General Information

 

GENERAL INFORMATION FROM COACHES
(regarding pools and meets)
 

The following information and definitions are intended for “new” or “recent” swim families or as a refresher for old-timers. Don’t hesitate to ask if you have a question that hasn’t been included.

 
OBSERVATION: Parents are always welcome at meets or during workouts. Swimmers need a cheering section. During workouts, please save any questions until after workout is finished. Coaches need to focus their attention and effort on swimmers.
 
ATTENDANCE:  Please try to see that each swimmer attends at least 3 workouts a week. Progress is directly related to attendance and effort. Workout time is limited for each group. Swimmers should be at the pool, suited with fins and goggles, and in the water at the beginning of their group’s assigned time. 
 
QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS: Your swimmer’s coach will be glad to meet with you after workout or make an appointment to talk with you.
 
COMMON TERMS:
 
1.   DECK: The entire concrete area surrounding a pool and up to any peripheral fencing.
 
2.   EVENT: A race of a specific stroke and distance. For example, 100 Free, 200 I.M., 50 Breast.
 
3.   HEAT: If there are more swimmers entered in an event than there are lanes in the pool, two or more races called heats are created. Swimmers are assigned to specific heats based on their entry times. Usually, slower swimmers are in early heats. 
 
4.   LANE: The computer will designate which lane within a heat the swimmer is to be in. This is necessary so that the timing equipment can accurately report final results.
 
5.   LEGAL STROKE: Each of the four competitive strokes has specifications that must be followed during competition. Any deviation from these specifications will disqualify the swimmers. (A yellow DQ slip will be delivered to the swimmer and/or coach). Examples: In breast and butterfly, not touching with both hands on the turn, an incorrect kick in breast, an illegal turn or finish. 
 
6.   TIME: Each age group has a set of standard times for each stroke and distance. In addition to racing others in the pool, a swimmer is racing the clock to improve his/her time. Time standards are: C, B, BB, A, AA, AAA, AAAA, Q, PRT and NRT. (The last two are Pacific Recordable Time and National Recordable Time). Check the time section of the Pacific Swim Handbook.
 
7.   BEST TIME: This literally means the swimmer has completed his/her best time to date, has improved over all previous times in a particular event. Best time will be calculated and shown on the profile each swimmer receives after participating in each meet.
 
8.   AGE GROUP: Time standards are set by U.S. Swimming and Pacific Swim based on age. Generally, the groups are 8 and under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18, and up. Each club sponsoring a meet will specify the groups and define how awards will be made. Generally, a designation of 13 and up, or 15 and up will be made, but each age group will be awarded separately even though they swim together. 
 
9.   LONG/SHORT COURSE: Short course meets are in a 25 yard pool and these meets are from the fall to spring. Long course meets are in a 50 meter pool. These meets are generally from spring through the summer.