Cleethorpes & District Swimming Club Competition Tips

 

 

 

  1. Eating pre race AM/PM-things to eat…

Leading up to competition is a crucial time for fuelling for maximum performance. During the normal training cycle your eating habits should be well balanced and healthy, remember your body is a highly trained machine ! You don’t put diesel fuel in jet engine ! Carbohydrates are crucial in the week leading up to competition. It is IMPERATIVE that sugars are avoided before the race as they only serve to give you a temporary high, which will result in a huge drop in performance and high levels of fatigue later on in the day. Instead of sweets such as jelly, Haribo etc snacks like sandwiches should be eaten.

 

  1. Eating post race

Again healthy food should be taken such as sandwiches.

 

  1. Clothing on poolside-keeping warm but not too warm

Clothing on poolside must be team kit at all times. Swimmers must try to coordinate the kit worn. Be sure to stay warm but maintain a steady temperature that is neither too hot nor too cold.

 

  1. Staying with the team

Swimmers must stay with the team at all times, think about how you would feel if you were swimming on your own. For a lot of swimmers it is the first experience of an Open Meet, so support from team-mates is crucial. Parents must understand that this is the case.

 

  1. Wearing club colours

The swimmers must wear a club t-shirt/tracksuit top at open meets this will make the team look more imposing & more like a TEAM.

 

  1. Wearing one cap per session-same caps

Every swimmer must wear a CASA or CADS swimming cap depending on meet. Unless they don’t wear one.

 

  1. Staying hydrated

I cannot stress how important it is to stay hydrated whilst at a meet like this. The poolside is a humid environment and you will need to have enough fluid to get you through the extended time you will be spending on poolside supporting your team-mates.

 

  1. Supporting your team mates

There is no excuse for not supporting every swimmer in your team. You will swim better and prepare better by having fun supporting your team-mates

 

  1. Knowing your race plan

You should have completed a race plan by now for all your races and should be thinking/visualising the environment and race, so when you get to the competition you know what to expect and are totally focused on swimming to your full potential.

 

  1. Saving energy while at the pool-no running up and down stairs

Parents must prepare their children properly by making lunch/healthy snacks and giving it to them to take on to the poolside, so to avoid excess energy usage by running/walking up and down stairs. Once on the poolside there should be no reason to go to the spectator area until the swimming is over. Take lunch on poolside so team stays together

 

  1. No pulling out of events at all-coach must be asked first

There will be no withdrawals from events during the meet. If you decide to withdraw from an event you will be withdrawn from your remaining races, and end the meet early. Withdrawals reflect badly on CADS and will not be tolerated. Coach is in charge of all entries and swimmers while on poolside. Parents or swimmers must not under any circumstances take coaching decisions.

 

  1. Mental preparation-knowing you will give 100%

Open meets are big events, make sure you get out of your race knowing there is nothing more you could have done.

 

  1. Having fun racing for medals

American swimmers have fun racing for medals, the challenge of swimming fast and racing against others should be taken up. There is no reason why you can’t have fun as well. If it works for them... Enjoy your meet; you are the best-prepared swimmers in the competition.

 

  1. Stretching/blood-flow as a team

A leader for the day will be chosen and they will be in charge of starting chants and taking regular blood-flow sessions during the meet. Everyone must do blood-flow it is professional and helps the team look like a real team.

 

  1. Heats and finals-attendance

Swimmers must get to the pool in good time to do blood-flow and stretching before the warm-up i.e. 15 minutes before the pool warm up starts.

 

  1. Keep coach informed of your whereabouts

Coach must be informed of your whereabouts at all times

 

  1. Positive thinking and behaviour at all times- no matter the result

Negative attitudes and behaviour must be avoided- Think “confidence is contagious, so is lack of confidence”

 

  1. Win the close finishes

If involved in a close finish make sure you go the extra mile to win it. That little bit extra comes from within, think “how much do I want to win?”

 

  1. Coping with nerves

It is important to have fun and enjoy racing, remember no matter what the result you will still wake up tomorrow ! You should look back through your logbook and take confidence from all the great work you have done. This is what you have been training for, don’t let this pass you by, go for it!

 

  1. Behaviour

While representing the club at any meet your behaviour should be professional and reflect positively on the club and yourselves.