These guidelines are to ensure you perform at your best during competitions.

We the MLC Marlins Swimming Team are one of the largest age group teams in the State. We must be organised and professional in our approach to competition.

The MLC Marlins needs to continue to raise the standard of how a team is organised during competitions.

PRIOR TO COMPETITION

Note the season's competition calendar

• Inform your coach as soon as possible of events that you may not be able to attend throughout the season.

Check goals of competition with coach

• Events and/or skills that you are currently working on.

Be aware of upcoming qualifying times and choose events accordingly

• Be aware of distance events (there may not be many opportunities to qualify for upcoming competitions), and of 50m events for selection in relay teams.

Enter a lot of events (Unless your coach informs you not to for tactical reasons)

• We are well trained athlete. and can cope with multiple events. If you're at the met, you may as well be swimming. More race practice the better. Be prepared for the length of the competition.

Get your entries to the club on time (or earlier)

• Don’t put race director Steve Messervy under pressure by putting your entries in late. Times and events can be updated.

Check on the desired preparation to the meet with your coach

• How many sessions and when you should swim them. Do not miss training for minor competitions.
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COMPETITION DAY

Prepare & Pack the night before

• Organise food & drink (food at pools is often expensive and has poor nutritional content - Hot chips, pies & sausage rolls are for coaches only).
• Ensure that you have packed spare goggles, swim suits, towels, warm cloths/shoes, skipping rope etc.
• Consider the competition and venue. Is the pool outdoors? Will you need water proofs, sun block, sun glasses?

Get to the pool early

• Arriving early ensures you can park close to the pool and get a seat with the team.
• Sit with the team; look for the banner and MLC Marlins coaches.
• Check the events that you have entered with the program.
• Inform the team manager or coach if there are any errors.

Be on pool deck 15 minutes prior to the start of warm up

• Use this time to stretch and discuss the warm up and events with coach.
• Wear the club uniform.
• Starting on time ensures good lane space for the team.
  

Warm up with the team; wear your MLC Marlins Swim Team Cap

• Other teams will not choose to warm up in the same lane as a large organised team.
• You benefit from being a part of The MLC Marlins Team. You should feel proud and confident.
• If you are not going to be there for the morning warm up tell your coach when you will be arriving.
• Check that the group warm up is suitable for you. Discuss any issues with your coach.

DURING THE COMPETITION

Discuss your competition plan with your coach prior to each event.

Take a spare pair of goggles, hat and costume with you to the blocks.

Wear warm clothes (footwear is a must), stay warm.

Have a pre race preparation plan

• How many events prior to your race do you go to marshalling?
• What stretching routine will you do?
• Where will you sit/stand?
• How will you prepare mentally?
• Will you skip/exercise to warm up?

Know your events and ensure you are in marshalling on time for your even

• Check that you know where the marshalling board is.
• Pay attention in marshalling, it is your responsibility to be behind the blocks for your event.

POST COMPETITION

Swim Down (after all events including your last event)

• Follow the swim-down plan practiced with your coach.
• Remember the shorter the event the longer the swim-down.
• It is vital that you teach your body to recover after competition.
• If you are required for a medal ceremony be aware of the procedure.
• Missing a medal ceremony, arriving late or not is uniform is very poor behaviour and shows disrespect to other swimmers, officials and the competition. In most cases your swim down will be shortened when you are required for a ceremony. Finish your swim down after the ceremony.
• Your body can take up to 36 hours to recover from a race if you do not swim down correctly.
• Recovery from competition cannot be practised in training!

Discuss your race with your coach

• "Crap" is not a way to describe your race. What was "crap", what was good? The time and placing is not the only results from a swim. Skills and performance are more important than times. What did you do well, what can you improve on?

Remember the reason why you race is to identify areas that need improvement.

• Do not miss the next day's training unless your coach informs you that training is cancelled. Don’t even bother to ask unless you have a really good reason!
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DURING THE MEET

Ensure you stay warm

• Wear the clothes and shoes that you packed.

Rest

• Don't run around like a lunatic.

Support other siwmmers

• Cheer.

Bring homework or other activities to keep you stimulated throughout the meet

• Talk to the team manager or your coach about finding a quiet area to do homework.

Stay Hydrated

• De-hydration is common during competitions. Water, sports drinks and diluted fruit juices (10% juice) are the best drinks.

Food

• Small amount of food should be eaten frequently. The food should be low in fat and protein. The carbohydrates should be a balance of low and high GI foods (some simple sugars and some complex carbohydrates).

Stay Focused

• Conduct yourself so that you swim at your best, remember what you are there for.
• If you are swimming poorly (times) concentrate on skills and or tactics. Pick an event and focus on a personal best in at least one event.

Dropping out of an event

• If you are leaving early or wish to drop out of an event you must speak to your coach.
• Under normal conditions dropping out of events is not acceptable, however your coach can authorise you pulling out of an event for a legitimate reason.
  

Behaviour

• As a MLC Marlin Team member you must follow the team's code of conduct. You are required to follow all competition and pool rules as well as showing respect to all officials and swimmers.
• Please support all MLC Marlin competitors and show good sportsmanship to all other competitors.

Have a great meet!
John Bladon - Head Coach