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Valley
Aquatics
Frequently Asked
Questions
Please let me know of
additional questions/topics that need to
appear….
Meets
1)
How do I enter swim
meets?
To enter meets, log on to your account on the website
and go to the events tab. Select the meet you want to enter
and click on the button that states “Attend this
meet”. In the notes field, enter days your child can
attend and if there are any other special requests for
events. You must enter the event by the deadline which is
posted under the event itself. Most meets needed to be entered
at least 3 weeks in advance.
2)
What does my child need to bring
to meets?
Your swimmer should bring their racing suit, VAST
cap, goggles, towels, and some things to keep them warm, including
flip flops/tennis shoes. A good ration for towels is one for
every two events swimming. They should, of course, bring a positive
attitude!
3)
Why do I have to be there for
warm up when my child does not swim until two hours
later?
Warm-up is essential because it helps the swimmer get
focused on their events and use to the pool that they are racing in
(starts, turns, backstroke count, etc.) They also are used to
doing a good warm up everyday at practice and need to create the
same experience on meet day. Not warming up can lead to
injuries in the future. Swimmers should show up to warm-up on time
and be ready to get in at the START of warm-up. Additionally, in
order to be considered for relays, swimmers must be there on
time.
4)
What events are my swimmer
swimming at the meet?
Once the entries are processed, they will be posted
on the website on each individual event page as well as under news
and announcements. There will typically be a preliminary list
of entries posted and in the weekly newsletter, I will let you know
when I need to know changes, additions, deletions, etc. It is
your responsibility to look over those entries and let me know of
any changes. Once entries are finalized, they will be
reposted.
5)
Will my swimmer be swimming
relays?
In order to swim relays, there must be 4 swimmers in
a particular age group present at the meet. Typically, the
four fastest swimmers present in the particular age group will swim
the age group. However, at coaches discretion, others may be
selected. Swimmers need to be to warm up on time to be
considered to swim relays.
6)
What is positive
check-in?
Positive check in events require a swimmer to sign in
to get a heat and lane assignment for the race. Usually,
positive check in is for swimmers 13 and over in more distance type
events (500 free, 400 IM, etc) but can be required for other
meets. Swimmers should check with a coach at the meet to see
if they need to check in for any events.
7)
What is my role during the
meet?
Your role is to be positive and supportive! Your
swimmer is constantly developing and is really trying to do their
best! Please resist the temptation to try and coach your
swimmer. Even the best intentions, can send mixed
messages to your swimmer as they are working on specific aspects of
their stroke. Swimming is a complicated sport and it
takes a lot of thinking. At different times of the season, the
goals may be a little different (technique, speed, race strategy,
etc). If you want to play an active role with your swimmer in
this regard, ask them what their coach wants them to work on
reinforce the same things! For more information, see your swimmers
individual coach.
8)
What does it mean to have a gold
or silver time?
Gold and silver time standards are used to measured a
swimmers progress. They are great goal setters for your
swimmer and the standards can be found on our website under meets.
The time standards are listed for the championship meets as
well.
What is long course versus short
course?
Long course is in a 50 meter course while short
course is in a 25 yard pool. Long course season is typically
May-August and short course is
September-April.
9)
What does it mean to be
DQed?
It means there are aspects of the stroke that we
still need to work on! When a swimmer is DQed it means that
there is something that they did that is illegal under the swimming
rules. A DQ can be for something like a one handed touch in
breaststroke, false starting, or a stroke violation like flutter
kick on the fly. A DQ is no big deal and although it may cause
some tears, it is best to keep it in perspective. It really is
no big deal.
10)
What are
meets that require time standards?
Time standard meets require a swimmer to achieve a
certain time standard to enter. For example the Q meet, has
silver time standards, some meets require a Gold standard, and some
meets have completely separate standards. The association hold
two championships meets during the year. The time standards
for those meets are posted on our website under
meets.
11)
What is the “flow of
achievement”?
·
Silver time
standards
·
Gold Time
standards
·
PNS champs time standards (short
course)
·
PNS champs time standard (long
course)
·
Age Group Sectionals (time
standard by age)
·
Senior Sectionals (open
standards)
·
Junior National (Top 2% in the
nation, 18 & under, open standards )
·
Short Course Nationals (top 2% in
the nation, open standards)
·
Senior Nationals (top 1% in the
nation, open standards)
·
Olympic Trials (top .5% in
the nation, open standards)
Practice
1)
How often should my swimmer be
attending practice?
As often as their group is scheduled! Practice
attendance is vital to improvement as each practice there are
different goals of focus (a specific stroke, starts, turns,
endurance training, race strategies, etc) If for some reason, your
child has to miss practice, it is best to let your coach know a
head of time.
2)
What equipment should my swimmer
have?
They need to have fins, a pull buoy, paddles(silver
and above), and a kick board (though most pools have boards for
use). They need to bring their equipment everyday. You
should also write your name on each piece of equipment as there are
many that look a like.
3)
how is a typical practice
run?
For silver and below, practice usually starts with a
warm-up, then specific stroke work, a set focusing on a specific
goal, and then endurance and/or sprint training. Coaches will
vary the focus of each days practice in order to give your swimmer
well rounded training.
For Gold II and above, training is broken down by
seasons and will be set up that way. For specific questions,
see your coach.
4)
Should I be at the pool during
practice?
Our practice are not closed and you are welcome to
watch but please save any interruption to emergenencies
only. It is also helpful if you keep your childs personality
in mind. If your child is one that constantly looks to you for
approval, it may be best for you to not be there on a regular basis
so that your swimmer can focus on their coach. If you do need
to speak with your child during practice, let the coach know first.
Otherwise, parents should be in the bleachers during practice time.
Additionally, if you need to speak with a coach, please
keep it quick so that there focus can be on the kids in the
water. Any lengthy conversations should take place after
practice.
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