No earlier then an hour before the meet is scheduled to start
2. Go to the “check-in” table
It’s usually has a long line of swimmers!
Here, you will check in for your events
They will then write your events on your hand (so you don’t forget!)
3. Find a spot on deck
The best spot to sit at a home meet is where you can sit and also watch the pool.
Leave your bag, chair, cooler, etc. in this area
4. Find your coach
They will tell you when and where to be ready for warm-up
5. Warm-up
Have your suit on and cap, goggles and towel in hand
Be ready when, and where your coach has designated for warm-up
The pool will be crowded, so watch where you’re going in your lane… we don’t want any
crashes!
Don’t leave the pool until you have checked with your coach and done all that he or she wants you to do for warm-up
6. Important rules for warm-up in the pool
Enter the water feet-first; no diving
It is important during warm up to focus on your warm up. The success of you meet is reliant on a good warm up, so don't stop if you get bumped or the wall is crowded.
At the end of warm-up your coach will direct swimmers to a lane for sprints - These “sprint lanes” are for practicing dives with one-way swimming only; you must swim back to the wall in another lane
7. During the meet
The event numbers will be announced during each heat and will also be on the scoreboard (if there is one) so you should pay attention; listen, and check often for which event is currently up
Your heat and lane assignment will be posted about five events before your upcoming race. (If you are swimming event #16, then you should check for your assigned heat and lane around event #11)
See your coach before swimming each event for some advice reminders and per event warm up if nessasery
Wait behind your assigned lane until your event and heat is called
8. Your event is up! During your race
The official will blow the whistle – this means walk up to, and stand behind your starting block
There will then be a second, longer whistle – this means step up onto the starting block
The official will say “take your mark” - come down into starting position and hold still. If a swimmer is moving, then the official will tell the swimmers to “stand”, and then will pause before saying “take your mark” again
“Beep!!!”… The race is on…. get off the blocks strong and fast... race tough and remember the tips your coach gave you!
There are Three rules for every event you swim. #1 try to win your heat (you came to race and racing is using other people at or around you ability level to help you go faster) #2 never leave the water till everyone else has finished (it is an actual DQ for leaving before the whole field is finished) #3 always congratulate someone after the race (practicing good sportsmanship is essential to you success as a TMEC swimmer)
The timers will have your time. However the time from the timers is not official. You will have to wait for the official results ( usually the next day) to no you official time.
9. Throughout the day
Drink plenty of water or sports drink, not soda or energy drinks
Small snacks are okay - bagel, pasta, fruit and anything not too “heavy” or greasy. If you
have to swim soon then just have a small bite of something for a little energy.
Have your sunscreen on, and re-apply each time you get out of the water
Most importantly… Support your teammates and have fun!
