Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if practice is cancelled?
Coaches will send out an email and notify the swimmers prior to the cancelled practice.
There are only a few reasons why practice would be cancelled. Weather and/or the pool being closed are the typical reasons.
What happens if there is lightning or thunder during a meet?
Swimmers will need to exit the water and are not be allowed back in the water for a minimum of 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning or clap of thunder.
If the meet is delayed for more than 60 minutes or more than once, the meet will be stopped. If all breaststroke events have not been completed, the meet will resume on the next day. Note that this can change if both TSA Reps agree to go with an alternate plan.
My child can’t be at the entire meet on a given Tuesday… is that OK?
Yes, we would love for all Charleston Village Crocodiles to put the swim team top on their priority list but we are realists. Things come up that a child can’t miss for one reason or another. Also sudden illnesses and other unforeseen events may arise. All that is asked is the child or parent contact the coaches to indicate the meet the swimmer is missing and whether or not it will be the entire meet.
How do coaches determine the line-ups for each meet?
The coaching staff gets together before the meet and spends a great deal of time preparing for each event. Best times as well as times from previous meets are examined to place each swimmer in their proper position. Improvement over the course of the season is taken into account and conversely consistent lack of improvement may affect placement.
Each swimmer is placed in an event for a reason. It could be as simple as trying a new event for a time. Parents have the right to ask for the reasoning behind their child’s events and placement but parents must do so in a respectful manner. Please remember that coaches are under a lot of stress and pressure towards the beginning of each meet. It’s best to trust the judgement of the coaching staff and ask upon the conclusion of the meet or via email in the following days.
Which swimmers participate in the main events?
We, as coaches, have decided that the swimmers in the main events will be chosen at the “coach’s discretion”. Our decision will be based mostly on the swimmers’ times. Consistency of times and performance will also be taken into consideration both at meets and at practices.
Although there will not be a specific attendance policy, practice attitude, and stroke legality will play a major role in our main event decision. Our main goal is to encourage teamwork, participation, and improvement. The coaches and the swim team value swimmers in every heat.
What is a Medley Relay? And what strokes are on what side?
Relays in general have their origins in track and field. A relays consists of four swimmers. In a freestyle relay each swimmer does freestyle. A medley relay though involves each swimmer swimming a different stroke. One person does backstroke, one does breaststroke, one does butterfly, and one does freestyle, in that order. 7/8s and 9/10s swim 4 x 25s (one length of the pool of each stroke), whereas 11/12s, 13/14s, and 15-18s swim 4 x 50s (two lengths of the pool of each stroke). For the 7/8s and 9/10s the backstroke and butterfly swimmers start at the regular end of the pool going off the blocks (backstroke swimmers start in the water like normal). The breaststroke and freestyle swimmers start at the opposite end of the blocks and dive in off the side. Each swimmer after the backstroke swimmer will do a relay start. Swimmers are instructed not to dive in until the preceding swimmer has touched the wall. Leaving early, before the swimmer touches, will result in a false start and the relay will be disqualified. 11/12s and above all start at the end with the starting blocks obeying the same rules for relay starts.
The rules for each of the four strokes apply for medley and freestyle relays. Disqualification can result from improper technique or touches. Additional rules apply for relays.
My child is struggling to keep up… what can I do as a parent?
There are several steps a parent should go about in helping a child reach his/her full potential. Firstly, an analysis of why the swimmer is falling behind or not being able to keep up. A lot of problems result from comparing a child to the rest of the members in his/her group. Every child develops and matures at a different rate. It’s normal that certain young people are going to excel easier than others do. A way to measure success is to compare their times throughout the season. Are they improving, getting worse, or staying about the same speed? Just because they aren’t winning main events doesn’t mean they aren’t enjoying swimming or improving. You’ve got to know whether or a not a child needs help or whether it’s just your perspective as a parent that thinks they are not doing so well. At this step it’s probably best to talk with a member of the coaching staff. Don’t be afraid to ask, “How’s Johnny doing?… Is that normal?… What could be the causes?”
As mentioned above, every child is different. Every solution is therefore not the same. What works for some children will most certainly not work for all. Perhaps the most crucial indicator missed by parents is attendance. Excuses like “But Johnny has baseball, soccer, volleyball, or baseball practice. He can only come once a week to swim practice,” are common. Practice doesn’t make perfect but it does help a swimmer succeed and feel a part of a group. Our coaches can only help swimmers if they’re there.
A final step may require a child to get a little extra help from the coaches. Swim lessons can be arranged with any member of the coaching staff.
The only way to truly understand is to communicate. Talk with your child, with the coaches, and others often to put everything together.
My child can’t get enough of this swimming business and wants to swim year round… where should they go and why?
We get this question a lot and there isn’t a simple answer. We suggest remaining open. The worst thing that you can do is to base your decision solely on the word of another parent. You may trust their judgement but chances are your child won’t get the same things out of a program as another’s. All year round programs in the Triangle area have their costs and benefits. Just like choosing your elected leaders in government, it’s often hard locating all the facts and making the best decision. Research all their histories and discover what they have to offer; see if they have a trial period or “bring a friend days.” Talk with the coaching staff too and see if your child is ready to make that step forward.
Other Questions?
If other questions arise throughout the season, do not hesitate to ask the coaches before or after a practice or through email. The coaches are happy to answer any questions as long as they do not interfere with practice or running of the meet.
