swimming faqs

articles of interest to swimmers

frequently asked questions

What is a.........?

Drag Suit - The second (or more) swim suit worn to increase drag in the water. This is like using weights when walking, or weighting a bat in warm up. It makes the swimmer work harder in practice, and feel "lighter and faster" in the meets, when only one, skin-tight, suit is worn.

DQ - Disqualification (swimmer's time isn't official).

Heat Sheet - A list of swimmers competing in each event, ordered by heats. Heats usually get progressively faster (i.e., the last heat to swim each event usually has the fastest swimmers based on seed time).

Long Course - Generally, the summer swim season, usually in 50 meter pools, though occasionally there will be a 25 yard pool. Very often outdoor pools are used. Shortest event is a 50 meter distance.

Meters versus Yards - Pools are constructed in two measurement dimensions. Meters, as in the metric system, and yards. Meters are used for all international meets, and many other meets. Long course is often held in meter pools. Yards are found in short course, and local pools. 25 meters and 50 meters are longer than 25 and 50 yards.

N.T. - NT (no time) after a swimmer's name on heat sheets or psych sheets indicates that the swimmer does not yet have an officially recorded time in the event.

Psych Sheet - At all positive-check-in meets, you can pick up (for ~$3) a listing that tells you all the events and all swimmers in each event: the swimmer with the fastest seed time is listed first and the swimmer with the slowest seed time is listed last. While the psych sheet does tell you all the events your child will swim in, it does not tell you precisely which heat your child is in. (Some meets are not positive-check-in, at those meets you can buy a heat sheet ... see the definition of heat sheet). Heat sheets and Psych sheets are very helpful for following a meet.

Seed Time - The best time a swimmer has in an event. That time is submitted by the coach when entering swimmers for a meet. It will determine where a swimmer is "seeded" in that particular race. However, because entry forms are often due weeks before a meet, a swimmer's seed time might not necessarily be their best time any more by the time a meet takes place.

Short Course - Generally, the fall through spring swim season. Meets are held indoors, in 25 yard pools. Shortest event is a 25 yard distance.

First Timers Information for Meets

Logistics

Swim meets (outside of the YWCA) often have "positive check-in" requirements. This means that swimmers entered need to check in or confirm their attendance and events before warming up for a meet, usually on your way into the building. If you don't check in on time, you won't be able to swim.

Swim teams usually sit as groups at meets. When you get to a meet, check in, change, then look for your coaches and teammates on the pool deck for warm-up.

Parents are generally not allowed on the pool deck unless they are officiating or timing.

Coaches will help make sure that swimmers are ready for their events, but part of what the swimmers learn is the responsibility of being ready, in the right place at the right time for their events.

What to bring

For the swimmer:

Team suit, goggles, deck shoes, and a swim cap.

A couple of towels.

A blanket or sleeping bag to sit or lie down on. Some bull pens are in gymnasiums.

Jacket, parka, flannels or sweats.

Diversions - books, games, cards, Gameboy, iPod, etc. There is down time between swims.

Sports drinks, water, juice.

Healthy snacks - fruit, bagels, Chex Mix, granola bars, etc.

For the parent:

A Sharpie marker with which you will write, on your child (yes, on the back of their hand!), their events. This simplifies things for everyone, and makes for a quick check at the blocks.
Money for the admittance and for heat sheet. Kids and swimmers are free, adult admittance is usually $2-3, and heat sheets are about the same. Usually ends up around $5.00, and often change is not available. Plan ahead and have some $1 bills on hand (also good for vending machines).
A highlighter to quickly reference your swimmer in the heat sheet.
A pen to jot down their times.
Diversions (remember that down time?) - newspaper, book, etc.
This would be a good time to let you know that all aquatic centers get hot and humid with a few hundred of your closest friends and a large body of water. Dress accordingly!
There are usually food and drinks available at meets, but you never know what it will be! Play it on the safe side.
Remind your child to always speak to their coach directly after a race. All of the critiquing, both negative and positive, needs to come from a coach, not a parent. You are there for support!
Finally, show some team spirit. Wear team apparel and/or colors to the meet for the team. And if you want to make a sign, well, that would be great, too!