Basic Registration Information
Meet Registration
Most meets require online registration. Occasionally, a meet may require a printed entry form. If so, make sure the form is fully completed, including all event numbers and entry times. Incomplete forms may result in the swimmer being penalized or not entered.
Team Information
LSC Organization: PC Club Code: HILL Club Name: Hills Hurricane Swimming
USA Swimming Registration Number
Each swimmer has a unique USA Swimming (USAS) ID number, assigned upon registration with USA Swimming. You can find this number by logging into your USA Swimming account or by checking your profile on the team website.
How to register for the meet
Most meets use online registration through either the SwimConnection or FastSwims websites. Occasionally, meets may use other platforms or require coaches to handle entries directly.
The best approach is to create a free account on one or both of the sites above so you can receive notifications as soon as meet registrations go live.
If a swimmer does not have an official time for an event, you can use the following placeholder protocol:
25 yards – 50.00
50 yards – 1:00.00
100 yards – 2:00.00
…and so on
Meet entry times are typically categorized as:
SCY (Short Course Yards)
SCM (Short Course Meters)
LCM (Long Course Meters)
Be sure to select the correct course format and enter either the swimmer’s best time or an estimated time. Some meets also accept "NT" (No Time) entries.
What to Bring to the Swim Meet
- At least 2 swimsuits. Team suit and cap are required.
- 2 pairs of goggles – ideally one new pair and one backup.
- At least 2 towels.
- 2 changes of clothes – one for putting over a wet suit and one dry set.
- Sleeping bag or blanket to stay warm during downtime.
- Foldable chairs to sit in.
- Cooler with snacks and drinks like water, Gatorade, fruit, bagels. There is usually a snack bar or grill, but don’t rely on the venue for food.
- Books, cards, homework, or anything else to stay occupied between events.
- Most important – COACHES’ RULE: You must wear shoes or flip-flops at all times. They help keep your feet warm and safe at the swim meet.
Check-In
The first thing each swimmer must do is check in at the check-in table, usually located near the entrance of the facility. If you do not check in, you will not be allowed to swim. It's helpful to use a permanent marker to write each event number on the swimmer’s hand for the day. Event numbers will be announced throughout the meet. If you are running late, note that check-in for an event typically closes 30 minutes before the estimated start time of that event’s first heat.
Find your coach As soon as the swimmer checks in, they should report to their coach and let them know they are at the meet and ready to swim
Warm-up time Swimmers must be ready to warm up as soon as their coach instructs. Meet warm-up is different from practice warm-up, so follow the specific warm-up routine for your group. There may be up to 25 swimmers per lane, so it's important to follow all warm-up rules.
Warm-up Reminders:
- Enter the water using a 3-point entry (sit, turn, slide in — no jumping or diving).
- Use circle swimming in all lanes.
- Dives and pace work may only be done under coach supervision, typically allowed in the last 30 minutes of warm-up.
- In dive lanes, swimmers may only swim one direction.
Seeding Events
Events are seeded (organized) at the pool once swimmers have checked in and the event closes. Events are seeded by entry times, so swimmers are placed in heats with others who have similar times.
Swim Meet Rules for Hills Swimmers
Check Event Postings When the announcer says that an event is posted, the swimmer must go to the designated posting area to find their heat and lane assignment. Even if the event hasn't been announced, swimmers should still check regularly.
Heat: A group of swimmers competing in the same event. Each heat usually includes 6–9 swimmers.
Lane: The specific lane assigned to the swimmer for that event.
Report to Your Coach After getting their heat and lane assignment, swimmers must report to their coach. This is the time to ask any questions and receive last-minute advice.
Be Ready Behind the Blocks Swimmers must be ready to swim before their event begins. For example, if you're in Event #2, Heat 1, Lane 5, you should be behind the blocks, fully ready (suit on, cap and goggles in place) during Event #1. The starter will not wait for swimmers to adjust – be prepared ahead of time.
Cool Down After Each Race Swimmers must complete a cool down after every race in the designated cool-down area.
Cool down distances are:
25 yards → 100 yards
50 yards → 200 yards
100 yards → 200 yards
200–500 yards → 250 yards
Check Back in With Your Coach - After each race and cool down, return to your coach to review the swim. It’s important to discuss what went well and what can be improved.
If You Miss Your Race
If you miss your race (don’t show up at the blocks), you will not be penalized unless the meet is a Trials & Finals format or a championship-level meet. If there are still heats remaining, you may be allowed to swim if there is space. You must check with the starter (official at the blocks) to request this. Any meet-specific penalties will be listed in the meet sheet.
Parent Obligation
Depending on the type of meet, parents may be asked to volunteer as a timer for a shift, usually 1–2 hours. If our team is hosting the meet, all families are required to volunteer, with shifts totaling up to 16 hours per family. These roles are essential to running a smooth and successful meet, so please be prepared to help.
Each team is also required to provide a certain number of certified officials based on the number of swimmers entered. If you are interested in becoming a certified official, please contact Coach Shad.
Meet Results
Results will be posted at the pool shortly after each event is completed. Events are typically split by gender:
Girls’ events are ODD-numbered
Boys’ events are EVEN-numbered
Results are divided into time standards: C, B, and A Divisions. Swimmers achieving an “A” time in their age group will receive a special award.
You must pick up any awards at the meet. They will not be mailed, and coaches will not collect them for you.
All meet results will also be available online. Swimmers’ best times are tracked and stored on the following websites:
www.pacswim.org
https://data.usaswimming.org/datahub/usas/individualsearch
Basic Racing Rules
All meets are officiated according to stroke mechanics rules. A swimmer can be disqualified if they make a mistake during the race. Here are some key points officials will watch for:
DIVE/START
Listen carefully to the starter’s commands. One whistle means it’s clear to step onto the starting block. Get steady and hold your position on the starter’s mark. The starter will not wait, so be ready.
- Make sure you know your race before you start.
- Performing the wrong stroke is grounds for disqualification.
BUTTERFLY
- Must touch the wall with both hands simultaneously on every turn and finish.
- Cannot use a flutter (alternate) kick.
- Shoulders must rise above the water surface during each stroke.
- Arms must recover over the water.
BACKSTROKE
- Must remain on your back until you initiate a back-to-back flip turn. You must finish the race on your back.
- You may take only one freestyle stroke into the flip turn. The turn must be continuous and not slow.
- Know your stroke count from the flags.
BREASTSTROKE
- Must touch the wall with both hands simultaneously on every turn and finish.
- Hands cannot pull down past the waistline during the stroke.
- Underwater pull: one full arm pull and one kick allowed before surfacing.
FREESTYLE
- Must maintain continuous motion without hesitation or changing strokes.
INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY (I.M.)
Know the proper turns between strokes. Do not flip onto your stomach when transitioning from backstroke to breaststroke.
