Virtual Swim Meets

Last updated on February 2nd, 2024 at 11:38 am

A swim meet concept that’s quickly gaining popularity is the Virtual Swim Meet. This type of meet allows teams to compete against each other but swim locally. How? Meet administrators combined the results. USA Swimming clubs may compete against teams in their own or a different Local Swim Committee (LSC). Virtual swim meets work great for geographically isolated teams. They also work for teams trying to limit the exposure of athletes to large social circles for health or other reasons. For more on small meets, see the series: Small Swim Meets.

The information below and in the Small Swim Meets series could apply to either sanctioned or non-sanctioned swim meets for USA Swimming or other organizations.

• HGM Tip: Be sure you’ll have insurance coverage before offering a non-sanctioned meet.

USA Swimming Virtual Meets

The following information about virtual meets was gleaned from USA Swimming. Links to tips from HostGreatMeets.com and the USA Swimming rule book are added to make it easier for you to put together a virtual swim meet.

Single Meet

The competition must be held as a single meet. However, it may have multiple sessions.

May be Inter-squad or Multi-Team

A single team may swim a virtual meet. To do so, hold an inter-squad competition with different parts of the team at different sites. Or, more than one team may compete against each other. Do this type of virtual swim meet by holding meets at different sites.

Host Team Responsibilities

If a USA Swimming Virtual Swim Meet Runs Within the SAME LSC

For multiple team competitions, USA Swimming recommends having a meet host. Host responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

1. Development of meet announcement
2. Order of events
3. Fee structure, if applicable
4. Application for sanction
5. Pre-meet registration recon submission according to LSC policy
6. The merging of the meet for scoring and awards, if applicable
7. Submission of any fees according to LSC policy
8. Submit file for uploading to SWIMS after merging and scoring/placing
9. For USA Swimming’s Official Tracking System (OTS), identify administrators from each site to enter official sessions

If a USA Swimming Virtual Swim Meet Runs Within MULTIPLE LSCs

For virtual meets run in multiple LSCs, USA Swimming recommends having a meet host. Host responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

1. Development of meet announcement
2. Order of events
3. Fee structure, if applicable
4. The merging of the meet for scoring and awards, if applicable
5. Submit file for uploading to SWIMS after merging and scoring/placing

Each LSC site is then responsible for the following, which include but are not limited to:

1. Application for sanction
2. Fee structure, if applicable
3. Pre-meet registration recon submission according to LSC policy
4. Submission of any fees according to LSC policy
5. For USA Swimming’s Official Tracking System (OTS), identify administrators from each site to enter official sessions

USA Swimming Rules

USA Swimming technical rules apply if the meet is USA Swimming sanctioned. They include, but are not limited to the following.

Timing

Timing (102.24 in the USA Swimming Rulebook)

Officials

Officials at each site shall conform to 102.10 in the rulebook. USA Swimming provided additional clarification about minimal staffing here.

Entry Limits

Swimmers may swim not more than three (3) events per day in a preliminaries and finals meet. Or, no more than six (6) events each day in a timed final meet. This is to comply with rule 102.2.2 and 3 in the rulebook.

Technical and Administrative Rules of Competition Do Not Change

As noted above, Technical and Administrative Rule of Competition DO NOT change and must be followed by each site. These include but are not limited to:

1. All USA Swimming technical, administrative, and membership rules apply at all sanctioned and approved meets, including virtual swim meets.
2. MAAPP policy remains in effect for all activities and interactions.
3. Number and type of required certified officials remain the same.
4. Timing system requirements remain the same.
5. Membership requirements remain the same.

Software Set-up and Results Guidelines

See detailed guidelines in the USA Swimming Virtual Meets document by clicking button. To learn more about setting up and running a meet using Meet Manager, see Course to SELF-Teach Meet Manager.

Summary

Traditional swim meets give athletes the opportunity to race others. The virtual meet limits the field of racing competition over most “in-person” meets. However, there are situations where it provides an expanded competition opportunity. For example, it may work well for geographically isolated teams. It also effectively limits social circles for athletes and others, when needed.

If you’re preparing for a swim meet, check out The Ultimate Swim Meet To-Do List. Then, get a bird’s eye view of Who does What at Swim Meets and easy to follow links to related information. Perhaps you’re looking to host a small, simple, no-frills meet? If so, you might prefer these lists created for high school dual and other developmental swim meets.

Need more help? See the series 20+ Ways to Get Swim Meet Timers and the post Officials: 20+ Ways to Get them for Swim Meets.

Also, discover a few quick and simple things you can do to effectively Increase Safety at Swim Meets.