RELAY Q AND A (about the new policy)

As you already know, we have always made relays “optional” when signing up for meets.  This is creating a great deal of stress for me.  When I enter people into a meet, I have an option in meet manager to pick relays.  At that point all eligible swimmers appear on the screen and I have to sift through papers to determine which swimmers are interested in relays and it becomes especially complicated when the meet is two or more days long.  I have, on occasion, only had three swimmers and not been able to put a relay together.  This is especially important for new swimmers because they want to be part of a TEAM and gain relay experience.  It is also important to coaches and swimmers that want to win a high point meet such as conference or the FAST fall frenzy. Practicing relays with your TEAM during the season helps the swimmers gain valuable experience.

Q:  What does this mean for you as a parent? 

A:  It means that your child may or may not be placed on a relay but I have the option, with out your permission, to place your swimmer on at least one or more of the relays. 

Q:  Does this mean that your child will, with out a doubt, be on a relay? 

A:  No, it does not mean they will automatically be placed on a relay but it will allow me to focus on who is being placed in the relay vs. “Who signed up to be placed on a relay?” and potentially miss someone.

Q:  Will I be responsible for paying for my child to be on the relay? 

A:  Yes, this will be your responsibility.  One relay will cost you around $2.50.

Q:  What if you sign my child up for a relay and we have prior commitments?

A:  It will be your responsibility to find another swimmer to replace your child.  If the relay has to forfeit because your  swimmer is not present, you will be responsible for paying for the entire relay, which is $10.00.

Q:  How can you make me pay for something I didn’t sign up for?

A:  Let me remind you that this is a TEAM.  Swimming is a very individual sport and that is why relays are so important.  Relays bring the swimmers together to form a team and can help facilitate bonding between swimmers, trust, responsibility, and experience.  If you were to look at the surrounding teams, they have the same requirement.

Q:  How do you decide who gets put on the relay?

A:  This can be a very challenging job for me and sometimes not fun.  I want all swimmers to experience what being on a relay is like.  I will fist look to see how many swimmers we have signed up for the meet first.  If I only have 5 of that age group, I will try to let all 5 be able to be a part of a relay between the Medley or the Free Relay.  I also have to think about what type of meet we are competing in.  In meets like conference, I will most likely choose the relay to go something like this:  Relay A:  Will be the top 4 swimmers, Relay B: Next top 4 swimmers, etc.

Q:  What if my child is done and we don’t want to wait around for the last relay?  Can I let you know ahead of time to not put them in a certain relay?

A:  This is getting back to the beginning where it gets really complicated when I go to create the relays.  If I have Susie Swimmer who is competing in a Friday and Saturday meet but needs to leave early on Friday and then I have John swimmer who is only competing on Friday but can do both relays, and then Zoie swimmer who can’t stay late on either days because she has prior commitments.  Sometimes I want to throw the papers up in the air and say, “WHO IS SWIMMING?”

I understand your child my be done and you not wanting to wait around for the last relay, but let me remind you again that this is a TEAM and I have to put the team first.  I would hope that you will support me in this decision and think the same about our team.

I am sure there will be questions, more than I have covered.  If you have a question, please e mail me.  Please do not ask me during practice.  Thanks for your caring in my sanity and in the direction of our swim team.

-Coach Christy