2 parent volunteers to help with the athletes at the meet as the meet host allows. These volunteers make sure everyone is on best behavior and helps remind the athletes of events and timing. These parents are NOT coaches and should refrain from coaching.
Athletes should check in and check out with their coaches. This is very important!!!!! We need to know that everyone is safe. Athletes are expected to stay for the entire meet and support their teammates.
Athletes should pay attention to the meet and know when to be ready for their race. Be respectful of the host team space. Be respectful of your teammates and other athletes. If it is not acceptable behavior in a classroom at school, it is not acceptable behavior at the meet.
Who are all these people at the meet?
The meet is run by a meet HOST. The meet host is responsible for planning and running a meet.
The tech table is a table that homes the computer and the meet administrator entering the races and times.
The referee is the person that calls the athletes the block and ‘sets’ the athletes.
The starter starts the race! Sometimes the starter and the referee roles are combined.
Timers are assigned to each lane and operate manual stopwatches, time buttons, and other timing devices. Each meet may use different methods of obtaining times.
Stroke and turn officials are specially trained officials that watch for legal strokes and turns. They can disqualify a swimmer from a race. Disqualification means that the swimmer for some reason did not legally complete the race and their time will not count.
Parents and spectators are not allowed to interact with the officials during the meet. And unless thanking the officials, should not interact before/after the meet either.
What do I do as a parent ?
You fuel that athlete. Get them to bed on time the night before and up on time in the morning. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate the day before the meet and the day of. Simple carbs and light protein before the race. Heavy protein drinks and heavy carbs will sit like a rock in the stomach of any athlete. Save the protein drinks for after the meet!
Prepare them for the meet. Do you have a packed swim bag? Don’t trust the athlete! Suit and an extra, goggles and extra, cap and an extracap, towel, warm jacket/sweatshirt for during the meet, simple snacks like apple sauce, goldfish, fruit snacks, fruit, peanut butter.
You hype up that swimmer for a great meet. Great things to say are, “I am so excited to watch your team swim.” “I am so proud of you for participating. I know you will have a great time.”
You cheer for your team! Remember no flash photography and no whistles or artificial noise makers. Quiet during the time the athletes are on the blocks.
After the meet you tell them how much you loved watching them race. No need to critique the time or any other aspect of the race. Coaches are watching all of this and we will provide feedback. Your job is to encourage and praise the athlete.
If you’ve never done so, check out this awesome website about parenting young athletes. “I love to watch you play/swim” are the best six words you can say to your athlete, and the absolute best way to support them. https://ilovetowatchyouplay.com/.
What do I need to bring to the meet? Whatever makes you comfortable. Seat cushion, blanket, fan, water, snack. Print the heat sheet at home and bring it. Highlight your swimmer so you can easily keep track of them.
Speaking of a heat sheet, what is it? Heat sheets or meet programs are used to organize the meet. The heat sheet will list the event number and race–#1 Girl’s 200 Medley Relay, then the heat number (there will be multiple heats or races of each event), and then list the athletes in the heat by lane number. Next to the athlete names will often be the school abbreviation and a time. The time is the athlete’s entry time for that event. If there is a NT then no time was declared for the swimmer.
How can I help my swimmer remember their races? Swimmers often mark their forearm using a Sharpie with a grid that lists their races Event/Heat/Lane So using above their arm would read: 3/1/1 If they need help a veteran parent or athlete can assist!
How do I know what is happening? Some schools have a scoreboard that is in use during the meet and some do not. If there is not a scoreboard then you will need to listen to the announcer or just pay attention to what is happening in the water. It can be confusing. Just do your best.