What to bring to a meet
Meets can last many hours. Swimmers get wet, then may wait a long time before their next event. Tap each item as you pack it.
Timers: lane job guide
Expect a million questions from swimmers, especially the 10 and under group. You should not start conversations with swimmers, but they will start them with you. Stay calm and friendly, keep your eyes on your lane, and send problems to the coach. You are not an official. Your job is to take time, not to judge strokes or turns.
Order of timing
1. Lane touchpad. 2. The pickle. 3. The timers' stopwatches.
Start on the strobe
Start your watch at the first flash of the strobe, not the horn, and do not guess early. Check that your watch is running. If it is not, or you started late, raise your hand. Even in an empty lane, start your watch in case it is needed elsewhere.
Press the pickle button
Keep the pickle in its hanging spot until the swimmer is coming in to finish. This prevents an accidental click. Press it when the swimmer touches the wall, and also stop your stopwatch. Speak clearly to the timer who writes.
Say the time digit by digit
Instead of "fifty-nine thirty-six," say "five, nine, three, six."
Write the time
Record your own time first. Then get the second timer's time to write down. Write times to the hundredths, with no rounding. Never copy a time from the scoreboard. Keep track that the right swimmer is swimming in each heat. If there is a no show, write N/S on the paper so there is no mix up.
Crowd the swimmers
Stay behind the blocks and away from the swimmers when they start. That gives officials a clear view of the swimmers.
Watch the wall
When swimmers are about to finish, make sure you have a clear view of them touching the wall. Stop your watch when any part of the swimmer touches the wall. Know the race distance so you do not stop too early or too late.
Send problems to the coach
If a swimmer has an issue, like missing their heat, send them to their coach.
Backstroke ledge
On backstroke, timers pull in the backstroke ledge. It takes two timers, one on the left and one on the right, so the straps do not tangle.
Stopwatch problem
If something happens and your stopwatch has a problem, raise your hand right away and keep it raised. The head timer, an experienced timer who keeps extra backup stopwatches running, will bring you a new one that is already running.
Clear your watch
After both times are written, clear your stopwatch so it is ready for the next heat.
Phones, cameras and one-on-one
No phones or cameras while you are timing. Never be alone with a swimmer in a locker room or restroom.
Be ready to get wet
Come prepared for it.
Based on PSSC timer practice, USA Swimming timer instructions and USA Swimming Safe Sport meet guidance. Always follow the meet referee and the officials.
Parents: meet day do's and don'ts
This is how most meets run. Each pool and meet host can have its own rules, so follow the posted signs, the meet information and the officials.
Draw the arm grid
Swimmers have their event, heat, lane and stroke written on their arm so they always know where to be. Our head coach fills in each race herself, because she gets the changes as they happen. To save her time, draw the grid and the four letters across the top, like the picture. Leave the rows empty.
E Event H Heat L Lane S Stroke
FR Freestyle BK Backstroke FL Butterfly BR Breaststroke
Heat and lane can change, so the coach writes them in right before the race.
Be loud and positive!
Cheer for every PSSC swimmer, fast or slow, first or last. Clap for effort, personal bests and teammates. We are one team, swimmers, coaches and parents.
Be on time
Get your swimmer there on time for warm-up. Check the meet information for warm-up and start times.
Go on the pool deck
At most meets, parents and other spectators are not allowed on deck. Deck is for athletes, coaches, officials and credentialed volunteers.
Coach your swimmer
Let the coaches coach. Cheer and encourage, and leave stroke and race advice to the team coaches.
Go in the swimmers' locker room
Stay out of the swimmers' locker room and changing areas.
Take photos or video behind the blocks
Phones and cameras are not allowed behind the starting blocks. No recording in locker rooms, changing rooms, or any private areas.
Use the non-athlete restrooms
Only use the restrooms designated for non-athletes.
Watch from the spectator area
Use the balcony or seating area the host sets aside for spectators.
Send questions through the coaches
If something comes up, ask your swimmer's coach.
Based on USA Swimming Safe Sport meet guidance and Pacific Northwest Swimming meet information. Always follow the host's posted rules.