SWAT Southwest Aquatics of
Swim Meet Survival Guide
Links to other resourceful pages from USA SWIMMING:
“THE TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR SWIMMING PARENTS” by Rose Snyder, USA Swimming (Adapted from Ed Clendaniel’s 10 Commandments for Little League Parents) 2. THOU SHALL BE SUPPORTIVE NO MATTER WHAT. There is only one question to ask you child “Did you have fun?”. If meets and practices aren’t fun, your child should not be forced to participate. 3. THOU SHALT NOT COACH YOUR CHILD. You have taken your child to a professional coach; do not undermine that coach by trying to coach your child on the side. Your job is to support, love and hug your child no matter what. The coach is responsible for the technical part of the job. You should not offer advice on technique of race strategy. That is not your area. This will only serve to confuse your child and prevent that swimmer/coach bond from forming. 4. THOU SHALL ONLY HAVE POSITIVE THINGS TO SAY AT A SWIM MEET. If you are going to show up at a swim meet, you should cheer and applaud, but never criticize your child or the coach. 5. THOU SHALL ACKNOWLEDGE THY CHILD’S FEARS. A first swim meet, 500 free or 200 lM can be a stressful situation. It is totally appropriate for your child to be scared. Don’t yell or belittle, just assure your child that the coach would not have suggested the event if your child was not ready to compete in it. 6. THOU SHALT NOT CRITICIZE THE OFFICIALS. If you do not have the time or desire to volunteer as an official, don’t criticize those who are doing the best they can. 7. HONOR THY CHILD’S COACH. The bond between coach and swimmer is special; one that contributes to your child’s success. Do not criticize the coach in the presence of your child, it will serve to hurt your child’s swimming. 8. THOU SHALT NOT JUMP FROM TEAM TO TEAM. “The water is always bluer at the other team’s pool.” This is not necessarily true. Every team has its own internal problems, even teams that build champions. Children who switch from team to team are often ostracized for a long time by the teammates they leave behind. Often swimmers who do switch teams never do better than they did before they sought bluer water. 9. THOU SHALL HAVE GOALS BESIDES SWIMMING. Giving an honest effort no matter the outcome, is much more important than winning. One Olympian said, “My goal was to set a World record. Well, I did that, but someone else did too, just a little faster than I did. I achieved my goal and I lost. This does not make me a failure, in fact, I was very proud of that swim.” 1O.THOU SHALT NOT EXPECT THY CHILD TO BECOME AN OLYMPIAN. There are 225,000 athletes in United States Swimming. There are only 52 spots available for the Olympic Team every four years. Your child’s odds of becoming an Olympian are I in about 4,300. Swimming is much more than just the Olympics. Ask your coach why he coaches. Chances are, he was not an Olympian, but still got enough out of swimming that he wants to pass that love for the sport on to others.
1. THOU SHALT NOT IMPOSE YOUR AMBITIONS ON THY CHILD. Remember that swimming is your child’s activity. Improvements and progress occur at different rates for each individual. Don’t judge your child’s progress based on the performance of other athletes, and don’t push them based on what you think they should be doing. The nice thing about swimming is every person can strive to do his or her personal best.
C.G.T.F.L.S.W. for Every Meet! Cap - Goggles - Towels - Food - Liquid - Sharpie - Warm Clothing What to Bring ü Team suit, caps & goggles ü Water bottles or sports drinks & healthy snacks such as fresh fruit, energy bars, bagels, sandwiches etc. (Candy & sodas are not good snacks for your swimmer.) ü A sharpie, highlighter, & pen ü Several towels ü Sweats, t-shirts or a deck coat for a cold, wet swimmer ü Whatever toiletries & clothing your child may need for changing after the meet ü Whatever medication (such as inhalers) your child may need during the meet ü Cards, Gameboys, crayons, whatever your child may want to do to pass the time between events What to wear: ü Swimmers should dress in layers. Many swim facilities are very hot even in winter, but occasionally they are cold. Your child should have layers to put on or take off, as well. When your child gets out of the water make sure that they have warm clothing on so that their muscles are warm. Swimmers whose muscles are warm swim faster. What to do: ü Do not skip the warm up. It is important, & important things happen during that pre-meet time. ü Check in. At almost all meets you must do a positive check in for each of your child’s events. There will be a check in sheet for boys & one for girls somewhere on the wall. Put a check mark beside your child’s name for each event he or she is entered in. Do not “scratch” (i.e. put an X indicating your child does not want to swim the event) without the coach’s permission. ü Find the team & try to sit together. It’s always a good idea to have lawn chairs in the car in case you need them. There isn’t always enough bleacher space. ü Send your child to find the coach & to warm up. It is very important for the coach to know what swimmers are present. ü Buy a “Heat Sheet.” Find your child’s event numbers, etc. Some people write their child’s event, heat & lane assignments on the child’s arm or leg with the sharpie. It helps the child to find where he or she is supposed to be. ü Find out where heat & lane assignments are going to be posted. A little before each of your child’s events he or she will have to go & find out his or her heat & lane assignment the wall. ü Encourage your swimmer, but don’t coach him or her. Let the coach critique the swim; your kid doesn’t need to hear it from you! What he or she needs from you is cheering, lessons in positive attitudes, congratulations for a good effort, & an example of good sportsmanship. ü Volunteer to time. All meets need timers, & it can be a good way to pass the time at a meet if your child doesn’t need you. ü Keep your child (& yourself) hydrated with plenty of water. ü Ask questions. You won’t learn how a meet works very quickly unless you ask a lot of questions. Other swim parents, even those from other teams, are happy to answer & help. Get one to teach you the ropes, & by your second or third meet you’ll be the old pro helping out the newcomers. ü MOST IMPORTANT: DO NOT GO ON THE POOL DECK TO SPEAK TO ANY COACH DURING A MEET! Unless you are volunteering (timing, ready bench, etc.) you should stay in the bleachers.