Welcome to the World of YMCA

Farmington Family YMCA Stingray Swim Team

MEET MANUAL 2009 - 2010

1 Contacts Useful Websites (con’t)

Group Communicators Ymcaswimminganddiving.org – YMCA information, including info on Y Nationals. Seniors: Susan Fedurek 248-848-9403 Pam Shelly 248-471-9178 Gold: Marlene Maue 248-474-0336 Dates to Remember Silver: Arleen Duarte 248-615-1488 Bronze: Michael Schmall 248-553-0435 Meets Hosted by FFYS Mini-Rays: Sarah Gidley 248-324-1290 FFYS YMCA Invitational: Dec 12-13, 2009

All FFYS families are expected to work Meet Entry Coordinator three shifts at this Invitational.

Alison Chapekis, Chair 248-848-9146 Meet Schedule 2009-2010

Date Meet Head Coach Oct 10-11 DRD (ABC) Oct 16-18 OLY (AB) Rich Bennetts 248-615-3733 Oct 24-25 BBD Oct 31 FLINT Nov 7-8 YPAC Please call Coach Rich if your swimmers are Nov 21-22 SAC (ABC) unable to attend a meet for which they are Dec 4-6 CW (AB) entered. This enables the coaching staff to Dec 10-13 USA (Juniors) make adjustments to meet line-ups for dual Dec 12-13 FFYS meets, or to relay teams for invitational Jan 15-16 MYM Jan 23 SAG meets. Jan 29-31 INDY Feb 12-14 OLY (MI Open)

Useful Web Sites Championships Season: Feb 13-14 YMCA Clusters (1) farmingtonstingrays.org - Our FFYS web Feb 20 8 and Under State Championships site (YMCA) (1) Feb 26-28 LCSC BC District uss-michigan.com - Meet schedule for USA Feb 27-28 YMCA 9 & Over State (1) (2) meets in Michigan, top 16 rankings for each Championships Mar 5-7 Junior Olympics (Q2; slower than gender and age group, links to other club home (2) pages, past meet results, archives of past Q1) Mar 12-14 12 and Under State Championships seasons, USA time standards, board minutes as (Q1) (2) well as other useful swim information. Mar 19-21 YMCA Zone Championships (1) (2) Apr 7-10 YMCA Nationals (1) (2) usa-swimming.org - National events, top swimmers times (star times), media services, programs and services, all about USA swimming (1) YMCA Championship meet. Swimmers must have and links to Local Swim Committees and clubs in competed in 3 previous YMCA meets to be eligible to other states participate. (2) Must qualify ncaachampionsips.com - It has the rule book in a downloadable pdf file which the YMCA follows for its rules. It also has a lot of other information about swimming as well as other ncaa sports.

2 Welcome to the "World" of YMCA and USA Swimming!

Purpose of This Manual Dual Affiliations

The purpose of this manual is two- Farmington Family YMCA Stingrays fold. First, to provide an overview of is a competitive swim team affiliated the types of meets conducted by with both USA Swimming and YMCA USS and YMCA Swimming, together Swimming, the two largest amateur with an overview of their different swimming associations in the United rules. Second, to provide some States. guidance on how to prepare for a meet, and what to expect when you USA Swimming (USS) is the get there. The goal is to provide organization that selects and sends information that helps our FFYS swimmers to the Olympics. The USS swimmers have positive, rewarding & sponsors competitions at the local, fun experiences in both USS and state, regional (“zone”) and national YMCA Swimming! levels. The USS is organized by states, and we are part of the Any time you have questions, Michigan “Local Swim Chapter” concerns or suggestions (LSC). pertaining to coaching philosophy, individual The YMCA competitive swim swimmers or the FFYS program is a national program program in general, please that also sponsors competitions feel free to contact Rich or at the local, state, regional Mohammad. In addition, (“zone”) and national levels. It is each practice group has a highly regarded for providing Group Communicator, a many opportunities for success parent who has agreed to to all levels of swimmers, from help other parents with “non- novice to national qualifiers. pool” related issues. They will be happy to answer any questions about upcoming social events, meet entry due dates, practice changes, etc.

3 USS Swim Meets

4 Time Standards Championship Season

USS Swimming has time standards for Championship season for FFYS begins each age group, stroke and distance. in the month of March. Every The standards begin at level “C” and swimmer has an opportunity to progress through “B” to “Q2” (A) then compete in at least one of the end- “Q1” (AA state cut), then “Zone” and of-season meets. beyond. During the regular USS meet season, the ABC time standards are BC District Meet used; Q1 and Q2 for the championship season. This is the end-of-the-year USA meet for all swimmers that do not have Q1 or Swimmers new to competition begin at Q2 cuts. level “C” and progress to more advanced levels as they decrease their 12 & Under State Championship time. A particular swimmer may have a "B" time in one event and "C" times in This is for USA swimmers, 12 and other events. After a swimmer has under, who have achieved USS- achieved a time that qualifies for the Michigan "Q1" cuts. Both individual and next level, then s/he must compete at relay team cuts are included. Some the achieved level in that event in all FFYS swimmers will not have individual subsequent meets. For example, a "C" state cuts, but may be asked to swim on swimmer achieves a "B" time in the 50 a relay team at this state meet. Free. S/he must compete as a “B” level swimmer for the 50 Free. This is a 3-day preliminary/final meet. Swimmers compete in a preliminary You will receive a copy of the current competition, and the top 16 swimmers USS time standards in your FFYS return for the final competition. mailbox. They are also available for viewing or printing at the FFYS web Long Course State Championships: site. This meet takes place during the first USS Age Rules week in August and is for swimmers 8- 18 who have achieved “Q1” cuts USS rules state that a swimmer must swim his/her age as of the day on which This is a 4-day preliminary/final meet. the meet starts. Zone, Junior & Senior Nationals A, AB, BC and ABC Meets: These are regional and national meets. Most USA Swimming meets offer events Qualifying standards apply to all of the in a combination of levels (A, AB, BC, or meets. They are the fastest and most ABC). The meet entry packet provides competitive meets in the country. information on the time standards that swimmers must meet in order to compete. Swimmers may choose the events they wish to swim, but they must meet each event’s qualifying time.

5 YMCA Swim Meets

Time Standards Championship Season Championship season for FFYS begins Like USS, YMCA Swimming has time in the month of February. To qualify for standards for each age group, stroke any YMCA championship meet, and distance. The standards begin at swimmers must have competed in at level “C” and progress through “B” to “A” least 3 sessions of a YMCA-sponsored (state cut) then “Zone” and then meet during the season. Y “National”. A copy of the current YMCA championship meets include Y time standards will be placed in your Clusters, 8 & Under States, Y States, Y FFYS mailbox. Zones, and Y Nationals.

Just as in USS Swimming, a particular YMCA 8 & Under State Meet swimmer may have a "B" time in one There are no qualifying times for this event and "C" times in other events. championship meet, a competition for YMCA Michigan 8 & under swimmers. Note that the YMCA and USS time standards are different. You will need to YMCA Eastern Cluster track your swimmers’ progress against Teams from Michigan's Eastern Cluster both sets of standards. compete for the Cluster title. All FFYS swimmers should swim at this meet, for YMCA Age Rules which there are no qualifying times.

YMCA rules state that a swimmer must YMCA State Championship swim his/her age as of December 1st Swimmers must meet time standards in (e.g, for the 2006-2007 season, age is order to participate. This meet involves determined as of December 1, 2006 for every YMCA team in Michigan. the entire season). YMCA Zone Championship Dual Meets, Tri-Meets & Invitationals: This meet features competition between teams from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Dual meets are between 2 YMCA teams, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Swimmers and tri-meets are between 3 teams. A must meet time standards to participate. YMCA-defined set of events is included This is the focus for the short course in each of these meets. Coaches decide season for FFYS! which event(s) each swimmer will swim. There are no fees charged to swimmers YMCA Nationals for dual meets. The ultimate swimming experience for a YMCA swimmer age 12 & over. This Invitational meets are sponsored by exclusive meet occurs over four days YMCA teams. All participating teams are every spring and summer. Swimmers also YMCA-affiliated teams. Swimmers that achieve the national time standards are divided by age level only. Swimmers for this meet are some of the best pick the events that they want to swim, swimmers in the country! with parent and/or coach input.

6 FFYS Meet Entries & Results

Swimmer Database Meet Entries (all other meets)

FFYS maintains a database of About 4 – 6 weeks before a meet, the information about all swimmers. Name, host club distributes meet information. birth date, age, practice group, USS The information packet contains details registration number, parent names, including an event schedule and the phone numbers. e-mail and home deadline by which meet entries must be address are examples of the basic types received at the host club. of information stored in the database. In addition, the database contains When FFYS receives an information information about meet entries and packet, copies are distributed via email. results for each FFYS swimmer. and loaded onto the FFYS web site. An announcement is placed on the bulletin board to let you know when the meet Team Manager Software entry must be completed.

We use a software product called Team During the season, check the team Manager to update the database. Using website, farmingtonstingrays.org, your Team Manager, we prepare electronic e-mail and the bulletin board frequently. meet entries and publish the reports that Some host clubs provide very short you find on the bulletin boards at our notice. Sometimes we must be quick to practice pools. We also load meet enter a popular meet or risk being shut results into Team Manager, so that we out. Expect to have about a week from have up-to-date information on our the time the meet announcement goes swimmers best times for each year, as up on the board to the time the well as a record of their improvement as completed entry is due. the year progresses. Read the first page of the meet entry packet carefully. Follow directions using Meet Sign-Up (Dual & Tri Meets) the [email protected] address to enter your swimmer. You must use your YMCA Dual Meets and Tri-Meets have a swimmer’s best time when entering a different entry process than all other meet. meets. Since the coaches determine which event(s) each swimmer will swim, there are no entry forms required. Meet Results

About 2-4 weeks before a dual meet, a FFYS parents are responsible for sign-up sheet will be placed on the maintaining accurate records of their bulletin board at each practice pool. swimmer times. Meet results, received Simply indicate “Yes” or “No” by each from host clubs, are posted on the swimmer name to indicate whether s/he bulletin board at each practice pool. If will participate in the meet. you see any discrepancy between the posted results and what you recorded, contact the Meet Entry Chair so that the difference can be resolved.

7 Everything you always wanted to know about swim meets ... but were afraid (or didn’t know enough) to ask

Getting ready to leave for a meet Before the meet begins

1. Pack swim bags well in advance of the 1. Arrive at the pool at least 15 minutes time you will be leaving for the meet (the before the scheduled warm-up night before is perfect for early morning begins. meets - you may even want to put it in 2. Find your Stingray teammates and/or the car the night before). Plan to take: families in the stands and join them. It's  team swimsuit much more fun to sit together and cheer  goggles (2 pair if you have them) for all our Stingrays! Your swimmer may  swim cap (2 if you have them) want to leave their swim bag with you in  towels (bring several) the stands or they may wish to take it  T-shirts (bring several) with them to the pool deck (some meets  sandals to wear on the pool deck have regulations about this – check the  street clothes to change into after meet information packet). the meet (sweat suits are great) 3. Some meets require that the swimmers  games (travel games, coloring check in with the "clerk of course" or in books, stuff to pass the time) the marshaling area. (If check-in is  log book (to record swim times) required and a swimmer does not  highlighter, pen check-in, they are dropped from their 2. Pack a bag for the rest of the family. events and are not allowed to swim). Keep in mind that, unlike other sporting The coach will know if it's a meet that events you have been to, this one will requires check-in and should direct the not be over in one or two hours. It will swimmers to do this before they start run all morning or afternoon. DO bring a warm-up. Remind your swimmer to newspaper, a book, your work, etc. check with coach about this. Tables are usually set up near the pool 4. If there is additional time before warm- where you can sit. DO remember that ups begin, write the event numbers and although winter temperatures may dip the events that your swimmer is below freezing outside, the temper- swimming on the back of their hand in atures in the pool will be tropical - dress ink. (Example: #16 50 free). This will accordingly! help your swimmer remember what 3. Review all the meet information. Be events s/he is swimming and what event sure you have directions to the pool. number to listen for. HINT: if you are Double-check the time for warm-ups for running a little late there is usually plenty each day of the meet (it may be different of time between warm-up and the each day!). Make sure your swimmer events to write the events on your child's knows what events he/she is scheduled hand. to swim. 5. Make sure your swimmers have their 4. Don't worry about what your swimmer cap, goggles, and towel with them as will eat before you leave for those early they head to the pool deck. morning sessions - all meets have IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to insurance concession stands with a variety of liability issues, USA Swimming rules nutritious (and non-nutritious!) foods. prohibit parents from being “on Many swimmers prefer to have deck” (in the pool area) unless they something to eat after warm-ups. are serving in an official capacity. You may not go on deck at any time.

8 6. Swimmers report to the pool and the minutes before their event will be swum. coach for warm-up instructions. It is very Swimmers check in with the people in important for all swimmers to warm up marshalling and are usually given a card with their team. Swimmers’ bodies are (with their name, the event, the heat #, just like cars on a cold day - they need the lane #, etc.). Swimmers are then to get their engines going and warmed directed to sit in a specific seat. It is up before they can go all out. The coach important for swimmers to follow stands at the end of the warm-up lane directions closely and to remain in their directing the swimmers through their seats as assigned. When it is time to warm-up. All Stingrays warm up in the swim their event, the marshalls will take same lane. Swimmers start by the swimmers, in order, to the pool deck. swimming a number of lengths to warm Swimmers keep their card until they get up. Then they usually do a number of to their starting block to swim their race. one-way sprints to allow swimmers to Then the timer or official verifies their practice their starts on the starting name and takes the card from them. blocks. 3. In meets that do not have marshalling, 7. After warm-up, swimmers stay on deck swimmers are responsible for getting with their teammates. The meet usually their card for each event and reporting starts about 10-15 minutes after warm- to the starting block for each of their up is completed. races. If your swimmer has never been 8. While your swimmers are warming up, in a meet like this before, make sure the pick up your program. Programs are coaches know this. They will pay special usually available for purchase in the attention to make sure your swimmer lobby or concession area of the pool. gets to each race. They list all the swimmers in each event 4. Finally, the swimmer swims his/her race in order of "seed time." Events are and everyone cheers loudly up in the usually swum from slowest to fastest stands! seed times. Many parents bring a 5. After each swim: highlighter to "highlight" each of their  Swimmers can ask their timer what swimmers (and their team's swimmers) their time was (this is an unofficial to be sure not to miss an event. time, but it gives a good indication of how well they did)  Swimmers should go directly to The Meet Starts their coach. The coach will discuss the swim with each swimmer, 1. It is important for swimmers to know mixing positive comments and what event numbers they are swimming praise with suggestions for improve- (again, why you wrote their numbers on ment. their hand). Some swimmers will swim 6. Disqualification. Officials can disqualify a right after warm-up, while others will swimmer for doing a stroke improperly. have to wait awhile. If this happens, they will stop the 2. Most meets provide "marshalling" for the swimmer as s/he is getting out of the younger swimmers (usually 10 and pool after the swim and explain the under). The marshals organize the problem with the stroke. This can be a swimmers in the order that they will very disappointing (devastating!) swim the event, which keeps events experience for a young swimmer. Be running as efficiently as possible. An assured that it happens to every announcement and/or a sign will tell swimmer at every level (even the swimmers when to report to the Olympic trials!). Support, reassurance marshalling area. As a parent, you are and encouragement are the best also responsible for watching the parental remedy for a "DQ". marshalling board with your swimmers. Generally, swimmers are requested to report to the marshalling area 15-20

9 7. Things you, as a parent, can do after cannot stay to collect ribbons/medals, each swim: the coach will bring them home from the  Tell swimmers how great they did! meet and they will be placed in your The coaching staff will be sure to mailbox at the pool. discuss stroke technique with them. 12. Before leaving the meet, always check You need to tell them how proud swimmers’ bags to make sure they have you are and what a great job they their swimsuit, goggles, cap and did. everything else that you came with!  Take them to the concession area to relax, get a snack, and/or go the What happens if Your Child Has a bathroom. Disappointing Swim: 8. Continue to look and listen for your swimmers next event. They report to First, make sure that your swimmer has marshalling (or the starting block) for spoken with a coach. Any feedback you each of their events. give before the coach and swimmer have 9. When swimmers have completed all of had a chance to discuss a race could be their events, they are free to go home. confusing to the swimmer. Make sure, that you, as a parent, check in with the coach before leaving to make If your child has a poor race and comes out sure your swimmer is not included on a feeling bad, talk about the good things. The relay team. It is not fair to the other first thing you may say is, "Hey, that isn't like swimmers when a relay has to be you, I'm sure your next swim will be better.” canceled because someone went home Then you can talk about the good things early. your child did. 10. Be sure to check the official results before leaving the meet. Results are Your child may come up to you and say, usually posted on a wall near the "That was a bad race, don't tell me it wasn't." concession or award area. Write down There is nothing wrong with a swimmer your swimmers’ times for each of their negatively evaluating a race. The important events. Record these times in a Log thing is that the swimmer not dwell on it. Book so that your swimmer will be able Encourage the swimmer to focus on to see their progress over time. (Note: something good. "All right, you have had a This Log Book is an invaluable tool bad race. How do you think you can do when it comes to filling out meet entries better next time?” Immediately start talking and checking status against time about the positive things. standards. Log books are available at "Different Strokes" and can usually be Try to acknowledge their fears, anxieties, purchased from a vendor at any of the and personal evaluations. They are in a USS meets.) situation that can be stressful and they need 11. Also check to see if your swimmer support and encouragement. earned a ribbon or medal. Each meet is different as to how many awards are Honor the bond between your swimmers given for each event. Most meets give and their coach. It is a special bond and ribbons or medals for 1st through 6th contributes to swimmer success as well as places but some give ribbons for as fun. Be a patient, understanding and manv as 1st through 12th places. If you supportive parent. That's what your swimmer needs most from you!

10 The Mystery of The Championship Relay Revealed Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Championship Meets? swimmer who consistently swims the stroke fastest. By using these definitions They are YMCA Clusters, YMCA State, as well as taking into account the USS State, YMCA Zones, and YMCA performance of a swimmer on a Nationals particular day, there may be more than one swimmer who can claim to be fastest. A personal best time in an event How are swimmers selected to be on may be much faster than a swimmer’s a Championship Meet relay team? typical time. Conversely, a swimmer’s personal best individual time may not be The coach selects all relay teams. indicative of his/her usual relay Typically, all swimmers with individual performance. The coach decides which qualifying times will be assigned to the definition to use each and every time a relay first. The coach will fill any relay is put together. additional places on the relay team with “relay only” swimmers. It is totally at the coach’s discretion. My swimmer was on the relay team that actually got the cut at a meet, doesn’t that mean that those 4 How does the coach decide who will swimmers should go to the go? championship meet together?

This is a complicated process. The Not necessarily. The time cut does not coaches were hired to make these belong to the actual swimmers in the decisions; they take many things into water. It belongs to the team. That’s why consideration. This is a Championship we refer to the relays as FFYS A, Meet and the idea is to do what is in the FFYS B, etc. At the end of the season, best interest of the TEAM. The the coach will put together the relay coaching staff will put together those 4 based on times, consistency, and any swimmers they feel are most likely to other factors that are important. offer the best chance for success in that particular meet. Parents tend to think of what is best for their swimmer; the The relay teams change from one coach thinks in terms of what is best for meet to the next, why? the TEAM! The coach puts together relays from all My swimmer has a time that is faster of the swimmers available for a than another swimmer that is on the particular meet. Exactly which swimmers relay. Why isn’t my swimmer on the are available varies from meet to meet. relay instead? The coach has an opportunity to mix the relays up and see how different groups There are several ways the coach can work together. The coach also define the phrase “fastest swimmer”. understands the joy of winning and will For example: 1) the swimmer with the sometimes use a relay to give kids who fastest personal best time; 2) the don’t usually win a chance to get a

11 ribbon. What happens during the regular season gives the coach the information How many relays can we take to a needed to put together the relay with the Championship Meet? greatest chance for success at the Championship Meet. In USS championship meets, each team can take two relays, assuming that both The coach actually changed the relay relays achieved the time cut. Teams line-up after we arrived at the meet. may take three relays to Y States and Y Is that allowed? Zones, again assuming that all three relays achieved the time cut. Each team Yes, the coach may look at how is allowed one relay at Y Nationals. particular swimmers are performing and make changes on the deck. The coach will let swimmers know of these These meets are usually far away. changes. The best thing for a parent to How will we know whether to make do in these situations is keep calm and hotel reservations? help soothe any hurt feelings. Talk to the coach after the meet if there are any The team takes care of reserving a questions. block of rooms in a hotel for travel meets. At the time that any swimmer These last minute changes make it qualifies for a Championship Meet, you critical that you are in communication may call the hotel and reserve one of with your swimmer about their relay those rooms in your own name. In the participation. Do not leave a meet case of “relay only” swimmers, you may without thoroughly checking if your child not know until just before the entry is is scheduled for a relay. There could be sent. three very disappointed swimmers remaining who were counting on your child, not to mention the possible points How will we know who is on the that could be lost for the team. relay?

Do the parents or swimmers have any The coach will let all relay participants control over who is on the relay know verbally in enough time to make teams? any necessary travel arrangements, usually seven to ten days prior to the Absolutely not. It is totally the coach’s meet date. If you are unsure if your decision. It is one of the reasons why we child is included, ask the coach. hired the coach in the first place. You always have the option of declining a spot on a relay team, but this should be communicated clearly and directly with the coach well in advance of the entry being sent. This way another swimmer can be given the opportunity to go. There is nothing worse than for 3 swimmers to have to scratch because 1 swimmer just didn’t show up or left early as mentioned above.