BEFORE THE MEET

         Unlike summer league swimming, USA Swimming classifies their swim meets.  Some meets are divided by age, some are divided by geographical location, and some are divided by ability levels.  Some meets have required qualification times.  Your coach will distribute meet information and entry forms, that best suit your needs.

      Signing up for meets may be done in several different ways.  The easiest, and preferred method is to sign up directly through LAC.  When you receive meet information from your coach, please make note of the date the meet information is due back to LAC.  If you miss this date, most meets allow you to register either directly with the host team (by a later deadline), or at the meet itself. (Please be sure to verify late entry requirements, to ensure that late entries are accepted).

      Meet entries are to be submitted, no later than the date on the top of your meet information, into the beige wooden box, located on the top of the LAC File cabinet.  Meet entry fees are paid through your escrow account.  Please do not give the meet entries to a coach, or place in the red dues box. If you are unsure where to put your meet entry, ask your coach.

     You will be given a blank entry[PDF] for each meet.  It is up to you to fill out all the information completely and accurately.  Incorrect information, could delay or void out the swimmers ability to compete.  If you are swimming an event for the first time, your entry time would be noted as NT or No Time.  Once a time has been achieved in an event, the swimmers best time, will always be entered as the entry time.

      Relay entries are paid for by LAC.  Please do not sign-up in advance or pay for relay events.  The coach will assign swimmers to the relays at the meet, to ensure that swimmers are in attendance.

      Your USS number is extremely important.  This is the identification that separates you from all other swimmers in the United States.  This number is required on all meet entries; acts as liability insurance and is your right to compete.  Please be sure you know your number at all times.  You will be provided with your USS card, approximately one month after you register to join LAC.  In the meantime, the format for your unique identification number is: 6 digit birthdate, 1st 3 letters of your 1st name, middle initial and 1st 4 letters of your last name.  Please see the sample meet entry form.

       Meet classifications based on ability levels are broken down into A, BB, B and C  levels.  All swimmers swimming an event for the 1st time, will be considered C swimmers.  As a swimmer progresses, he or she may attain a higher level of classification, progressing from C  to  B to BB to A.  Some meets are classified by classification, allowing swimmers to compete with other swimmers of their same ability. 

      All novice or 25 yard events are considered C e vents.  Higher level classifications are available at the 50 yard, 100 yard or 200 yard lengths.

      Swimmers enter swim meets based on their birth date.  Unlike some leagues, which allow a swimmer to swim in the same age group for an entire season, USA Swimming requires swimmers to swim based on their true age.  Please notify your coach as your age changes from 8 to 9, 10 to 11 and 12 to 13.

       USA Swimming offers Short Course and Long Course Meets.  Short Course season is from September through March, for all age groups, and is swum in a 25  yard pool.  Long Course season is from April through August,  for swimmers who have achieved a BB or A classification, and for all swimmers age 13 and older.  Swimmers who swim 25-yard events (one length across the LISD Natatorium), or swimmers who have not achieved a BB or A classification, will continue to swim short course meets during these months.

      Meet schedules can be found in the LAC newsletter, on the LAC web site swimlac.org or on the North Texas Swimming web site ntswim.org.

AT THE MEET

      Please arrive at your meet, at least 15 minutes before the scheduled warm-up time.  This is very important, and ensures that the swimmers can connect with the coach and get any important information before the meet begins.

      Warm-up is mandatory.  Do not skip warm-up.  This is for the safety and well-being of the swimmer and the team.

      Swimmers are required to check-in, before the meet begins, for each event they are swimming.  Check-in sheets are generally found on deck.  If a swimmer is not checked-in for an event, they may be scratched or removed from the event.

      Some meets allow for late entries, some do not.  This includes additional events, as well as complete entries, if you had not registered in advance.  Late entry fees are generally twice the cost of regular entries and must be completed at least thirty (30) minutes before the meet begins.

      Relay assignments are done by the coaches.  Please be sure to check in with your coach when you arrive, so they can consider you for inclusion in the relay events. 

      Make sure to bring plenty of towels, extra goggles, drinks and healthy snacks to each swim meet.  Some meets have concession stands and equipment vendors, but the selection varies.

      Please be sure to wear your LAC team swim cap to each and every meet.

      HAVE FUN!!!!

P.O. Box 270189 Flower Mound, Texas 75028

(214) 587-2190