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SWIM MEET ESSENTIALS

First swim meet? Don't worry! We've got a list to help you get ready for a day of racing!

WHAT TO EXPECT BEFORE THE MEET

  • If you are planning on signing up your child for a swim meet, please make sure to have registered with USA Swimming and with your team! Check out our USA Swimming Registration page to get more details!

  • If you are planning on signing up your child for a swim meet, please make sure to have all equipment needed for a meet beforehand. This includes the MSSC team suit, goggles, swim cap, etc. There is a more detailed list below and check out our Suits & Equipment page!

  • Want to sign up for a swim meet? Awesome! There will be sign up sheets in the pool office on the bulletin board with the name of the meet, the location, the dates it is happening (most meets are 2 days), and what time your swimmer will need to be there for warmups depending on age groups. Sign up your swimmer's name(s) on that sheet. Have questions? Don't hesitate to ask our coaches! We are happy to help!

  • Our coaches will sign up your swimmer for a certain number of events in the meet. These events are what your child will be swimming in the meet. We will give you a sheet with the events the week before the meet so that you and your swimmer(s) know what they will be swimming.

  • Download Meet Mobile! Meet Mobile is an app that most, not all, swim meet hosts will use to show you the progress of the swim meet whether you are present or at home! It is available for Android and iOS (Apple). Here's how it works:​

    1. Look up your swimmer(s) and star them as a "Favorite"

    2. Look up your swim team and star them as a "Favorite"

    3. Look up the swim meet you are attending. There, you will find all the info for the meet that is updated so far!​​

    4. Keep in mind, this app updates the progress through the swim meet hosts, so it may take a bit before all progress and results are available to see

    5. Turn on notifications to catch the updates on your favorite swimmers!

WHAT TO EXPECT DAY OF THE MEET

  • Please make sure you have the address of the pool the meet will be hosted at to find the correct location. Also make sure that your swimmer is at the pool and on deck with all equipment ready (suit on with goggles and cap ready) to swim warmups before the designated warmups time. The earlier, the better!

  • Before warmups, please write your child’s events for that day on your child’s forearm or leg with a Sharpie marker. If not able to, a coach or fellow teammate can help to write them. Example:
    #3 50 Free
    (This would mean your child is in Event #3 and the event is the 50 Freestyle.)

  • You can abbreviate:

    • Freestyle = Free

    • Backstroke = Back

    • Breaststroke = Breast

    • Butterfly = Fly

    • Individual Medley = IM

    • Relay = Relay or R

  • Buy a heat sheet; highlight or underline your child’s events. The heat sheet will tell you what heat and lane they are in for each event. After warmups, write the heats and lanes for each event next to each event you have written on the swimmer’s arm or leg.
    Example:
    #3 50 Free 1 – 4 (This would mean for event #3, 50 Freestyle, and your child is in Heat 1, Lane 4.)

  • You can abbreviate:

    • Heat = H​

    • Lane = L​

Example of events, heats, & lanes written out

  • If your child is swimming both days, spray sunblock should take the marker off your child’s arm so you can write her or his events for the next day afterwards.

  • Parents- each meet is different. At some meets, the kids will stay on deck with their coaches and teammates between events, but some locations will provide a “Crash Area” for kids and families to hang out between events. If there is a “Crash Area”, bring blankets, lawn chairs, a cooler full of snacks and drinks, etc. to make it comfortable for everyone in your party. The "Crash Area" is usually hosted in a hallway or a gym. Look for signs that point you that way!

  • If there is a "Crash Area", they will post and/or announce the upcoming events to ask the swimmers in those events to head to the pool to swim. When your child’s event is called, please be sure he or she goes to the pool ready to swim.

  • If there isn’t a "Crash Area", the swimmers will stay on deck and parents/family will need to stay in the stands/bleachers. According to USA Swimming rules, parents aren’t allowed on deck unless they are serving in an official capacity. Swimmers may come to see you, however!

  • Some swim meets will have a “Bullpen” for swimmers – usually just for the younger swimmers. If there is a "Bullpen", be sure your child goes to the bullpen when her or his event is called. The "Bullpen" volunteers will line the kids in the correct order and will bring them to the pool to swim their races.

  • Some meets will go fairly quickly, but with lots of swimmers, some will take several hours.

  • The pool area is usually hot and humid, so dress in layers to peel off if needed!!!

  • When your child is finished with his or her last event, you are free to stay and watch the rest of the meet or you can head home!

WHAT YOUR SWIMMER WILL NEED AT A MEET

  • MSSC Team Swimsuit or any suit you have (pack an extra in case suit breaks)

  • Swim caps (pack 2 in case one breaks)

  • Swimming goggles (pack 2 in case one breaks)

  • Bag, backpack, swim bag, etc. to keep all equipment in

  • A robe, sweats, parka, or a comfy jacket to wear over suit. It tends to get cold on deck between events.

  • Water bottle (full of water or sports drink, such as Gatorade, Powerade, Propel) (No energy drinks, coffee, pop, etc. please)

  • Snacks (preferably healthy) (Concessions will be available at most meets)

  • 2 Towels – one to use during the meet and one to use after the meet

  • Sharpie marker – to write events on swimmer’s arm or leg

  • Highlighter and/or pen to mark heat sheets

  • Blanket, chairs, cards, games, headphones, etc. (Electronic games and devices are allowed, but swimmers will be responsible of keeping track of said device)

TEAM SPIRIT & SPORTSMANSHIP

As a small, local swim team, we do our best to encourage a close knit community amongst our athletes. At swim meets, we strongly encourage our swimmers to cheer as loud as they can for their teammates who are swimming​ in events, give them high-fives and fist bumps, etc. Keeping a light-hearted, uplifting atmosphere makes swim meets and practices that much better and fun!

  • When attending swim meets, we encourage families to wear MSSC and/or Morrison Swimming attire and/or colors (red & blue) to represent our team among the other teams we are competing against at that meet

  • We also encourage our swimmers to talk to the swimmers on other teams! Making friends is so much fun, even if they are swimming in the lane next to them! 

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Parents- please remember, the swim meets are meant to push our swimmers to better their own personal times and techniques. We hope that they do their best, but will always support them, their swimming career, and their goals. As a parent, please remember to:

  • Treat everyone (athletes, coaches, officials, opponents, fans) with courtesy and understanding

  • Be a positive example for your child and others around you.

  • Allow coaches to make decisions and coach from the sidelines; please do not yell instructions or criticize calls at the athletes, coaches, or officials.

  • Praise effort and fair play; the swim meet is for the athletes' growth, not just victory.

  • Refrain from coaching, criticizing opponents/officials, or arguing calls.

  • Address concerns with coaches privately and respectfully, not immediately after a meet.

  • Prioritize the emotional and physical health of the child above winning.

  • Recognize the distinct roles of parent, coach, and official.

  • Acknowledge that violating the these points can affect a parent's ability to watch and encourage their child and may end with consequences.

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