TEAM BASICS FOR WAUNAKEE WAVE

Tips for Swimmers and Their Families

Welcome to Waunakee Wave-- where we follow a value system that defines out team.  It's how we describe the heart of the team; spirit, sportsmanship, dedication, motivation, and excellence.  This includes service to the community, acceptance of all, and strives to help all swimmers achieve their personal best. Wave is a team where every swimmer is a priority.

We are a parent run, non-profit swim team led by a Board of Directors consisting of club parents, who are elected by other parents. The WOW and WRAT swim teams merged in 2011, and as a unified Waunakee Wave team are committed to meeting the needs of all swimmers and their families.

Practice!

The old saying “practice makes perfect” holds true in swimming. Although it is not mandatory that swimmers attend practice every day, swimmers will show greater improvement with increased practice. Your beginning swimmer will miss important instructional time when practice is missed, especially at the beginning of the session when swimming basics are the focus.  A new swimmer may find workouts challenging.  Even active children in great physical shape may find the first few weeks of practice difficult.  Hang in there . . . it gets easier!!!

Files, emails, website and bulletin board

Information will be shared through team family folders, email, the website and the team bulletin board in the pool lobby. Each family will have a folder located in the file box at the pool.

Swim Meets

A meet schedule will be available at the beginning of each session. Look under the EVENTS tab.

Each swimmer has an individual “splash account”.  Splash accounts will be billed on the 21^st of each month after a meet.  Entry fees are charged for each individual and relay event swam in a meet.  Meet sign-ups are online and parents need to sign their swimmer up prior to the meet deadline. 

After signups are completed, you will receive an email with information regarding arrival time and directions to the meet.  This email will also include which events your child will be swimming at the scheduled meet.  If your swimmer wishes to swim specific events, please discuss this with the coach.  “Heat sheets” are posted at most meets for parents to view or purchase. It is very important for all swimmers to stay with their age group so they may be found when it is their turn to compete. It is a big disappointment to the swimmers, their teammates, and the coach if a swimmer misses an event.  A swimmer’s splash account will be charged for any missed swims.  Please remember that one absent swimmer can scratch a whole relay team.  The missing swimmer will be charged the entire fee of the relay.

The coaches like swimmers to have a restful evening the night before a meet.  Pack plenty of healthy snacks and water to enjoy during the meet. Better yet, support our concession stand and plan to buy the great food and drinks donated by our families!

Absences

Swimmers who are unable to attend a meet for which they have signed up must notify the meet director (see COACHES link at very top of website). Changes will not be accepted after the meet deadline.  Swimmers will be charged for any missed swims.

Equipment

Swimmers will need to have minimal equipment.  All swimmers need to have a suit and goggles.  We require that at meets swimmers wear a black suit, preferably with the team logo, and the team cap if wearing a swim cap.  Each swimmer will receive one latex cap for free.  Silicone caps are availble for order.  More information on apparel can be found at here.

Ribbons

After the meet, ribbons will be placed in family folders.  Families may pick them up at practice. Disqualified (DQ) swimmers do not receive awards (“DQ” means the swimmer did not swim the stroke legally) and a coach will discuss this with individual swimmers.

Swim Team Board

Our Swim Team Board is an elected group of parents representing all swimmers.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact them at board@waunakeewave.org.

Membership Fees

1.  Registration Fee – Fees used to pay for coaching costs and vary by practice group and length of session.  Current practice fees can be found on the website.

2.  USA Swimming Registration – Our “Parent” organization is USA Swimming and our local swimming committee (LSC) organization is Wisconsin Swimming, Inc. They require that all athletes swimming on a USA Swim Team pay their registration fee.

3.  Meet Fees – Swimmers entered in meets will be charged a fee for each event, including relays.  Event fees vary by meet.  Meet fees will be billed to your “splash account” on the 21^st of the month following the meet.  Our team pays meet fees when entries are submitted to the host team.  All swimmers entered into the meet are responsible for their entry fees, regardless of participation.

 4.  Equipment Fees - Each swimmer is required to have the items on the required items list. Recommended items are highly encouraged and do affect training. This is the family’s responsibility.

All swimmers are encouraged to purchase a competition suit.  If a cap is worn during a meet, it must be a team cap.  All swimmers will be given one latex team swim cap.  Both latex and silicone team caps are available for purchase.

Family Commitment

Meet schedules will be posted online and on the bulletin board.  Families are expected to volunteer at all home meets.  Volunteer sign ups are online and the number of family commitments will be determined at the beginning of each session.  Anyone, high school age or older, is allowed to fulfill the commitment.  Families unable to fulfill their commitment will be charged a family commitment fee.  These fees will be used to pay additional help, ensuring a successful meet.  Proceeds from home meets are used to help cover the cost of operations throughout the year and are an important part of our annual budget.

Behavior Expectations

1. Swimmers will show respect for teammates, coaches, officials and competitors.
2. Swimmers will fully participate in all practice activities as instructed by coaching staff.
3.  Swimmers will be responsible for their behavior.  Coaching staff may intervene when necessary with parent and board support as needed.
4. Behavior at meets will exemplify the team values at all times.
   
    

SWIM MEET INFORMATION

What Is a Swim Meet?

Swim meets are for swimmers and coaches to measure progress.  Swim meets that we plan to attend will be posted online and on the bulletin board.  Swim meets are divided into AM and PM sessions according to age groups.  Meet information is posted on www.wisconsinswimming.org.  Swimmers may attend any or all days of a meet.

What is the Philosophy of Competition?

Meet schedules are designed to give swimmers an opportunity to measure progress.  Participation in meets is voluntary.  However, all swimmers are encouraged to participate in meets as part of their development.  It is important that all eligible swimmers attend meets and contribute to the total team effort.

What is a Meet Signup?

Meet signups and their deadlines are online on the EVENTS tab. The coaches will review the event selections and approve appropriate events for each swimmer.  Swimmers are billed for each event entered.  Fees are non-refundable after the meet deadline.

What Types of Meets are Available?

    1. Dual Meet – A meet with two teams.

    2. Tri-Meet – A meet with three teams.

    3. Invitational – A meet with multiple teams.

    4. Championship Meet - At the end of each short course (winter) and long course (summer) season, the Wisconsin State Championships are held. To qualify for participation in a state championship meet, swimmers must achieve a state cut in their age group.  The state qualifying time table is available at www.wisconsinswimming.org.  The winter state meet is typically held in March, and the summer state meet is in August.  WOW swimmers may also be selected as members of a state relay team.  The coach will notify swimmers selected for relay teams.

SWIM MEET GUIDELINES

Swim meets are a great way for the family to spend time together.  Listed below are some guidelines to help you through your first few swim meets.

The Night Before:

• Diet – Pasta, rice, fruits, vegetables and other carbohydrates.
• Early to bed –Make sure your swimmer is well rested for the meet.

What to Take to the Meet

1. Clothing. Team suit, team swim cap, and goggles. Make sure the goggles have been worn for starts during practice to ensure a good fit at the meet. If you wear a cap at the meet, it MUST be a team cap.   Label all clothing.  If you find another swimmer’s belongings, please return them to the lost and found, located in the Aquatic Office.

2. Black Sharpie – To write your child’s event information on their arm. See the TeamNET parent education website for a video.

3. Towels – Pack a minimum of two.

4. T-shirt, sweatshirt or warm up.

5. Book, iPod, cards - something to pass the time if very lengthy breaks between events...

6. Food – Host teams provide concessions during the meet. We encourage you to support their team by purchasing food at the concession stand.  If you do bring your own food, we suggest the following:

• Drinks: Fruit juice, Gatorade, or water
• Snacks: Granola bars, yogurt, cereal, sandwiches, fruits, vegetables, or pasta

Before the Meet Starts:

1. Arrive on time and check in with coaching staff.

2. After checking in, find a place to put your swimmer’s belongings in the team area.

3. Parents should head to the stands to find other families.

4. Heat sheets can be purchased at most meets, usually at admissions. All swimmers’ events are listed by “seed time”. The heat sheets are an important tool knowing when your swimmer competes.  They may be used to write event information, including heat and lane, on your swimmer’s arm. This helps swimmers remember their events.

5. After checking in and getting settled, swimmers should prepare for warm-ups.  It’s important to warm up properly before racing.

6. After warm-ups, swimmers should return to the team area until their events are called.  Now is a good time to double-check events, use the bathroom, or get a drink.

7. Meets will usually start 10 to 15 minutes after warm-ups are over.

8. According to USA Swim rules (because of insurance requirements), parents are not allowed on deck unless serving in an official capacity.  All questions concerning meet results, an officiating call, or the conduct of the meet should be referred to the coaching staff.  Please do not approach officials with questions or concerns.

 9. There may be multiple heats for each event.  Heats are determined by “seed times”.  With the exception of distance events, heats run slow to fast with the fastest “seed times” in the last heat.  Swimmers in events for the first time will be entered as a “no time” or “NT” and will likely swim in one of the first heats of the event

Meet Starts:

1. Swimmers should sit together and wait for their events.  Swimmers leaving the team area should return at least 20 minutes before their event begins.

2. Events are announced and swimmers should report, with their cap and goggles, to the staging area or their lane.  Swimmers report to their lanes and give their name to the timers when reaching the blocks.  Generally, girls’ events are odd-numbered and boys’ events are even numbered.

3. If there is a staging area, it is usually for swimmers ages 8 and under.

•      The staging area is a designated area near the pool.                                         

•      An adult asks swimmers their names and places each swimmer in the correct heat and lane.

 4. After each race:

• Stay in the water until the last person finishes the race. The officials may have you stay in until the next heat or race has entered the pool ( a fly-over start).
• Shake hands with swimmers on either side of you and congratulate them on their race.
• Immediately following their race, swimmers should consult with coaching staff to discuss their results.

5. A parent’s role after each race:

•      Be positive!  The coaching staff will discuss race specifics.  A parent’s job is to tell swimmers what they did well.                                                                               

•      Swimmers now wait until their next event is called and start the procedure again.                                                                                                                  

•      Make sure swimmers have something to eat or drink, if needed, before returning to the team area before their next event.                                                                                                                              

6. If possible, after swimming all their events, swimmers should stay to cheer on their teammates.

What Happens if My Child has a Disappointing Swim?

If your child has a poor race and is disappointed, talk about the good things they did. There is nothing wrong with a swimmer negatively evaluating a race, however it is important the swimmer doesn’t dwell on it. Talk about the negative things in a constructive way. “How do you think you can do better the next time?”  Keep it positive.

DQ:  Disqualifications can happen to all swimmers.  It is important to focus on the experience as an opportunity to learn and to grow. Swimmers need not be embarrassed, since even the best swimmers DQ.

Special Parent’s Note:

The pool area is usually VERY warm and muggy, with hard benches and sometimes close quarters.  Dress accordingly.

FYI:

Tobacco products and alcoholic beverages are prohibited in all pool areas, locker rooms and spectator areas.

Basic Swimming Rules 

The technical rules of swimming are designed for consistency and uniformity in the sport. Each swimming stroke has specific rules designed to ensure that no swimmer gets an unfair competitive advantage over another swimmer. Trained officials observe the swimmers during each event to ensure compliance with these technical rules. If a swimmer commits an infraction of the rules, a disqualification (DQ) will result. The disqualified swimmer will not receive an official time and will not be eligible for an award in that event. Disqualifications may result from actions such as not getting to the starting blocks on time, false starting, advancing themselves by walking or pushing off the bottom of the pool, pulling on the lane lines, or unsportsmanlike conduct. DQs may also be a result of technical rules violations, including, but not limited to:

• Freestyle – Walking on the bottom, pulling on the lane rope, not touching the wall on a turn or not completing the distance.
• Backstroke – Pulling or kicking into the wall once a swimmer has turned past the vertical onto their front, turning onto their front before touching the wall with the hand at the finish of the race.
• Breaststroke – An illegal kick such as flutter, dolphin, or scissor, shoulders not level, alternating movements of the arms, taking two arm strokes or two leg kicks while the head is under water, touching with only one hand at the turns or finish.
• Butterfly – Alternating movements of the arms or legs, pushing the arms forward under instead of over the water surface (underwater recovery), an illegal kick, such as flutter of scissor, touching with only one hand at the turns or finish.

*For specific language on any technical rules, consult the United States Swimming Rules and Regulations book or website: www.usaswimming.org. We encourage all parents to become familiar with USA Swimming regulations.

Meet Officials

Officials are present at all competitions to enforce the technical rules of swimming ensuring a fair competition.  Officials attend clinics, pass a written test, and observe meets before being certified.  All parents are encouraged to get involved with some form of officiating.

1. Timers – Operate timing devices (watches or automatic timing systems) and record the time for the swimmer in their lane.
2. Turn Judges – Observe the swimmers from each end of the pool and ensure that the turns and finishes comply with the rules of each stroke.
3. Stroke Judges – Observe the swimmers from both sides of the pool, walking next to the swimmers, to ensure that the rules of each stroke are being followed. The position of Stroke Judge and Turn Judge may be combined into one position called the Stroke and Turn Judge.
4. Relay Takeoff Judges – Stand beside the starting blocks to observe the relay exchanges, ensuring that the feet of the departing swimmer do not leave the block before the incoming swimmer touches the end of the pool.
5. Staging Area – An area near the pool where swimmers are arranged in their proper heats and lanes.
6. Starter – Assumes control of the swimmers from the Referee, directs them to “take your mark”, and sees that no swimmer is in motion prior to giving the start signal.
7. Referee – Has overall authority and control of the competition, ensuring that all the rules are followed. Assigns and instructs all officials and makes decisions regarding all questions relating to the conduct of the meet. Violations of the rules are reported to the swimmer or his coach and the swimmer will be disqualified. A DQ alerts the swimmer and coach to what portions of the swimmer’s stroke need to be corrected. Disqualifications are necessary to keep the competition fair for all swimmers. A supportive attitude on the part of the official, coach, and parent can make a positive situation out the disqualification.
8. Place Judge — The referee may place a judge on each side of the pool to verify the order of finish.  A place judge shall record a tie if a place distinction cannot be made.
9. Clerk of Course — The clerk of course shall be provided with a list of swimmers in all events.  This list includes relays with relay members listed in order of swim.
10. Marshalls — Shall wear identifying attire and are responsible for maintaining order during a meet. The marshall, along with the referee, have the authority to warn or order to remove anyone behaving in an unsafe or disruptive manner.
11. Announcer — the announcer shall make any announcements requested by the referee, the clerk of course or the meet management. Announcements may include: event; number of heats; lane, name and club affiliation of competitors; and results.