Frequently Asked Questions
Is my child eligible to be on the swim team?
The Swim Team has a swimming ability policy to qualify for the team: Children must be “water safe” and otherwise qualify to be on the team. If they cannot meet the qualifications, they can try out for the Pre-Team. NCC SHARXS Team Members must be able to complete one length of the pool (25 meters) unassisted, tread water for one minute and attend practice regularly. Pre-Team members must be comfortable in the water, and be able to put their head under water. They must be able to make some progress (approximately 20 feet) in the water using arms and legs. To join either the swim team or the pre-team the family must be full season members.
What age group will my child swim in?
Age groups are determined by your child’s age as of June 1st. For example, if your child turns nine on June 1st, he will swim with the 9-10 age group. If your child turns nine on June 2nd, he will swim this season with the 8 & under age group.
What are time trials?
Time trials are run as a mock swim meet to time each swimmer in each stroke. Swimmers who cannot participate in time trials are expected to swim at the next Wednesday night meet to have an official time in each of the strokes. All swimmers must receive an official time before competing in a Saturday meet.
What meets will the team participate in?
“A” Meets
“A” meets are swum Saturday mornings against the other teams in our Division. Our coaches select the 3-6 swimmers to swim in each event of that meet, reflecting NCC’s best competitive advantage. They will generally choose the fastest swimmers for each event. A swimmer can swim up to three events in an A meet, plus the relay and IM (Individual Medley). Because swimmers are always improving their times, the swimmers who participate in A meets can change each week. Ribbons are given to all finishers and points earned for 1st through 5th places. At A meets, score is kept and contributes to our Division standing.
Coaches post which swimmers have been selected to participate in the Saturday A meets on the bulletin board and website either Thursday night or Friday morning. If your name appears on the list for an A meet and you know that you can't make it to the meet, you need to let the coaches know as soon as possible. If they don't know and you don't go, you will be preventing a fellow team member from competing in the A meet. In addition, the team will not receive any points for an empty lane where no swimmer appears. Always check the bulletin board for information about upcoming meets.
“B” Meets
The Wednesday night meets are called “B” meets. Wednesday night meets offer each swimmer the opportunity to participate regardless of speed. All swimmers (subject to the rules listed above) will be entered in the B meets. If you swam an event in the previous Saturday's A meet, you cannot swim that event at the next B meet, but you can swim events that you did not swim at the A meet. Although the NCC SHARX are swimming against another team, there is no final score and these meets do not affect our division standings. B meets are the perfect opportunity to have lots of fun and improve your times. You can swim as many events in your age group as you'd like. Ribbons are given to all finishers.
Other Meets
- Relay Carnivals: There are two relay swim meets, a Division Relay Carnival and the Tallyho Relay Carnival. If you don't participate in the Division Relay Carnival, you can swim at Tallyho. Relays are a really fun chance to swim races with other members of the team, including members of different ages and genders.
- Divisionals: The final Saturday meet of the season is the Division I Championship meet. The team enters the fastest two swimmers in each event against the fastest two from every other team in the division. The order of events is the same as an “A Meet”.
- All Stars and Long Course. These are swim meets that you participate in by invitation only. Invitations to these meets are based on times from A meets only. The swimmers with the top eight MCSL times in each event are invited to swim Long Course, and the top sixteen swimmers are invited to All Star Individuals. The first place winners of each Division Relay Carnival event are invited to participate in the All Star Relays.
Can my child leave a meet after his/her events are finished?
Everyone should try to stay until the end of the meet to cheer on their teammates. In addition at the very end of each Saturday meet, the two fastest freestyle swimmers from each age group compete in a graduated relay. Your child may be asked to swim in the relay, and besides, you don’t want to miss the post-meet lunch! If you must leave, please have your swimmer notify the coaches that he/she is leaving.
What if a swimmer is unable to attend a meet?
You must complete the Vacation Schedule when registering for the team. Any changes to your scheduled absences should be sent to the coaches by email as soon as possible. Meet entries are posted Thursday evening or Friday morning, so be sure to check to see if your child is swimming. Once the meet entries are provided to the opposing team (by Friday at noon) we can make only limited changes. Don’t disappoint your fellow swimmers who would love the chance to swim in an A meet!
Is it necessary to report to NCC before an away meet?
Yes, unless the coaches specify otherwise, all swimmers must check in with the coaches at the pool before traveling to an away meet. If a swimmer does not check-in they risk being scratched from the meet and being replaced by another swimmer.
What if a swimmer is unable to attend practice?
If your child will be missing more than one consecutive practice please notify the coach.
How are practices organized?
All practices are closely supervised by the coaches. They will rotate through all the groups for direct instruction. Each child will be assigned to a small group with an assistant coach who will be responsible for them at practice and at all swim meets. Practices are a mix of skill building and conditioning. Frequently practices include games and team building activities.
Should my child wear a swim team suit and swim cap?
The coaches recommend that your child has the team suit, but it is not required. Team suits may be purchased at a discount from Capital Sport and Swim in Kensington (301-949-7366). Capital Sport and Swim have representatives at the pool on Opening Day, when swim team signups start. Although discounted, racing suits are expensive, so consider saving the team suit for meets only so it will last longer, and buying an alternative racing suit for practices.
Swim caps are required for boys and girls at all practices and swim meets. NCC Sharx caps should be worn at all meets; both latex and silicone versions are available for sale at the Sharx Shop. Do not wear a cap or suit that advertises another team to a meet.
Whom do I contact about my child’s swimming?
Speak to one of the coaches if you have questions about your child’s swimming. Please do not interrupt the Coaches during practice!!! If you have a question or concern, please talk with the Coach at a time convenient for both of you.
What should my child be doing during a swim meet?
All Swimmers are required to remain in the team area during swim meets. This is necessary so the swimmers will know when to report to the Clerk of Course. Please remember that a meet will not be stopped to look for a swimmer. If a swimmer has a pressing need to leave the team area they must notify the coach.
What awards are given during the season?
The swimmers are recognized all season long for their accomplishments. The coaches award the swimmer who shows the most commitment during a given week of the season the Shark of the Week Award. Ribbons are awarded to all swimmers finishing an event at a meet. When a swimmer makes their first All Star time (see the MCSL website for All Star nominating times) they will be awarded a special swim cap. At the end of season banquet, all swimmers who attend practice regularly and swim in at least 4 meets including Time Trials will receive team trophies.
The following special awards are also given:
- High Point trophies to one Boy and one Girls in each age group (based upon points earned in individual events at the five regular A meets).
- Most Improved Swimmer to one Boy and one Girl (whole team).
- Coach’s Award to a Boy and a Girl for commitment and contribution to team spirit.
- Graduating seniors who have been longtime swim team participants will be given a gift commemorating their years on the swim team.
Can my child earn service (SSL) hours?
Yes, youth may earn service hours by helping out the NCC Swim Team in a variety of ways. Interested swimmers should contact a Swim Team Rep.
What are Team Breakfasts and Friday Afternoon Fun?
The team has a long-standing tradition of providing swimmers with post-practice breakfast once a week, the morning following a B meet. Meet ribbons are distributed and the kids enjoy relaxing together.
Team clinic are held on Friday afternoons at 5:00 with the coaches to talk about the week and get psyched for the upcoming meets. Either before the meeting at 4:00, or after the meeting at 6:00, the team will hold a fun activity (Bingo, Karaoke….) or potluck dinner to give the team a chance to load up on carbs and get psyched for the Saturday morning meet. These events happen only if we have enough volunteers – super easy to coordinate!
How do I stay informed about Swim Team activities?
Information is regularly provided to team parents in three ways:
- Subscribe to the NCCSPA Yahoo group! Team reps use the email list as the primary way to get the latest information to team parents and swimmers. To register, see this page.
- Check the NCCSPA website regularly at www.nccspa.com.
- Check the Swim Team bulletin board at the pool (on the wall outside the ladies room).
