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Swim Team Hand Book

 
Welcome Message | To The Parents | Philosophy | SGST Approach | Club Activities | Competitive Development
SGST Training Program | Meet Information | Practice Information | Glossary of Terms
Welcome Message

Welcome to Swim Gym. Home of the Swim Gym SWIM TEAM. This handbook will familiarize you with all facets of Swim Team operation. Please peruse the following pages to learn our philosophy as well as information about the Swim Team and swimming in general. We look forward to getting to know you and working with your child.

Our year-round, age group and senior competitive swim team offers professional coaching and technique instruction for all ages and abilities. We welcome any youngster, who can meet the basic requirement: swimming non-stop 25-yards in Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Freestyle. Each swimmer will be placed in the workout group best suited to his or her ability to derive a degree of success in a relatively short time. Membership on the SWIM TEAM is never closed. We constantly groom young swimmers in order to maintain a well-rounded competitive squad. SWIM TEAM accepts swimmers from throughout the Miami area. Our training program is based at the Dave and Mary Alper JCC, a 25-yard short course facility.

Success in competitive swimming requires years of intensive training and dedication and willingness to make necessary sacrifices, for both parent and swimmer. For the beginner, the only qualities necessary are a willingness to learn and a desire to achieve. We encourage anyone, who enjoys swimming, to be on our team (regardless of potential.) We believe that competitive swimming is excellent for every child. The physical development attained through training includes more than just an attractive outward appearance; heart and lung capacity develops far beyond average. Additionally, swimming builds character. The required self-discipline of a swimmer strengthens personality and self-esteem, a lifelong benefit. Long-lasting friendships form when people meet a challenge together. The opportunity for travel or for college scholarships all make swimming worth the expense and effort. While competition at the national, international, or even Olympic level is the ultimate goal for all talented swimmers, those not blessed with record class ability still attain the satisfaction of full self-development.

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Dear Parents:

A successful program requires complete understanding, harmony, and cooperation among parents, swimmers, and coaches. Your youngster's progress your youngster, and consequently that of our club, depends greatly on this relationship. With this in mind, please consider this note carefully as you join SGST.

As parents of our swimmers in the SGST program, we will ask that you fully support and encourage your child toward achieving his/her ultimate potential. Importantly, stimulate your child's interest in proper daily rest and diet as we remind them that poor eating and sleeping habits harm their athletic development. See to it that he/she gets to practice regularly and on time. Be willing to provide transportation to competition. In addition, we need parental assistance in a variety of ways. Aid the coaches and swimmers in any way possible at meets. Whether this is officiating at swim meets, communicating important information to the team through our newsletter, or helping with a fund-raising project, the service you provide allows our coaching staff to concentrate on coaching.

The relationship between coaches and swimmers needs to be very personal. A two-way relationship must exist daily at practice and at meets. Therefore, even though the line of communication between coaches and parents always will be open. we insist that parents do not interrupt coaches on the deck while they are coaching. Importantly, let us know if we can do anything to aid your child in full enjoyment of the sport. If a problem arises, which you feel definitely affects the individual swimmer's training; please take the matter to your child's coach for a solution. If you have complied with the above, and after a reasonable time, if you feel the problem persists, call Coach Robert Strauss.

We expect each swimmer to be a responsible participant in our program, not only in regard to his/her swimming, but also in his/her attitude towards the facilities he/she will use. We insist that each member to be aware that the Dave and Mary Alper JCC provides us with great facilities and that he/she must treat the facilities with respect.

Finally, we request that you and your children read further through the Handbook. You will find sections on coaching, philosophy and policies, health and diet, exercising and goals and objectives. The ideas expressed here are the concepts and qualities we try to instill in swimmers each and every day. Your understanding (parents and swimmers) of our purpose and the goals we strive to achieve is very important to our success.

Thank you for your interest. "Welcome," again, to the SGST.

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Swim Gym SWIM TEAM PHILOSOPHY

We teach, train, guide, direct, and encourage youngsters to achieve their ultimate potential in swimming, to make maximum use of their talents and abilities. This experience will prove valuable to them as they grow and develop. We realize that not everyone can come in first in a swim race. Therefore, we emphasize "personal improvement" rather than "winning." To our coaching staff, the swimmer, who has just done his/her personal best time, and achieves a "B" cut-off time is as important as the team member, who just qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team.

High self-esteem, personal accountability, constructive self-motivation, and goal setting and goal achievement are concepts that the SGST program strives to instill in our swimmers. We want them to understand that the process of achieving is just as significant as the realization of the goal. While each level of the program is designed so that every swimmer will achieve his or her full potential in senior swimming, the levels of instruction and training allow for gradual development to senior level competition, insuring along the way that swimmers of all ages and abilities have a competitive schedule consistent with their individual development. We believe that young and inexperienced swimmers benefit from frequent competition. On the other hand, as swimmers grow and become more experienced, they require fewer meets and derive increased value from additional training sessions. The Swim Team schedule is set with this consideration in mind. Thus, our philosophy is consistent throughout the program. Every individual is encouraged to "BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE."

The coaching staff reserves the right to establish the meet schedule each swimmer will follow. Any deviations from this published schedule must meet the approval of the swimmer's particular coach. Goal meets, on which we place emphasis each season, are the Senior National Championships, Sectionals, and the Florida Gold Coast Junior Olympics Age Group Championships. We expect all team members, who are qualified, to swim in these meets and to contribute to team effort. However, to reach these attainable goals, "B-C" meets and "A-B" championships are a must in the beginning.

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THE Swim Gym APPROACH

1. INDIVIDUAL APPROACH: This program is designed for individual swimmers by age, ability and desire to achieve. As these factors fluctuate, so does the program. Experience has shown that swimmer's capacity for workout time and stress increase gradually with age. This capacity is rarely identical in any group of youngsters. We cannot accurately predict the full potential of any swimmer at a given stage. We should not limit a child's development, but a gradual increase in workload and expectations, along with realistic goal setting, will enable the smoothest progression toward a swimmer's potential.

2. 12 AND UNDERS: We guard against the "too much, too soon" syndrome. For the parents of age group, patience and encouragement are the key words at SGST. You may see other youngsters seem to peak at a younger age. However, as our swimmers reach age twelve and beyond, the philosophy of our program will become very evident. We want our parents to encourage their children to fulfill their potential. The orientation of the team toward Senior goals will enhance the future of all our swimmers' careers.

3. COACHING AND PARENTING: We cannot stress enough the importance of the coach-swimmer relationship. When parents interfere with opinions of how a swimmer should swim, considerable confusion can follow as to whom the swimmer should respect. If you as a parent have a question or an opinion about your child's swimming, talk to your child's coach.

"Negativism" can scar a swimmer and hinder the club's program. "Bad mouthing" is easier than looking for a constructive solution to a problem. We at SGST want to avoid this. Coaches are readily available; their humble attitude promotes positive communication. Take problems to the person best equipped to handle them and seek a solution. Parents should provide love and encouragement that bolster the swimmer's confidence along the way. The coach is responsible for the constructive criticism of a swimmer's performance. In swimming, as in other endeavors, peaks and valleys appear along the long road of work-swim-more work. Coaches work best at coaching when parents are parenting.

Competitive swimming means just that. SGST is not a baby-sitting service or a substitute for Red Cross Swimming Instruction. We seek only those children with a genuine desire for competitive athletics, whether non-swimmer or advanced swimmer. Our coaching staff will attend to swimming techniques. The only thing the SGST coaching staff seeks are children with the competitive desire and a positive attitude.


COMMUNICATION

In addition to this Team Handbook, Swim Gym SWIM TEAM maintains communication with parents and swimmers in the following ways:

1. The team bulletin board is located by the gate to the pool. Meet information and directions as well as meet entry worksheets, newsletters, and announcements of swim functions are posted there. The bulletin board supplements the newsletter. Swimmers and parents are asked to check it periodically.

2. Our newsletter sums up team accomplishments, pointing out team objectives, and discussing area swimming in general. Copies will be available for you to share with friends and local businesses. We want swimming to grow in the Greater Miami area and believe that such communication aids our cause.

3. The telephone committee provides emergency communication, e.g., cancelled workouts. We don't want to abuse or overuse this handy tool. Therefore, again please read and refer to the newsletter.

4. Periodic additions will be made to the roster. A new roster will be made up in March and September of every year. Additions to the roster appear in the newsletter.

5. For any serious swimmer Swimming World Magazine is a must. A wealth of information about swimming in general, meet schedules, time standards, AAU rules, and meet results make exciting reading each month. For a subscription, write Swimming World, P.O. Box 45497, Los Angeles CA 90302 or see http://www.netmagazines.com/magdetail.asp?ID=1766

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CLUB ACTIVITIES

MEETS: All Swim Gym Swim Team members are expected to participate in meets for which they have qualified. Participating in meets gives swimmers the opportunity to better times and meet time standards for "B" and "A" meets.

DAY AT THE RACES: This provides the whole team a day of enthusiasm and fun. This opportunity to race each other demonstrates what swimmers learn during practice. After all, the purpose of practice is to learn to race. DAY AT THE RACES also enables parents and swimmers to get-together. Parents and swimmers are welcome to use this day for a team-family picnic.

SWIM-A-THON: This marathon swim raises funds for the team. Each team member solicits "per length" sponsors for a 200-length swim. All swimmers are encouraged to participate. 10% of the proceeds go to USAS, 5% to a charitable organization of our choice, and the rest to our team. For example, the pool lights at the "J" are the product of our first four years of Swim-A-Thons.

OBJECTIVES AND GOALS

LONG RANGE OBJECTIVES OF THE Swim Gym SWIM TEAM are to offer to all children in Greater Miami the opportunity

  1. To engage in a wholesome recreational activity that is a lifesaving, lifetime sport.
  2. To provide physical fitness and encourage proper conditioning and health habits.
  3. To provide opportunities for social, emotional, and educational development.
  4. To encourage peer and family participation.
  5. To promote the maximum involvement of all interested children, adults, physical educators, physicians, and others concerned with development and maintenance of healthy citizens and encourage the maximum cooperation of these individuals in the improvements of facilities, programs, and techniques in our area.


COMPETITIVE DEVELOPMENT

To create an atmosphere in which the desire for self-improvement and goal achievement motivates the individual to develop his natural abilities and help others to do likewise.
To learn sportsmanship, responsibility, discipline, dedication, perseverance and team work.
To provide training and competition at peer and ability levels.

SHORT TERM GOALS OF THE Swim Gym SWIM TEAM

To increase the number of qualified children participating in competitive swimming via our learning program
To develop a graduated program based on age and ability in conjunction with USA
SWIMMING Age Group Program and the Florida Gold Coast Association.

LONG TERM GOALS…AREA, STATE, AND NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION
Provide a Senior and Olympic level program in conjunction with the National USA SWIMMING Championships and the United States Olympic Committee.
Provide leadership within the Florida Gold Coast Association that will allow our area to continue as one of the national centers of competitive swimming.
Participate in the national USA SWIMMING Committee in order to establish the Swim Gym SWIM TEAM as a national and international contributor.

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SGST TRAINING PROGRAM

Our competitive program divides into the following levels of achievement:

YOUNG TEAM for 8 years and under who have learned competitive strokes and truns and compete in Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

12 & Under JO's and SubJO's who want to race.: They swim three to four times per week and participate in monthly meets at the "J" and around the Florida Gold Coast. The program includes Junior High and High School students aged 13 to 16, who do not wish to compete, but recognize the benefits of swimming and enjoy the frequent workout in the fun environment of our program. This includes a fifteen to thirty minute stretching and land exercise session.

13 & Over JO's and SubJO's: Developing athletes seeking excellence through commitment. These athletes are required to attend six practices per week including an Open Water Swim, most Saturday mornings from 7 to 9 a.m. (South Beach or Rickenbacker Causeway) and Sunday afternoon from 2 to 4 p.m., at the "J." Note: We expect our swimmers to have moving up to the next level as one of their goals. At all levels, the idea of ability grouping prevails.

PROGRAM

SGST engages in a multi-level competitive program within the USS, which, like our training program, attempts to provide challenging, yet achievement-oriented, competitive situations for swimmers of all ages and abilities. Also, SGST travels abroad to represent our country and offer more character molding and goal attainment for swimmers.

I. Classified Age-Group Program

Florida has several classifications for age-group competition: "AAA", "AA", "B", and "C". National Time Standards Committee establishes time standards for each classification. In order to swim in a certain classification, a swimmer must achieve the qualifying times for that particular classification. "B-C" level meets are held within the Dade County Area, but we often travel to other areas of the state or even out-of-state for "A" competition.

II. SECTIONALS

One of the higher levels of achievement SWIM GYM swimmers strive to attain is participation in Sectionals. Swimmers meeting qualifying time standards for this meet travel to different locations throughout the United States to compete against the best young swimmers in the nation.

III. SENIOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Other than the Olympic Trials, World Championships Trials and Pan American Games Trials, each held once every four years, the highest level of competition for our senior swimmers is National Championships. As with Sectionals, swimmers meeting National time standards travel to various cities in the U.S. to compete against America's best swimmers. By their performance in these meets, swimmers often qualify for teams that engage in international competition.

GOAL SETTING

One of the most important aspects of being a happy and successful person in life is knowing how to set goals for one's self.

If a person grows up without learning how to set goals for themselves, they go through life as an unmotivated and non-productive "blob."

If a person always sets easily attained or not very meaningful goals, then they become low achievers and not very happy with their lives.

If a person always sets difficult and non-attainable goals for themselves, they become frustrated and very insecure people.

Therefore, we must learn how to set proper goals for ourselves. This results in personal satisfaction, pride, self-confidence, and a generally happier life. Many things in a person's younger days develop or hinder this development. One of the best aids to its achievement is participation in a competitive sport (like swimming). In fact, swimming is constant goal setting and re-setting.

At the beginning of one's first five years or so in a new activity like competitive swimming, the swimmer should be aided by the coach (and parents) in selecting and re-establishing at least the major goals. Our goals are always relative to our current state of development, not fixed objects since we are not fixed subjects. As we develop, our goals change. In a sense, we think of re-setting our goals for each and every swim and during each and every workout. Sometimes our most important goals are vague and generalized, such as: "Learn how to conduct yourself at a swim meet." More often, our goals are personal and specific: "Concentrate on how my hand is pulling through the water during this swim" or "Improve my time by one second in this event." In all cases, our goals should be realistic and meaningful things we can achieve through hard work at that moment.

Finally, acknowledgement of achieved goals is necessary. Parents, friends, and the coach must recognize the achievement and offer such reward (praise) as is appropriate. At the beginning of a swimmer's career, this is especially important. On the other hand, inappropriate rewards such as undue praise for attaining low goals or even not attaining the goal would be misleading and confusing. Reward tends to reinforce effort expended. Reward, therefore, must be fitting.

PERSONAL GOALS FOR SWIM MEETS

In all events:

SWIM FAST DURING THE ENTIRE RACE. At no time should you stop, look around, or listen. Concentrate on swimming. DO YOUR BEST during the entire race.

Try to beat your best times in each event. BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE.

Observe the method of conducting the meet so that you know exactly where to pick up your cards and when to report to your lane and timer. You NEVER should miss an event.

Have a lot of FUN and FAST TIMES.

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MEET INFORMATION

Scheduling: ALL Swim Gym SWIMMERS will receive a schedule of meets that we will attend during each swim session. If you cannot be in one of the meets, please notify your coach as soon as possible. Swim Gym swimmers are entered and fees paid by the CLUB at least twelve days prior to the actual meet. Refunds are not obtainable. (B-C meets that are rapid entry are exceptions.) If a child causes a relay to be scratched by not showing, his entry fee account will be charged the complete entry fee for the relay. (Some meets have multiple relays. These fees could amount to $8.00). Information sheets will be issued for each meet with the order of events. Take time to sit with your child and circle the events in which he/she would like to participate. Notice the maximum amount of events allotted for meets. Turn in the order of events sheet to the coaching staff with the circled events. Fees are due at the Swim Gym office the week prior to the meet.

Swim Gym SWIM MEET PROCEDURES

  1. 1. Pre-meet Warm-up
    1. A member of the coaching staff always conducts warm-ups; parents should never interfere or participate in the warm-up procedure. This is the coaches' role.
    2. Warm-up areas are open approximately one hour prior to the start of most meets. In order to take full advantage of the allotted time, all swimmers are expected to be present and ready to begin at that time. The younger swimmers will begin 15 to 45 minutes prior to the start of the meet.
    3. Team members are required to warm-up with the team. The only exceptions will be when the youngster makes advance arrangements with the coaching staff, for reasons that will be considered on an individual basis.
    4. Swimmers and parents alike must understand that a good warm-up is essential to successful performance. Each youngster in the program deserves every opportunity available to be successful. A warm-up is one of those opportunities!
    5. Swimmers must have a "team area" at meets and sit together as a group. This promotes team unity and spirit. When a swimmer arrives at a meet, he/she should find the team area.
    6. Obtain a heat sheet and check to see that you are properly entered in your events. If there is a mistake, discuss it with your coach so that he can take corrective action.
  2. At the conclusion of each race, the swimmer should ask for his/her time from lane timers. Upon receiving this time, swimmers are asked to come immediately to the coaching staff. This gives the coaches an opportunity to discuss the race with the swimmer and add positive comments concerning splits, stroke techniques, and race strategy, etc. If a warm-down area is available, swimmers are to warm-down first, then report to the coaches. Parents should be consulted AFTER the coach, in either case.
  3. The coaching staff shall have the final word on selecting events. Team members are never to scratch or late enter an event without first consulting one of the coaches. In a meet with preliminaries and finals, it is expected that any swimmer qualifying to swim in the finals will do so.
  4. As a matter of courtesy to the officials and meet host, Swim Gym SWIM TEAM prefers that swimmers and parents alike, stay off the deck and competition area unless competing or serving in an official capacity.
  5. Similarly, as a matter of courtesy, all questions swimmers or parents may have concerning meet results, an officiating call, or conduct of a meet should be referred to the coaching staff. They, in turn, will pursue any matter through proper channels.
  6. Each swimmer is responsible for knowing which events he/she is swimming and being present on time to swim. If for some reason a youngster cannot compete, coaches should be notified ahead of time.
  7. Relays: Parents must check with coaching staff prior to leaving the meet, making certain that their child has not been placed on a relay. If for some reason a swimmer must leave early, please notify the coaches as soon as possible so that other youngsters may be informed if they are needed for the relay. Building a relay team is the sole responsibility of the coaching staff. Good or bad, many variables are considered. One is the attitude of the swimmer. Second is his/her best time. Third is his/her ability to perform under pressure. Finally, the type of meet the swimmer has had for that particular day and occasion is considered. Even with these variables considered, selecting the top four people for a relay is difficult.
  8. As a matter of pride, leave the rest area and pool in a neat and clean condition at the conclusion of each day's meet.

Note: SGST Swimmers should bring clothing suitable for the weather. In cold weather, more than one towel is a good idea. Consider a knit cap to cover a wet head, a team warm-up suit (or heavy clothing), something to wear on your feet, and even a blanket. In hot weather, see that you have something to protect your head from the sun and a team "T" shirt.

OUT-OF-TOWN-MEETS

Trips to meets in other cities become an important aspect of a swimmer's career as he/she advances through the age group ranks. We established the following policies for the safety of the swimmers and peace-of-mind of his/her parents:
  1. Parents are responsible for arranging transportation to away meets with the exception of Nationals and Sectionals. DO NOT ASK YOUR CHILDREN TO HANDLE THIS JOB BY THEMSELVES.
  2. Parents are encouraged to attend out-of-town meets with their children and to chaperone other youngsters. These trips can be great fun for parents and swimmers alike and are rare opportunities to participate in a special way in a young swimmer's career.
  3. A coach has too many responsibilities to the team as a whole to accept the responsibility for an individual. Therefore, do not ask a coach to provide transportation except as a last resort.
  4. Any swimmer riding in a car is responsible to that parent/driver for his/her behavior and is expected to adhere to a proper code of behavior at all times.
  5. A medical release and emergency telephone number should be given to the parent/driver with whom your child is riding in case emergency medical treatment is required.
  6. A contribution of ten cents per mile is expected from each passenger in the car to help defray gasoline expenses.


WE WANT SWIM GYM SWIM TEAM TO BE THE CLUB WITH THE GREATEST TEAM SPIRIT. BUT MOST OF ALL WE WANT TO BE KNOWN FOR THE BEST DISCIPLINE AND SPORTSMANSHIP. WINNING WILL COME IF WE OBSERVE THESE PRINCIPLES CAREFULLY.

RECEIVING AWARDS IN PUBLIC

Whenever awards are presented at a meet, it is customary for swimmers to be prompt and to cooperate fully at the presentation. If he/she owns the full club uniform, swimmers should wear it when accepting his/her award. Customarily, our swimmers are polite and modestly thankful for any awards they receive. It is appropriate to congratulate other swimmers and to receive congratulations with poise and a "thank you". If photos are taken, we ask that swimmers remain until the shooting is complete. Cooperate with the photographer. Don't ham it up! The picture may be special to someone else, even if not to you.

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PRACTICE INFORMATION

PRACTICE ATTENDANCE

  1. The group in which the swimmer is placed determines the number of times that a swimmer must attend workout. Each group will be told what is offered at the various times of the season.
  2. Please arrive for practice ten minutes prior to the start of practice, but not before.
  3. Plan to stay for the entire practice session. The end of practice is very often the most important. Often, announcements are made after practice that will be missed should a swimmer leave early. In the event that you need to be dismissed early from workout, a note from a parent is requested.
  4. If a swimmer will be out of the water over a long period of time due to illness, please notify the Swim Gym office so that the coaching staff is aware of the problem. This also will save you the expense of billing.


PRACTICE EQUIPMENT FOR YOUNG TEAM & TEAM

  1. Swimsuits are the basic requirement. The swimmers may wear nylon-training suits of any color or design. Goggles are needed for swimmers' health. They save the eyes from water irritation that can arise from long exposure. Fins, paddles, and a mesh bag are also required for workouts.
  2. Kick boards, pull tubes, and pull buoys are provided by Swim Gym. Please understand the importance of handling all this expensive equipment with care.
PRACTICE BEHAVIOR

  1. At all times, all swimmers are expected to follow the directions of any coach at any time. At no time will disrespectful attitudes be tolerated. The coaching staff's relationship with the swimmers is that of direct control. When a coach is working with many swimmers at the same time, swimmers should pay undivided attention at all times. When a coach signals for quiet, be quiet immediately. Any child failing to demonstrate self-control will be removed from the workout.
  2. In the pool, swimmers always remain against the wall, never playing in the lane. The only time a swimmer is allowed away from the wall is when swimming a given distance or when to do so instructed by a coach.
  3. Swimmers are not allowed to walk on the bottom of the pool unless something is physically wrong, e,g, a leg cramp or dizziness.
  4. The use of profanity or verbal abuse towards another swimmer or coaching staff member will never be tolerated.
  5. Swimmers are never to enter the swimming pool without a coach present on the deck.


TEAM UNIFORM

General: Wearing a team suit for competition is integral to team spirit. This helps swimmers picture themselves as a unit working towards a common goal. Psychologically, SGST swimmers look that much stronger to other teams when they are identifiable. Racing suits, warm-ups, and team "T's, etc can be purchased at the Swim Gym shop with a special discount to all USAS swimmers.

SGST swimmers are expected to wear the SGST team suit and racing cap in all swimming competitions. No exceptions are permitted. This applies even to swimmers competing in an "unattached" status. Warm-ups and other items are suggested but not mandatory. Wearing the complete uniform promotes team unity and pride and greatly aids spectator recognition. Thus, whenever a SGST swimmer wears any item of the team uniform, he/she should remember that his/her actions and words reflect on the team he/she represents and therefore should behave accordingly.

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GLOSSARY OF TERMS

  1. USAS - United States of America Swimming: Governing body for swimming since October 1980. Prior to this date, the AAU governed swimming.
  2. SGST: Official abbreviation for Swim Gym Swim Team for the use on all entry forms for meets.
  3. FLORIDA GOLD COAST ASSOCIATION: Local governing body for Dade, Monroe, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.
  4. ENTRY FEE ACCOUNT: Swimmers receive meet information, select their events and relays when applicable and are entered by the coaches. Fees are due at the Swim Gym office during the week before the meet.
  5. SHORT COURSE: A competitive pool that measures 25 yards or 25 meters. World records exist in the 25 meters course. American records exist in all three courses.
  6. LONG COURSE: A competitive pool that measures 50 or 55 yards or 50 meters in length. The standard size for all international competition and world record swims is the 50-meter course.
  7. SEEDING TIMES: The times a swimmer uses to enter a meet. This time, which is written on the entry card, determines one position and lane in the particular event.
  8. TIME STANDARDS OR CUT-OFF TIMES: Certain qualifying times have been set up by the Florida Gold Coast Association and National AAU for all events in all levels to insure that within their respective meets all competitors are reasonably the same ability. The swimmer's goals should be betterment of their times, progressing from the "B" standard to Nationals Qualifying Times.
  9. OVC - Official Verification Card: A card awarded to a swimmer and signed by a USAS official that verifies achievement of a time standard.
  10. PROOF OF TIME: A requirement at some meets to ascertain that all swimmers legally have met the time standards of the meet.
  11. DECK SEEDING: At the ready bench on the pool deck, a procedure of assigning swimmers to proper lanes and heats immediately before each event.
  12. PYSCHE SHEET- (Heat Sheet): A ranking by seeding times of all the swimmers entered in each race of a meet, sometimes used at meets in place of a heat sheet.
  13. HEAT SHEET: A listing of all swimmers by event number, heat, and lane assignment in the meet. These are available at he beginning of the meet, usually sold by the host team.
  14. RAPID ENTRY: A meet in which entries are submitted by the coaches thirty minutes before the meet begins. Some B-C meets are conducted in this fashion.
  15. READY BENCH-CLERK OF COURSE: A waiting area at the meet where swimmers report and wait for the start of their race before their event in order to be arranged into their heat and lane assignments.
  16. PRELIMS: In certain meets, the qualifying rounds for each event determine the finalists. (Preliminaries).
  17. FINALS: The sessions of a meet where qualifying rounds were held previously to determine the finalists (6 to 16 in number depending on pool size and if consolations finals are held.) Finalists compete to determine the final place winners.
  18. SPLIT: A per lap time that coaches often record for teaching the concept of pacing, for instance, a swimmer's time for each 25 yards leg of a 100-yard event.
  19. TOUCH PAD: The part of an electronic timing system that rests in the water at the end of each lane. Swimmer's times are recorded when the pad is touched.
  20. AMATEUR ATHLETE: An athlete who competes for the love of the sport and is not paid for training, competing, or winning.
  21. JUNIOR OLYMPICS (JO's): Meets held each season bearing this name include National Junior Olympic Championships and Junior Olympics of Florida Gold Coast. A minimum time standard "A" or "AA" is required for entry. Most qualifiers at this level swim four to six times per week.
  22. REFEREE: The USAS official with authority over all other officials at the meet. He makes all final decisions and sees to the efficient running of the meet.
  23. STARTER: The USAS official at the meet responsible for starting each heat and calling the next heat to the starting blocks.
  24. STROKE JUDGE: A certified USAS official, who determines the legality of swimmer's stroke and disqualifies those who do not conform to the rules.
  25. TIMER- A volunteer assigned to a lane to record the time of events swam by stop watch and or push button touch pad back up system.


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