Parent Handbook (ELIT)

Table of Contents

1. COMPETITIVE SWIMMING 101
   1. Governing Organizations
   2. Geographic Structure
   3. Seasonal Structure (Short vs. Long Course)
   4. Time Standards
2. PARENT ROLE AT ELIT
   1. Parent-Athlete Support 
   2. Guidelines for Watching Practice
   3. Parent-Organization Support
   4. Home Meet & Volunteering 
   5. Communication  
3. PRACTICE EXPECTATIONS
   1. Goals & Objectives 
   2. Age Groups - Fundamentals of Swimming
   3. Senior Groups - The Pursuit of Excellence
   4. Practice Facilities
   5. Practice Schedules 
   6. Required Practice Equipment  
   7. Practice Behavior 
4. ELIT GROUP PLACEMENT PHILOSOPHY
5. COMPETING FOR ELIT
   1. ELIT’s Competition Philosophy 
   2. Competition Schedule 
   3. Entering Meets
   4. Types of Meets
   5. Swim Meet Procedures
   6. What to Bring
   7. Competition Apparel
   8. Competition Suit Policy
6. CODE OF CONDUCT
7. ELIT POLICIES

 

 

 

1. COMPETITIVE SWIMMING 101

1. Governing Organizations

USA Swimming (USAS): The national governing body for the sport of swimming in the United States. Participants in the ElitSwim year-round competitive swim programs must be members of this organization. USAS membership, which is renewed in the fall of each year, provides limited, accident and liability insurance for swimmers participating in coach--supervised workouts and swim meets. Visit www.usaswimming.org for more information, including rules, current time standards, and many other resources for parents and swimmers.

Pacific Swimming (PACSWIM): A member of USA Swimming and is the Local Swim Committee (LSC) that governs our geographic area. Its responsibilities include processing memberships, scheduling competitions, training/certification of officials, athlete recognition programs, and assembling the PACSWIM Zone Team. Visit https://www.pacswim.org for more information.

2. Geographic Structure

USA Swimming (USAS) divides the country into four zones/LSCs: Western, Central, Eastern, and Southern. The ElitSwim Club, as part of Pacific Swimming, competes in the Western Zone.

3. Seasonal Structure (Short vs. Long Course)

In the USA, swimming is a year-round sport that is divided into two seasons: Short Course and Long Course. There are championship-level meets held at the end of each season for those who qualify.

Short Course (25 Yd) Season: September–March

All USAS meets are typically conducted in 25-yard pools during this period. All High school and collegiate competitions are conducted in 25-yard pools and their season is generally within the same timeframe.

Long Course (50 M) Season: April –August

All USAS meets are typically conducted in 50-meter (olympic-size) pools during this period. Practices are held in a combination of 25-yard and 50-meter pools. The Olympics are held in 50-meter pools, and all other international competitions are held in 25-meter or 50-meter pools.

4. Time Standards

USA Swimming establishes “motivational time standards” for each age group every four years, and they are available on USA Swimming’s website. Search for “USA Swimming National Age Group Motivational Times.” You can find the 2024–2028 Standards here.

USA Motivational Times (18 and under)

AAAA: Top 2% of swimmers in a specific age group in the USA.

AAA: Top 6%

AA: Top 8%

A: Top 15% 

BB: Top 35% 

B: Top 55%

C: All other swims

*These are approximate based on data from the previous four years and may change in the future*

A swimmer’s age and time standard can determine what type/level of meet they are qualified to participate in. 

Some meets are only open to swimmers with BB times or faster, and are indicated as “BB+” meets. Higher-level meets may require AAA times, indicated as “AAA+” meets. There are even other high-level meets that will have their own qualifying standards that are separate from these “motivational time standards.”

Unless a swimmer has previously competed in a USA Swimming meet, they are considered a B/C swimmer and will need to use the “New Swimmer Entry Times” provided by ElitSwim. If the swimmer has competed in a USA Swimming meet with another team, please use their previously swum times when registering for a meet.

 

2. PARENT ROLE AT ELITSWIM

1. Parent-Athlete Support

It is the coach’s job to offer constructive criticism of a swimmer’s performance. It is the parent’s role to provide the love, recognition, and encouragement necessary to help a young athlete feel positive about themselves. Be the person that your swimmer can look to for constant, positive reinforcement.

Strive to provide your swimmer with the basic opportunities they need to have a positive swimming experience. Make sure your swimmer regularly attends practice and swim meets.

Every individual learns at a different rate and responds differently to the various methods of skill presentation. Some swimmers take more time to learn; this requires patience on the part of the coach and the parent. It is entirely possible that a swimmer’s ultimate potential may be as great or greater than that of a faster learner. Patience is key when finding an athlete’s true potential.

Avoid comparing the skill, courage, determination, attitude, performance, or improvement of your swimmer to other swimmers. Athletes mature physiologically and psychologically at different ages; sometimes the weakest swimmer in a practice group one year can end up leading practices in future years.

The etymology of the word “competition” goes back to the Latin words “com” and “petere,” which mean “together to strive.” It is important to teach young swimmers to compete with others, not against others, and to use competition to help themselves strive to be their best self.

“Your child’s success or lack of success in sports does not indicate what kind of parent you are. But, having an athlete that is coachable, respectful, a great teammate, mentally tough, resilient and tries their best, IS a direct reflection of your parenting.”          

2. Guidelines for Watching Practice

Parents are encouraged to watch practice from time to time. Here are some important guidelines when observing practice.

First, young swimmers want parental approval more than anything in the world. For swimmers to learn as much as possible during practice, it is important that coaches have each swimmer’s undivided attention.

Communicating with your swimmer in any manner during practice will distract your swimmer as well as their teammates when they are receiving feedback or instructions from their coach.

Second, we ask you to communicate with your coach either 10 minutes prior to the beginning of practice or once the coach ends their practice and all swimmers are out of the pool safely. If you need to communicate with a coach on a subject matter that needs more than a simple answer, please schedule an appointment with the coach so they can make time for you and answer in the most appropriate way.

Third, our coaches spend a considerable amount of time planning weekly training sessions for each of their practice groups. Every training set or instructional drill has a purpose. One practice and/or practice set often builds on another during each week. Remember, what you may be seeing is a snapshot of the bigger progression, and you may not understand the purpose of what the swimmers are doing on any given day. Following your child’s lead and having a positive conversation on the ride home may help you better understand, while also strengthening your relationship and encouraging your swimmer to grow in the sport.

Lastly, to help continue to build a positive relationship with your swimmer, there should be no video recording or filming of any kind when observing practices. It is important that parents do not try to reiterate or “re-coach” the things they hear from their swimmer’s coach. These athletes are always changing and growing, so what the coach instructs for one day may not be the same focus for another day. It can easily become confusing and overwhelming for an athlete to be “re-coached” by their parents or guardians.

To comply with USA Swimming Insurance coverage, anyone on the pool deck must be a USA Swimming certified coach or a USA Swimming athlete. USA Swimming’s Insurance is void if the rules are not followed. Therefore, parents should maintain a distance of at least 20 feet (7 to 8 yards) from the edge of the pool or dryland exercises. It is best to watch practices from a side where the coach is not standing. Please keep your distance and avoid approaching the swimmers, as it will distract them. Ask your coach where the designated areas to watch practices in each location are so you have the best idea of where to go. This will assist the swimmers and the coach in conducting each practice efficiently and without distraction. Please also avoid walking laps around the pool deck, as it creates a big distraction and obstacle to all programs. 

Important note: Please make sure siblings and young children are safe, courteous, and well-behaved at all facilities during practice and meets. Also, please make sure the area is clean before leaving.

3. Parent-Organization Support

Be a G.R.E.A.T. ElitSwim parent!
 

G - Get Involved! Volunteer to do more than just be a timer at meets. If you're not sure what you might want to do, email through Contact Us on our website and we'll get you headed in the right direction!

R - Read the Emails! Emails will come from coaches, the business/billing office, Meet Squad, the webmaster and others. They wouldn't be emailing if it weren't important for parents to know!

E - Educate Yourself. Ask questions. Make friends with other parents. Use the substantial online resources available to you:

ElitSwim Club - Parents Corner
Pacific Swimming
USA Swimming
A - Attend meetings. Parent meetings, parent coffees, college information meetings, volunteer committee meetings and much more.

T - Think fun and be positive! Your child will enjoy the sport so much more if it is fun! Yes, they may lose their goggles three times in the first two months, and yes, there will be moments when they are frustrated or tired, but if you do all you can as a parent to make it fun, you will ALL have a better time!

4. Swim Meets & Volunteering

Volunteer expectations are outlined in our Volunteer Policy located in the Parents Corner. It is important to understand that every organization must evolve and adapt to the needs of the team, so changes to the volunteer policy may happen at any time. Any changes will always be clearly and openly communicated to the team and its families. 

Currently, there is not a required number of volunteer hours that must be completed each season. ELIT, in its unique form, prioritizes its members to minimize the workload for each family. We feel it is important to allow families more time to spend with each other and support a happy and healthy lifestyle. For this to happen, families are expected to help fulfil a portion of the volunteering for each meet/event they register for, keeping volunteer hours to a minimum. Any family that fails to complete their portion of the volunteering will be met with a fine. More information can be found in our Volunteer Policy.

In the future, ELIT plans to host a home meet each year. All families will be required to assist and volunteer to run these meets as part of the volunteering commitment. 

OFFICIALS NEEDED: Swim meets are made fair through the work and watchful eyes of the trained officials. All teams must provide officials according to the number of swimmers participating in each swim meet. Failure to do so will cause the team to incur a fine for each missing official. The fine will then be divided among all ELIT team members and added to your account by the end of the month.
For more info on how to assist our team's effort and become an official, please click HERE.

There are a lot of other ways to support the team besides working at meets. Volunteers are always needed for a variety of functions including securing sponsorships, marketing support, community relations, and more. If you’re interested in helping or have a business that might be able to provide services, please Contact Us.

5. Communication

Great communication between athletes, parents, and coaches is one key to a successful experience in the ElitSwim program.
ELIT coaches work to communicate all the information you need for you and your swimmer to be in the know, have a good experience, and be excited about our program and all the opportunities we offer. There are several critical ways that coaches can communicate with you, aside from direct communications and interactions:

• You will receive occasional emails from your child’s lead coach that are your primary source of information. Please read them carefully.
• You will also receive team emails to help keep you informed on ELIT opportunities and items of interest. These are often from the head coach and contain program wide information.
• We have an emergency texting system so you can get notified immediately for any emergencies, schedule changes, same-day pool closures, and any other important last-minute notifications.  All members need to sign up for that function. Your phone number is not shared with any third parties and remains only for team notifications.

How do I sign up for Emergency text messages?

1. Sign in to your account at www.elitswimclub.org
2. Go to My Account > Account Info.
3. Click add the SMS phone number and add your phone carrier.
4. You will now receive a confirmation text. Confirm.
5. You are now ready to receive ElitSwim texts.

Please familiarize yourself with the “Parents Corner” tab on our team website. It contains a wealth of information.

We encourage you to communicate with your coach. It is important that parents ask questions and engage in the process to support their swimmer by developing a healthy relationship with their swimmer’s group coach. This starts with communication. When you have a specific question or concern regarding your swimmer, please email your swimmer’s group coach directly. Most questions are answered quickly at this level. If you feel that your question has not been answered satisfactorily, please ask for clarification, then you may approach the Head Coach. Staff roles and email addresses are listed on the website, and you may expect a response within 24–48 hours of reaching out with—either a direct answer or with a time to meet for further discussion.

If you need to set up a meeting with your coach, please email to set up a time for a face-to-face meeting rather than discuss the concerns by text or phone call.

 

3. PRACTICE EXPECTATIONS

1. Goals & Objectives

ElitSwim strives for continuity across all of our programs so that children can enter swim lessons, continue learning with our pre-competitive team, progress into a competitive team member, and return as an adult masters swimmer. Similarly, we strive for continuity and developmental progression through our programs.

Just like a new school year, the beginning of a swimming season is a great time to review the foundation we’ve built and set goals for the future. ELIT coaches speak with our student-athletes about expectations for their practice groups and go over some of the basics to establish (or reestablish) good habits.

At ElitSwim, the structure of the programs and group assignments are an indication of where most swimmers can fit in. We take into account multiple factors when determining group placement, including background, technique, structure, environment, age, and more.

2. Age Groups – Fundamentals of Swimming

Please keep in mind that age ranges are not absolute. Sometimes an older swimmer who is new to the sport may have to start with a predominantly younger group. Occasionally a very advanced younger swimmer may be moved into a group of older athletes. These group descriptions are provided to give you a sense of our team's structure and the progression your child is likely to follow as they move through our program.

ELIT athletes in age groups will learn the fundamental skills of swimming while developing an athletic mindset of coachability, maturity, and sport knowledge through a competitive team environment meant to foster teamwork, camaraderie, and connection.

ELIT athletes will learn a lot throughout the program starting with basic stroke fundamentals, functional starts, turns, and underwaters, and progress to refining their skills while growing to thrive in increasing levels of physical, mental, and emotional intensity.

ELIT Age Group Swimmers:

• Attentively listen to and follow directions regarding why and how to swim.
• Find balance and control in the water, while maintaining breathing cycles.
• Learn about the pace clock and how it helps them gauge their success.
• Know the names of teammates and coaches.
• Show pride in being a team member by encouraging teammates and wearing the team uniform.
• Develop work ethic and self-discipline through consistent attendance and commitment.
• Exhibit curiosity and eagerness to learn about the sport, and how to do it well.
• Understand the role of failure in long-term success.
• Understand the difference between individual and team goals and how each benefits the other.
• Become competitive and technically proficient.
• Accept constructive criticism from coaches, and use the feedback to improve their skills.
• Create long-term plans to reach their goals and adhere to the plan through adversity.
• Understand the impact of drag on the development of speed and the importance of creating the most efficient body lines.
• Use practice time to prepare and practice specific aspects of their intended race strategies.
• Use mental and physical preparation and recovery strategies to produce their best performance.

Standards for EVERY athlete include being prompt, having good posture, being polite, acting purposefully, and arriving prepared.  These are expected of swimmers of all ages and levels within the program.

Group Expectations: Expectations for attendance and competition participation are based on the goals of each athlete. A great attitude, work ethic, attention to detail, and competitive drive should build on a foundation of consistent attendance.  

Mental Goals:

• Successfully balance academic and extracurricular schedules.
• Understand long-term goal setting.
• Promote teamwork.
• Develop self-confidence

 

ELIT 1

This is where it all starts! This group comprises the youngest competitive swimmers in the ELIT program. We emphasize the fundamentals of efficient, competitive, and enjoyable technique. Our objective is to provide a solid foundation for these young swimmers to advance through our practice groups by teaching them good stroke technique and mindset from the very beginning. This comprises kicking, stroke drills, body positions, and synchronization drills that are done both in and out of the water. More significantly, we want to cultivate a passion for swimming and ElitSwim that will last a lifetime.

Minimum Requirements: Legal technique in all four competitive strokes.
AGE: 5–10 years old
DAYS: M–F (5 practices)
DURATION: 45 min practice

 

ELIT 2

The next level of training. All swimmers within this group must be able to successfully swim each of the four competitive strokes in a legal manner as deemed by USA Swimming rules. This group is where swimmers of younger ages will progress with more advanced fundamental skills, stroke technique, and instruction. They will learn a variety of progressive skills, drills, and stretches to enhance their current capabilities towards a higher level. They will begin learning race strategies and build healthy practice and meet habits.

AGE: 9–13 years old
DAYS: M–F (5 practices)
DURATION: 75 min practice

 

ELIT 3

This program will have increased yardage and dry land practices compared to our ELIT 2 program and is designed to prepare swimmers for advancement into our Senior ELIT programs. Emphasis on mental training/strength, self-confidence, and self-awareness will be introduced and worked on within the group. Swimmers are assigned to the same lanes according to age and physical capabilities. Practices in this group also range in yardage. It is expected that 12-15-year-olds will be in a position to perform a more rigorous training load than younger swimmers while continuing to build upon racing skills, character ownership, and strength. Performance prep includes nutrition, rest, recovery, and mental focus. Consistent practice attendance is necessary for continued improvement and advancement.

AGE: 12–15 years old
DAYS: M–F (5 practices)
DURATION: 120 min practice  

 

Dryland (ELIT 2 and 3): Dryland is a swimmer's conditioning program and is considered part of practice. ELIT 3 swimmers should plan to attend all sessions. Dryland sessions are designed to give swimmers the required physical development, coordination, and flexibility to be competitive. Dryland will train each swimmer's physical and mental strength without overtraining the muscles, joints, and spine. Strengthening is directed for each individual on their stroke and flexibility needs.

3. Senior Groups – The Pursuit of Excellence

ELIT Seniors will work to align their values to their actions, both in and out of training, and to actively strive for their best performances in peak competitions. ElitSwim provides the resources and programming to support athletes in becoming the best they can be in their program of events to showcase their skills on the highest platform they can achieve. 

ELIT Senior Swimmers:

• Use their ultimate goal in the sport to maintain intensity and work ethic in practice.
• Utilize time management skills to keep their lives in balance and their training protected.
• Understand their position as role models and the impact of their public behaviors.
• Are able to employ supreme concentration and situational awareness in peak states.
• Are steadfastly optimistic about their potential and ability to get better.

Group Expectations: Attendance and competition participation are based on each athlete’s goals. Swimmers with goals to compete in college or at senior championship levels should strive to attend all practices, balancing with school and life. A great attitude, work ethic, attention to detail, and competitive drive should build on consistent attendance. Competing at a National level requires full engagement both in and beyond the team’s schedule.

Mental Goals:

• Successfully balance academic and extracurricular schedules.
• Understand long-term goal setting.
• Promote teamwork.
• Develop self-confidence. 

 

Senior ELIT 1

This is our most advanced training group offered. It is designed for swimmers who have chosen swimming as their primary sport and have committed to training to compete at the National level. Swimmers in this ELIT training group should plan on mandatory 6–7 practices per week, competing at the meets selected by the coach and training at the level required to qualify for National Level competitions.

This program will offer the most advanced training techniques and dry land exercises designed to help swimmers reach the highest level of competition, as well as prepare swimmers to swim in college.

AGE: 14–18 years old
DAYS: M–F (5 practices)
DURATION: 165 min practice

QUALIFICATION: Showing dedication and excellence in work ethic, attendance, technical details, leadership, and wellness.

 

Senior ELIT 2

This is our second senior-level training group offered. It is designed for swimmers that may still participate in other sports or activities but want to remain competitive at a senior level. Swimmers in this training group should plan on 5 practices per week, competing at the meets selected by the coach.
This program will offer advanced training techniques and dry land exercises designed to help swimmers reach the highest level of competition, as well as prepare swimmers to swim in college.

AGE: 14–18 years old
DAYS: M–F (5 practices)
DURATION: 135 min practice 

 

Dryland (Senior Groups): Dryland is a swimmer's conditioning program and is considered part of practice. Senior swimmers should attend all sessions. Dryland includes tools such as stretch cords, medical bands, core strengthening, and flexibility work. Training supports each swimmer's physical growth and stroke/distance-specific needs without overworking muscles, joints, or the spine.

4. Practice Facilities

ElitSwim Club is a co-sponsor group in San Ramon, CA. Please be respectful at all times and help us maintain positive relationships with these important partners.

Main location: DVAC - Dougherty Valley Aquatic Center/Dougherty High School (10550 Albion Drive, San Ramon, CA 94582)

Secondary location: SROP - San Ramon Olympic Pool/California High School (9900 Broadmoor Dr., San Ramon, CA 94583)

5. Practice Schedules

Seasonal practice schedules are available on elitswimclub.org under the “Programs and Schedules” tab. Coaches will send emails to the families in each practice group with details about any updates or changes. If you have questions, please contact your coach. Keep in mind that swimmers will see the most improvement by consistently attending practices each week.

Inclement Weather

San Ramon facilities have their own inclement weather policy. Coaches will notify families of changes to practice schedules by email or emergency text.

Please be sure to keep your contact information up to date on your account with ElitSwim Club. If you need to make changes to your account (i.e. you have a new phone number, email address), log in to the ElitSwim Club website with your username and password. 

6. Required Practice Equipment

All required and recommended practice equipment can be purchased online from our SwimOutlet Shop. Purchasing through our shop is not required, but it will directly support the team. Please mark all equipment with your swimmer's name using a permanent marker or similar method so it does not get lost or picked up by mistake. 

You can find the full list of required equipment also in the Resources section of our website under the “Training Equipment” tab.

Required Team Gear

Black ELIT Swim Cap, Black ELIT Shirt, Yellow ELIT Shirt, ELIT Parka

 

ELIT 1

• Black ELIT swim cap
• Goggles
• Junior Kickboard
• Junior Pull Buoy
• Fins (one pair long soft)
• Mesh Bag
• Water Bottle

 

ELIT 2

• Black ELIT swim cap
• Goggles
• Junior Kickboard
• Junior Pull Buoy
• Fins (one pair long soft)
• Mesh Bag
• Water Bottle
• Running Shoes
• Exercise Mat

 

ELIT 3

• Black ELIT swim cap
• Goggles
• Junior Kickboard
• Pull Buoy
• Fins (one pair long soft)
• Front-Mount Swim Snorkel
• Two Tennis Balls
• Jump Rope
• Mesh Bag
• Water Bottle
• Running Shoes
• Exercise Mat

Senior - ELIT 1 and 2 

• Black ELIT swim cap
• Goggles
• Kickboard
• Pull Buoy
• Fins/Zoomers (one pair of short blades and one long soft)
• Medical Bands and Stretch Cordz [a]
• Paddles [b]
• Parachute (square) [c]
• Front-Mount Swim Snorkel
• TempoTrainer
• Jump Rope
• Two Tennis Balls
• Mesh Bag
• Water Bottle
• Running Shoes
• Exercise Mat

Senior Groups Equipment Sizing:

[a] the resistance levels of the Medical bands and Stretch Cordz
[b] the size of the Paddles
[c] the Parachute size
will all be determined as soon as the swimmers are evaluated during their first couple of weeks in practice and communicated with parents by their coaches to purchase the right equipment levels.

7. Practice Behavior

Swimmers are encouraged to support their teammates at practices and during competitions. Working together is an important part of the “ELIT Spirit.” Swimmers are expected to follow the directions of the coaching staff, be respectful at all times, and may only leave practice with the coach’s permission.

Abusive language, lying, stealing, vandalism, or physical aggression will not be tolerated. Bullying of any kind will not be tolerated, and the appropriate actions will be taken according to the ElitSwim bullying action plan.

 

4. ELIT GROUP PLACEMENT PHILOSOPHY
 

ElitSwim coaches work toward a common goal of continuity and developmental progression. Each season, swimmers are evaluated for the best placement within our team structure and may be assigned to a different group as they age or evolve.

Swimmers will be assigned to groups based on their personal progress and chronological age for the upcoming season.  ELIT coaches are guided by our team’s Development Model, which defines our overall vision for the program and a systematic process of progression. Each group is working towards the mastery of specific skills and abilities that build on each other and pave the way toward our ultimate goal of creating “Champions in Life through Excellence in Swimming.”

To this end, we are looking to develop coachable, mature athletes who are knowledgeable about what it takes to succeed in the sport and then harness these attributes to deliberately strive for performance excellence. At the younger end of our program, we are more concerned about building an athletic mindset than we are about their performances in competition. As swimmers become older, we expect character driven results that reflect their efforts. 

Some of the many factors used to evaluate group placement include: Performance, Understanding, Engagement, Swim IQ, and Adaptability. These factors are weighed based on the priorities of development within each group that will allow the swimmer to develop and shine while continuing to progress at ElitSwim. Finding the appropriate group for each swimmer will allow for the greatest opportunities for growth, learning, and connection as they are immersed in an environment that will help them succeed.

We understand that group moves can introduce turbulence as they affect schedules, coach relationships, and peer groups. We will make an effort to help your families create new connections and support systems that widen your circle of friends within the team and allow for greater influence in leadership as you progress. As parents, you play a critical role in the culture of ElitSwim, so your investment in the connections with and support of families in your swimmer’s group, along with the support you give your child’s coach, is paramount to the overall success of the team. Your swimmer’s group is also your group, and these are the people who will be sharing and co-creating this experience with you. Please take care of each other as we dive further into this sport and the upcoming seasons together.

 

5. COMPETING FOR ELIT

1. ELIT’s Competition Philosophy

In preparing for your swimmer’s meets, the following are some fundamentals of competition that ElitSwim coaches stress.

• Each swimmer should compete with himself or herself. It is more beneficial to improve one’s time, technique, and mentality than to win a ribbon or medal.
• In addition to earning best times, the coaches praise swimmers for working on technique, racing strategies, preparation, and more. Swimmers may not improve their time when trying something new (i.e., flip turns, underwater dolphin kicks, etc.), but if a swimmer continues working the skill or technique, the time will improve more in the long run.
• Swimmers are taught to set realistic goals, and, as they get older, they are taught to relate performance in practice to their goal times.
• The coaching staff encourages age-group swimmers to compete in every event they are eligible for. This helps to promote versatility because swimmers are continuously switching best events as they grow, mature, and change body shapes and sizes.
• Sportsmanship is a MUST at ELIT. We expect all swimmers, parents, and coaches to respect officials, competitors, and the facilities we use. We also want swimmers to encourage and support their teammates.
• SUCCESS means improving one’s own, best self.

2. Competition Schedule

The competition schedule for each season is available on elitswim.org under the “Meets and Events” tab. Coaches will send emails to the families in each practice group with any updates or changes. If you have questions about which meets your child should attend, please contact your coach.

3. Entering Meets

ElitSwim families will enter meets through FastSwims or SwimConnection depending on the meet. Check the meet sheet on the Pacific Swimming website to see which platform they are using. If you need a more detailed guide on how to register, please see the “How to sign up for a meet” page of our website.

Once the deadline has passed or the meet is full, you will be unable to register or add more entries. Some meets close extremely quickly, within a few hours, so it is important to consistently check your email notifications from FastSwims.

To know which events to sign up for, have your swimmer bring a copy of the event list to practice before the meet registration opens. Your coach will discuss with the swimmer and decide what events would be best to swim. If your child is 8 and under, you may email the coach directly. 

4.  Types of Swim Meets 

USA Swimming puts out an updated spreadsheet of “motivational time standards” for each age group and event approximately every 4 years. These time standards are labeled from fastest to slowest as AAAA, AAA, AA, A, BB, B, and C. Many swim meet organizers will use these time standards as a guide to select which swimmers will qualify for their meets. Some meet organizers may even choose their own arbitrary time standards to judge qualification, and we call these “qualifying times”. 

Important Note: To swim in any meets that require qualifying times, swimmers must have previously achieved that time in a race. The time for their swim must be accessible in the USAS SWIMS3.0 database in order to qualify. It is not allowed to enter with an “estimated” or “made-up” entry time. Entering into these meets without the proper qualifying time will cause you to forfeit your entry fees, as there are no refunds.

C/B/BB+ or C/B/A Meets

These will include most meets that we attend throughout each season, as all swimmers are allowed to enter. You will see in the name of the meet or the meet sheet the indication “C/B/BB+”, which indicates the qualifying standard. This indication means that all time standards are welcome to enter.

B/BB+ Meets

These meets are less common and usually only seen towards the end of each season. You will see the indication “B/BB+” in the meet name or the meet sheet. This indicates that swimmers must have previously swam a “B time” or faster in order to enter that meet. Swimmers may only enter into races that they have achieved a “B time” or faster.

Other Qualifying Meets

There are many higher-level meets, including Zones, Sectionals, Junior Nationals, etc., that have their own qualifying standards in order to participate. Many of these meets will have the standards posted publicly on the USA Swimming or Pacific Swimming websites, and you can always find the standards posted in their meet sheets.

5. Swim Meet Procedures

1. Arrive at the pool 15–20 minutes prior to the scheduled warm-up time, and locate the ELIT team area where all team members sit. The team warm-up time will be indicated by your coach. You can also find this information in the “Meet Prep Sheet” found in the Parents Corner.
2. Warm-ups are always conducted by the ELIT coaching staff. It is very important for all swimmers to warm up with the team, as they are not allowed to warm up alone.
3. All ELIT swimmers are required to wear the ELIT team cap during both warmups and actual competition. Swimmers also are asked to wear their team t-shirts. All other team apparel is optional but encouraged to promote team unity and pride.
4. Each swimmer is responsible for knowing which events they are swimming in and for being on time to swim in his/her event. It is customary to write event numbers, heat, and lane assignments on a swimmer’s hand, arm, or leg. You can get that information by checking the Meet Mobile app or the physically posted assignments.
5. At the conclusion of each race, age 14 and under swimmers are expected to go immediately to their coach. 15 and over swimmers should warm down first, if possible, and then see their coach. The coach discusses the race with each swimmer individually and comments on stroke technique, time splits, and race strategy.
6. Manual timing is used at most meets in our zone. Each lane will have three volunteer timers that use a combination of stopwatches and “plungers,” and an average of these times is taken to record the final time. The timing and scorekeeping personnel analyze all times to determine the official times, which are then posted as final results.
7. According to USA Swimming rules, parents are not allowed in the immediate competition venue unless they are serving in an official capacity. Similarly, all questions concerning meet results, an officiating call, or the conduct of a meet should be referred to the ELIT coaching staff. They, in turn, will determine the best way to pursue the matter through the proper channels.
8. Between races, swimmers are asked to rest and stay warm. All energy should be stored up and used in competition. Stay hydrated and eat light, nutritious snacks as needed.
9. It is very important that the swimmers check with the coaching staff prior to leaving the swim meet, making certain that their swimmer has not been placed on a relay.

6.  What to Bring 

• Competition swimsuit
• Two team swim caps
• Two pairs of goggles 
• ELIT team t-shirt
• Parka or other warm clothing
• Two towels
• Old blanket or sleeping bag
• Quiet games or books
• Food—nutritious snacks
• Water bottle
• Folding chair 

Be sure to put your swimmer’s name on all belongings and equipment. Please do not hesitate to ask any veteran parent on the team for help or for information.

7.  Competition Apparel 

Our swimmers are encouraged and expected to wear an ELIT shirt or hoodie during team warmup stretches and throughout the duration of the meet. It is important to show team unity and spirit during competition. 

While warming up in the water or competing, ELIT swimmers are required to wear a black ELIT swim cap (unless otherwise stated by their coach). It is also recommended to wear an ELIT team swim suit.

When waiting behind the blocks for a race, swimmers should wear a parka or other warm clothing until the heat before their race. 

8.  Techsuit Policy 

Tech suits are very popular in California swimming. These are considered “high-performance” compression swim suits, intended to reduce the most drag on the swimmer. We believe that there is a time and a place to wear these types of suits, though not at regular meets. ELIT coaches do not recommend investing money into an expensive suit such as this until your athlete has reached a very high level of competition. If you are unsure whether or not it is the time to make this purchase, please reach out to your coach to discuss. 

There is a special policy regarding the use of tech suits for 12 and under athletes. Please refer to the information provided by USA Swimming.

 

6. CODE OF CONDUCT

 

This is a copy of the document you sign when you register with the team:

"As a member of the ElitSwim Club (ELIT), you agree to adhere to the following team policies and rules. ELIT reserves the right to discipline our athletes at any time. This may include but is not limited to probation, suspension, dismissal, etc. These policies are intended to promote a positive swimming environment for all our families.

SOCIAL MEDIA & COMMUNICATION-

ElitSwim Club recognizes the prevalence of electronic communication and social media in today's world. Our BOD(Board of Directors) members, employees, volunteers, coaches, and athletes have the responsibility to always represent our team and themselves in a positive manner. Inappropriate material found by anyone can and will affect the perception of the athlete and our team. 

Since our athletes use social media as their primary source of communication, the Club has established a policy for acceptable use of social media and electronic communication by our coaches and athletes. This policy is essential for ELIT to provide a safe and positive environment for all athletes, officials, parents, and coaches. 

All ELIT participants agree to be filmed and photographed by the host club's approved photographer(s) and videographer(s) and to grant the right to use names and pictures before, during, or after the meet, such as in public psych sheets, heat sheets, and results or featured on the host club or ELIT website or social media or in public broadcast of the event via television or webcast. 

Acceptable Use Policy:

Every ELIT athlete must exhibit ethical and responsible conduct in all online communications and activities and respect the rights and privacy of other ELIT, Pacific Swimming, and USA Swimming athletes, coaches, officials, and parents. ELIT prohibits cyberbullying or cyberstalking of any athlete, coach, or official by any means or method, including but not limited to the use of Texting, Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Group Messaging Apps, etc. Cyberbullying and Cyberstalking are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. 

Acceptable Communication Policy: 

All communications between a coach or other adult and an athlete must be professional in nature and for the purpose of communicating information about team activities. The content and intent of all electronic communications must adhere to the USA Swimming Code of Conduct regarding "Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP)"
 

For example, as with any communication with an athlete, electronic communication should not contain or relate to any of the following:  

• drugs or alcohol use
• sexually-oriented conversation; sexually explicit language; sexual activity
• the adult's personal life, social activities, relationship or family issues, or personal problems
• inappropriate or sexually explicit pictures
• Note: any communication concerning an athlete's personal life, social activities, relationship or family issues or personal problems must be transparent, accessible and professional. 

Coaches may have personal social media pages, but they are not permitted to have any athlete member of the Club join their personal page as a "friend." A coach should not accept any "friend" request from an athlete. In addition, the coach should remind the athlete that this is not permitted.  

The Club has official social media pages that athletes and their parents can "friend" for information and updates on team-related matters.  

Coaches are encouraged to set their pages to "private" in order to prevent athletes from accessing the coach's personal information. 

FAMILY CODE OF CONDUCT-

ElitSwim Club has established a Code of Conduct for our families. It is intended to help facilitate a nurturing environment for our swimmers and a supportive environment for our coaching staff. In extreme circumstances, families may be dismissed from the team for parent contact. 

As parents/guardians, it is absolutely essential to give our coaching staff the respect and authority they deserve in order to run their group. 

By working together in a partnership with them, our Club can successfully help your swimmer achieve their full potential. 

• Set the right example for our children by always showing respect and common courtesy to the team members, coaches, competitors, officials, parents, and for all facilities and other property used during practice or competition. 
• Understand that opposing teams, including their swimmers, coaches, and fans, want the same positive experiences for their swimmers as we do. Help ELIT achieve our goals by avoiding criticism either verbally or by gesture. Look for opportunities to build rapport with teams that we compete and work with. 
• Always maintain self-control.
• During competitions, questions or concerns regarding decisions made by a meet official are directed to a member of our coaching staff. Parents may address USA Swimming officials via the coaching staff ONLY.
• All parents agree to read, understand, and abide by the ElitSwim Club Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP) as posted on our website.
• Realize that swimmers become easily confused when coached by parents. Your unconditional love and support before and after races will help them best. 
• Any individual not registered with USA Swimming, Inc. through the ElitSwim Club is not permitted in the pool at any time or on the pool deck. In accordance with the governing body of USA Swimming, Inc., parents may observe practice from the designated areas. At no time are parents, siblings, or non-registered people allowed on the pool deck for liability reasons. Any siblings or guests must always have adult supervision and, in accordance with the governing body of USA Swimming, Inc., may observe practice from the designated areas. While performing their practices, the pool deck and any area behind our coaching staff must be clear of all patrons. Recognize ELIT coaches as professionals and allow them to coach your child without interference during workouts and meets. This includes ideally not being present on deck during practice. 
• The use of audio or visual recording devices, including phones and tablets, is not allowed in changing areas, behind the starting blocks, restrooms or locker rooms.
• Trust and support your swimmer's and coach's decisions around goal-setting, training commitments, swim event entries, and meet schedules. Do not impose your ambitions on your child and do not expect best times at every meet. 
• Support our coaches as they strive to do what is best for each ELIT swimmer. 
• Communicate any concerns you may have with your swimmer's coach or Head Coach in private. 

Important Reminders: 

• Parents/guardians are prohibited from contacting a meet director or entering a meet without the coach's consent. 
• Parents/guardians must refrain from taking pictures or videotaping at practices. 
• Photos/videos are prohibited by anyone other than a coach or hired professional for training purposes only.
• Know your role: Swimmers – Swim / Coaches – Coach / Officials – Officiate / Parents -Parent. 
• Do not coach your child at practice, during meets, or outside the pool. Help your children learn values and positive character traits that will sustain them throughout their lives. 
• Get involved....be an official, help time, and plan a group social. Find something you enjoy! 

SWIMMER CODE OF CONDUCT-

ElitSwim Club’s mission is to empower young people to be champions in life through excellence in swimming by continually working toward these four objectives:

1. Engage children and families for a lifetime of enjoyment in the sport of swimming
2. Develop collegiate opportunities for our young athletes
3. Inspire athletes of all ages to work toward ever-increasing levels of achievement
4. Lead others in the swimming community by being a model of excellence worth emulating

To be a part of ELIT, we expect our staff, coaches, swimmers, and family members to adhere to the expectations and code of conduct described in this document. Swimmers, parents/guardians (when the athlete is under the age of 18), and chaperones express their agreement to follow all ELIT policies at the time of registration with any ELIT program. Coaches and staff must comply with all ELIT policies as part of their employment agreement. 

• Any inappropriate use of cell phones, social media, or other devices is prohibited. The use of audio or visual recording devices, including phones and tablets, is not allowed in changing areas, behind the starting blocks, or in restrooms or locker rooms.
• Swimmers will not show any unsportsmanlike conduct towards other teams, parents, swimmers, or officials at any time.
• Disrespectful, indiscreet, or destructive behavior will not be tolerated. It is the responsibility of each swimmer to make every effort to avoid others engaging in these activities.
• Use of proper language is always expected.
• All athletes are expected to treat team members, coaches, staff, and competitors with respect, support, and kindness. These expectations apply to all forms of contact in communications, whether physical, verbal, written or electronic.
• Any bullying or allegations of bullying of any athlete will be investigated, and disciplinary action will be at the discretion of the ELIT staff and potentially the Pacific Swimming SafeSport Committee. 
• Any act of dishonesty or theft in connection with any swimmer will be investigated by the team, and appropriate actions taken.
• Athletes will use the team locker rooms for changing only and will abide by the policies listed in the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies. 
• If requested and at the discretion of the coach, videotaping that is destructive during practice and/or competitions will be restricted.
• Any non-consensual physical contact, obscene language or gesture, or other threatening language is not acceptable. 
• The consumption of alcohol, the use of tobacco, or use of any non-prescribed drugs or illegal substances of any kind will not be tolerated. 

In consideration of the membership in the ElitSwim Club(ELIT) swim program, we, the parents/guardians of the swimmer(s) participating hereby hold the team, its parent organization, and employees, free of harmless from any liability or damages they, or our swimmer(s) may incur as a result of our swimmer(s) participation in Team events and activities, including practice sessions, and we assume the Teams responsibility for the same. By signing this contract, we, the parents/guardians agreed to abide by the ElitSwim Club by-laws, Code of Conducts, team policies, and coaches' policies. Also as parents/guardians of the below swimmer(s) we agreed to the payment or swim fees, water fees and other chargers as described on our website or as amended by the ElitSwim Club Board of Directors."

 

7. ELIT POLICIES
 

All ElitSwim members must adhere to the following policies on the elitswim.org website in the Parent Corner/Resources section. Note that you must be logged in to your account to access these documents:

• Code of Conduct
• MAAPP2.0
• Travel Policy
• Safe Sport Policies 
• Bullying Action Plan
• Electronic Communications Policy
• Parent Volunteer Policy
• Leave of Absence/Account Suspension Policy

Violations of team policies posted on elitswim.org may result in suspension or termination of membership. These policies and releases have been created to ensure the safety of ElitSwim Club’s members and staff and promote the betterment of the organization.
 

Still have questions?

Ask your coach, or an experienced ELIT parent, or email any of the following departments. Thanks again for choosing ElitSwim, and welcome to the family!

Dues/Billing: Contact Us

Membership/Registration: Contact Us