2011 SWIM TEAM HANDBOOK
Team Reps: Kelly Fannon
Data Coordinator: Sue Murphy
Head Coaches: Kevin Mallon
Assistant Coaches: Kristen Fannon,
Brendan Murphy, and Megan McCormick
TSUNAMI COACHING STAFF
KEVIN MALLON, HEAD COACH
Kevin Mallon grew up in Arlington, VA as the youngest of ten children in a family of swimmers. He began swimming with his siblings on the Ft. Myer Summer Swim Team in the Colonial League at the age of 5 and continued until graduating at age 18. He swam with Arlington Aquatic Club until the age of 10 and then swam with the Potomac Marlins until he was 12. Kevin attended Thomas Jefferson Middle School and Washington-Lee High School in Arlington swimming on both Middle School and High School Swim Teams. He was captain of his High School Team. During his high school years he was an assistant coach of the Thomas Jefferson Middle School Swim Team for two years. After graduating in 2005 from high school he became an assistant coach of the Washington-Lee High School Team. In 2006 he began coaching for the Springboard Barracuda’s Summer Swim Team in the NVSL. His team won the Division 16 championship in 2007. Kevin has been teaching swim lessons since the age of 15 and enjoys working with young swimmers. Currently he is a senior at George Mason University majoring in Health, Recreation and Physical Education with a minor in Sports Exercise. He is also a coach for the Potomac Marlins at Lee District. This is Kevin’s fourth year as head coach of the Riverside Gardens Tsunami swim team. KMAL5@COMCAST.NET
KRISTEN FANNON, ASSISTANT COACH
Kristen was a member of the Tsunami swim team starting at six years old. She was a winter swim coach for two seasons and was a substitute prior to becoming a coach. Kristen began her summer coaching in 2007 working with our 6 & under group in a volunteer capacity. This will be Kristen’s fourth year as an assistant coach with the Tsunamis. In high school Kristen swam for St. Stephen’s St. Agnes and was team captain in her senior year. Kristen has just completed her sophomore year at James Madison University and is majoring in Elementary Education. KFANNON3191@YAHOO.COM
BRENDAN MURPHY, ASSISTANT COACH
Brendan also became a Tsunami at the age of six. He was a winter swim coach for two seasons. Brendan began summer coaching in 2008 as a developmental coach working with the 8 & under swimmers. Brendan has been an assistant coach for Riverside Gardens for the past two seasons. Brendan just finished his sophomore year at James Madison University and is planning to become a high school history teacher. MURPHYJB@DUKES.JMU.EDU
MEGAN McCORMICK, DEVELOPMENTAL COACH
Megan became a Tsunami at age six. This is her second season as a developmental coach, and she has been a winter swim coach for three seasons. In high school, she was Captain of the Georgetown Visitation swim team, four-year Varsity letter-winner, record-holder in two events, and helped lead her team to win the WMPSSDL Relay Championships and the school’s first-ever ISL Championship. She is a year-round USA Swimming competitor, and will attend the University of Notre Dame this fall. MCSWIM007@AOL.COM
Northern Virginia Swimming League (NVSL)
The Northern Virginia Swimming League (NVSL) is the largest summer swim league in the United States (and the world!), with approximately 11,000 swimmers participating each summer. The league’s purpose is:
“To sponsor competitive and developmental swimming and diving events and activities in and between the community swimming pools in Northern Virginia.”
“To develop in the children…a love for the sport, advanced aquatic skills, teamwork, and the principles of good sportsmanship.”
The NVSL is an associate member of the United States Swimming, Inc. (USA Swimming), which is the governing body for almost all amateur swimming in the United States. USA Swimming rules govern all NVSL swim meets unless specifically modified by NVSL rules. The USA Swimming rules pertain to stroke and turn, duties of officials, judging, timing, disqualifications, and other technical matters.
The NVSL was formed in 1956 with eight teams. The Riverside Gardens Tsunami Swim Team joined the league in 1967. The NVSL has continued to expand almost every year since its inception. This year, the NVSL has 102 teams divided in to 17 divisions. The number of divisions and the membership in these divisions change each year, depending upon the number of teams that join the league each season and a
team’s performance in the previous season. The teams with the fastest (lowest) “time in water” are in the “top” division (Division 1) and those having the slowest “time in water” are in the bottom division. “Time in water” is computed by recording the times (in seconds) of the two fastest swimmers for each team in each event and the relays and totaling them.
For the 2011 season, Riverside Gardens Tsunami Swim Team will compete in Division 7. Ride the Tsunami Wave!
Surf the Web
NVSL: www.nvsl.nvblu.com
Riverside Gardens: www.rgstc.org
Welcome to the Tsunami Swim Team!
The Tsunamis are the members of the Riverside Gardens Swim and Tennis Club’s summer swim team. “Tsunami” is a word used in the Pacific Region to mean “Giant Wave.” Given the team’s outstanding performance over the years, we have certainly ridden high on the crest of a “Giant Wave.” Our team strives to “win” and to offer each child a winning experience. But, in swimming, as in life, you cannot “win” or succeed all the time; there will always be disappointment. Children will gain from their experience whether or not they ever win a single race. The important thing is to keep striving to do better next time – to achieve a “personal best.” We believe that our goal as parents, coaches, and swim team representatives should be to both produce great swimmers and great young people who swim.
Important Points:
All children of RGSTC members are eligible to join the Tsunami Swim Team if they are 18 years of age or younger.
This is not a “learn-to-swim” program. Your child must be able to swim the length of the pool (25 meters) before joining the team. You may want to supplement team practice with private lessons, if your child is a beginner. Our Coaching Staff is available for private lessons, outside of standard practice times.
All swim team families are required to volunteer in some capacity throughout the season. The swim team relies on your support to ensure a successful swim season. Please say “YES” when asked to help.
Team fees must be paid before a child is allowed to swim in any meet.
Per NVSL rules, smoking is prohibited inside the grounds of the Riverside Gardens Swim and Tennis Club during swim meets.
Swimmers under the age of eight years must be accompanied by a responsible person who is 14 years of age or older.
In order to receive an end of season trophy, swimmers must make an effort to regularly participate in practices and meets.
Team Behavior Policy
Good sportsmanship is required at all swim functions. Coaches have the authority to “bench” swimmers who are being disruptive and not following team rules. The Team Rep(s) have the sole authority to expel swimmers from the team.
Practice Overview
During morning swim practice, only swimmers and coaches are allowed on the deck and in the pool. These rules are necessary to ensure the overall safety of your children during practice. Use of the baby pool and sand lot during morning practice is prohibited.
All swimmers must leave the pool property after their practice is over and may not return until the pool opens to the general membership. The pool office is OFF LIMITS to all except coaches during morning practices. The ping-pong table, the shuffleboard courts and other equipment are not to be in use until the pool opens to the general membership.
The coaches will group swimmers for practice based on their swimming skill and endurance, but the ages and times shown below will generally serve for planning purposes. The coaches will let you know if your child should attend a different practice.
Practice Schedule
Our practice schedule is outlined below:
Afternoon Practice starts May 31 Morning Practice starts June 22
8 and Under----------4:15-5:00pm 9/10’sand 11/12’s---8:00-9:00am
9/10’s and 11/12’s---5:00-6:00pm 8 and Under---------9:00-9:45am
13 and Over----------- 6:00-7:00pm 13 and Over----------9:45-11:00am
Notes on Meets
* All “A” meet swimmers must check-in with Kelly Fannon at our pool before traveling to “away” meets.
* Plan to arrive 15 minutes before the Tsunami warm-up period so that your child can get settled in the team area and be ready to swim.
* Swimmers need to stay in the team area during meets and follow the instructions of the coaches. “A” meets are team events, therefore swimmers should not depart the team area until the completion of the meet.
* Only meet officials, coaches and swimmers are allowed on the pool deck during the meet.
* Please do not go to the table workers area during a meet to ask for times and/or ribbons. The results will be posted on the team bulletin board after the meet and the ribbons will be passed out after the meet.
Race Feedback
Swimmers should talk to one of the coaches after each of their races so the coaches can give positive and constructive feedback. If a swimmer is disqualified for any reason, the coach will explain the disqualification to the swimmer. Parents: Please talk with the coaches AFTER THE MEET if you want to discuss your child’s swim.
Nutrition and Rest
Children should eat a nutritional meal loaded with carbohydrates and lots of fresh fruits before each swim meet. Pasta is always a good choice. Avoid dairy and fried/fatty foods. Go to bed early before a swim meet; you’ll swim better if you’re well rested. Postpone eating junk food until after the meet. The summers are usually quite hot. Ensure that your swimmer stays hydrated by drinking lots of fluids. All swimmers should bring a water bottle to every meet!
Water and Safety
Practice and swim meets take place even if it rains. However, any sound of thunder or sighting of lightening clears the pool until at least 30 minutes have passed without reoccurrence.
The safety of all swimmers is of greatest importance to us all. We urge all swimmers, coaches and everyone connected with the swim team to use common sense to avoid accidents. Behavior, such as throwing someone into the pool, can result in serious injury or death and is strictly prohibited.
Also, remember that the sun beats down hard in the morning during the summer. Urge your children to use a waterproof sunscreen before arriving for practice or meets. Conversely, some of those June morning and evening meets can be quite chilly, so please make sure your swimmer has sweats to wear before and after events.
Team Suit and Tsunami Gear
Team colors are green and black. Check the team calendar or your registration materials for dates/times to purchase the team suit at our pool. Team suits (which change every two years) and swim supplies, such as closed-heel fins, can also be purchased throughout the season by contacting SportFair at 5010 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA 22207; 703-524-9500.
We ask that swimmers wear their team suit, team t-shirt, team cap, and goggles for all meets. Please note that NVSL rules state that swimmers cannot compete in caps that include the name/insignia of any other team than their NVSL team.
Your Team Rep will have extra team swim caps ($5 for latex and $10 for silicone).
Respect for Other Pool Members
Many RGSTC members not associated with the swim team enjoy the Riverside Gardens pool and through their dues help support the swim team. Please be sensitive to the needs of other pool members throughout the summer.
NVSL Clinics
The NVSL conducts training clinics each year in the spring prior to the start of the season. Training clinics are conducted for the jobs of Referee, Starter and Stroke and Turn Judge. Anyone interested in these jobs should attend the appropriate clinic and become familiar with the USA and NVSL technical rules.
The NVSL Clinic Schedule is as follows: The first “Stroke & Turn” clinic will be held SATURDAY, JUNE 11 at 8 AM at Virginia Hills Pool, 6500 Robinson Drive in Alexandria. There will be two additional “Stroke & Turn” clinics, Sunday, June 19th at 9:30 AM at Sleep Hollow Rec Pool, 3538 Sleepy Hollow Road in Falls Church, and on Wednesday, June 22nd at 7 PM, at both Sleepy Hollow Rec Pool or Sully Station, 5101 Sequoia Farm Drive in Centreville . ***THERE WILL BE NO ADDITIONAL STROKE & TURN CLINICS AFTER JUNE 22nd***
A “Referee and Starter” clinic will be held Saturday, June 4th at 8 AM at Falls Church High School, as part of “NVSL University,” on Jaguar Trail, and again on Sunday, June 19th at 9:30AM at Mantua Pool, 9330 Pentland Place, in Fairfax. “New Referee” clinics will be held Thursday, June 2nd @ 7 PM @ Lee Graham Pool, 7319 Lee Highway in Falls Church, and again on Tuesday, June 14th at 7PM at Lee Graham Pool.
We are always in need of additional officials, particularly for Stroke & Turn. Please take a moment to review this schedule and sign up for a clinic.
The NVSL Scholarship Fund
Each year, the NVSL awards $1000 scholarships each to three outstanding graduation seniors within the league to be used for continuing education. Nominations may be prepared by anyone who knows the nominee and submitted to the Riverside Gardens Team Reps for forwarding to the NVSL Scholarship Committee for consideration. Criteria used to select the scholarship recipients include swim team commitment, leadership, school, community, and swimming accomplishments. Each Tsunami graduating senior will receive a scholarship application form.
Important Tsunami Jobs and Responsibilities
Swim Team Representatives:
The NVSL rules require that every team in the league appoint one or more “team representatives,” who serve as the team’s official representative at all NVSL meetings and is/are the only person(s) authorized to vote or speak officially on the team’s behalf. The team representatives also act as liaisons between the swimmers, coaches, and parents.
Responsibilities:
* The swim team representative(s) is/are responsible for the selection of the team coaches and for supervising them throughout the season. If a parent has a concern or a problem relating to the coaching staff, please bring it to the attention of the team representative(s) and she/they will discuss it with the coaches.
* The swim team representative(s) is/are responsible for the financial arrangements for the team including: collecting dues, paying the coaches, fund raising, purchasing, preparing the team budget and presenting it to the RGSTC Board.
* The swim team representative(s) is/are the overall organizer, recruiter and coordinator of parent volunteers who staff the meets and carry out the team activities. The team representative(s) cannot do it all, therefore many duties are delegated to parent volunteers.
* The swim team representative(s) is/are the swim meet manager(s). This involves carrying out all the details necessary to run a swim meet, including: exchanging official meet sheets with the other team representative(s); staffing the meet; ensuring physical setup of the pool; assuring that the meet is run by NVSL rules and the results are recorded accordingly. The team representative(s) coordinate(s) with the other team representatives to resolve disputes during the meets and can file an official protest with the referee regarding a judgment call in a meet.
* The swim team representative(s) assist the coaches in the selection of awards and delegates the purchase of trophies to a parent volunteer.
Swim Coach:
The coach’s job is to supervise the competitive swim program. Our coaches are not professional coaches, but are typically college or high school students with many years of swimming experience, maturity, and strong interpersonal and leadership skills. All are accomplished swimmers who are up-to-date on the latest swimming techniques. Our coaches are dedicated to providing your children with a positive competitive environment and to helping them achieve their “personal best.” In order to accomplish this, the coaches must be in control of all matters related to training and competition.
Responsibilities:
* The coaches are solely responsible for deciding whether a child’s swimming skills are at a level appropriate for participation on the team. The team is not a learn-to-swim program. The coaches cannot provide individual swimming instructions during practices. The child must be able to swim the length of the pool prior to joining the team.
* The coaches are responsible to teach your child how to swim in a competitive swim program. This includes teaching them how to do the competitive strokes more efficiently, how to build endurance, how to improve starts and turns, and how to swim for speed. Coaches (not parents) have the sole responsibility for instruction.
* The coaches are responsible for the placement of children in the practice groups. This is based on age and the ability level of each swimmer. When it is in the best interest of a swimmer, they will place him/her in a more difficult group.
* The coaches are solely responsible for selecting “A” meet participants for Saturday meets, for selecting which strokes your child will swim, and for selecting relay team members.
* The coaches are responsible for the supervision and conduct of the team during swim meets and practices. Swimmers who do not follow the coaches’ instructions or the team rules may be “benched” by the coaches. This may include being asked to leave practice and/or not being allowed to swim in a meet.
* The coaches are responsible for selecting Tsunami “Swimmers of the Week,” and for organizing and executing all pep rally activities, in coordination with the parent volunteers.
Parents:
A team effort truly involves all members of the team, even those in the supporting roles. Parents must give their complete support to the coaches and allow the coaches to function in their role. Parents’ attitudes and behavior often dictate those of their children. We all must work together positively so your child’s swim team experience will be a rewarding one.
Responsibilities:
* Provide your child support and positive encouragement. It is the coach’s job to offer constructive criticism of a swimmer’s performance.
* Volunteer and be involved with the team! The team cannot function and be a success without the efforts of our volunteer parents.
* Do not criticize the coaches in front of the children or other parents. This undermines the coach’s authority and breaks the swimmer-coach relationship necessary for success. Contact the Team Reps to discuss your swim team concerns.
* Support the coaching decisions made relating to your child swimming in the “A” meets. These decisions are made in the best interest of the team. Your child may be asked to swim a stroke that isn’t necessarily a favorite but where he/she can best help the team.
* Discuss the team rules with your children and insist they obey them and the coaches’ instructions at all times. The coaches need to focus their attention on coaching and providing a safe environment for the entire team, and not on disciplining those few who disobey the rules.
* Please arrange your vacation so your swimmer does not miss key meets during the season. The swim team requires reliability and commitment on the part of all participants to be successful. If your swimmer must be absent, please let the coaches know by the Wednesday morning before a scheduled Saturday “A” meet.
* All swimmers must check in at our pool prior to traveling to “away” Saturday “A” meets. Once the swimmers have been checked in, you may proceed to the “away” meet. Directions to the meets will be provided the morning of the meet during check-in.
* Team fees must be paid before the first swim meet or your child will not be allowed to swim. This rule is mandatory for insurance reasons.
Swimmers:
Riverside Gardens Swim and Tennis Club invites all eligible children (18 years of age or younger) of pool members to participate and enjoy the swim team experience. In order to be a part of the swim team, the swimmers must adhere to the following responsibilities:
* Practice good sportsmanship – treat your teammates, the competition, the coaches, the deck officials and all others involved with the swim program with respect and dignity. Do not criticize others. This includes deck officials, coaches, competitors or teammates.
* Always try your best at meets and in practice. Strive for personal improvement every time you get in the water.
* Obey the coaches. Listen to what they have to say and follow their instructions. Do not talk back to the coaches.
* Swim the events the coaches tell you to swim. They have chosen you for that event because they have the confidence that is where you can best help the team.
* Be a team leader. Ask the coaches how you can help during meets and practices. Set a good example. Cheer for your teammates during the meet. Participate in pep rallies. Warm up with the team!
* No horseplay! This means no running, pushing, fighting, cursing, and throwing of food, sand or anything else. Throwing anyone in the pool is prohibited!
* Always be on time for practice and the meets. If you must miss an “A” meet, tell the coaches and team representative by the Wednesday morning of that week.
* Remain in the team area during the meet. Keep the team area clean and pick up your trash after the meet.
* Get a good night’s sleep before the meet and don’t eat a lot of junk food during the meet.
* Have fun!
The Competitive Swim Season
“A” Meets:
These are the only official NVSL “dual” meets. There are five “dual” meets held on five consecutive Saturday mornings against the five other teams in the division. Each team is allowed to enter three competitors for the four individual strokes: Freestyle, Backstroke, Breastroke and Butterfly – by age group and gender. Butterfly is limited to 9-year-olds and above. Each team also enters a four-member relay team for each age group (8 and Under freestyle relay; 9-10, 11-12, 13-14 and 15-18 medley relays; and a mixed-age freestyle relay) for both boys and girls. Individual swimmers are allowed to compete in only two individual events and the relays.
“A” meets are scored by a point system. A team member receiving a first place earns five points; a second place earns three points; and a third place earns one point for the team. The winning relay team earns five points for the team; the losing team earns zero points. All points are totaled to decide the winner of the meet. It takes at least 202 points to win the meet. The overall win-loss record of the five dual meets determines the Division Champion. It is possible to have a tie and share the Division title.
How Are “A” Meet Swimmers Chosen? The three swimmers with the “fastest” times in a stroke are selected to swim in an “A” meet. Membership on the “A” team varies weekly, since swimmers who improve their times at “B” meets can earn the right to compete in the “A” meets. The coaches make all the decisions regarding who will swim in the “A” meets and which strokes and relays the swimmers swim. They usually make their decision on the Wednesday afternoon prior to a Saturday meet. They analyze the opposing team’s times, consider what kind of strategy will help us win the meet, and how to place ourswimmers to our best advantage. Many things are considered – primarily the times of the opposing team’s possible line-up and how our swimmers match up to them so we can win as many races as possible. The coaches may conduct swim-offs during practice to finalize seeding decisions. We want to win the “A” meet, therefore the coaches frequently ask swimmers to swim a stroke that may not be their favorite or their fastest or they may ask a swimmer to “swim up” in an older age group. This is all part of the strategy to win the meet. The coaches make their decisions based on their confidence of the ability of your child to help the team. Remember that summer league swimming is a team effort where every member contributes to the final outcome. Swimmers are expected to swim the events where the coaches feel their performance will help the team the most. Even with all the data that is studied to pick the “A” team, there are always cases where the choice between two swimmers cannot be decided by times alone. In this case, the coaches must use their best judgment, and that comes down to such intangibles as the swimmer’s “attitude.” This is determined by the way the swimmer works during practice and how hard they apply themselves in meet situations.
“B” Meets:
Generally, all team members are eligible to swim in “B” meets, regardless of their times. However, swimmers must have demonstrated to the coaches during practice the basic ability to swim the length of the pool in a stroke before being entered in a “B” meet in that stroke. The length must be swum basically without the assistance of the lane ropes or repeated stops. Hopefully, regular attendance at practice will improve each swimmer’s technique and endurance so that these criteria will be met in several strokes. “B” meets are not official NVSL meets; team scores are not kept and the meets do not count toward the Division Championship. These meets are designed to provide a competitive swim environment like an “A” meet where swimmers can practice and improve their strokes and times. “B” meets can be held with two or more teams. The coaches use the times earned at a “B” meet (as well as “A” meet times) to determine who will swim in official NVSL meets – the “A” meets, Relay Carnival and Divisionals. Times are also used to determine swimmers for special “B” meets such as the Ft. Hunt Sportsman Relay Carnival and the Individual Medley Invitational. Riverside Gardens’ “B” meets are usually held on Monday evenings. Every official competitor who finishes a race in a “B” meet receives a colored ribbon to denote his/her place. It is Tsunami policy that anyone who earned points (placed first, second or third) in the last “A” meet cannot compete officially in that event in the next “B” meet. These swimmers are encouraged to swim their “off strokes” or they may compete unofficially under certain special situations approved by the Coaches and/or Team Reps. Unofficial competitors may not receive ribbons for their performances in “B” meets.
Time Trials:
Time trials are the first meet of the season where swimmers are timed in each stroke. It is treated as a “B” meet. There are no relays. The times received at time trials are used by coaches to determine who will swim in the first “A” meet of the season on the following Saturday. Riverside Gardens holds time trials on the Saturday morning before the first “A” meet. All swimmers are expected to participate in and swim all strokes at Time Trials.
Division Meets:
These are the meets where all the teams in our division enter their “top” competitors to swim against each other. There are two of these meets every year: the Division Relay Carnival and the individual championship known as Divisionals.
Division Relay Carnival:
The Division Relay Carnival is normally conducted on a Wednesday evening in the middle of the season. The meet is comprised only of relay events where each team in the division enters a freestyle and a medley relay team in each age group by gender, and a “mixed age” freestyle relay. The meet is scored and the team that wins the meet receives a trophy and is named the Division’s Relay Carnival Champion. Based on the results of all the Division Relay Carnivals, the fastest 18 relay teams in each event (league-wide) are invited to participate in the All Star Relay Carnival held on the following Wednesday evening. Riverside Gardens traditionally has several relay teams qualify for the All Star Relay Carnival.
Divisionals:
Divisionals are the Division’s individual championship meet and is comprised solely of individual events (no relays). It is always held on the Saturday morning following the division’s last dual meet. The meet is an opportunity for individual swimmers within the division to compete against each other to determine the fastest swimmers in the division for each stroke. It is not a scored team event. Each club is allowed to enter two competitors per stroke per age group by gender. This event is the sole qualifying meet for the individual All Stars meet, which is held the next Saturday after Divisionals. Based on the results of Divisionals (league-wide), the fastest 18 swimmers in each event throughout the NVSL are invited to swim in the NVSL All Star Meet. Qualifying for All Stars is a great accomplishment because only the league’s fastest 18 swimmers out of approximately 208 swimmers who swam that event at Divisionals are selected.
Note: There are two events in the Divisionals competition that are not part of an “A” meet: the 8 & Under Butterfly and the 100 IM. These two events are also part of the All Star Meet. These two events are swum at “B” meets so our swimmers can get times and race experience.
All Star Meets:
There are two All Star Meets each season: the All Star Relay Carnival and the Individual All Stars. The meets provide an opportunity for the fastest 18 relay teams and the fastest 18 individual league finishers in each event, regardless of division, to compete one last time. Just being selected for All Stars is an honor when you know that there are 11,000 swimmers in the NVSL!
Awards and Recognition
Ribbons:
This year, Division 7 has decided to award “A” meet ribbons for first through sixth place. Ribbons at “B” meets are awarded for all six places AND a participation ribbon in the event of a disqualification. Every swimmer is awarded a “personal best” ribbon each time they improve their time in a stroke throughout the season. Improvement is calculated from times swam at Time Trials at the beginning of the season.
Swimmers of the Week:
The coaches award “Swimmer of the Week” to several swimmers each week based on work ethic, meet or practice performance, and sportsmanship. All Swimmers of the Week are awarded a “Riverside Gardens Swimmer of the Week” T-Shirt.
Trophies and Awards:
Every member of the Tsunami Swim Team, who actively participates in practices and meets, will receive a trophy for their efforts. At their discretion, the coaches will also give other awards, such as the Coaches’ Award, Most Improved Swimmer, and Mr. And Ms. Tsunami, to name a few. All of the trophies and special awards are presented at our end-of-the-season awards party, which is typically held at the pool the evening of Divisionals.
Staffing a Swim Meet
As previously mentioned, total participation by the parents is necessary to conduct a successful meet. Home meets require more help than away meets. There are a lot of jobs to be filled that can roughly be divided into three areas: Support, Administrative and Deck Officials.
I. Support:
Each of the following positions has one or two parent volunteers acting as “committee heads,” but numerous additional volunteers are needed to fulfill each job.
Concessions Coordinator:
Buys supplies and organizes the parent volunteers to provide food and drinks to sell at home meets. This is an extremely important position because the sales of the concessions keep dues down and raise money to buy the team trophies.
Cookouts Coordinator: Buys the supplies and secures volunteers to cook and serve hamburgers and hot dogs after home swim meets. The money raised supports swim team activities.
End-of-the-Year Party Coordinator: Plans and oversees the end-of-the-season awards banquet that honors the swimmers’ accomplishments. Held in conjunction with our Tennis Team colleagues.
Meet Marshall: Responsible for the safe conduct of the swimmers in the water during team warm up. May also be asked to help with crowd control.
Meet Set-Up and Clean-Up: Responsible for ensuring the facility is properly set up prior to the start of a meet and then returned to pre-meet conditions at the end of the meet.
Pasta Dinner Coordinator: Arranges several pot luck pasta dinners for the team on selected dates throughout the season.
Pep Rally & Dessert Coordinator: Helps the coaches plan the Friday night pep rallies throughout the season.
Fundraising Coordinator: Responsible for planning and overseeing the swim team’s fundraisers, including securing parent volunteers and collecting pledge money from participants.
Team Clothing/Swim Suit Coordinator: Coordinates the order of team t-shirts, swim bags, caps, sweats, etc. Involves pre-season and in-season work with out outside vendors, CCI Screenprinting and SportFair.
Team Picture Coordinator: Schedules and coordinates the team and individual photo shoot with a professional photographer. This person collects the money from the swimmers and distributes the developed picture packages.
Team Photographers: Takes photos throughout the season for use in the end-of-season slide show and to display in the photo case at the pool.
Web Site Coordinator: Works with Team Reps, Coaches and photographers to establish and maintain Tsunami Swim Team content of the Riverside Gardens Web Site: www.rgstc.org.
Team Records: Maintains the team records and updates record board at pool as required.
Team Trip Coordinator: Plans the annual Tsunami trip to Cameron Run Water Park in Alexandria.
Trophy Coordinator: Works with the Coaches and Team Reps to purchase end-of-season trophies.
II. Administrative:
It takes approximately 12 – 14 parents (half from each team) to adequately conduct just the administrative support at a swim meet, excluding “runners” used to carry DQ slips and time cards from one place to another.
Announcer: Uses the public address system to announce winners of the races and the score of the meet, thus allowing the spectators to track the progress of the meet.
Awards Clerk: Records on the back of each ribbon, plaque or medal, the event, time, swimmer’s name and club name.
Chief Recorder: One of several workers who is seated at the “Scorer’s Table.” Receives the time cards and any DQ slips after each race. Determines the official time, combines the heats if necessary, places the swimmers time cards in order from first to last, and reads this order of finish to the scorers and time-in-water recorders who record all the data on sufficient copies of the “meet sheet” to provide the league and each team with an official copy of meet results.
Clerk of the Course: In charge of the area where the swimmers are seated just before their races. The Clerk gives them their time card and, at the right moment, sends them to the starting area. A swimmer who does not get to the Clerk on time is not allowed to swim until his/her next event.
Meet Manager: Responsible for making sure that all jobs – support, administrative and deck officials – are assigned and being carried out during the meet. The home Team Rep serves as Meet Manager.
III. Deck Officials:
These officials are actually on the pool deck during the conduct of the meet. They are the most critical jobs – ones that determine whether the meet follows all the NVSL and USA rules. These officials also determine the swimmer’s time and evaluate the legality of the swimmer’s start, finish, and execution of the stroke. Most importantly, these officials ensure a fair competitive environment for all swimmers.
Referee: An NVSL trained official who is responsible for the overall conduct of the competition aspect of the meet. Inspects the facility prior to the start of the meet to ensure compliance with USA and NVSL regulations; instructs all deck officials on their duties; and then conducts the meet in a manner to ensure that all swimmers have the fairest possible opportunity to compete against one another.
Relay Takeoff Judges: Observes the swimmers takeoffs and finishes to ensure that the swimmer in the water touches the wall prior to the takeoff of the next swimmer in the relay. Relays are swum only during “A” meets and Relay Carnival meets. Two relay takeoff judges are required to evaluate each takeoff with both agreeing that an early takeoff occurred before a relay team is disqualified.
Starter: An NVSL trained official who has complete charge of the swimmers during the period of the start for each heat. Calls the swimmers to the starting area and gives the instructions to ensure a fair start. Signals the start and is the principal official to call a “false start” if some violation is observed.
Stroke and Turn Judges: NVSL trained officials. Closely observe swimmers while racing to be sure each performs the stroke and executes the turns and finishes as prescribed in the USA and NVSL rules. Upon noticing a violation, the S&T Judge will raise his/her hand, complete a form explaining the disqualification, and then give the form to the Referee for approval. If there is a question about the call, the S&T Judge and the Referee will confer. The Referee has the final authority. Once approved, the DQ slip will go to the administrative table where it is attached to the swimmer’s time card. The referee gives a copy of the DQ slip, along with an explanation of the disqualification, to the swimmer’s Team Rep.
Chief Timer: Chief Timer is responsible for recruiting timers for each swim meet (“A” and “B” meets plus special meets) and for providing them with relief during the meet. Collects all the time cards, checks them for possible discrepancies and passes them to the Runner who takes them to the Scorers Table.
Timers: A total of 18 timers (3 per lane and 9 from each team) are required for all swim meets. Using hand-held stop watches, time the races and record time for each watch on the swimmer’s time card and pass the card to the Chief Timer. These officials are essential as every 1/100th of a second is critical to a competitive swimmer. Even though some of the “championship” meets now have electronic timing devices, all of the summer meets still require this method of timing. Since reflexes differ among human beings, it is normal for the three times to be slightly different. USA and NVSL rules provide a specific method to determine the final, official time:
* If all three times are different, the middle time is the official time.
* If two of the three times agree completely, that is the official time.
* If, for some reason, there are only two times and they differ, the official time is the average of the two times rounded to the higher 1/100th.
Frequent Ways Swimmers Disqualify (DQ)
Most young swimmers disqualify several times during the course of learning how to “stay legal” in the various strokes. Coaches expect this and will simply work with the children to help them understand the reasons for the DQ. The following are the most frequent causes for a swimmer disqualification:
Freestyle:
Failure to touch the wall at the turning end of the pool;
Walking on the bottom or pulling on the lane lines;
Exiting the pool before swimming the specified distance
Backstroke:
Past vertical towards the breast at any time except during a flip turn;
Leaving the wall after a turn past vertical towards the breast;
Improper flip turn (older swimmers)
Breaststroke:
Incorrect kick, such as a scissors kick;
Non-Simultaneous two-hand touch or one hand touch at turn or finish;
Toes not pointed outward during the propulsive part of the kick;
More than one stroke underwater with arms fully extended at start or turn;
Arm recovery past waist except on first stroke after start or turn;
Head didn't break surface by conclusion of second arm pull underwater after a start or turn
Butterfly:
Non-Simultaneous or one handed wall touch at the turn or finish;
Non-Simultaneous leg movement during kicks
Arms don't break water surface during recovery (judged at the elbows);
Non-Simultaneous arm movement during recovery
Relay Races:
A swimmer leaves the deck before the previous swimmer touches the wall or deck
False Start:
A swimmer starts the race early