Swim Meet
What to expect at a swim meet
Race order:
The order of the events is on the race lineup.
Each event will race in the order of: V Girls ➝ V Boys
V Girls begin the next cycle of events after V Boys finish their race
In relays, each swimmer races the indicated stroke and distance before the next person dives in.
Check your events again before the meet starts. There are often last minute changes.
Remember your events and lane numbers and be ready for your race.
The day before and morning of a meet:
Get plenty of rest and sleep
Eat healthy nutritious food and drink plenty of water
Before each race:
2 events before your race, warm up in the other pool with easy freestyle, your stroke, drill, and a few fast sprints.
For a relay, find ALL members of your relay team first and then warm up together
Be behind the starting block, goggles on and ready to race during the race before yours
During the race:
Listen to the official’s commands and whistles. Step up to the block when signaled to.
Race correctly:
Butterfly and breaststroke MUST use their respective kick and stroke ONLY.
Butterfly and breaststroke MUST touch each wall with BOTH hands simultaneously.
Backstroke MUST touch the wall on your back, or do a backstroke flip turn.
Freestyle should do flip turns at each wall.
IM - each wall needs to be touched correctly (2 hand touch, on your back, etc)
Keep racing no matter what, even if you miss a dive/turn, or your goggles/cap fall off.
The race does not finish until you touch the wall. Finish fast by touching the wall under water.
After each race
Stay in the water until ALL competitors finish.
Win or lose, congratulate and say “good race” to the swimmers next to you
Exit the pool at the whistle.
Relay swimmers instead need to get out immediately, except for the last swimmer.
Immediately go to the other pool to “cool down” with a few laps of easy swimming.
Talk to your coaches about your time and how your race went.
Cheer on your teammates during their races, but also be ready for your next event.
Stay physically and mentally prepared to race. Keep warm, sit in the shade, do not eat junk food, stay hydrated, and do not sleep between races.