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If you've read my page on the history of swimming, you'll probably know that swim meets have been going on for hundreds of years. But you probably don't know the nitty gritty facts about them, which is why I have this page, as well as a sub-page on them. Below I've divided this topic into 3 sections where you can find the corresponding information. Also, if you want more information on this, you can visit the link below: http://www.usaswimming.org/ViewMiscArticle.aspx?TabId=1729&mid=4193&ItemId=3042
The Events
The first step of a meet is deciding what to swim. Most swimmers can chose what they want to swim based on their best events and skill, but many coaches also have a big say in what you swim. The swimmable events include:
Freestyle
-50 Freestyle
-100 Freestyle
-200 Freestyle
-500 Freestyle
-1000 Freestyle
-1650 Freestyle (aka the mile)
Backstroke
-100 Backstroke
-200 Backstroke
Breaststroke
-100 Breaststroke
-200 Breaststroke
Butterfly
-100 Butterfly
-200 Butterfly
Individual Medley
-200 IM
-400 IM
Any of these above events can be swum, but depending on your age, they can be much shorter. For example, when you're 12 years old and under, you can swim 50's of non-free (all strokes except for freestyle) too.
Best Times
The main goal of swimming, I guess you could say, is getting from one end of the pool to the other as fast as possible. Times are always calculated in hundredths of a second, and getting a best time means beating your previous best time (as the name implies). Now if you came here to learn how to get a best time, you're on your own there. No one can tell you how to swim fast, only you can. However, there are some tips that might help:
1. Listen to your coach. Always. It's their job to help you go faster, even if doesn't seem like it at times.
2. Give 110% effort at practices. It's easier said than done, but it's still true.
3. Work on your technique whenever possible. If you do it in practice, you'll probably do it in meets.
4. And most of all: Have fun! That's the whole point!
Meet Preperation
Have a big meet coming up? Click here to go to our meet preparation page!
The Events
The first step of a meet is deciding what to swim. Most swimmers can chose what they want to swim based on their best events and skill, but many coaches also have a big say in what you swim. The swimmable events include:
Freestyle
-50 Freestyle
-100 Freestyle
-200 Freestyle
-500 Freestyle
-1000 Freestyle
-1650 Freestyle (aka the mile)
Backstroke
-100 Backstroke
-200 Backstroke
Breaststroke
-100 Breaststroke
-200 Breaststroke
Butterfly
-100 Butterfly
-200 Butterfly
Individual Medley
-200 IM
-400 IM
Any of these above events can be swum, but depending on your age, they can be much shorter. For example, when you're 12 years old and under, you can swim 50's of non-free (all strokes except for freestyle) too.
Best Times
The main goal of swimming, I guess you could say, is getting from one end of the pool to the other as fast as possible. Times are always calculated in hundredths of a second, and getting a best time means beating your previous best time (as the name implies). Now if you came here to learn how to get a best time, you're on your own there. No one can tell you how to swim fast, only you can. However, there are some tips that might help:
1. Listen to your coach. Always. It's their job to help you go faster, even if doesn't seem like it at times.
2. Give 110% effort at practices. It's easier said than done, but it's still true.
3. Work on your technique whenever possible. If you do it in practice, you'll probably do it in meets.
4. And most of all: Have fun! That's the whole point!
Meet Preperation
Have a big meet coming up? Click here to go to our meet preparation page!