News and Announcements
Entry Form – The form on which a swimmer enters a competition. Includes age, gender, event number, and swimmer’s “lifetime best” time
False Start – Moving once swimmers have been instructed to take their mark before the start is signaled. A false start may result in a DQ
Final – A single race in which the fastest preliminary swimmers compete to determine final places and times in an event
Finish – The final phase of the race; the touch at the end of the race
Flags – Backstroke flags placed 5 yards or meters from the end of the pool. They enable backstrokers to execute a turn more efficiently by counting their strokes to the turn instead of turning around to look
Flutter Kick – The kick used in the freestyle stroke. The legs alternate, moving up and down
Free Relay – Four swimmers swim freestyle as part of a team
Freestyle – One of the four basic individual and team swimming strokes. Uses the flutter kick and a windmill style arm stroke. Also known as front crawl or overhand
Goal – A specific time achievement a swimmer sets and strives for - can be short or long-term
Gutter – The area along the edge of the pool in which water overflows during a race and is re-circulated through the filtration system
Heat – A qualifying swimming competition that precedes semi-final races. Used due to the number of event entrants
Heat Sheet – A listing of all swimmers by event number, heat, and lane assignments in the meet. These are available at the beginning of the meet and are usually purchased. Also known as programs
Fall/ Winter Session:
From September, 17th 2018 until the end of March
Practice From 7:00 to 9:00 pm
February Practice from 6:00 to 8:00
Practice time might change based on pool availability
Spring/ Summer Session:
After Gold/ Zone Meet until Summer LC gold on July
Unattached – The status a swimmer receives when they are not part of a club. The swimmer must be unattached for 120 days from his/her last competition with the previous club. During this time they may compete individually, but not in relays.
Warm Down – Low intensity swimming used by swimmers after a race or main practice to rid the body of excess acid and to gradually reduce heart rate and respiration
Warm-up – The period before the start of each session set aside to allow swimmers to enter the pool to loosen up, practice turns, etc.
Zone Meet – A highly competitive age group competition held in each USA Zone. Swimmers compete for their zone team not their club. Swimmers must achieve a Zones qualifying time as defined by Niagara Swimming to attend the meet.
As parents, it is absolutely essential that we give our coaching staff the respect and authority they deserve to run our swim team. Our coaches are hired for that purpose and the Head Coach oversees the direction of the staff. We expect our parents to demonstrate good sportsmanship during all practices, competitions and team activities. We expect our parents to promote good sportsmanship by setting an example and by helping others to do likewise. We expect our parents to celebrate wins gracefully, loss graciously, and congratulate opponents either way.
- Parents are asked to encourage their child to participate in the sport for their individual enjoyment, personal satisfaction, and improvement.
- Parents are asked to focus on their child’s effort and performance, rather than winning or losing. Parents are asked to encourage their child to abide by the rules and accept judgments made by officials.
- Parents are asked to never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or performing below expectation. Parents are asked to be an example to their child and others. Appreciate good performances by all participants.
- Parents are asked to support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from the sporting environment.
- Parents are asked to show appreciation and respect for all people involved in their child’s swimming.
- Parents are asked to respect the rights, dignity, and worth of all participants, regardless of their gender, ability, ethnicity, cultural background or religion.
- Parents asked to respect the coaches decisions regarding swim meet attendance, entries and relays.
- Parents are asked to abide with all the club's regulations and rules.
- Parents are asked to respect the priviacy of the stuff and club members.
- Parents should respect meet's venues rules.
Vestal Area Swim Team is, at all levels, committed to upholding the principles of:
Fairness
Operating within the spirit of the rules, never taking an unfair advantage and making informed and honorable decisions at all times.
Respect
Recognizing the contribution that people make to the sport, treating them with dignity and consideration, as well as caring for the property and equipment they use.
Responsibility
Taking responsibility for one’s actions and being a positive role model at all times.
Safety
Encouraging healthy and safe procedures, preventing and reporting dangerous behavior, while demonstrating concern for others.
Excellence
Working hard to achieve the highest level of athleticism you can each and every day.
General codes of conduct
Vestal Area Swim Team promotes the following codes of conduct to all people involved in any way with the sport of swimming. As a person involved in any way with the sport of swimming, the following standard of behavior is expected: Be aware of USA Swimming’s standards, rules, and policies. Respect the rights, dignity, and worth of others. Be professional in, and accept responsibility for your actions. Operate within the rules and spirit of the sport, including the national and international guidelines that govern USA Swimming. Any form of abuse, harassment, or discrimination towards others will not be tolerated. Provide a safe environment for the conduct of activities in accordance with any relevant USA Swimming policy. Be a positive role model.
