GOVERNOR'S RANCH GATORS SWIM TEAM

Starts

The swimmers are not allowed a false start. If they jump the start and the starter thinks they are trying to get an advantage, the starter will stop the race and all swimmers will be called back. The swimmer identified will be disqualified. If the swimmer accidentally falls in prior to the start, it will be up to the discretion of the judges about disqualification or not.

Strokes, Turns, and Finishes

(More complete descriptions may be read in the Colorado State Summer Club Swimming Association By-Laws and Rules)

• Crawl (Also commonly referred to as Freestyle): The forward start shall be used. The body shall remain on the breast except while executing or completing a turn. Any desired kick is permitted. The finish requires completion of the required distance and contact with the finish end while remaining on the breast.
• Backstroke: The backstroke start shall be used. Any kick and any stroke are permitted, provided the body remains on the back. However, at the turn around, the swimmer may be on their breast to set up for a flip turn. The swimmer shall assume a position on the back by the time the feet have left the wall. Swimmers have to be on their back when they touch the wall at the finish. A swimmer may not roll over and grab the wall until they have first touched it.
• Breaststroke: Swimmers have to touch the wall with both hands at the same time when turning or finishing. Toes on both feet must be pointed outward when kicking (no scissors kick). Swimmers may not use a flutter kick at any time.
• Butterfly: Swimmers have to touch the wall with both hands at the same time when turning or finishing. Swimmers may not flutter kick and the feet have to stay together at all times. Both arms must move at the same time.
• Freestyle: Event that allows swimmers to do any of the above strokes. Most participants usually do the Crawl. Any body position, stroke, and kick are permitted, and any combination of styles may be used. Feet have to touch the wall when turning and swimmers may not touch the bottom until they finish the race. The finish requires completion of the required distance and contact with the finish end.

Relay Rules

The Stroke Judges will be looking for when "Swimmer A's" hand(s) has/have touched the wall and when "Swimmer B's" feet leave the block. If the "Swimmer A" has not touched the wall before "Swimmer B" dives in, then the entire relay team will be disqualified.

Stroke Order of Individual Medley (IM) vs Medley Relay (team)

• IM = Individual Medley (Order of Strokes: Fly, Back, Breast, Free)
• Medley Relay (Each swimmer swims a different stroke: 1st - back, 2nd - breast, 3rd - fly, 4th - free)

ARRIVAL: Please arrive at the pool at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled warm up time. The start times of the warm-ups and the meets can be found on the calendar and under the ‘Meets’ tab. Please lather your swimmers with sunscreen prior to arriving at the pool.

VOLUNTEERS: If you have signed up to volunteer NO MATTER WHAT SHIFT, PLEASE check in with our volunteer coordinator as soon as you get to the pool. We LOVE our volunteers and like to know we have all our bases covered.

DEPARTURE: If you are leaving early please tell the coach. We encourage all parents and swimmers to stay until the end of the meet to cheer on all of our Gators!

MEET ENTRIES: Meet entries will be available online Friday night before the meet. All the events and swimmers are listed on the Meet Entries sheets. For our new swimmers, they will have NT next to their time which means NO TIME. Our returning swimmers will have their time from the previous year on the sheet.

HEATING TENT: Parents are responsible for getting their swimmer(s) to the heating tent after his/her heat number is called.

RELAYS: Please don't cancel on relays, especially last minute. If your swimmer is signed up to swim the relay and for some reason you cannot stay, PLEASE INFORM a coach immediately. A relay is 4 swimmers and if one isn't there, the whole relay team has to forfeit. Please indicate if your child won't be available for early or late relays.

SWIMMER REMINDERS: First and foremost have fun! Do his/her best and enjoy the meet. If you are volunteering and leaving your swimmer, especially our younger swimmers, please make sure they know where all their "stuff" is: snacks, goggles, money and entertainment.

LABELING: Please mark everything with the swimmers name so we can avoid lost shirts, towels, caps, bathing suits, etc. Again

SPORTSMANSHIP: Please congratulate the winners no matter what team they are on, please encourage all swimmers and please encourage your swimmers to do the same. Our swimmers will follow our example.

DISQUALIFIED: Swimmers will be DQ'd (disqualified) for improper strokes. If your child is DQ'd please assure your swimmer that it is okay and how proud you are of them for trying. The coaches do get a list of what the swimmer was DQ'd for and they will go over with the swimmers in practice!