Fundamentals of Competitive Swimming
The Dearborn Dolphins
emphasize growth and development for the team as well as the individual. While
a constant stride of improvment remains our team objective, the swimmer's individual
improvement is the primary focus. With the individual in mind, parents must
understand that kids learn at different rates and in different ways. Be careful
of comparing your swimmer to other swimmers, especially within earshot of your
swimmer. Never measure the continuing success of your child by his performance
against a particular competitor. That competitor is likely on a completely different
biological timetable from your child. Failure to heed this advice can make both
the parent and the swimmer despondent or arrogant.
Good sportsmanship and proper behavior is of equal importance. Respect for officials,
coaches and parents, congratulations to other competitors, encouragement to
teammates, determined effort and mature attitudes are taught and expected. Swimmers
are taught to set realistic but challenging goals for swim meets and to relate
these goals to training efforts at practice.
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Guidelines
for Swim Meets
Meet schedules are established by the coaching staff with the hope that each swimmer attends as many meets as possible at their classification level. Championship level meets, whether they are club league or USS, are important to our goal of team building and any DRD swimmers who qualify are expected to attend and contribute to our team building effort unless otherwise directed by the coaches. At every meet it is important the swimmer seek out the coach before and immediately after each race so proper race strategy and post race remarks can be reviewed. Another matter of importance is each swimmer check with their coach before leaving a meet to see if they have been placed on a relay or if they are needed in any other capacity.
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Swim
Meet Formats
1. USS Meets
• A USS meet is a highly competitive, invitational style swim meet held
throughout the state and the country. Typically our coaches schedule two USS
meets a month for athletes to participate in. Each meet places athletes by their
ability level through their seed time. A majority of USS meets are offered in
a two-day or three-day format (Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Saturday and Sunday).
Saturday and Sunday meets are broken down into sessions based on age. For example,
the morning session of a meet is typically for athletes ages 13 and older and
the afternoon session of a meet is typically for athletes ages 12 and under.
Each session, on average, lasts 3 ½ to 4 hours. Multiple registered officials
judge these meets. These officials will disqualify an athlete for any illegal
infraction that occurs during a given race. Awards are earned based on the order
of finish by the athletes in every event. Normally awards are given to the top
12 finishes in each event. DRD fees do not cover the cost of USS meets, which
typically are $4.00 per event plus a $4.00 DRD fee to cover incidental charges
associated with these meets. DRD covers the fees associated with relays.
2. Club
League Meets
• A club league meet is a competitive swim meet at a much smaller scale
in comparison to a USS meet. Club league meets offer a series of dual meets
with a championship meet offered at the end of each club league season. Dual
meets are stroke specific (fly and free meet, back and breast meet and an IM
meet) and normally last 2 hours if not less. Dual meets are scheduled on a weekday
evening and don’t require seed times for participation. Athletes select
the events they wish to participate in, both individual and relay. Officials
for a dual meet are typically a coach of the host team who will not disqualify
any athlete for mistakes but will make it a point to speak with a swimmer on
their team or a coach on the opposing team about mistakes they witness. These
meets are a great way to get swimmers who aren’t accustom to competitive
formats in athletics. It builds confidence for the athlete and gives both swimmers
and parents an idea of what this sport has to offer. There is no charge to swim
in the Dual meets.
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Meet Entry Procedure
1. USS
Meets
• Entries for USS meets will continue to be done via online only. Meet schedule, postings, info packets, due dates, entry reports and fee reports will all be posted on the website, www.swimdrd.org . Signing up for meets will be handled online as well. Please see the DRD website for details and instructions.
Be sure to check the website often to keep up to date on meets. This is our primary source of distributing meet information. There will not be information posted at the pools unless it is a special notice.
Please remember if you sign up for a meet, you are obligated to the necessary meet fees. Meet payments are due the Tuesday before the meet start date unless specified. Remember to take advantage of our Meet Account option for paying for meets . It is an easy way to keep a step ahead and not be late for turning in payments. An account is set up by making a lump sum deposit, entry fees are withdrawn per meet, and notices are emailed to keep you up to date on your balance. Please contact the DRD Meet Entry Chair with questions.
•New policy regarding late payments
Late meet fee payments (even one day late, no matter what!!) are no longer acceptable . Any late payments will be assessed a $5 late fee for a first infraction. Second time late in paying meet fees results in a $10 fine. Third time late in paying fees is a $15 fine and mandatory set-up of a meet account for the rest of the season.
USS Online Meet Entry
•The DRD coaching staff (the coach of your individual swimmer) is responsible for selecting the events the swimmer will compete in, as well as the time they will be entered at.
The Procedure
•Entry packets are available on-line; if a family does not have Internet access, a packet will be provided for them in their mail-box (please contact the Meet Entry person to let them know you do not have Internet access). All USS Meet entries are now handled on-line. To sign your swimmer up to swim a particular meet, send an email to meetsignup@swimdrd.org. In the subject line, please include the meet name, your swimmers name and what days they are available to swim. If you are requesting a specific event or wish to comment to the coach, please add an asterisk at the end of the subject line and add your comments in the body of the email. Examples of this are available on-line on the Meets Page. The coaches will read these emails on the day they are due (if you are late, you must contact the coach directly) and enter your swimmer in events. Once the entries have been processed and submitted, a link will be added to the Meets Page with the Hy-tek printout of what events and days swimmers are swimming. A link will also be added that will list your payment and when the payment is due. This fall is a great time to take advantage of our Meet Accounts. You can easily set up a Meet Account by making a lump sum deposit to DRD (typically $100.00 per swimmer). When you enter your swimmer in a USS meet, your payment is deducted from the meet account lump sum – the Meet Entry Chair will send periodic statements so you can keep track of how much money you have left in your account. The best part is you don't have to worry about getting your payment in on time! Please contact the Meet Entry Chair with questions or to set up your meet account. If you wish to pay per meet, payments are to be deposited into the locked drop box located at both pools. Please read the attached meet entry notes for new policies regarding payments.
Your DRD Meet Entry Chair is Petra Sambel and she can be reached at meetentries@swimdrd.org.
2. Club
league meets
• Approximately 7 to 10 days prior to a club league meet (dual or championship)
a sign-up sheet will be posted at both OL Smith and Dearborn High. For a dual
meet a swimmer can swim a maximum of two individual events and two relays. Dual
meets are offered as a butterfly-freestyle meet, backstroke-breaststroke meet
or an individual medley (IM) meet. An IM meet offers one individual event and
two relays. The 6 and under age group swimmer is allowed to swim a 25 yard (one
length) backstroke and 25 freestyle event at each dual meet and at the championship
meet.
• No time standards are required to participate in a dual meet or championship
meet.
• Deadlines are posted on each sign-up sheet.
• In order to participate in the championship meet the swimmer must have
participated in at least one of the dual meets during that club league meet
season. Club league meets are offered October until mid-December and January
until mid-March.
• The championship meets are divided into male and female meets. The league
restricts each team to only three participants in each event. Participation
by each swimmer is restricted to a maximum one relay and two individual events.
The coaches try to accommodate each participant’s desire to swim the maximum
number of events but those accommodations are based on our team participation.
• Check-in with the coaches when you arrive and before you leave the pool
deck and the meet altogether.
• Check your event card for the event number, stroke, heat and lane.
• Ask the timer in your lane for your time immediately after the race.
• See your coach before and after each race. The coach will offer advice
and evaluate your race.
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What to Bring to a Meet
Team suit or bathing
suit Water bottle or sports drink
Team cap or swim cap Nutritious snacks
Goggles (have one or two spare pair) Shoes or sandals
Towel(s) Team sweatshirt or parka
Games or books
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Meet Do’s and Don’ts
Do conserve energy. Stay off your feet (save your legs for the pool); wear shoes or sandals for warmth and protection outside of the pool; wear a shirt or parka to stay warm.
Do be on time for everything including check-in and warm-up. At USS meets each swimmer is required to check themselves in. A time deadline is followed strictly to ensure the meet begins on time and this deadline is always listed on the meet entry packet. Coaches are not permitted to check-in swimmers.
Don’t get dehydrated. Drink plenty of water and other fluids (avoid soda, juice and milk).
Do speak with the coach for pre-race instruction. Go directly to the coach after each race for post-race comments and instruction as well.
Don’t
get sun burnt (outdoor meets). Apply waterproof sun block repeatedly throughout
the day.
Do eat healthy food and snacks. Fruit, bagels and sports drinks
make good between-race snacks. In general, avoid items with a lot of fat, fiber
and refined sugar.
Do bring activities like games and puzzles. The meet may last
several hours.
Don't leave the pool deck without telling a coach where you
are going. Coaches and swimmers are responsible for knowing when they are racing.
Do have fun!!
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Parent Education
The coaching staff of the Dearborn Dolphins constantly works together when it
comes to the need of the individual. Our thought process focuses on the swimmer
because that is who we interact with the most and we are often judged as coaches
by the results of each individual. Parents often get left behind in the developmental
process of a swimmer and while parents are not participants on their child’s
team they share in the success of both the child and the team. This section
is dedicated to help parents stay in tune with the developmental process the
coaching staff adheres to.
The Parent’s
Role
The role of a coach and the role of a parent cross similar paths throughout
a swimmer’s development. On occasion, parents rehash decisions they make
on their child’s behalf and most coaches do the same. The recommendations
below are meant to focus on the well being of the swimmer and hopefully bring
to mind self-reflection and discussion.
• Don’t coach your kids – If a swimmer is
getting input from his coach and additional input from his parent, we deal with
a truly confused swimmer. Each swimmer must have trust in every coach and in
the program. This cannot happen if his parents are virtually telling him they
know best. If you have reason for concern about the approach to coaching towards
your child please speak to the coach directly. Each swimmer has a coach; they
need you to be a parent.
• Keep us informed – Let us know if there are concerns
at home or at school that may affect the training and racing performance of
your child. We don’t need to know all the details but in order to coach
each swimmer individually we need to know what is happening individually.
• YOU are key to your child’s swimming –
A parent’s overall attitude towards swimming, the program, the coach and
his child’s participation is key towards the attitude and success of the
child. Every child takes cues from his parent and if the parent shows he does
not value swimming through words, facial expressions and the like then it is
very likely the child will lack commitment, have little success and lose interest
in swimming. Situations like “it doesn’t matter” if the child
skips practice, telling your swimmer you don’t appreciate having to drive
to practice or sit in the stands during meets contribute towards their attitude.
Be supportive of your child’s interest in swimming by being and staying
positively interested.
• Wisdom over guesswork – Coaches make several
decisions you may not agree with. These decisions are made with previous experiences
in similar situations and each swimmer in mind. Trust the coaches to act in
what they consider the best interests of the team as a whole. Understand this
occasionally conflicts with what you see as the best interests of your child
at that moment.
• Failure/disappointment is a learning tool – One
of the biggest obstacles coaches’ face is parents do not allow their children
to fail. It is understandable parents want to protect their children and provide
what is best for them. Swimming is a place where young people can experience
the thrills and challenges associated with sport and to some degree, life. Athletes
have to be allowed to experience failure as well as success. Feeling lousy for
a few minutes won’t forever damage their self-esteem. It will motivate
them to try harder and do better the next time. The goal of the coaches is to
teach our swimmers standards of good and bad performances so when they do well
they will feel appropriately pleased. Failure can make athletes stronger and
move on to even greater successes. Those successes may not have been possible
without having faced challenges and setbacks.
• Be “the solid rock” – Throughout
the successes and failures kids will ride emotional roller coasters. One of
the most important roles a swimming parent can provide is emotional support
through the difficult times. Express to them they are still loved no matter
how poorly they think they swam. On the other end of the spectrum don’t
let them get cocky or arrogant when they win.
• Team unity – This goes beyond the coaches trying
to build a team environment, it trickles into the stands too. While at a meet
look for other DRD parents in the stands to sit with. Cheering spectators are
always welcome so look for other DRD swimmers and root them on. Keep critical
remarks about the team, the coaches, other parents, your swimmers or others’
swimmers in your head.
• DON’T reward success through bribery –
This is often used to help swimmers meet various standards in the form of money,
special meals, etc. The idea in a singular setting isn’t bad but consider
the long-term consequences. The parent has to keep increasing the ante so to
speak and in the end is the swimmer motivated to swim fast for themselves or
for the reward?
• Avoid becoming a “swimming expert” –
The Internet can be a great resource in many ways but just as much bad information
exists, as does good information. As coaches we immerse ourselves in the latest
trends on training and technique, we have knowledge of the history of the sport
and we also know what works through our years of experience. By generally not
knowing whether the Website you just visited fits into the developmental strategy
of the coaching staff or not, you are in no position to judge what you find
critically.
Parent Guidelines
• Be enthusiastic and supportive
• Let the coach do the coaching - Friday practices parents
are allowed to observe on deck. If your swimmer approaches you during practice
tell them you will speak to them later. If the coach needs assistance from a
parent the coach will seek out the parent.
• Become a part of our parent board - We have several
positions on the club that require volunteers. Ask a member of our executive
board (President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary) what you can do to
“pitch in” to the team.
• Help coordinate team activities.
Deadlines
It is appreciated if all deadlines are met. If the deadlines are ignored it
puts unnecessary pressure on everybody involved to correct the situation. Deadlines
for USS and club league meets are posted on notices at all pools on flyers,
on the Practice Schedule portion of the Website and usually on the hotline as
well. Essentially every team activity from a new swimming session to team apparel
has a deadline.
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Parents’
Role at Team Hosted Meets
1. USS Meets
• DRD hosts two swim meets each swim year (September to July). In October,
we host a all level (ABC) U.S.S. Swim Meet at Romulus High School in Romulus,
Michigan. We also host an annual B+ Level U.S.S. Competitive Swim Meet at Jack
Dunworth Memorial Pool (located at Levagood Park in the City of Dearborn).
• The Spooky Splash is usually held on the second weekend in October.
This is a great meet for Novice and Intermediate swimmers, as it tends to be
more intimate than other U.S.S. meets. The Romulus facility boasts an 8-lane
pool with an 8 lane timing board visible from all spectators’ seats. While
typically a smaller scale meet than our summer meet, DRD still relies on the
money earned at this meet to help cover our yearly expenses.
• The Freeze or Fry meet, held the third or fourth weekend in June, is
traditionally the largest Long Course Meet held in the State of Michigan. In
the past, we have attracted swimmers from as far away as Colorado. This Meet
contributes to nearly half of our annual working budget. It takes all of our
families working together to make a Meet of this size a success; the success
of this Meet keeps our dues at a minimum. Approximately 40 parents are required
to fill the jobs on deck for each of the 6 sessions (1 session each morning;
1 session each afternoon). With this in mind, you can understand why we need
ALL our families to contribute.
• While working these swim meets is required by our by-laws (see By-Law
3.5 for details of responsibilities and penalties), it is still a great way
for parents to take a more active role in the club which helps build team spirit.
2. Club
league meets
• DRD hosts three or four club league dual meets during both our fall
and winter sessions. These meets normally last an hour and a half to two hours
and are an opportunity to develop confidence and racing ability for all four
developmental groups. During these meets we need volunteers to be timers, runners,
ribbon writers and occasionally announcers. If you have never done any of these
jobs don’t worry someone on the team will be able to guide you through
it.
• The club also participates in the championship meet at the end of each
club league season. Each team is required to provide two timers for both the
boys and the girls championship meet.
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Expectations
1. Coach
• As coaches, we understand each swimmer on our team is involved in a
multitude of activities. Whether it is softball, soccer, boy scouts or girl
scouts we realize each activity takes time, effort and focus to achieve goals.
When they are at the pool each swimmer is expected to put forth equal to or
better than effort and focus they give their other activities. The coaches expect
each swimmer to match our efforts to make them better. We understand that likely
won’t happen on a daily basis but the key is consistent effort. All we
ask every swimmer to show is a desire to improve; no matter what the ability
level, and we will do everything possible to assist them achieve those improvements.
2. Swimmer
• Each swimmer should go into every practice, every swim meet and every
session with this message in mind – I will get out of swimming what I
put into swimming. The bottom line is swimming is a progressive sport. With
each day, each week and each session new challenges will present themselves
to the swimmer. The coaching staff has the knowledge and the ability to help
every swimmer achieve whatever goal they have but we cannot physically perform
the acts necessary for them. Desire comes from within and each swimmer has to
verbally and physically communicate that desire to the coaches and by attending
practice, listening and applying what they learn from the coaches and focusing
on improvements.
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Liaisons
• In an effort to communicate with all members of the team we have one
liaison designated for each training group on the team. One of the responsibilities
of the liaison is to create a folder for each swimmer and put them in the proper
mailbox. Each liaison is also responsible for contacting each swimmer’s
parent in the group in case of an emergency or last minute cancellation of practice.
This can only happen if a coach or board member has ample time to contact each
liaison with the up-to-date information. Liaisons are also used throughout the
year to communicate special events and team functions via individual notices
or phone calls.
Time
Standards
• Time standards are used in USS meets only to categorize swimmers against
other swimmers of similar time in every event. Sex and age also categorize swimmers.
Letters ultimately designate these time standards. The higher the letter, the
faster the time standard. For instance a meet entry packet notice will be posted
for an ABC meet. This means swimmers will be put into the ‘C’ category
if they have not swam that event before in a USS meet or they do not have a
‘B’ minimum time. A swimmer will be placed in the ‘B’
category if they are faster than a ‘C’ time but slower than an ‘A’
time. The maximum for time standards is the “fastest time” allowable
to enter the event. The minimum for time standards is the “slowest time”
allowable to enter the event. Championship level meets are offered during the
short course season for every ability level. ‘A’, ‘B’
and ‘C’ swimmers can participate in the District championship meet.
The Junior Olympic meet is for swimmers that achieve a minimum of a Q2 time
but not a Q1 time. The State meet is for swimmers that achieve a Q1 or faster
time standard. Q2 is slower than an ‘A’ time standard but faster
than a ‘B’ time standard. Q1 is the minimum time standard for individual
events and relays at the State meet. To view these time standards refer to either
one of these Michigan Swimming websites
1. Hy-Tek’s Team Manager Online for Michigan Swimming
http://www.sports-tek.com/TMOnline/index.asp?STRIPPED=MichiganSwimmingLSC
2. USS Michigan Swimming and click the link Time Standards
http://www.uss-michigan.com/
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Nutrition
This is obviously a key factor for athletes at any age and any level. USA Swimming
has done extensive research on this subject and frequently posts studies and
information. Every swimmer registered with Michigan Swimming can access this
information. Some of this information requires the 14 character alphanumeric
number of your swimmer. Some highlights from the Website are:
• Nutrition Tracker – the Nutrition Tracker is
a great resource that is based on an individual’s diet and training level.
You can begin using this by clicking on this link http://www.usaswimming.org/USASWeb/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabId=676&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en
• Eating before practice and meets - The best pre-practice,
or pre-meet meal should contain primarily carbohydrates. Carbohydrate-rich foods
like pasta, breads and cereal are easily digested and absorbed. Rule of thumb:
0.5 - 2.0 grams of carbohydrate per pound of body weight one to four hours prior
to exercise. Meals that provide 100 grams of carbohydrates:
• 1 bagel with peanut butter and 2/3 cup of raisins
• 1 cup of low-fat yogurt, 1 banana and 1 cup of orange juice
• 1 turkey sandwich with 1 cup of applesauce
• 2 cups of spaghetti with meat sauce and 1 piece of garlic bread
• 8 oz. of skim milk, 1 apple, 1 orange, 2 slices of bread and 3 pancakes
• Fluid Replacement Tips
• Keep a fluid bottle by the side of the pool when working out and drink
between repeats and sets.
• Choose sports drinks like Gatorade that taste good, stimulate fluid
absorption in the body maintain proper fluid balance in the body, and provide
energy to working muscles.
• Avoid carbonated drinks, which can cause stomach bloating and may reduce
fluid intake.
• Avoid caffeine-filled beverages. They are diuretics and contribute to
fluid loss.
• Check the color of your urine. Dark-colored urine may indicate you are
dehydrated and need to drink fluids.
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Communication
Communication is key in so many facets of life, including sports. Communicating
often and not simply when a problem exists can prevent most of the tension between
coaches and parents. Getting information firsthand and taking into account the
coach and the parent don’t always fully understand the other’s situation
should lead to discussion and an understanding instead of both parties partaking
in a shouting contest. Below are the team’s various ways of communicating
information to both parents and swimmers:
• Parent meetings – On the 3rd Tuesday at the beginning
of each session executive board members and coaches conduct a 45-minute meeting
for all parents. Important “start-up” information is delivered and
discussed.
• Website – Our team Website www.swimdrd.org displays
our practice and meet schedules, schedule changes and dates practice cannot
be held. Please refer to the Website for the most in-depth up-to-date information
and forthcoming events.
• Mailbox - We have a “mailbox” at each pool
with each swimmer’s name on a folder tab. These folders are in alphabetical
order and are designated by group. These folders along with hanging notices,
the Website and the hotline are how we most often communicate information to
the club. We also use the folders to put awards in after dual meets or USS meets.
It is important to check your folder everyday your child attends practice.
• Hotline – The team hotline is updated weekly
and whenever unexpected schedule changes arise. Each message begins with the
date and time so anyone calling will know how current the information is. Group
practice schedules and other pertinent information gets broadcast on the hotline.
The phone number is (313) 943 – 3304.
• Swimmer recognition – DRD holds an annual awards
banquet the first Sunday in May. It is a dressy affair where every Dolphin who
has participated during the previous year and attends the banquet receives a
paper plate award. Members of our executive board give a State of the Team style
address and coaches speak as well as present appropriate awards to recognize
various swimming accomplishments.
• Open door policy – If questions or problems arise,
the lines of communication between parents and coaches are always open. Make
sure to express concerns or ask about your child’s progress with the coach
instead of your child. Never complain about a coach to a child. The last dilemma
your child needs is to be caught in the middle between two adult authority figures.
Furthermore if you have a problem or concern please do not head to other parents
to complain. Nothing destroys a program faster, and sends good (even great)
coaches running for the door, than a group of parents comparing notes about
the things they don’t like. For swimming related concerns first contact
your child’s primary coach. If the issue remains unresolved, contact the
head site coach. If resolution is still not achieved contact the team President.