Swim Meets Swim meets are an important part of swim team. One (1) to three (3) meets are scheduled for every week during the season. Directions for Away meets are provided by clicking the name of the away pool on the Calendar. All swimmers may not swim every meet. Coaches will determine the swimmers for events and meets based on times recorded, attendance and attitude.
Coaches enter individual swimmers in up to, but no more than three (3) individual events and two relays. This varies according to the type of meet. Coaches will post lane sheets one to two days prior to a meet. The sheets show who is swimming in that meet and which event(s) each swimmer is swimming. Refer to these sheets before every meet, even if you do not think you will be in that meet. Lane sheets should be rechecked at the meet for last-minute changes.
Please do not question coaches about stroke technique or placement of swimmer in a meet. If you are concerned, please talk to the Team Directors. No changes can be made in a meet once it’s posted.
Types of Meets
Time Trials
This is our first meet of the season at Las Trampas. Each swimmer on our team is timed in as many strokes as he/she is able to swim, giving the coaches a good idea of starting times for the season. All swimmers are urged to attend so a “base” time may be established for improvement. Time trials are also the first opportunity to sign up for lessons.
League Meets
League meets (or “A” meets) are dual meets and are scheduled close together at the beginning of each season. There are only five (5), which are set by the Diablo Community Swim League (DCSL). These meets are scored. Wins and losses in our league of six (6) teams will be used to rank each team for League Championships in August.
There will be fewer swimmers and fewer heats in League meets (Some events have second heats, in order to allow more swimmers to participate in League meets). Coaches have been asked to enter the three (3) fastest times, with attendance and attitude at practice strongly taken into consideration.
A/B Meets
These meets are dual meets with teams outside our league. Usually the entire team swims in A/B meets. These meets tend to have more heats so coaches will try to enter as many swimmers as possible. Scoring depends on host team.
B Meets
“B” meets are dual meets with teams inside or outside our league. These meets are not scored and do not count toward the League Championship. Coaches will attempt to enter all swimmers not scheduled to swim in that week’s League meet.
Invitational Meets
Las Trampas attends a number of invitational meets during the summer. These are often two-day meets and are regarded by the swimmers as highlights of the summer. All parents of swimmers entered in an invitational will work a shift at those meets or your swimmer will not be allowed to participate. Look for Meet Job Sign-Ups at pool as the date of the meet approaches. The meets are attended as a team are as follows:
Battle of the Ages: Battle of the Ages takes place on June 26 and June 27, 2010. Swimmers swim against others of their own age rather than in age groups. This is an excellent chance for kids on their “down year” to compete against others at the same level. It also offers kids new to swim team a “big meet” experience in a fun and more low-key atmosphere.
City Meet: City Meet is often the highlight of the summer. All swimmers are encouraged to participate in this fun competition against other teams in the Lafayette area (LMYA, Rancho Colorados, Springbrook, Sun Valley & Oakwood). The meet is held at Acalanes High School over a two-day period in mid July. Swimmers may choose to enter up to three events. Relay entries will be selected by coaches and paid for by team. Parents must also sign up for a work shift during this meet. In 2010, City Meet is on July 10th-11th.
League Championships. This meet is held on the last saturday of July or the first Saturday of August each year at Acalanes High School. There will be four (4) heats per event. Coaches will enter swimmers. Each swimmer may swim a maximum of two strokes and two relays. Six swimmers are chosen and entered for each relay - two are alternates and they need to attend the meet. LTST pays all entry fees. Parent must also sign up for a work shift during this meet. In 2010, the league meet is on July 31st.
County Meet – The Contra Costa County Meet is put on by the LMYA Swim Team. All rules and entry times are set by LMYA. A swimmer must meet the LMYA qualifications in order to swim in the meet. Qualifying times are available here TBD. A copy will also be posted on the “Swim Team News” Board. In 2010, County Meet will be held the weekend of August 14 and 15, 2010 at a location TBD. Parent must also sign up for a work shift during this meet. Further information will be given to parents of qualifiers before the meet.
Pentathalon- The Springbrook Pentathlon is a swim meet hosted by Springbrook Swimteam in July. 5 teams are usually invited to compete. Each team is allowed to bring 4 swimmers from each age group, totalling 48 swimmers from each team competing. The swimmers are chosen based on a cumulative total of their best times in each of 5 events (or in the case of 6 and unders, 4 events). About a week before the entries are due, the 4 swimmers in each age group with the collective lowest times up to that date are asked by the Las Trampas coaches to participate. The final results of the meet are based on the total times in the 5 (or 4) events for each swimmer in each age group. In 2010, the Springbrook Pentathlon will take place on July 25th.
Meet Sign-Out Book If you are going to be on vacation or do not wish your swimmer to swim in a particular meet you MUST sign your swimmer out in the sign-out book kept in the swim team folder box. For dual meets, sign-out is required one week in advance. For Invitationals, sign-out is required three weeks in advance because entries are sent in at least two weeks prior to meet. Last-minute changes will not be accepted. Please do not assume that your swimmer will not be swimming in a particular meet; if you cannot go to the meet, sign out. If you do not sign-out, the coaches assume you’ll be there. Last-minute changes at the meet are difficult at best and sometimes not possible.
It is the parent’s responsibility to keep the coach and team directors informed by using the sign-out book procedure. If a swimmer must cancel due to a last minute emergency, please call the pool and leave a message as soon as you know you will not make the meet. Coaches will check messages prior to the start of the meet. Phone number at Las Trampas pool is 283-8605.
Failure to follow this policy may result in your swimmer being excluded from future meets. Please help us and the team by being responsible. Coaches need to know who will be there and who will not for all Meets. However, please do not email the Head Coach or Directors, even at the last minute, to sign out of a meet. Please use the Sign-out book, and please use it as soon as you know your child will miss a meet.
Parent Meet Jobs
No experience is needed! We will train you! You have signed up to work certain meets as: timer, desk, shepherd (8 & under parents), snack shack, runner, recorder, marshal, clerk of course, etc. Please check-in at the meet with the job coordinator at least 15 minutes before the meet starts. The number of meet jobs you are required to work varies each year depending upon the number of meets scheduled that season and the number of families on the team. After registration you may receive a call increasing or decreasing the number of meet jobs you need to work.
If something comes up that keeps you from fulfilling your job at any meet, you need to make arrangements to trade or hire a substitute. You must notify the Job Scheduler of any changes. The Head Job Scheduler's for 2010 can be reached at: Betty Amini 283-0287 or Amie Krey 962-9215. Failure to show for your assigned job or make alternate arrangements will result in a fine of $50 ($35 payment to last minute substitute and $15 payment to team). All fines must be paid before your swimmer will be entered in another meet.
Shepherding
Check in with the Head Shepherd to receive your lane assignment, lane sheets and shepherd visor. You must check in at least ½ hour before the meet starts.
Following the team cheer and approximately 15 minutes prior to the start of the meet, the shepherd bell will ring for Medley relay.
Stand by your lane cone. Collect the children in your lane. Arrange them in order according to your lane sheets.
Check the sign-in sheets if you are missing a swimmer to determine if he/she is in attendance. Advise one of the coaches if the swimmer is not at the meet. (It is not your responsibility to locate a swimmer.)
For the Medley and Free Relays you will need a partner. Sort out the swimmers who need to be at the Big Blocks (near the timers). Your partner will take these swimmers to that end of the pool. Stay with the rest of your group at the small Blocks.
Keep the swimmers in line, and try to minimize horseplay (it leads to skinned knees).
The Shepherd bell will ring for the next event while the 13/14’s are in the water.
Swim meets are fun and exciting events. Everyone needs to work together to make sure they run smoothly.
Swimmer Responsibilities
-Swimmers must check in with the coaches when you arrive for a meet.
-Check lane sheets and order of events as soon as you arrive at meets.
-Encourage all team members to do their best. Everyone is important to our team and helping them achieve their best is our goal. Consider coming to a meet even if you’re not swimming just to cheer on your friends.
-Do your best to swim whatever and whenever you are asked by the coach.
-Older Swimmers should set a good example for younger team members.
-Do not destroy or damage members’ items, pool equipment, or facilities at home or away. Inconsiderate or damaging behavior may result in barring swimmer from meets or possible expulsion from team without refunds (Parents of older swimmers may be requested to attend events to insure these guidelines are respected).
-One age-group (children and parents) will be responsible for set-up and clean-up at each meet. This will be announced in the weekly web site letter and during the meet and you must stay until then end to help clean up. The responsibility will rotate so the job is shared evenly.
Parent Responsibilities -Always check the Meet lane sheets until the night before a meet to see if your swimmer has been entered in the meet or changes have occured.
-Please notify a coach or director if your swimmer is sick or injured prior to meet and will not be able to swim.
-See that your swimmers arrive on time for warm-ups and that they check in.
-Parents of eight and under swimmers are responsible for insuring that the swimmers report to their shepherd when the bell rings for their event.
-Shepherds are not responsible for tracking down swimmers. They are responsible for lining up swimmers up in the proper lane and heat order at the correct end of the pool (this is amazingly hard to do with twenty or so 5-8 year olds!). They will also remind swimmers which stroke or event is being swum. -Swimmers who do not come when the bell rings may miss their event.
-Do not leave meet before checking with the coaches, in case your swimmer was entered late into an event.
-Remember you are responsible for all children you bring to the meet at home or away!
-Questions should be presented to Coach and Directors before or after a meet, not during it.
-One age-group (children and parents) will be responsible for set up and clean-up at each meet. This will be announced in the weekly website letter and during the meet and you must stay until then end to help clean up. The responsibility will rotate so the job is shared evenly.
What to Bring to Meets
PLEASE LABEL EVERYTHING!
Swim suit and cap
Goggles
Several towels (We suggest one towel for each event being swum)
Flip-flops or warm slippers
Sweats (even warm days start out or end up cool)
T-shirt/hat
Sunscreen
Sleeping bag
Winter jacket - swim parka (available through Team Works)
Snacks or money for snacks
Cards, hand held games, books etc.
Evening Meet Schedule
5:00 Home warm-up starts
5:30 Away warm-up starts
5:50 Coach has team meeting and cheer
6:00 Meet begins (ends by dark, usually by 9 p.m.)
Saturday Morning Meet Schedule
8:00 Home warm-up starts
8:30 Away warm-up starts
8:50 Coach has team meeting and cheer
9:00 Meet begins (usually ends by 12:00 p.m.)
The meet report showing all times, places and improvements will be available in the “Meet Results” notebook, located in the swim team folder box as soon as possible after each meet.
