Welcome to the 2076-2008 swim season of the Springfield Family YMCA Swim Team.   We hope you and your swimmers enjoy a fabulous year.

What follows are some basic guidelines for swimmers and parents participating in the SPY program  The handbook also outlines what you can expect from the coaches including an idea of the training phases.

After reviewing the handbook, please sign below and return this form with your registration materials.  Be sure to have the swimmer sign as well.  (It’s important they understand their responsibilities!)

We are looking forward to serving you this year, and if there is anything you need, please don’t hesitate to contact us or your age group representative.  Go SPY!

Sincerely,

Julie Rastatter - President                                                                   

Tristin Stoner - Vice President

We have read the 2007-2008 handbook and understand all expectations regarding conduct, communication, expectations and responsibilities.  We agree to follow the guidelines as outlined and will work diligently to make the SPY experience rewarding.
 

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Parent                                                    Swimmer

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Parent                                                    Swimmer

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Swimmer

SPY Program Overview

Welcome to the Springfield Family YMCA Spy Swim Team.  Swim team should be fun for both the swimmer and the family. The following information will help to make the season enjoyable for all.

The entry-level requirements for each age group are as follows:

 8 and under: 25 continuous yards of 2 competitive strokes
 9 and 10: 50 continuous yards of 2 competitive strokes
 11 and 12: 50 continuous yards of 2 competitive strokes
 13 and up: 100 continuous yards of 2 competitive strokes

It is the head coach's decision, however, whether to permit a child to participate on the, swim team or to continue in swim lessons based on the swimmer's ability.  It is important that a child remain in swimming lessons until he/she is able to swim all four competitive strokes even while competing with the swim team.  During workouts, stroke technique will be monitored but strokes should be learned during swimming lessons.
Swimmers must be full-year members of the Springfield Family YMCA and must have paid the swim team program fees (either in full or through bank draft.)  In addition, an escrow account must be established for each swimmer by the published deadline.  (It is from this account that event entry fees for invitational meets are paid.)

Swimmers compete in Y-sponsored meets in age groups based on their age by Dec. 1 of the current season.

Age Group Objectives 

8 and under:  Emphasis is mainly placed on stroke technique. This builds a base for a future competitive swimmer.  Endurance and speed are secondary but good stroke technique automatically improves times. Starts and turns are equally important and are practiced on a regular basis.

9 to 12: The swimmer is introduced to longer distance races (50 to 100 yards and the 200 Free).  Regular workouts become more important as swimmers need to build more endurance.  However, the emphasis of workouts will remain on strokes, starts, and turns.  Strokes are essential to the speed of the swimmer.  According to the swimmer's training level, workout yardage increases as swimmers develop technique and fitness.  High emphasis is placed on all aspects of competition including race strategy.

13 and up: Proper stroke technique continues to be stressed, along with race strategy, starts, turns, and endurance.  Endurance is very important and a higher emphasis is placed on all aspects of the sport.  This group will swim more yardage than the other age groups.  Upon evaluation, 12-year-old swimmers may be asked by the coach to participate in this practice.  Swimmers must be 12 years of age by the first day of YMCA National Championships.

 Practices will be organized by ability.  On the last day of the two-week trial period, age group swimmers will receive notification as to which assigned practice session they will attend. The coaches will determine practice assignments.

Program Fees

The SPY Swim Team program fee for the 2006-2007 season (September 2006- March 2007) is as follows: 

Escrow And Concessions Fee

An escrow account is established for each swimmer.  An initial deposit of $100.00 is required to set up each account.  Entry fees for individual and relay events entered at invitationals are deducted from this account.  Some accounts may require an additional deposit mid-season.   If required, you will be contacted by the SPY treasurer.  Any money remaining at the end of the season will be returned to you by late April.

A $25 Concession fee is required for each swimmer and may be included with the escrow payment.

Escrow/Concession fees are payable in full by September 30, 2007.  Make checks payable to SPY Swim Team.  Please indicate on the check the fee is for escrow/concessions.

Y Membership

Each swimmer must be a full-year member of the Springfield Family YMCA to participate on the SPY Swim Team.  Please consult with the Y staff regarding membership options. 

YMCA Youth Sports

The swim team is a Y-sponsored youth program.  In that regard, SPY works to fulfill the mission of the YMCA and to achieve the goals of Y youth sports.

The mission of the YMCA is to put Judeo/Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. YMCA youth sports provide an atmosphere that is value oriented, wholesome and consistent with this mission.

The goals of YMCA youth sports are:

• To build self-esteem
• To teach social skills--values, communication, human relations;
• To teach physical skills, fitness, and health
• To develop responsibility and decision making skills
• To enhance leadership skills in youth an adults;
• To build relationships among peers and between parent and child;
• To support and strengthen family life, and
• To create a fine experience for children and their families.
• The goals and objectives of YMCA Youth Sports are based on certain beliefs, a philosophy summarized in these eight concepts: participation, fun, fitness, skills, teamwork, fair play, family involvement, and volunteers.
• Players, coaches, officials, and parents are urged to follow YMCA rules:
• Speak for yourself
• Listen to others
• Avoid put-downs
• Take charge of yourself
• Show respect 

The overall environment created and reinforced by the SPY Swim Team is positive, and winning is kept in perspective.

Everybody Swims, Everybody Wins

Overall Training Program

Start to Mid-November -- Early Season Conditioning and Learning

• Study stroke films
• Group instruction on stroke mechanics
• Begin dry land and exercise (emphasis on correct techniques)
• Time trials
• Goal setting (individual and team)
• Gradual increase in yardage

Mid-November to Early January -- More Intense Training I

• Increased yardage - more difficult cycles
• Increase intensity of dry-land exercise (nautilus and exercises)
• Some specialty practice (sprint, distance, stroke)
• ndividual conferences

Early January to Early February (high school) / Late February (all others) -- More Intense Training II

• Continued yardage
• Building dry-land work
• Workout groups are clearly defined - more specialty work
• More quality swims in practice (more sprints and race pace)
• Contracts
• Review goals
• Emphasis on rest and nutrition

February to End of Season -- Taper

• Variable taper of yardage, longer rest intervals
• Rest becomes paramount concern
• Increase emphasis on pace for distance events
• ncrease emphasis on starts, turns, finishes
• Relaxation and positive conferences

 Program Components

• The coaches recommend weight training and stretching workouts three times a week for those swimmers who are at least 15 years of age.  Swimmers 13 and 14 may utilize the weights with a physician's permission slip and parental supervision.
• Swimmers (9 years of age and older) are expected to attend at least three practices per week.
• 13 and older swimmers are highly encouraged to attend four practices a week. High School team members must attend two practices per week with the SPY Swim Team.
• Attendance will be taken at each workout.  It will be noted if a swimmer is late.  Remember, the more you practice, the better development of skills and performance.
• All swim team members are expected to swim any and all relays for their age group.  Relays are a combined effort to accumulate points for the team as a whole.  It is the swimmer's obligation as a swim team member to support that effort.  If for some reason, other than medical, a swimmer feels that he/she cannot adhere to this, it will be the coach's discretion whether that swimmer will be eligible to swim on any other relays.  This would apply to the remainder of that meet and all future meets. The coach will determine relay team selections.
• Parents and swimmers may choose the events they wish to enter for invitational meets.  Coaches determine the line up at dual meets depending on the number of swimmers in each age group.  Choosing events does not include relay events.  (The coaches determine the relays for invitational and dual meets.)   At championship meets (As, AAs and Zones) swimmers may request events, but the coaches will make the final decision about events each swimmer will swim.
• Swimmers are required to attend the warm-up time at all swim meets.  If a swimmer should fail to attend warm-up, it is the coach's discretion as to their participation in any relays or individual events that day.  Be sure to come early to stretch.
• Swimmers are to report and talk with their coach immediately before and after each event they swim in a meet.  Do not leave the deck area until your coach dismisses you.
  - Swimmers are not permitted to scratch an event without their coach's permission.
  - If a swimmer misses an event, he/she will pay the event price.
  - For best results, follow the planned program of workout attendance.

Duties and Responsibilities

Coaches’ Responsibilities

• To conduct all workouts so the athletes might reach their full potential in accordance to the principles and philosophy of YMCA competition.
• To set an example of good behavior and sportsmanship for all athletes at all times.
• To give athletes an opportunity to develop skills and to promote their involvement as part of a team as well as an individual.
• To evaluate swimmer's ability, yardage, progress and performance continuously.
• To monitor attendance and conduct during workouts and meets.
• To enforce and abide by the Aquatic Policy set up by the Springfield Family YMCA
• To report any conflicts in performing these coaching duties as outlined to the YMCA Staff Liaison.

Parents’ Responsibilities
Parent involvement is the backbone of the SPY Swim Team.  SPY would not work without the hard work and dedication of the many parents. 

Any parent whose child is a participant of the SPY Swim Team is automatically considered a member of the Parents Team.  The following outlines parental duties and responsibilities associated with SPY:

• Cooperate with the YMCA coaches in making the program meaningful for the team member.  Children should want to swim for their enjoyment.
• Attend and participate in any Parents Team meetings held.
• Assist with swim meets and fund-raising, and pay all fees when due.  To fulfill these support services, parents have the responsibility to:
• Provide workers and officials for all swim meets as required in the Southwest Cluster YMCA League rules.  Workers will be assigned and the schedule will appear in the weekly newsletter.  If a parent cannot work, he/she is responsible for finding a replacement and notifying the assignment official.
• Raise necessary money for the complete operation of the SPY Swim Team, such as coaches' expenses, awards, and equipment as needed. The team's major fund-raiser is the SPY Invitational held the first weekend in December each year.  Revenue raised from this meet is used to cover the cost of hosting the meet.  It also covers SPY Swim Team expenses for the year, the purchase of equipment for the SPY Swim Team and the YMCA (to be decided by the SPY Board members and approved by the YMCA management).  Every parent will receive a work assignment three weeks prior to the SPY Invitational.
• Help with concessions.  A concession stand is operated at home meets held at our YMCA. Workers for the concession stand will be assigned and the schedule will appear in the weekly newsletter.  If a parent cannot work, he/she must find a replacement and notify the Concession Chairman.  Parents will be asked to donate items to sell in the concession stand, i.e., baked items, fruit, relishes, cheese, drinks, snack trays and popcorn. (Other fund-raising projects may also be held during the season to raise money for a particular cause.)
• Make sure swimmers are on time for workouts and meet warm-ups.  All phases of the workouts (warm-up, workout, warm down) and swim meets (warm-ups and warm-downs) are important parts of the program and are very important in the development of the swimmer.  Check swim meet and invitational schedules carefully. 
• Assure all meet entry forms are returned to the coaches as quickly as possible before the deadline.  If forms are not returned before the deadline the swimmer will not participate in the meet.  If your child will not be attending a meet, please notify the coaches as soon as possible.
• Do not go in the pool area during workouts.  If a parent needs to speak with a coach, he/she may call and leave a message at the YMCA or with the YMCA Staff Liaison. The call will be returned as soon a possible.  If you have a quick question for a coach you may speak with them before or after workouts, but remember they have to be in the pool area at the scheduled time.
• Do not approach coaches on deck at swim meets. Their concentration needs to be on the events and the swimmers.
• Check the SPY website (www.swimspy.com) and bulletin board weekly for important SPY information.  Parent newsletters are available at the SPY bulletin board in the pool observation area each week. 
• Call your child’s age group representative if you have questions concerning any procedures of the SPY swim team.  They will be glad to assist you.
• Supervise your small children while you observe your older child practice.  Balls, paper airplanes, etc., are not permitted in the lobby or observation area.  And no running is allowed!
• Please send a written note to the coaches anytime your child needs to be dismissed early from practice.

Parent Worker Expectations 

 SPY Invitational
Both parents are expected to work at the SPY Invitational on both Saturday and Sunday.  Some parents will be asked to work on Friday, if your child is swimming.  If you know ahead of time that it will be impossible to work, please let us know as soon as possible.  We may ask you to help with something else prior to the meet. 

Home Dual Meets
We need about 40 people from SPY to run a dual meet at home.  (The visiting team will also provide timers and officials for our home dual meets.)  If your child is swimming in the dual meet, you will probably be asked to work.  Please check the bulletin board before the meet to see if you are assigned to work. 

Away Dual Meets
SPY must provide 12 workers for an away dual meet.  If there are several swimmers swimming, we will assign workers in shifts.  You may be assigned to work if your child is swimming.  Check the bulletin board for your assignment.

Other Invitationals
SPY parents do not need to work at invitationals hosted by other clubs.  However, workers will be needed for the Last Chance meet, which SPY hosts at the end of February.  So if your child is swimming, you can expect to work. 
Championships
SPY will be asked to provide a certain number of workers for each of the championship meets.  Before attending a championship meet, please check the bulletin board to see if you have been assigned to work.  The number required for each of the different championships will be determined prior to that meet.  By the way, the Springfield YMCA hosts the “A” championship, and therefore more workers from SPY will be required for it. 

Parent Team Code

• Listen to an unwilling child who does not want to participate in competitive swimming and do not force him/her to do so.
• Remember children are involved in organized sports for their enjoyment, not yours.
• Encourage your child always to compete by the rules.
• Teach your child that honest effort is just as important as victory.  This helps to ensure that the result of each swim is accepted without undue disappointment.
• Turn defeat into victory by helping your child work towards skill improvement and good sportsmanship.  Never ridicule or yell at your child for making a mistake or losing a competition.
• Remember that children learn best by example.  Applaud good swims by our SPY team members and by members of the opposing team.
• Accept the officials' judgment and honesty.  Do not publicly question them.
• Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from children's competitive activities.
• Recognize the value and importance of coaches and volunteers.  They give their time and resources to enhance the performance of your child.

Swimmers’ Responsibilities

• Always strive to achieve your greatest possible potential through hard work and effort.
• Respect coaches, other swimmers, officials, trainers, parents, and other team's swimmers at all times.  We encourage our swimmers to follow this important statement.  However, if there is a discipline problem, the following will occur: 
• 1st time--Sit out of practice and a talk with their coach.  Parent is called.
• 2nd time--Sit out of practice and a talk with the head coach.  Parent is called.
• 3rd time—Suspension.  (Coaches will determine the length of time.)  Parent is called.
• Follow the pool rules of the Springfield Family YMCA and other facilities at all times.  Swimmers should be aware that they represent the YMCA at all times whether during training or at meets.
• Know your schedule!!  Swimmers are expected to be on time for workouts.  Each part of your training is very important.  Please use the restrooms before your workout.  If you need to be excused during a workout, ask a coach first.  When entering the pool area for practices or meets please sit along the wall, talk quietly and stretch until the coach starts warm-ups. There is to be no horseplay the pool area.
• Please respect your YMCA. Our facility is here for YOU!  Abuse of the facility will not be tolerated and may result in suspension or dismissal from the team.
• Secure your locker with a lock or bring belongings onto pool deck during swim practices.  The YMCA is not responsible for your belongings.  Be sure to watch and take care of your own belongings.
• Do not loiter in the locker rooms.  The goals of each swimmer are to be on time for each workout.  If you are caught elsewhere in the Y at workout time, you will be dismissed from practice and your parents will be notified.  If you do not plan to swim, do not come to your workout or to the Y.
• Cover up when outside the pool or locker room.  You may not wear just a swimsuit in the other areas of the Y.
• Wear team suits and caps (if caps are worn) to all meets. Team dress helps to promote team spirit and unity.  It also makes it easier for coaches, swimmers, and parents to recognize SPY Swimmers on the block to cheer for them.
• Have a healthy, spirit, mind, and body at all times. Drugs, alcohol and profanity are not conducive with the philosophy of YMCA Youth Sports and will not be tolerated.
• Enter the SPY Swim Team Room only when a coach is present.  Please follow appropriate rules at all times.
• Check your folder after practice, and bring all information home to your parents. 
• Swimmers are only to enter and exit the pool through the locker rooms. THE POOL DOOR FROM THE OBSERVATION ROOM IS TO REMAIN CLOSED AT ALL TIMES!  Any contact with people outside of the pool area must be made at the locker room door.
• Do not dive into the shallow end of the pool!
• Call the YMCA and leave a message if you are going to miss more than one practice due to illness.  If a swimmer stays home from school, then he/she is excused from practice.  Swimmers should not come to practice if they feel ill.  Illness belongs at home and should not be shared with the swim team.  If a swimmer becomes ill during practice he/she will be dismissed from practice. 
• Speak directly with the coach if you feel there is a decision that affects you.  Communication should begin between coach and swimmer, and all concerns should be aired at that time.

Guidelines When Traveling

Overnight travel is sometimes required for away meets.  This is a great opportunity for the team to get together and socialize.  For those meets, SPY has reserved a block of rooms at a hotel that enable us to stay together as a team.  Information on hotels is provided at the beginning of the season.

Of course, when traveling with the team, we can put a burden on a hotel and create challenges for them.  (They will have other guests staying there as well.)  It is important that we respect the non-SPY guests and recognize some of our swimmers need to get to the pool early for warm-ups.  A good night’s sleep is required when competing.

These rules shall be in effect for SPY when staying in a hotel:

• Curfew of 10 p.m.  All swimmers must be in their rooms by 10 p.m.
• Do not slam doors.  Door slamming is one of the most annoying noises.  Shut doors quietly.
• Do not run in the hallways.  This too can be very annoying, and can cause guests to lodge complaints.
• Follow the hotel’s rules regarding the pool.  (If no food and drink are allowed in the pool area, then do not take food and drink in the pool area.)

Remember, be courteous of others!  You are a representative of the Springfield YMCA.

Navigating SPY

What follows is some helpful information about meets and other aspects of SPY. 

Invitational Meets
These meets are two-three days long, involve several Y's, and usually have a large number of swimmers.  There are usually several invitations on the schedule from which to choose.  The only invitational SPY swimmers must participate in is the SPY Invitational. 

At an invitational, swimmers may swim in the morning or afternoon sessions or the Friday evening session.  It depends on their age and the events they have chosen to swim.   Each invitational will have entry requirements/restrictions that will be communicated on the meet entry form.  You and the swimmer elect in which individual events to participate.  The coaches will determine relays.

There is a fee for each individual event and relay.  These charges will be deducted from the escrow account you establish for the swimmer at the beginning of the season. 

Parents/Swimmers are responsible for entering events they wish to swim at an invitational.  Spy uses the DirectAtletics.com  website to electronically enter our swimmers into meets. Each swimmer is given a user name and password to enter the site and register for events. For details about meet entry please contact your coach or age group representative.

What to bring to an invitational
At most invitationals, swimmers will congregate in a gym.  Look for an area where other SPY swimmers are settled.  These days can be long, so consider bringing the following items:

• Sleeping bags/blankets
• Chairs and/or seat cushions.  (Chairs can be used in the gym.  At some events, you may want to sit on the bleachers in the spectator area.)
• Small board games, cards or electronic games.
  
• Pens, markers, crayons, paper, coloring books, etc.
• Reading material (for both swimmers and parents)
• Extra towels
• Sweatsuit to wear in the gym.  The pool area is usually warm and gym usually cool.  Swimmers need to have something to wear in the gym while waiting.  You may need a sweatshirt, too.
• A cooler.  Most invitationals have concessions with a wide variety of food, but you may want something special and/or save some money.
• Money for extra goggles, heat sheets, other swim accessories
• Markers to highlight your swimmers events in the heat sheet

Upon arriving at an invitational, purchase a heat sheet (usually $3-$5 each day).  And mark everything you bring with your name!!!

How invitationals work
Events (i.e.,"8 and under boys freestyle") are listed on the heat sheet.  Take note of the event number, the heat number, and the lane.  You may want to write these three numbers on your swimmers wrist/hand. 

Most invitationals have bullpens, also known as clerk of course.  Find out where it is and show your swimmer.  (Some age groups are required to report to the bullpen; others report directly to the blocks.)  Listen and be aware of when your swimmer should report to either the bullpen or the block.  Coaches are busy watching events.  They do a wonderful job, but they cannot keep track of everyone.  So make their life easier by keeping track of when your swimmer is supposed to report.  Sometimes swimmers get involved in other activities and forget to report.  Once they get to the bullpen, the bullpen volunteers will get your swimmers to the swim blocks.

Dual Meets
Dual meets are one-day meets usually with another YMCA.  Participation in these meets requires the completion of a meet participation form which will be distributed at least two weeks before the event.  These forms must be completed whether you attend the meet or not.   These forms should be returned to the swimmer's room meet entry box by the deadline on the form. 

Because coaches determine the events swimmers will swim at a dual meet, these entry forms are critical to helping the coaches prepare the line up ahead of the meet.  Coaches will post their lineups on the day of the event.   The number of events your child swims depends on how many swimmers attend the meet.

What to bring to a dual meet
Bring as little as possible.  The pool deck and the viewing areas are usually the only areas available for the swimmers and the families to congregate at a dual meet.  It can get crowded.  Remember, pool areas are generally hot, and it's cool outside.  Wear sweatpants over shorts. 

Bring towels, very compact games, blankets on which the swimmers can sit (and you don’t mind getting wet), and some food if you chose.  Concessions will be available at dual meets.

How a dual meet works
Events at dual meets have no bullpen, but usually, a "Clerk of Course" organizes the events.  Heat sheets are either distributed, for sale or posted at dual meets.  Each dual meet is different.  Remember, the coaches decide what the swimmers will swim.   Just like at an invitational, you will want the swimmer to mark the event, heat and lane on his/her hand.  The swimmer will be responsible for getting to the block on time. 

Remember, dual meets can go much quicker, so it is important to help your swimmer be aware of what event is on the swim blocks and when your swimmer competes next.

Championships
Championship meets are held starting in early March with the A Championship Meet held at the Springfield Y.  To swim in a championship meet, the swimmer at a minimum must have competed in three “Y” meets, whether an invitational or dual.   For AA, Zone and National Championships, a qualifying time must be achieved to swim in an event.  These qualifying times will be distributed as soon as they are made available for the 2006-2007 season.

Terminology

 Swimming has its own language.  Hopefully the glossary below will be helpful to you.

• Age Group Swimming – Swimmers compete against swimmers in their own age group:  8 and under, 9-10, 11-12, 12-14, 15 and up, senior (12 and over).
• Blocks – The platforms on which the swimmer stands and pushes off to start the race.
• Break or Relay False Start – When one swimmer leaves the wall or block before the other swimmer in the water touches the wall.
• Clerk of Course – An area where swimmers go to be pre-staged for the upcoming event.  At an invitational they may receive a lane slip and be seated on benches/chairs in the order they will swim.  At a dual meet, the clerk of course is the place where swimmers go to receive their lane slips. 
• Championships – There are four championships in the Y season.  The A meet, AA meet, Zones and Nationals.  The system of championship meets are designed so that every swimmer, no matter what level has a final meet in which to participate.  Each age group has a qualifying time for each event to determine which championship meet the swimmer may participate.
• Cut Off Time – See qualifying time
• Disqualification (D.Q.) – Some infraction of the rules committed by the swimmer.  This could be a violation of the rules regarding the start, turn, touch, or stroke.  When this occurs, no points are scored and the time is not recorded. 
• Dual Meet – Swim meet with two teams.  Held at our Y or another team’s Y.
• Event – A race classified by the age, stroke and distance (e.g., Boys 13-14 200-yard Butterfly).
• False Start – When a swimmer leaves the block before the starter has started the race.
• Finals – A session used in most championships in which the top 8 to 16 swimmers from the preliminary heats or races are grouped to have a final race to determine team and individual points and awards.
• Heat – Groups of swimmers all competing in the same event or race.  (e.g., there are 12 swimmers entered in the same event.  The pool has six lanes.  The six slowest swimmers will swim in heat 1; the remaining in heat 2.
• Heat Sheet – A program that outlines the event, heat and lane each swimmer will swim.  Available at invitational and championship meets for a fee.
• I.M. – Individual medley; one swimmer swims a minimum of one length of the pool of each of the four strokes in this order: 1. butterfly; 2. backstroke; 3. breaststroke; 4. freestyle.
  
• Invitational – A large swim meet with four to six teams generally held over a two-three day period.  Invitationals are broken into two sessions, morning and afternoon with the age groups split generally 10 and under in one session and 11 and over in the other.  Invitationals are major fund raisers for most teams.
  
• Lane – Specific area to which the swimmer is assigned to swim.
  
• Lane slip – A piece of paper that identifies the swimmer, event, lane, heat and time.
  
• Line Up Sheet – The coach’s paper that outlines who is swimming what in the order it is to occur for that meet.
  
• Long Course – Meet held in a 50-meter pool; occur during the summer
  
• N.T. (No Time) – An abbreviation to indicate a swimmer who is entered in an event has not achieved a legal time for that event.
  
• Preliminaries – The heat swam prior to the finals.  Also known as “prelims.”
  
• Qualifying Times – A time standard in which a swimmer must swim to qualify for some championship meets (e.g., AAs, Zones and Nationals.)
  
• Runners – Parents who collect lane slips or cards from each lane at the end of a race and run them to the scorer’s table.
  
• Scorer – The parent workers who score the dual meets.
  
• Scoring a Meet – The totaling of points awarded to individuals and teams.  Teams are awarded points based on the placement of individuals and relays from the team.  The number of points and places awarded varies with each type of meet.
  
• Scratch – The withdrawal of an entry from competition.
  
• Seeding – The placement of a swimmer in a heat with the fastest swimmer generally swimming in the last heat toward the center of the pool.
  
• Session – Any portion of a meet distinctly separated from other portions by locale, time, or type of competition (i.e., morning and afternoon, preliminaries and finals.)
  
• Short Course – A 25-year or meter pool. 
  
• Southwest Cluster League --  The league in which SPY competes.  Information on the league can be found at www.swyswim.org.
  
• Split – A segment of time for part of an event or race.  Most common on relays where you have four individual times that equal the relay time.
  
• Sprint –A high energy burst of speed for a short-distance event.
  
• Starter – The person who starts the race with a gun or buzzer.  Also determines a false start and to recall such a start.
  
• Stroke and Turn Judges – The officials who see that the swimmer does each stroke and turn properly.  If a stroke or turn is improper, these judges will write up a disqualification card and bring the card to the runner or the scorer’s table.
  
• Strokes – The four competitive strokes:  butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle.  Each stroke has a proper execution.
  
• Take your Mark – The command the starter gives the swimmers at the start of each race that tells the swimmer to take his/her starting position.
  
• Timers – Parents who take the times of each swimmer.  There are normally two timers per lane with each having a stopwatch and/or a button hook-up to the automatic timing system.
  
• USS (United States Swimming) – Another swim league in which SPY competes.  To compete in this league, a swimmer must hold a USS card (requires an annual fee.)  The league is governed by slightly different rules than the Y swim league.
  
• Warm-ups – The pre-meet swim required for swimmers to get a feel for the pool and the starting blocks.  Warm-ups also enable a swimmer to loosen up and practice events they will swim that day.