FAQ

  • Q: What should I know regarding nutrition?
    A:

    Here are some articles from USA Swimming on this subject: 

    Article:  Fluids-Water vs Sports Drink

    Article:  What should my child eat before practice?  At meets?
  • Q: Does sleep really affect performance?
    A:

    Adapted from materials provided by American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

    Case Study on five healthy students on the Stanford University men's and women's swimming teams.

    READ FULL ARTICLE


    Mah offers these tips to help athletes improve their performance by maximizing their sleep.

    • Make sleep a part of your regular training regimen.
    • Extend nightly sleep for several weeks to reduce your sleep debt before competition.
    • Maintain a low sleep debt by obtaining a sufficient amount of nightly sleep (seven to eight hours for adults, nine or more hours for teens and young adults).
    • Keep a regular sleep-wake schedule, going to bed and waking up at the same times every day.
  • Q: I am wondering if caffeinated energy drinks are bad for me. I drink at least two or three a day.
    A:

     If you find that you are drinking caffeinated drinks often to make up for lack of sleep or proper nutrition, then you are asking for an eventual crash and burn.    
    Read Full Article      (Article from Statesman Journal)

     
  • Q: What training or physiological principles are accounted for in developing training plans?
    A:

    Crawfish Aquatics subscribes to the Multi-Year Comprehensive Training Development for Swimming.  This program method incorporates a number of basic training principles and takes individual differences in age and ability into account.  Read more about the training principles that are used or adapted for the creation of daily, weekly, quarterly, yearly, and swimming career plans HERE.
  • Q: As a new swimming parent, what should I expect at a swim meet?
    A:



    Swim Meet Etiquette

    Document outlining Swim Meet Process
  • Q: When is my child ready for competition?
    A:

    (referenced from USA Swimming website)
    That is a difficult question, as research on athlete development provides no clear-cut answer. In an article by Passer (1988) addressing this question, he reviewed several areas of development in attempting to provide guidelines on determining readiness for competition:

    Motivational readiness:  Because competition is a social comparison process, the young athlete is motivated to compete when he or she possesses a social comparison orientation. Research suggests that around the age of 5-7 kids have the desire for and ability to use social comparison information.

    Cognitive readiness: Competition requires numerous cognitive and reasoning skills (i.e., perspective taking, differentiating between effort and ability) that take some time to develop in youngsters. Researchers suggest that kids do not develop the cognitive abilities to have an understanding of the competitive process until approximately age 12.

    Physical growth, physiological capacity, and development: These factors must also be considered when trying to decide readiness for competition.
  • Q: What is a state time?
    A:

    Each individual event for each age group has a qualifying time that must be achieved for a swimmer to swim that event in the Louisiana State Championships.  The qualifying times are posted on our website, the Bulletin Boards located on our pool deck and on the Louisiana Swimming website. 

    For each event a swimmer qualifies in he/she receives a bonus event on a 1:1 ratio, up to 3 bonus events. To qualify as a bonus event the swimmers’ time in that event must be a “BB” time standard.
  • Q: What is a stroke disqualification?
    A:

    The four competitive strokes are freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.  The technical rules of swimming are designed to provide fair and equitable conditions of competition and to promote uniformity in the sport.  Each swimming stroke has specific rules designed to ensure that no swimmer gets an unfair competitive advantage over another swimmer.

    Trained officials observe the swimmers during each event to ensure compliance with these technical rules. If a swimmer commits an infraction of the rules that is observed by an official, a disqualification (DQ) will result. This means that the swimmer will not receive an official time and will not be eligible for an award in that event.  A disqualification may result from actions such as not getting to the starting blocks on time, false starting, and performing strokes in an illegal manner, or unsportsman­like conduct.  DQs are also a result of technical rules violations.   A supportive attitude on the part of the official, coach, and parent can make a positive situation out of the disqualification.  Learn More.
  • Q: How is my child’s age determined for a swim meet?
    A:

    According to USA Swimming, a child’s age is determined by his/her age at the start/first day of the meet. The different age groups are 10 & Under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, and 17-18. Also, at some meets there are separate 8 & under divisions offered.
  • Q: How does my child sign-up for a swim meet?
    A:

    All children in the year-round competitive groups are automatically entered in swim meets. The exception for this rule is team travel trips (out of state meets, typically each January and May/June). 

    For each meet there is a sign-up sheet for swim school swimmers who would like to participate on the meets bulletin board. This bulletin board is located on the gym end of the pool. You can also email the office to enter a meet.
  • Q: What is the difference between short course and long course?
    A:

    USA swimming recognizes three pool distances for competition, 25-yard short course, 25-meter short course and 50-meter long course. Crawfish Aquatics typically competes in 25 yard short course (75 feet) and 50 meter long course (164 feet) meets. 

    In the United States, short course is known as 25 yards and long course is known as 50 meters. The short course season lasts from September through March while the long course season lasts from April-August.  Meets held during these seasons are usually held in the appropriate course, however there are some short course meets held during long course season. Although the distance of contested events is similar from short course to long course, there is a large difference in the actual distances swum. For every 100 meters swum, the swimmer actually covers 110 yards. Therefore there is a significant difference in a 100-yard time and a 100-meter time.
  • Q: What about National Age Group Time Standards?
    A:
    “Top 16 Time Standards”- Time standards derived from the 16th fastest time in each event plus
    5% increments at each level. Standards are broken down by age and sex with B, BB, A, AA,
    AAA and AAAA divisions. 

    The “A” time standard is typically the designated time standard for qualifying for state
    competition in Louisiana although some age groups are adjusted base on the “A” standard.

    Links to Time Standards can be found here.
  • Q: How often are swim meets offered?
    A:

    Crawfish Aquatics usually participates in 1 meet per month. We try to host as many meets as possible to give everyone an opportunity to compete. We typically have two team travel trips each year- one in January and one in late May/early June, with additional travel within Louisiana and surrounding areas as scheduled.
  • Q: Why does it seem that my child’s swimming is so inconsistent? One meet she drops 5 seconds a swim and the next meet she adds time? In addition the coach keeps telling her that her times are not the most important thing, it’s how you swim the race.
    A:

    (from the USA Swimming Website, Parent Resource Section.  For more great info from USA Swimming, click HERE)

    Times at this stage are not a true indication of your daughter’s abilities. In fact, it is not unusual for your daughter’s times to fluctuate as she learns to maintain proper technique.

    Perhaps your child’s coach has asked her to maintain a certain number of strokes per length and she accomplished that goal. Although the time was not what you expected, this is an outcome while the coach is focusing on the process of swimming efficiently. Be patient and supportive during this developmental stage of your child’s career. Times will improve once your child is more consistent with her technique.
  • Q: How do you determine group placement?
    A:

    All swimmers are assigned to a group based on their age, ability and skill level.  Our coaches do their best to place swimmers in appropriate groups for their continued improvement both physically and emotionally in our program.  Currently, Crawfish Aquatics offers 4 “levels” within the Year Round Competitive groups and 4 “levels” within the Seasonal Swim Team, Swim School.

    Yellow Group-  ages 7-12 (at times an 8 year old may go in this group; must advance beyond swim school)
    White Group-  ages 10-12  (at times, 13 year olds will remain in this group through a season, etc.) 
    Red Group-   ages 13-18  (new to CRAW or some moving from other CRAW programs)
    Blue Group-  ages 13-18  (most advanced group; some White group swimmers will advance straight to Blue group)

    Swim School Beginner 8 & U   (meeting the initial starting level of 25 yds free and back)
    Swim School Experienced 8 & U (mostly 7-8 with swim team experience; beginner 9-10s begin in this group)
    Swim School Beginner 9-14   (meeting the initial starting level of 25 yds free and back)
    Swim School Experienced 9-14 (mostly 11-14 with swim team experience; training components in this group)
  • Q: How do you plan for the varying ages and skill levels within the program?
    A:

    Crawfish Aquatics Athlete Development Plan

    Crawfish Aquatics subscribes to the Multi-Year Comprehensive Training Development for Swimming philosophy. This Development Plan incorporates a number of basic training principles and takes individual differences in age and ability into account. The multi-year approach is the reason we offer the different groups of Swim School, Yellow, White, Red, and Blue. 

    Children are encouraged to begin at the lowest group possible with age as the major factor and progress to a higher group as stroke technique and physical fitness improve.  Different emphasis and instructional patterns are established for the groups so there is a progression from one group to a higher group.  The program structure is designed to correspond with the normal development of children from basic motor skill learning to elite performance of swimming skills.

    For development of swimmers there are several physiological or training principles that are used or adapted for the creation of daily, weekly, quarterly, yearly, and swimming career plans. Athletes progress from their starting group to the next higher training group based on age, stroke technique development and most importantly, coaches consultation. 

    Crawfish Aquatics strives to maintain a consistent coaching staff with group coaches responsible over a specific group. Athletes are able to progress to the next highest training group with their current group coach’s recommendation and approval. Progression in the program is based on stroke technique and the child’s ability and maturity to handle the goals and objectives of the next highest group. 
  • Q: With several programs under the CA umbrella, what are the priorities of the organization?
    A:

    Our mission is to provide Lafayette and the surrounding area competitive and recreational swimming for children and adults of all ages.  Through USA Swimming, Masters Swimming, High School Swimming and our Learn to Swim program, Crawfish Aquatics seeks to provide a healthy, positive, enriching atmosphere for its membership to compete, train or participate at any level. 

    To fulfill our mission, we seek to staff the most qualified coaches and personnel available, to provide a clean, safe facility and to teach and educate our membership on the benefits and attributes that are learned through swimming.

    Our goals include:

    1. Offering a quality swim program unified by integrity, overall development and fulfillment of potential. 
    2. Presenting a positive activity for people from ages 3 through the senior years. 
    3. Allowing swimming opportunities for everyone regardless of ability level.
    4. Maintaining programming in aquatic exercise and education for specific target audiences. 
    5. Promote team work, respect for individuals and the importance of working together towards common goals.
    6. Evaluating each program yearly, seeking to add components that increase success.
    7. Utilizing personnel from all four programs to compliment the total program by drawing on a wealth of swimming knowledge for ideas and planning.
    8. Generate sufficient income to employ experienced staff members, meet the pool rental and upkeep fees (heating, electricity, chemicals), offer modern equipment and cover operating costs.
  • Q: What is the difference between swim school (seasonal team) and the year round competitive groups? Isn't Swim School offered all year also?
    A:
    Swim school is a program offered twice per week, or a four-day per week option. These groups focus on stroke development, building on basic swimming skills, and progressing to more advanced stroke skills throughout the semester. This is a great program for kids coming right out of summer league swimming. Swim School is offered in semesters in the Fall, Spring, and Summer and is a full swim team program with competitive opportunities.  Learn More

    Our year round competitive group practices are offered 5-6 days per week (recommended 3-4 days per week attendance for 12 and under; older swimmers determined with coach). These groups are focused on advanced stroke technique development, increased focus on training and competition skills. Evaluation by coaches is required prior to joining this group.   Learn More
  • Q: What comes with USA Swim registration?
    A:

    It covers insurance for all practices and swim meets that Crawfish Aquatics participates in.  It also allows swimmers to participate in USA Swimming Sanctioned meets.  Also, swimmers receive Splash magazine, the official publication of USA Swimming.  This monthly publication has articles about all aspects of swimming including training and nutrition and loads of other information for everyone involved in USA Swimming.
  • Q: How do I get up to speed on "swimming lingo"?
    A:

    Swimming is definitely a unique sport...right down to the terms and words that "our world" uses constantly.  Here is a glossary of some commonly used words that will be helpful to people new to the swimming world.  GLOSSARY
  • Q: Are there guidelines regarding competitive suits for younger swimmers?
    A:

    New USA Swimming technical rule, effective May 15 2009-   for 12 & Under swimmers, suits worn in competition may not cover the neck or extend beyond the shoulder or knee.   Read More

     Great Perspective on Age Groupers & Tech Suits-  HERE
read more... Melissa Pesacreta
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