I tried to search for this, but I haven't really been able to find much info. Is there a good guide somewhere online that describes what to do, what goes on, etc. at a swim meet? I've never been to one before, and watching them on TV doesn't really give that much insight into how it all happens.
I tried to search for this, but I haven't really been able to find much info. Is there a good guide somewhere online that describes what to do, what goes on, etc. at a swim meet? I've never been to one before, and watching them on TV doesn't really give that much insight into how it all happens.
One thing you may want to do if you're unsure is to introduce yourself to the referee, starter, or meet director, explain that you're very new, and they can give you an explanation of how things will operate.
It's a good idea to observe a few heats at your meet to also get an idea for how the meet will operate (for example, what the starting protocol is, whether there are dive over starts, how fast the starter will move things along between heats, and so forth).
Depending on the distance, you want to be at the blocks in your lane at least 2 or 3 heats before your event (maybe 4 or more if you want to be safe or if the event in question is a 50). Don't plan to show up the heat right before your race; the referee has discretion to combine heats when necessary, and this may happen at the beginning of an event.
When you get to your lane before your heat, it's advisable to check with the timers to make sure they have you down for the right heat and lane. If for some reason you are in the wrong place, the officials, starter, and referee have heat sheets that may have been updated, and you can check with them to figure out where you should be. If there is no time before your swim, and no one else seems to be swimming in your lane, have the timer take down your name, age, and team on the lane sheet, and then tell the referee that you swam in the wrong lane so they can adjust it in the computer.
If you are swimming a 25, you should certainly check with your timer when you finish to make sure you are the right swimmer!
If you've never been to a meet before, you may be unfamiliar with the protocol of how the heat will begin. Almost everyone uses the whistle protocol these days:
In butterfly/breaststroke/freestyle
*A series of four or more short whistles are sounded to inform you to disrobe your warm-up clothing and to get ready for the heat.
*The starter may announce which heat is swimming next.
*A long whistle will be sounded. This means to step up onto the block, the side of the pool (if you are starting there), or to enter the water if you start from the pool (which one you do is your choice).
*The starter will then tell you to take your mark. At this point, you must assume your "set" position with at least one foot at the front of the starting block. (If you used to swim a long time ago, you can now have your feet at the front of the block prior to the "take your mark").
*If everything is good, you'll then hear the starting tone and perhaps see a strobelight, both of which mean that you can start.
In backstroke
*The four or more short whistles are the same.
*A long whistle will be sounded. This means to enter the pool.
*A second long whistle will then be sounded. This means to come to the wall, and assume a position.
*Then the starter will tell you take your mark. Your hands can either grab the lip of the pool or gutter, or you can use the backstroke grip on the starting block. Your feet can be above or below the surface of the water, but your toes cannot curl over the edge of the gutter before or after the start.
If for some reason you miss your event, go to the referee or starter and explain that you missed your swim, and ask them if you can be fit in an empty lane. The referee does not have to find a place for you to swim, but depending on the meet, the referee may be inclined to do so (it can't hurt to try!).
I'm sorry that this is a slightly discombobulated set of advice, but hopefully this is a little helpful. I (and everyone else here) certainly wish you the best of luck with your meet. It's a lot of fun!
Patrick King
I tried to search for this, but I haven't really been able to find much info. Is there a good guide somewhere online that describes what to do, what goes on, etc. at a swim meet? I've never been to one before, and watching them on TV doesn't really give that much insight into how it all happens.
One thing you may want to do if you're unsure is to introduce yourself to the referee, starter, or meet director, explain that you're very new, and they can give you an explanation of how things will operate.
It's a good idea to observe a few heats at your meet to also get an idea for how the meet will operate (for example, what the starting protocol is, whether there are dive over starts, how fast the starter will move things along between heats, and so forth).
Depending on the distance, you want to be at the blocks in your lane at least 2 or 3 heats before your event (maybe 4 or more if you want to be safe or if the event in question is a 50). Don't plan to show up the heat right before your race; the referee has discretion to combine heats when necessary, and this may happen at the beginning of an event.
When you get to your lane before your heat, it's advisable to check with the timers to make sure they have you down for the right heat and lane. If for some reason you are in the wrong place, the officials, starter, and referee have heat sheets that may have been updated, and you can check with them to figure out where you should be. If there is no time before your swim, and no one else seems to be swimming in your lane, have the timer take down your name, age, and team on the lane sheet, and then tell the referee that you swam in the wrong lane so they can adjust it in the computer.
If you are swimming a 25, you should certainly check with your timer when you finish to make sure you are the right swimmer!
If you've never been to a meet before, you may be unfamiliar with the protocol of how the heat will begin. Almost everyone uses the whistle protocol these days:
In butterfly/breaststroke/freestyle
*A series of four or more short whistles are sounded to inform you to disrobe your warm-up clothing and to get ready for the heat.
*The starter may announce which heat is swimming next.
*A long whistle will be sounded. This means to step up onto the block, the side of the pool (if you are starting there), or to enter the water if you start from the pool (which one you do is your choice).
*The starter will then tell you to take your mark. At this point, you must assume your "set" position with at least one foot at the front of the starting block. (If you used to swim a long time ago, you can now have your feet at the front of the block prior to the "take your mark").
*If everything is good, you'll then hear the starting tone and perhaps see a strobelight, both of which mean that you can start.
In backstroke
*The four or more short whistles are the same.
*A long whistle will be sounded. This means to enter the pool.
*A second long whistle will then be sounded. This means to come to the wall, and assume a position.
*Then the starter will tell you take your mark. Your hands can either grab the lip of the pool or gutter, or you can use the backstroke grip on the starting block. Your feet can be above or below the surface of the water, but your toes cannot curl over the edge of the gutter before or after the start.
If for some reason you miss your event, go to the referee or starter and explain that you missed your swim, and ask them if you can be fit in an empty lane. The referee does not have to find a place for you to swim, but depending on the meet, the referee may be inclined to do so (it can't hurt to try!).
I'm sorry that this is a slightly discombobulated set of advice, but hopefully this is a little helpful. I (and everyone else here) certainly wish you the best of luck with your meet. It's a lot of fun!
Patrick King
