2-Hour Local, Practice-time Swim Meet

Last updated on November 11th, 2023 at 04:54 pm

Many attend traditional weekend swim meets. However, more and more teams are discovering the value of the 2-hour local, practice-time meet. Athletes benefit from the added meet opportunities they provide. Additionally, a swim meet held during regular practice time is already part of the swimmer’s (and driving parent’s) weekly routine. This can increase the likelihood of attendance. Hosting a meet at the swimmer’s home pool also gives newer and younger swimmers (and their parents) a chance to learn how to “do” swim meets in a less intimidating environment. Since practice-time meets are over quicker than traditional meets, parents like the reduced time-commitment and close drive. Teams can also benefit from practice-time meets as the pool is already reserved and often paid for! Local, practice time meets not only help newer parents and swimmers transition into the sport. They also provide needed race experience and times for experienced athletes too.

This post is part of a series that shares ideas on hosting successful small swim meets. The focus is on helping hosts overcome challenges unique to smaller meets. For more, see Small Swim Meets

Facility

One of the biggest benefits of the local, practice-time swim meet is that you already have access to a facility. However, before publicizing your meet, be sure to get approval from facility staff to hold a meet during practice time.

Intrasquad or Multi-Team?

It’s your choice! But make sure the facility is alright with your game plan and that you have sufficient resources to host the type of meet your plan. See Small Swim Meets: Ideas on Designing for more information.

Resources for New Swimmers and Parents

Looking for an easy way to get information about swim meets to new athletes and parents? Check out the Swim Meet Survival Guide For Newbies and First Swim Meet? Tips and What to Take. Swim teams may opt to share links to these posts or download the WORD files, modify them, and then distribute that.

Overcoming Obstacles to Local, Practice-time Swim Meets

Worried about reducing available time for practice?

The Head Coach can select appropriate dates and frequency of practice-time meets so as not to negatively impact the team training schedule. Another option is to consider dividing the pool. By so doing, you could host a small meet in a few lanes for some practice groups and a workout in the remaining lane(s) for any non-competing group(s).

How can we get meet workers during traditional work hours?

Wondering how to get officials during traditional work hours?

  • Encourage team parents to become officials, especially those with flexible or non-traditional working hours
  • Partner with and invite another local team that has available officials
  • Offer a gift card or some other “thank you” to participating officials
  • Personally talk with officials and invite them to work the meet — especially if officials from other clubs or teams are needed.  Offer a gasoline gift card if travel is an issue.
  • Officials from outside the club might more willing to work if they know new officials or trainees from your team will be there too.  This shows that the host team is addressing the problem of too few officials.

Don’t have experience setting up a meet like this?

In order to fit a meet into practice time, the number of events and athletes will differ from traditional meets.  New practice-time meet hosts may not have a meet announcement or event list, to reference when establishing a meet format. The examples below may help. Additionally, Small Swim Meets: Ideas on Designing links to several different swim meet plans you could run during practice time. Looking for a meet plan to accommodate a few athletes? Several of the plans linked in that post are for 50 or fewer athletes.

Two Examples of USA Swimming Sanctioned Practice-time Meets

150 Athletes — 2 Hours and 15 minutes

About 150 athletes ages 5-18 competed in 7 lanes.  Meet running time (start to finish — not including warm-ups) was about 2 hours 15 min.

171 Athletes — 2 Hours

171 athletes ages 5-18 competed in 7 lanes.  Meet running time (start to finish — not including warm-ups) was under 2 hours. 

Virtual Meets Give Added Opportunities

Want to expand a smaller, local meet and give athletes the chance to see how they line up with other competitors? Consider running a virtual meet. This type of swim meet allows teams to compete against each other but swim locally. A virtual meet can work for both USA Swimming sanctioned or non-sanctioned swim meets. But is not limited to only USA Swimming clubs. Anyone can run a virtual meet format if desired.

Summary

The 2-hour local, practice-time swim meet has a lot to offer to swimmers, parents, and teams. The short time-space and driving distance promote not only attendance by all but also help newer swimmers and parents transition into the sport. Teams often benefit because the pool is already reserved and often paid for. Teams hosting 2-3 practice time meets can offer athletes a variety of events. Those who develop a meet hosting culture can regularly host local, practice-time meets in stride. As a result, the swimmers, team, and parents all benefit!


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. Both include easy-to-follow links to related information. Doing a smaller, simpler meet? Host a High School or Developmental Swim Meet will help.

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


Also, discover a few things you can do to Increase Safety at Swim Meets. Find ideas to implement before your meet as well as last-minute quick and easy tips!

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