Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Expected of Parents/Volunteers?

Without our Parent Volunteers we would be unable to have a Dolphins Swim Team. At least one parent from each family is expected to volunteer to help run the Swim Meet. This can be as a timer, bull-pen organizer, ribbon-writer, concessions helper or any number of other positions. If you can’t help at the meets, parents can get involved in other ways. (Refer to our Volunteer Sheet). Like most team sports, without our Parent Volunteers, there can be no Team!!!!

What should Parents Expect from Coach?

Parents can expect a Coach who is willing to work with the swimmers to improve their swimming skills and provide a safe and fun environment for everyone.

Should kids know how to swim before they join the team?

All swimmers must be able to swim one length of the pool unassisted to be a member of the swim team. Mandatory evaluations will be given to 5/6 year olds on the first day of practice. For those swimmers who are not yet able to swim the length of the pool and need additional work to prepare to join the swim team, we hope to offer both private and group lessons. Information will be posted as it becomes available.

We welcome all skill levels of swimming. We would like our swimmers to have had some experience in the water and many kids are able to swim freestyle at various skill levels. We also understand that for many kids this may be their first experience with any type of competitive-like swimming. If a child has limited swimming skills, the Coach should be made aware of this. The Coach can then handle practices more effectively.

Will you teach kids how to swim the four basic strokes?

Yes, once a child is able to swim the length of a pool. One of the principal missions of the Chattanooga Fun League is to be instructional. Our goal is for all our swimmers to learn the four basic competitive strokes---freestyle, butterfly (fly), backstroke and breaststroke.

Should swimmers know all the Strokes before they join the team?

No. The mission of the Fun League is to introduce and instruct our swimmers in the various strokes and to improve upon individual skills so that they are able to compete in the meets.

Should they know how to Dive?

No. We will teach our swimmers how to dive. The Coach will also teach swimmers the difference between diving and racing starts.

Should they know how to Turn/Flip?

No. As a young, inexperienced swimmer progresses, the Coach will teach swimmers how to turn or flip underwater. However, older swimmers will want to learn and use flip turns for the meet races.

Disqualification

What is a Disqualification (D/Q)?------------

How are you Disqualified?- Generally, touching the bottom of the pool, using the incorrect kick, touching the wall with not enough hands, too many false starts and gross errors in strokes or techniques (to be determined by the stroke judge).

For Freestyle?

a. When swimming-Need to Touch Wall with only – 1 Hand

*** (All swimmers should learn to touch the wall HIGH-so Timers can see you touch the Wall. This sometimes can shave a second or two off swimmers time)

b. D/Q’d- Touching the bottom of the pool while swimming.

c. Swimmers must execute a Flip-Turn in 50m races.

For Backstroke?

a. When swimming-Need to Touch Wall with 1 Hand on your Back (No flipping over on stomach to touch wall)

***Unlike in the other strokes, there are absolutley no 50m backstroke races. No turns will be required.

b. D/Q’d-Touching the bottom of the pool while swimming, using any other kick besides flutter kick.

For Butterfly?

a. When Swimming-Need to Touch Wall with 2 Hands at the same time

*** (Remember – Touch the wall HIGH)

b. D/Q’d-Touching the bottom of the pool while swimming, using a flutter kick, having feet too far apart while swimming. (Swimmers must do the dolphin kick-- Legs must be together for a stroke in one, single motion).

c. Swimmers need to touch the wall with 2 Hands at the same time in order for the time to count and not be disqualified.

***This is the most common reason for a swimmer to be D/Q'd

For Breaststroke?

a. When Swimming-Need to Touch Wall with 2 Hands at the same time

*** (Remember – Touch the wall HIGH)

b. D/Q’d-Touching the bottom of the pool while swimming, using any other kick besides frog kick, too many pulls or kicks underwater at the beginning of the race, not touching with 2 hands at the same time.

c. Swimmers are only allowed 1 pull and 1 kick under water before they must come up. Swimmer may not swim the length of pool underwater. Swimmers are only allowed 1 full pull and 1 kick –then must break the surface of the water.

What are the finger & arm positions for these strokes?

Fingers should always be closed and cupped--- like paddle-hands.

Can you stay underwater for the length of the pool for any stroke?

No! The Stroke Judge will most likely disqualify the swimmer for swimming underwater the entire length of pool.

When must you come up?

a. Freestyle-When the swimmer feels like he might need air.

b. Butterfly-whenever the swimmer feels like he might need air.

c. Backstroke-swimmers have the ability to breathe normally.

d. Breaststroke-every stroke!

What D/Q’s on starts?

2 False Starts.

What is a False Start?

a. Starting before the buzzer starts.

b. Swimmers should not have head turned, watching the starter. Swimmers should practice focusing at the pool space and water in front of them and listening for the sound of the buzzer at their side. This will result in a faster start time for the swimmer.

Are there other ways to be D/Q’d?

Swimmers can be D/Q’d (disqualified) by touching the bottom of the pool, touching the wall with only one hand when the swimmer needs to touch with two.

Can Six & Unders (with Kick-Boards) be D/Q’d?

YES!—However, Kick-Board events do NOT count toward competition scores - only freestyle and relay events.

How can they be D/Q’d?

a. When a young, inexperienced swimmer is being spotted by a swim buddy in the pool, they can be D/Q’d if they touch the buddy or if the buddy assists the swimmer in any way or if the swimmer does not finish the race by swimming to the wall and/or gets out of the pool.

b. Touching the bottom of the pool.

We hope with this Q & A, we have answered some of your concerns about swimming with the Dolphins at Mountain Shadows and the Chattanooga Area Fun League. The Coaches and volunteers look forward to a wonderful, fun-filled & successful swim season. If you have additional questions, please contact your Coach or Team Manager.

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