How To Survive a Dual Meet

WHAT IS A DUAL MEET AND WHEN ARE THEY HELD?

• Dual meets are swim competitions that involve two (dual) or three teams (tri). Meets are generally held on Saturday mornings and typically last 3.5 to 4 hours.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO FOR A DUAL MEET?

• First, all swimmers are automatically registered for dual meets UNLESS the coaches are notified that the swimmer will not be attending a particular meet. This can be accomplished by either notifying a coach in person, via email. It is extremely important that you notify a coach if you cannot attend a meet as early as possible as it affects the meet line-up and relays.
• Second, make sure that your swimmer is packed and ready for the meet. That includes goggles, swim cap, swim suit, towels, sweatpants and sweatshirts. Team racing suit should be worn for swim meets. Goggles are strongly encouraged for every swimmer and swim caps are good for swimmers with long hair.
• Third, make sure that your swimmer gets to the meet in plenty of time for warm-up.
• Fourth, volunteer your time and help out at the meet. Meets are run by parents, and the online sign-up sheet is linked to the swim team’s web site.

HOW DO I FIND OUT WHAT MY CHILD IS SWIMMING AT A DUAL MEET?

• On the day of the meet, the coaches will post the meet “line-up,” or what your child will be swimming where the team is sitting. It is the parents and swimmer’s responsibility to know what events they will be swimming.
• We recommend writing younger swimmers’ events down on their hands with pen as a reference.
• Depending on the meet, swimmers will be permitted a maximum number of individual events. Relay opportunities may also be available to swimmers based on team attendance and scheduled events.

WHAT IS THE ORDER OF EVENTS FOR A DUAL MEET?

• The schedule of events and order may vary from meet to meet. Some meets include more distance events versus "sprint" events. Some of our meets may offer events that complete and IMX score. The schedule of events is discussed by the coaches in advance of the meet.

HOW DO I KNOW WHEN TO SEND MY CHILD UP TO THE BLOCKS FOR THEIR EVENT?

• For the 8 & Unders and other younger swimmers, we will have some meet assistants (volunteer parents) who will help organize swimmers behind the proper starting blocks for their event. Please let one of these meet assistants or the coaches know if your child must leave the team so that they can find them prior to their event.
• Older swimmers are expected to follow the meet and report behind the starting blocks well in advance of their race.

MY SWIMMER WAS DISQUALIFIED. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

• Disqualification (or DQ’d, for short) means that the swimmer improperly performed some aspect of the start, stroke, turn or finish in violation of the Mid-Penn Swimming League Rules, which are mostly based on the requirements of USA Swimming. The DQ is necessary to keep the competition fair and equitable for all other competitors. In a scoring event, this means that the swimmer will not receive an award or points for their swim.
• If your child is DQ’d in an event, be supportive rather than critical. For beginning swimmers, a disqualification should be treated as a learning experience, not as punishment. A DQ alerts the swimmer and the coach to what portions of the swimmer's stroke need to be corrected. They should be considered in the same light as an incorrect answer in schoolwork...they point out areas, which need further practice.

REMEMBER: There are no dumb questions. If you are confused about something, ask a coach or another veteran swim team parent.