ALLEGHENY MOUNTAIN SWIMMING OPERATING PROCEDURES
Including Rules & Regulations Policies & Procedures
April 2017
ALLEGHENY MOUNTAIN SWIMMING, INC. OPERATING PROCEDURES TABLE OF CONTENTS PART ONE - GENERAL A.
Jurisdiction ..................................................................................................1
B.
Membership Classifications ..........................................................................1
C.
Registration ................................................................................................2 PART TWO - SWIM MEET ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT
A.
Approved Meet ...........................................................................................4
B.
Meet Sponsor Agreement ...........................................................................4
C.
Sanction .......................................................................................................4
D.
Meet Invitation ............................................................................................5
E.
Entry Deadline and Limits .........................................................................6
F.
Event Participation ......................................................................................6
G.
Entry Fees ..................................................................................................6
H.
Master Entry Forms ...................................................................................7
I.
Heat Sheets ..................................................................................................7
J.
Qualifying Times (Proof of Times) ...........................................................7
K.
Time Trials ..................................................................................................8
L.
Age Group Criteria .....................................................................................8
M.
Starting Times and Mandatory Warm-up Procedures ................................8
N.
In Meet Rules of Conduct .........................................................................11
O.
Clerk of Course, Seeding and Lane Assignments .....................................12
P.
Scratch Rule .............................................................................................13
Q.
Officials and Officiating ......................................................................... 15
R.
Timing Equipment and Use of AMS Computer ......................................16
S.
Official Time Determination and Timing Guidelines ...............................16
T.
Award Guidelines .....................................................................................17
U.
Results .......................................................................................................18
V.
Meet Summary ..........................................................................................18
April 2017
PART THREE - DEVELOPMENTAL MEET PROGRAM A.
Developmental Program Eligibility .......................................................... 19
B.
Entry Fees ................................................................................................. 20
C.
Awards ...................................................................................................... 20
D.
Results ....................................................................................................... 20
E.
Meet Summary .......................................................................................... 20 PART FOUR - INTERCLUB MEETS
A.
Rules Governing Interclub Meets.............................................................. 21 PART FIVE - MISCELLANEOUS
A.
AMS Travel Teams ................................................................................... 22
B.
Swim-A-Thon ........................................................................................... 24
C.
Safety ........................................................................................................ 24
D.
National Reportable Times and AMS Records ......................................... 25
E.
Request for Funds from AMS Treasurer ................................................... 26
F.
Directory of Clubs ..................................................................................... 26
G.
Fines ........................................................................................................ 26
H.
Swimmer of the Year Awards ................................................................... 26
April 2017
ALLEGHENY MOUNTAIN SWIMMING, INC. OPERATING PROCEDURES PART ONE - GENERAL
A. JURISDICTION: In all cases, current USA SWIMMING Rules and Regulations shall govern. Allegheny Mountain Swimming, Inc. (“AMS”) Operating Procedures shall apply as permitted by USA SWIMMING and in situations not addressed by USA SWIMMING. They shall also set forth local policy and procedures for compliance with USA SWIMMING and AMS rules. All defined terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the currently applicable USA SWIMMING Rules and Regulations. B. MEMBERSHIP CLASSIFICATIONS: 1. CLUB: Open to those who have joined AMS and USA SWIMMING and have athletes and coaches, all of whom are members in good standing of AMS and USA SWIMMING and whose coaches all have satisfactorily completed training required by USA SWIMMING. 2. AFFILIATED GROUP: Open to interested organizations without athletes and coaches. This classification affords no insurance coverage to members. 3. ATHLETE: Each swimmer must be a registered USA SWIMMING athlete, who may compete with either an AMS member club or in an unattached (UNAT) status. 4. SEASONAL ATHLETE: The seasonal membership program offers a competitive swimming program in USA SWIMMING to those athletes who swim for only a portion of the year (up to four months) at a reduced rate. AMS has determined the four month summer period to be April 15 through August 15. Seasonal swimmers may swim open competition at all USA SWIMMING sanctioned and approved meets for which they qualify, except Zone or National level competition during the designated membership period. In order to complete at Zone level or National level competition, the swimmer must be registered as a full year athlete. 5. NON-ATHLETE: Officials, Meet Directors, safety coordinators, marshals and administrators must be registered non-athlete members of USA SWIMMING. Persons otherwise interested in the purposes and programs of USA SWIMMING/AMS may also be registered in this category. As mandated by USA Swimming, additional training and certification may be required for NonAthlete members. An AMS club affiliation is not required for non-athlete members.
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6. COACH: All coaches of USA SWIMMING/AMS clubs must register with AMS as members, and all coaches, including assistant coaches and any person working with athletes as the sole practice supervisor or warm-up supervisor at meets must fulfill USA SWIMMING coach membership requirements (including any required background check) and provide proof of training in: 1. Criminal Background Check 2. Adult & Pediatric/Child CPR and AED 3. Safety Training for Swim Coaches 4. Coaches Education: Foundations of Coaching 101 (prior to becoming a member), Foundations of Coaching 201 (Prior to 2nd year of registration), and Rules and Regulations for Coaches Test (Prior to 2nd year of registration) 5. Athlete Protection The required courses and are available at www.usaswimming.org.
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C. REGISTRATION: Membership is for up to one year period ending December 31 and each membership classification must renew registration annually. New clubs and individuals joining after September 1, actually receive a 16 month membership. All registrations will be handled by the AMS Registration Chair. Fees are determined annually by USA SWIMMING and the AMS Board of Directors. 1. CLUB: Application for initial or renewal club membership is made by submitting the Registration Form, which can be found in the AMS Forms Library (“Forms Library”) on the AMS website (www.amswim.org), to the AMS Registration Chair (Note: the website contains an up-to-date list of members of the AMS Board of Directors). Club applications must be submitted simultaneous with the Club’s coach registration and registration for at least one athlete. The coach’s certification must be valid into the renewal period. A recently completed copy of the Aquatic Facility Hazard Identification and Risk Analysis Checklist is also to be included for the club’s practice facility (see AMS Form No. 8). All AMS clubs are required to develop and maintain a minimum number of currently certified active AMS Officials according to the following ratio: For Clubs with 5 to 24 swimmers – a minimum of 1 Official For Clubs with 25 to 49 swimmers – a minimum of 2 Officials For Clubs with 50 to 99 swimmers – a minimum of 3 Officials For Clubs with 100 to 149 swimmers – a minimum of 4 Officials For Clubs with 150 to 199 swimmers – a minimum of 5 Officials For Clubs with 200 to 249 swimmers – a minimum of 6 Officials For Clubs with more than 250 swimmers – a minimum of 7 Officials The minimum number of Officials required per club will be determined based upon registered full-time swimmers as of March 31 of each year. Any club not in compliance with this requirement will be given a grace period until the following September 1 to come into compliance. If the club fails to come into compliance, they will not be able to enter their swimmers in AMS-sanctioned meets. Their swimmers will be permitted to swim in AMSsanctioned meets unattached until the club is compliant with the above rule. Each club shall identify a Lead Club Official to facilitate communication with that club’s officials and to support recruiting, registration, and training of new officials from that club. Each club is responsible to identify this individual to the Officials Chair on an annual basis prior to the start of the Short Course season. 2. ATHLETE: Application for initial membership is made by submitting AMS Form No. 2 to the AMS Registration Chair. New swimmers may register for the upcoming year effective September 1. First time participants in USA SWIMMING/AMS programs have a 30 day grace period. Athlete renewal registrations start approximately September 1 for clubs that have satisfied the annual club registration requirements. All renewal registrations must be submitted to the AMS Registration Chair prior to November 30. 3. NON-ATHLETE: The registration and renewal procedures are the same as for athlete registration.
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4. TRANSFERS: a. An athlete wishing to transfer from one AMS club to another or into AMS from another LSC or from AMS into another LSC should use USA Swimming Athlete Transfer Form (AM) which is available from club registrars or the AMS Registration Chair. b. While a swimmer can practice with his new team upon application for transfer, the swimmer must serve in an unattached status for one hundred twenty (120) days from the date of his last competition in which they represented their former team or club. AMS Registration Chair must have Transfer Form completed and signed, and proper fees must be paid before the transfer is complete. c. Application for transfer must be made to the AMS Registration Chair and all necessary paperwork must be completed prior to the attachment to the new team. d. Transfers occurring between September 1 and December 31 require both current year and subsequent year registration.
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ALLEGHENY MOUNTAIN SWIMMING, INC. OPERATING PROCEDURES PART TWO - SWIM MEET ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT
A. APPROVED MEET: 1. Procedures for application: a. A written meet application must be submitted to the Sanctions Chair no less than 3 weeks prior to the first day of the meet. b. Approved status shall not be granted if the Sanctions Chair deems the request in conflict with a sanctioned meet. This would include covering same structure formats and same age groups, excluding senior events. c. All required forms must be submitted at time of application: Meet Bid Application, Meet Host Questionnaire, Risk Analysis Check List, Meet Sponsor Agreement, and Meet Invitation d. There is a $50.00 non-refundable application fee due at the time of request. 2. Operation: a. All Allegheny Mountain operating procedures must be followed with an approved meet. These procedures are outlined in this Part 2 of the Operating Procedures. Failure to do so could result in a fine and/or forfeiture of the meet sponsorship agreement fee. b. All USA SWIMMING Rules and Regulations shall apply to registration, operation, and officiating. c. All swimmers do not have to be registered with USA SWIMMING at the time of the meet. B. MEET SPONSOR AGREEMENT: Immediately following the approval for clubs to hold meets in the upcoming season, each AMS club designated to sponsor a meet must complete and submit a Meet Sponsor Agreement, to the AMS Treasurer together with any meet deposit fees that may be required. The fee is refundable upon written request at the end of the same season, if all AMS meet result requirements have been satisfied (see section V). Funds may also be held in escrow by AMS for application to subsequent seasons if a club so elects. Note: a Meet Sponsor Agreement is separate and distinct from an application for meet sanction. C. SANCTION: A Sanction is a permit issued by AMS to clubs to conduct an event or meet. All AMS meets must be sanctioned. Application for a sanction is made by submitting an AMS Application for Sanction, to the AMS Age Group Chair or his/her designee, accompanied by: 1. A copy of the meet information, including a statement of the nature of prizes to be awarded. 2. A recently completed Aquatic Facility Hazard Identification and Risk Analysis Checklist must be on file with the AMS Safety Chair. 3. The appropriate fee of $15.00 for a one-day meet and $25.00 for any other meet. The fees are for other than developmental meets.
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Even though AMS meets which are designated as “Developmental” are automatically sanctioned by AMS (i.e., no fees required), sponsoring clubs are required and must submit a copy of the approved meet invitation to the Age Group Chair or his/her designee, and a completed Aquatic Facility Hazard Identification and Risk Analysis Checklist to the AMS Safety Chair. All AMS meets below the A level, along with mini and distance meets, are considered Developmental for the purpose of sanctions. The official Sanction will be emailed to the requester and should be available for review by the Meet Referee(s) during the course of the sanctioned meet. D.
MEET INVITATION:
The Meet Invitation must be posted on the AMS website at least six (6) weeks in advance of the meet date. Meet Invitations shall be forwarded to the AMS Permanent Office for posting. For Invitational Meets (those open to all USA SWIMMING clubs), an earlier posting date is suggested to assist visiting teams with scheduling and travel plans. THE MEET INFORMATION FLYER OR INVITATION MUST INCLUDE: i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. vii. viii.
The USA SWIMMING (LSC) Sanction Number. The type of meet (Invitational, Open, etc.). The class of meet (Senior, Age Group, Mini, AA, A, BB, etc.). The meet sponsor(s) - if applicable. The date(s) and location of competition (including facility address). The starting time(s) for warm-up and competition. USA SWIMMING and LSC approved warm-up procedures (Invitational Meets only). A description of the facility (including the timing system, number of lanes, length of course, type of lane lines and starting blocks, etc.). The name, address and telephone number of the Meet Director(s). Name, address and telephone number of the entry person(s). The entry deadline and acceptance dates Contain the statement: “All participants must be registered USA SWIMMING athletes.” The entry fees for individual and relay events. Surcharge information, if applicable. The order of events with events numbers. Entry times in yards or meters. Entry limitations per swimmer and overall meet limitations. xviii. Seeding information for the
ix. x. xi. xii. xiii. xiv. xv. xvi. xvii. meet. xix. An explanation of the scoring system and awards. Must note if achievement awards are given in place of place awards for swimmers who swim ineligible times at developmental meets. xx. A complete description of the entry procedure, including appropriate entry forms. xxi. Information for disabled swimmers. xxii. A list of key officials (or officials contact) - if available. xxiii. A clear and specific description of scratch procedures and penalties which should conform to any LSC rules and USA SWIMMING Rules and Regulations, Article 206.4.9. (Invitational Meets only). xxiv. Any other information which may be pertinent (i.e., maps, hotels, motels, restaurants, admission fees, seating availability for handicapped or disabled persons, price of heat sheet, price of results and how to obtain final results). xxv. The entry deadline must allow sufficient time for seeding the meet and production of heat sheets. xxvi. AMS Photography Statement 6
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xxvii.Racing Start Certification Statement required by USA Swimming. xxviii. Photography Statement E. ENTRY DEADLINE AND LIMITS: The Meet Director shall enforce the entry deadline specified in the meet invitation, which is usually set at two (2) weeks prior to the first day of the meet. In certain situations, entries can be accepted after the published entry deadline for swimmers achieving entry times at a meet held one (1) week prior to the scheduled meet. The Host Team is required to enter or reserve the number of splashes needed for their team for the meet being hosted. Meet Host failing to follow entry procedures shall forfeit all monies above the approved splashes and shall also be fined 1x the amount of forfeited monies to AMS. In planning any meet, careful consideration must be given to the demands made upon swimmers, officials and spectators, in that order. Long, tiresome meets, with too many events and/or entries should be avoided. With the exception of championship meets, all meets should be planned to terminate within a maximum period of eight (8) hours of competitive events in any one day. All other age group competition below an A-time level must be arranged to allow the events for swimmers 12 years and younger to be completed in four (4) hours or less for a timed finals session or in a total of eight (8) hours or less per day for a preliminaries and finals meet. After all meet entries are received and recorded, the host club shall run a timeline (can be done using HyTek’s Meet Manager Program allowing approximately 30 second heat intervals). The HY-TEK MEET MANAGER BACKUP must be sent to Age Group Chair or his/her designee at least ONE WEEK (7 days) before the meet for evaluation. If the timeline indicates the meet will exceed the above guidelines, the Meet Director must contact the AMS Age Group Chair or his/her designee for guidance. In the event of over subscription, entries may be reduced by limiting the slower entry times of the longer events, with the approval of the AMS Age Group Chair. Affected clubs and swimmers must be notified at least five (5) days in advance of the first day of the meet. No late entries may be accepted after the entry deadline. Deck entries are accepted. All entries must be submitted on master entry forms or by using Hy-Tek’s team manager reports. The entry forms must be available at the meet site for review by the meet personnel. At AMS meets, except championship formatted, an athlete may be deck entered into that event provided that they meet the following conditions: i. The athlete is a USA Swimming registered athlete with an entered club or as unattached at the time of meet entry deadline. ii. The athlete and/or the athlete’s club is already entered into the meet. iii. The athlete has not exceeded the maximum individual entries limit for the day/meet. iv. The athlete’s time for the deck-entered event is within the qualifying times for the meet, if applicable.
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F. EVENT PARTICIPATION: In any combination of events conducted on a single day at the same site when preliminaries and finals are held, no swimmer shall be permitted to compete in more than three (3) individual events per day. When timed finals are held, no swimmer shall be permitted to compete in more than six (6) individual events per day. These restrictions on individual event entries apply regardless of the classification mixtures, e.g., race, time trial, distance event. One entry constitutes an event and must appear in the heat sheet. One competitor or relay team may swim against the clock. Certain events may be combined at the exclusive direction of the Mini Meets $4.00 Distance Meets $6.00 Deck Entries $10.00 Time Trials $10.00 All Relays $8.00 Meet Referee. G. ENTRY FEES: Inter Club Meets SEE PART IV Age Group Meets $5.00 For the Short Course Age Group Championship and the Long Course Junior Olympic Meets that the HOD as determined should be held at the best facility, the following subsidies are provided: i.
Payment to AMS of $1.75 for Individual Events and $1.00 for Relay Events is waived.
ii.
Lump Sum payment to the meet host(s) of $1100 for the Long Course Junior Olympic Meet three day Preliminary-Final format meet (no lump sum payment for the Short Course Age Group Championship Meet).
H. MASTER ENTRY FORMS: All AMS clubs entering AMS sanctioned meets must submit properly-completed Hy-Tek or Team Unify Meet Entry files and Entry Reports via email. The Master Entry Forms and Team Manager Reports, which have been submitted to the Host Club, must be available at the meet site for review by meet personnel. I.
HEAT SHEETS: 1. The following must be included in the Heat Sheet: a. A list of participating clubs with the breakdown of the number of girls and boys as well as the total entries b. The order of events (for both prelims. and finals). c. AMS Rules of Conduct (see section N). d. Listing of participating swimmers by event for each event, including those events that will be deck seeded (i.e., some distance events). Senior events must include the age of the swimmers. e. The Meet Director(s) name, address, and telephone number. 2. To the extent possible, a listing of the AMS Officials working the meet should also be included in the heat sheet.
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3. One complimentary heat sheet should be available for each participating club and each official working the meet. 4. A COMPLETE HEAT SHEET must be posted in the swim venue where accessible to swimmers, coaches. 5. A notation of the AMS website address: WWW.AMSWIM.ORG J. QUALIFYING TIMES (PROOF OF TIMES): 1. Swimmers must enter an AMS sanctioned or approved meet with their best achieved USA SWIMMING times. If a qualifying time does not exist, club time trials should be held. Results of the time trials should be maintained in the individual club’s data base. 2. A Registered and current certified USA SWIMMING coach can attest to times which have been swum at practices and meets outside AMS and may certify these times for use as entry times for AMS meets, excluding “A” level championship formatted meets. These times cannot be used for Zone, Sectional, and National level meet entries. 3. “No Time” or “NT” entries are not accepted in AMS swim meets. If a qualifying time does not exist, an entry time must still be used. 4. Proof of times for all A and Championship formatted meets BB and faster A. A penalty of $50 per event fine will be assessed on any AM swimmer who enters an event having qualifying times in an AM Sanctioned meet and then fails to swim the qualifying time in that event unless proof-of-time for that event can be provided. Swimmers disqualified in any such event are considered not to have swum the entry time and will be similarly required to provide proof-of-time. Any swimmer not providing such proof will be suspended from further competition in AM Sanctioned or Approved meets until the fine is paid. Provable times must be from a USA Swimming Sanctioned, Approved or Observed Meet or an AM Accepted Meet. Except for Unattached swimmers, request for proof-oftimes and imposed fines will be administered via the swimmer’s club. The unattached swimmer parents must provide published proof of times and/or satisfy the imposed fine before entering any AM Sanctioned or Approved Meets. 5. For distance meets, a coach time for entry will be accepted. The swimmer is still responsible for achieving the submitted time or faster. Failure to perform within the time standard will result in the above penalty being enforced. K. TIME TRIALS: A time trial is an event or series of events where swimmers may achieve a required time standard. Club Time Trials: Held by the club, under the coach’s supervision, to establish initial entry times for AMS meets. Results of club time trials should be maintained in the individual club’s database (or equivalent). 1. Time Trial Meets: An event conducted within or independently of a meet where the swimmer races against the clock to establish an official time. Time trial events may be held in conjunction with a sanctioned, approved, or observed competition if all information about the conduct of the time trials is included in the meet announcement as sanctioned or approved by the LSC. Time trials may be a separate event, sanctioned, approved, or observed in compliance with Article 202 in USA Swimming Rules and Regulation.
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L. AGE GROUP CRITERIA: 1. Age on the first day of a meet shall determine the swimmer’s age for the entire meet except as follows: a. In a preliminary and finals meet, when the preliminaries are separated from the finals by more than two days, a swimmer shall compete at the age reached on the first day of the finals. b. In a timed finals meet that covers more than one weekend, a swimmer shall compete at the age attained on the first day of each continuous session of the meet. 2. Senior events are open to swimmers six (6) years of age and over, including master swimmers, if they are USA SWIMMING members and meet the qualifying standards. M. STARTING TIMES AND MANDATORY WARM-UP PROCEDURES: 1. For morning sessions, 9:00 am is the preferred starting time, but no earlier than 8:30 am. Warmup periods may start at 7:30 am, but no earlier than 7:00 am without prior permission from the Age Group Chair or his/her designee. 2. Team warm ups shall be provided. If team warm ups are not assigned then the warm up will be considered General Warm Up for a minimum 45 minutes (60 minutes preferred). Warm Ups must be conducted in a safe manner. There will be a minimum of two 30 minute session for A and faster TF meets. Minimum of three 20 minute session(s) for BB an slower TF sessions (two 30 minutes preferred). Mini Meets may offer 15 minute sessions, but 20 minutes or longer is preferred. All P/F meets shall require 30 minute team assigned sessions or 60 minutes or longer general warm up session. Examples are MINIMUM Warm-up Times. SIX LANE POOL LANE: 1. 2. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5. 6.
30 minutes general warm-up/no diving/circle swim. 15 minutes general warm-up/no diving. 15 minutes sprint. 30 minutes general warm-up/no diving. ** 30 minutes general warm-up/no diving. ** 15 minutes general warm-up/no diving. 15 minutes sprint. 30 minutes general warm-up/no diving/circle swim.
EIGHT LANE POOL LANE: 1. 2. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 7. 8.
30 minutes general warm-up/no diving/circle swim. 15 minutes general warm-up/no diving. 15 minutes sprint. 30 minutes general warm-up/no diving. ** 30 minutes general warm-up/no diving. ** 30 minutes general warm-up/no diving. ** 30 minutes general warm-up/no diving. ** 15 minutes general warm-up/no diving. 15 minutes sprint. 30 minutes general warm-up/no diving/circle swim.
** Any one of these lanes may be opened for additional sprint lanes, if needed, by the Referee or their representative. 10
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3. The first half of any warm-up period will be general warm-up, with NO DIVING from the blocks or sides of the pool. All starting blocks are to be covered with safety cones. 4. During General warm ups lanes 2 and 5 (6 Lane) or 2 and 7 (8 Lane) shall be opened for one way sprints from the starting end(s). In assigned warn ups it is up to the team assigned to the lane to decide if and when sprints are needed. If the event of several teams being assigned to a lane, the coaches may work it out amongst themselves or work in with another lane for sprints. Two outside lanes shall be used as pace lanes at championship formatted meets at the same time as sprint lanes are opened. All other remaining lanes shall be for general warn up. 5. Times may be adjusted to 45 minutes/15 minutes; 60 minutes/30 minutes. The examples use MINIMUM warm-up schedules. 6. Diving is permitted in designated lanes only when safety cones have been removed by the Referee or his representative. Circle swimming includes push-offs. 7. No one is permitted on a starting block until a backstroke swimmer has executed his/her start. 8. In general warm-up lanes, swimmers will use feet first entry and will begin at the starting end of the pool only. Circle swimming is to be on the right side of the lane at all times. Faster swimmers have the right of way. NO DIVING IS PERMITTED DURING THE GENERAL WARM-UP PERIOD. Circle swimming in Lanes 1 and 6 or Lanes 1 and 8. 9. In sprint lanes, entry must be from the starting end of the pool. Swim one length. Promptly exit from the opposite end. 10. Coaches should stand near the starting end of the pool when starting the swimmers on sprint or pace work. 11. Warm-ups at Distance meets - 1) at all distance meets/sessions (1000/800, 1650/1500) warm-ups shall be general warm-up for the entire time. Time shall not be less than 45 minutes for a single session or the first session of a multiple session meet. Time shall be up to 20 minutes for the remaining sessions at the same meet on the same day. Warm Up/Warm Down between events shall not be less than 10 minutes when multiple events are swum, gender excluded. At any session with distance events (1000/800, 1650/1500) offered and at any championship formatted meet (prelims/finals), the outside lane or lanes shall be restricted to pace lanes only at the same time sprint lanes are opened. At any distance only meet or session (1000/800, 1650/1500), only allow one lane shall be opened for sprinting. 12. The meet announcer must indicate which warm-up session is allowed and all changes. 13. Specific warm-up times and information, including lane assignments, must be posted in the swimming venue for the convenience of coaches, swimmers and marshals. ANY ALTERATION OF THESE WARM-UP PROCEDURES MUST BE APPROVED BY THE AMS AGE GROUP COMMITTEE. 14. The Meet Director must have at least four (4) marshals (per pool) on deck before warm-ups can begin. Marshalls shall be briefed on their responsibilities and shall have no other duties. 15. Meet Marshals shall have full authority to warn or order to cease and desist, and, with the concurrence of the Referee, to remove or to have removed from the vicinity of the competition anyone behaving in an unsafe manner or using profane or abusive language, or whose actions are disturbing the orderly conduct of the meet. 16. Coaches: Each competing club’s coach MUST register with the Meet Director before the club may begin warm-up. Coaches must have their current USA SWIMMING registration card at all times. 11
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USA Swimming Deck Pass is accepted and preferred at registration to meets. 17. Any swimmer not affiliated with a competing club and any swimmer who is not accompanied by his or her club coach must arrange for a coach of one of the other teams present to accept responsibility for the swimmer during warm-up and throughout the meet. The Meet Director and the Referee will be available to assist with this process. All swimmers not affiliated with a competing club must have a copy of their USA Swimming racing start certification. 18. At all AMS meets, the meet host will be required to provide a COACH'S MEET SIGN-IN SHEET which must be signed by each attending on-deck coach for each session of the meet. By signing, the coach verifies that the coach has all certifications necessary to be considered a coach by USA SWIMMING are current, and that the coach’s membership in USA SWIMMING as a Coach member is also current. 19. Within 48 hours after the conclusion of the meet, COACH’S MEET SIGN-IN SHEET from all sessions of the meet shall be mailed to the Registration Chair. If it is determined that a coach signed the sign-in sheet and was not currently certified or whose membership had lapsed, the Registration Chair will then report the infraction to the Fines Coordinator. 20. A fine of $100 will be assessed against the involved club for the above-mentioned infraction, if it is determined that their coach signed a sign-in sheet without being currently certified as a coach, or did not have a current USA SWIMMING membership. Repeated occurrences of the offense could increase the fine and/or could cause the Coach and/or the Club to be prevented from further participation in swim meets sanctioned by AMS. Coaches and Clubs will have the opportunity to appeal the fine through the normal LSC procedures. N.
IN MEET RULES OF CONDUCT: The following rules of conduct must be contained in all heat sheets:
AMS RULES OF CONDUCT 1. Any swimmer breaking one or more of these rules will be ejected from the premises: a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h.
willful damage to premises (walls, floors, doors, bathrooms etc.); willful damage to furniture, fixtures, and appointments; plugging sinks, toilets or other drains; flicking towels, fighting, wrestling, etc.; violation of any posted or announced regulations; insubordination to officials and deck marshals; any other unsportsmanlike, irresponsible or unsafe conduct; or use of alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco (inhaled or chewed).
2. USA SWIMMING requires the following procedures for expeditious handling of complaints and/or disciplinary actions for violation of these rules: a. Since federal law states that an athlete cannot be suspended from competition, even temporarily, without a hearing, the host club should be prepared in advance to have and ad hoc Meet Rules Committee selected. The Committee should have a Referee or designated official, the Meet Director, and an athlete as members. The Committee should be announced before the start of the meet. It is the Meet Director’s responsibility to select this Committee; however, the Meet Director may ask the Referee to select this ad hoc Committee. In the case of a protest, the Committee shall convene on the site immediate to the situation at present. 12
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b. The decision must be reduced to writing within ten (10) days of the hearing and a copy served by mail on the athlete and on the Chair of AMS Review Committee. It should include findings of fact. If a formal hearing is desired later on, the matter can be referred to the AMS Review Committee for a full hearing. 3. Coaches and swimmers must remain a minimum of four (4) feet from the pool edge and shall move to allow officials to perform their assigned tasks. Coaches and officials must display current USA SWIMMING registration cards. 4. Only competing swimmers, officials, and lap counters are permitted within four (4) feet of the pool edge both in the starting and turning areas. 5. Spectators, including parents, and contact persons are not permitted on the pool deck. 6. Coaches, parents and/or swimmers are not to contact the administration desk or electronic timer station regarding questions of time or place of finish. All questions should be directed to the Referee. 7. If the electronic timing device is set off before a race is completed, or if the body of a swimmer (defined as the torso, including the shoulders and hips) enters the water, or if, in the opinion of the Meet Referee, an “on-deck” swimmer has interfered with an “in-pool” swimmer, then the “ondeck” swimmer may be disqualified from their next event. O. CLERK OF COURSE, SEEDING AND LANE ASSIGNMENTS: In order to assure appropriate distribution among the required number of heats and/or lanes, swimmers are to submit their best competitive times for all meet entries. Swimmers shall be placed in heats according to times submitted as follows: 1. LANE AND HEAT ASSIGNMENTS a. PRELIMINARY HEATS WITH FINALS i.
FEWER THAN THREE HEATS: (a) If one heat, it may be seeded as a final heat and swum only during the final session, at the Referee’s discretion. (b) If two heats, the fastest swimmer shall be seeded in the second heat, next fastest in the first heat, next fastest in the second heat, next fastest in the first heat, next in the second heat, etc.
ii. THREE HEATS: The fastest swimmer shall be placed in the third heat, next fastest in the second, next in the first. The fourth fastest swimmer shall be placed in the third heat, the fifth in the second heat and the sixth fastest in the first heat. The seventh fastest in the third heat, etc. iii. FOUR HEATS OR MORE: The last three heats of an event shall be seeded in accordance with the paragraph above (see Three Heats). The heat preceding the last three shall be composed of the next fastest swimmers, etc. Lanes shall be assigned in descending order. b. TIMED FINALS MEETS: The last heat shall be composed of the swimmers with the fastest submitted times, the next to last heat shall be composed of the next fastest swimmers, etc. In both cases, when there are two or more heats, there shall be a minimum of three swimmers or 13
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relay teams seeded into the first heat. The last heat should be a full heat, but the requirements of seeding three swimmers or relay teams into the first heat may result in failure to fill the last heat. Other than the last three heats in a meet having both preliminary and finals, lanes shall be assigned in descending order of submitted times within each heat as follows: SIX LANE POOL: 3-4-2-5-1-6 EIGHT LANE POOL: 4 - 5 - 3 - 6 - 2 - 7 - 1 - 8 Lanes shall be numbered from right to left as the swimmer stands facing the course, if possible. Starting platforms shall be clearly marked with the lane numbers visible to competitors and officials 2. AMS USES THE FOLLOWING SEEDING METHODS: a. DECK SEEDING: Swimmers should report to the designated seeding area at the first call of their event but no later than the last call of the event. After determining the number of swimmers presenting themselves for the event, lane assignments will be made by seeding personnel. Participants are requested to remain in the seeding area and travel together to the pool for further instructions by meet personnel. b. CHECK-IN SEEDING: All swimmers must personally sign in with the Clerk of Course prior to each session for all of the events or at the first call of each event. A first call and a last call will be given. If, after checking in, a swimmer decides not to swim the event, they must report back to the Clerk of Course and scratch by the last call. Failure to swim after being checked in and seeded will bar a swimmer from the swimmer’s next individual event. Swimmers do not have to remain in the seeding area after checking in, but must return to pick up the seeded time cards (if required). c. PRE-SEEDING: Lane assignments are announced via heat sheets and heats are swum without consideration to attendance of scheduled participants. Participants arriving late are placed in the slowest heat, if an empty lane is available. Heats are not re-seeded. It is NOT permissible to advance a swimmer. It is permissible to move a swimmer to a slower position. DECK ENTRIES, OTHER THAN RELAYS, ARE NOT PERMITTED. 3. AMS DISTANCE MEETS USE THE FOLLOWING SEEDING METHOD: The normal order of heats will be reversed by swimming the fastest heat first and alternating women’s and men’s heats. The Meet Invitation shall state the order of heats for these events. 4. TIME INTERVALS BETWEEN EVENTS: To permit an athlete adequate recovery time between events in their Age Group, a 20-minute time interval is required at all AMS Championship Meets in the preliminary session of a preliminary and finals meet and at all sessions of a timed finals meet. Applying the same interval to all AMS A Meets is recommended. P. SCRATCH RULE: 1. Pre-Seeded Meets. Any Swimmer or relay team failing to swim an event at a pre-seeded meet shall not be penalized for failure to show. 2. Events Seeded on Deck 14
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a. Any swimmer who has checked in for an individual event that is seeded on the deck must swim in the event unless he notifies the Referee or designated meet official of his/her wish to scratch (Declared False Start) before the seeding for the event has begun. Failure to scratch prior to seeding and failure to swim the event will result in the swimmer being barred from his/her next individual event or relay. b. Any relay that has been checked in for an event that is seeded on the deck must swim in the event unless the Referee or designated meet official is notified of the wish to scratch before the seeding for that event has begun. Any relay team entered in a deck-seeded event must check in and list the swimmers’ names for the event prior to the entry deadline. c. Events seeded on the deck shall be closed for seeding no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of the meet. 3. Scratching from Finals a. Any swimmer qualifying for a C, B or A (bonus and consolation final or) final race in an individual event who fails to compete in said final shall be barred from further competition for the remainder of the meet, except as noted in “Exceptions for Failure to Compete.” A Declared False Start or deliberate delay of meet is not permitted and will be regarded as a failure to compete. i. Any Swimmer who qualifies for a C, B or A Final and does not compete shall be subject to a monetary fine. If such failure to compete occurs on the swimmer’s last day of the meet, the swimmer shall be charged a penalty of $25 by AMS. The $25 penalty fee should be charged to the swimmer’s club or to the swimmer themselves in the event that they are unattached. This penalty fee should be paid to AMS (Allegheny Mountain Swimming) and mailed to the Permanent Office within 14 days of the conclusion of the meet. Failure to pay this fine prevents this swimmer/team from participating in a future meet. The Meet /Deck Referee shall notify the Permanent Office of any penalties due within 1 day of the conclusion of the meet. ii. Any relay team that fails to appear for a consolation final or final race in which it qualified without scratching shall be charged a fine of $25/swimmer. The $100 penalty fee should be charged to the swimmers’ club. This penalty fee should be paid to AMS (Allegheny Mountain Swimming) and mailed to the Permanent Office within 14 days of the conclusion of the meet. Failure to pay this fine prevents this team from participating in a future meet. The Meet/Deck Referee shall notify the Permanent Office of any penalties due within 1 day of the conclusion of the meet. b. In the event of withdrawal or barring of a swimmer from competition the Referee shall fill the C, B, or A (bonus, consolation final or) final, when possible, with the next qualified swimmer(s). First and second alternates shall be announced along with the final qualifiers. These alternates shall not be penalized if unavailable to compete in the finals. c. Where C and B (bonus and consolation) finals have not been swum and a barring or withdrawal is known to the Referee, the Referee shall reseed the C, B and A (Bonus, consolation final and the final), if necessary to insert the alternate(s) in the appropriate lane(s), filling all lanes in the final. d. If the C and B (bonus and consolation) finals have already been contested, the (championship (A) final shall be swum without reseeding for the empty lane(s).
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4. Thirty (30) Minute Scratch Rule a. A swimmer who qualified for a C, B or A Final (Bonus - C, Consolation - B, Championship A) must notify the designated official of his/her intent to scratch within thirty (30) minutes after the announcement of the qualifiers. b. The swimmer shall further declare his/her final intention within thirty (30) minutes following his/her last individual preliminary event in the session. If the swimmer does not declare his/her intention at the end of the 30 minutes of his/her final individual event, the swimmer will be seeded into the final event. Any penalties for not swimming at finals will be upheld. Swimmers and/or coaches should re-check with the Referee to see if their swimmer has been scratched into one of the finals heats. Swimmers not intending to return for finals, regardless of the seeded position should fill out the scratch form. 5. Exception for Failure to Scratch- No Penalty shall apply: a. The Referee is notified of illness or injury and accepts the proof thereof. b. A swimmer qualifying for a consolation final or final race following preliminaries notified the Referee or designee within thirty (30) minutes after the announcement of the qualifiers for that race that the swimmer may not intend to compete. The swimmer must declare within thirty (30) minutes following his last individual preliminary event a final intention to scratch or swim. (See 4) c. It is determined by the Referee that failure to scratch was caused by circumstances beyond the control of the swimmer. d. A swimmer who was not one of the original qualifiers and who was scratched into the qualifiers list. 6. Check-in Seeded Meet: If, after checking in with the Clerk of Course, a swimmer decides not to swim the event, they must report back to the Clerk of Course and SCRATCH by the last call. Failure to swim after being checked in and seeded will bar the swimmer from the swimmer’s next individual event. 7. Relays: Each coach shall pick up relay cards from the Clerk of Course on which he shall list the competing swimmers (Last, First, Middle Initial - NAME) and ages and order of swimming for each relay event. Completed relay cards must be returned to the Clerk of Course. Those returned as “scratched” will not be entered and no penalty will be incurred. All others will be seeded. Failure of a relay member or relay team to subsequently pick up their seeded card and participate in the event when it is called is subject to the scratch rule penalties outlined above. NOTE: Names of relay participants may be changed, without penalty, only until their first relay swimmer steps up to the starting block.
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Q. OFFICIALS AND OFFICIATING: The AMS Officials’ Chair will publish a listing of currently certified officials on the AMS Officials’ Website. From this list, host clubs should request voluntary assistance at their meets. Clubs are REQUIRED to provide the names of Referees and Starters to the Officials’ Chair no later than one week prior to the meet AMS meets should be staffed as follows to meet minimum: 1. ELECTRONICALLY TIMED MEETS: One (1) Deck Referee, one (1) Administrative Official, one (1) Starter, and four (4) Stroke and Turn Judges. 2. MEETS TIMED WITH THREE WATCHES: One (1) Deck Referee, one (1) Starter, one (1) Chief Judge, one (1) Administrative Official, and four (4) Stroke and Turn Judges. AMS encourages clubs swimming in sanctioned, approved, and observed meets to provide a minimum of one (1) official for that meet. It is the responsibility of the host club and its Officials’ Contact person to recruit Officials. If a club hosting a meet is unable to secure sufficient Officials, the Officials’ Chair should be contacted. If the minimum number of Officials for a meet or session is not met, the results will not be eligible for uploading to the SWIMS database. The Referee may request additional Officials. Those Officials accepting an invitation to officiate at a swim meet MUST carry a current USA SWIMMING certification card or show a valid Deck Pass, indicating up-to-date USA Swimming membership, LSC certifications, USA Swimming Level 2 background check, and athlete protection training. An individual wishing to become an Official needs to meet the following requirements: 1. Attend a regularly scheduled introductory clinic (required for Stroke & Turn, Chief Judge, and Admin Official/Admin Referee). 2. Be registered with USA Swimming, either as an Apprentice Official or a full non-athlete Official member. The Apprentice Official status allows a training period of 60 days. After that time, membership must be converted to a full non-athlete Official member of USA Swimming to be permitted on deck. 3. Complete the online athlete protection course before on-deck training begins. 4. Pass the USA Swimming Level 2 background check. 5. Pass the required online written test(s) with a minimum score of 90%.
For further information see the AMS Officials website http://amswim-officials.org Apprentice AMS Officials should report to the Deck Referee, dressed in appropriate uniform, one (1) hour prior to the start of the meet. After the completion of the required number of training sessions on deck, a completed training card is submitted to the Officials’ Chair who will provide the trainee with information to access the appropriate on-line Officials test
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Current deck training sessions are as follows: Stroke and Turn –minimum of six (6) deck sessions Chief Judge- minimum of four (4) deck sessions and minimum of one year as a Stroke and Turn. Starter – minimum of six (6) deck sessions with a certified trainer, minimum of one year as a Stroke and Turn, and approval of Officials’ Chair to begin training. Referee – minimum of (6) deck sessions with a certified trainer; must be a certified Starter and CJ and have the approval of Officials’ Chair to begin training. Admin Official–minimum of four (4) sessions. Candidates for AO need not have prior Stroke & Turn Experience, but must attend a clinic. Admin Referee–should have prior experience as a Deck Referee. Requires specialized scratch table training at Championship Meets. Contact Officials’ Chair before beginning training. The Officials’ Chair may require additional training sessions to ensure competency in the position for which the individual is training.
To maintain certification as an AMS Official, Officials must attend no less than one (1) clinic in an eighteen (18) month period AND work a minimum of twelve (12) sessions per year (September 1 - August 31). Only eight (8) sessions may be accepted from working at the official’s home meets. AMS utilizes the USA Swimming Officials Tracking System (OTS). Certified Officials are responsible to ensure that information entered into the OTS accurately reflects their sessions worked. Additionally, certified Officials are responsible for entering their own mentoring and training activities. AMS Officials receive no cash compensation.
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ALLEGHENY MOUNTAIN SWIMMING, INC OPERATING PROCEDURES R. TIMING EQUIPMENT AND USE OF AMS COMPUTER: An electronic timing system (8 lane capacity) may be rented from AMS. See AMS Forms Library for a copy of the agreement which must be signed by the host club and the AMS Equipment Chair. Arrangements for use of the timing system should be made directly with the AMS Equipment Chair. For an additional cost per day, the following equipment package can be rented from AMS: watches, scoreboard, safety cones, and time recording forms, place judge forms, batteries and bull horns. Payment should be sent to the AMS Treasurer. AMS Computer: All AMS meets should be administered using Hy-Tek’s Meet Manager software. AMS has one computer and two printers available to use by clubs at meets on a first come first serve basis. Instructional help is also available for computer use. Arrangements are made through the AMS Technical Planning Chair. There is a nominal fee for use of the AMS computer. All other equipment required to conduct a swim meet is the responsibility of the host club. S. OFFICIAL TIME DETERMINATION AND TIMING GUIDELINES: 1. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: a. “B” Developmental and Mini Meets may use a three watch or three button system, which eliminates problems related to “bad touches” and “bad finishes” associated with younger and inexperienced swimmers (NOTE: Integration of timing systems is not permitted; therefore timing must be done by either three watches or three buttons. No combination of watches and buttons is permissible as a primary system.) b. At all other AMS meets, it is mandatory that electronic timing system with button and single digital watch per lane back-up be used. c. Requests for exemption from the mandatory electronic timing system requirement are to be directed to the AMS Executive Committee. 2. WATCH READING AND RECORDING: a. Timers will record the watch time for their lane as instructed by the Starter. b. Times shall be recorded to the hundredths. Times beyond two digits are disregarded. Times are not rounded. As an example, 30.141 becomes 30.14 and 30.149 becomes 30.14. 3. OFFICIAL TIME DETERMINATION: a. Three Watch System (1) If the times of two of the three watches agree, that time shall be the official time. (2) If all three watches disagree, the time of the intermediate watch shall be the official time. (3) If because of failure of a watch or its operator, times from only two watches are available, the official time shall be the average of those two watches. When averaging, times are not rounded. As an example, 29.455 becomes 29.45.
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b. Electronic Timing System (1) All primary times which are free of malfunction shall be official time. (2) If there exists a time difference of 0.30 seconds or more between the primary and secondary (or backup) time in a given lane, a potential malfunction exists and the tape from the electronic timing console is referred to the Administrative Referee for resolution. T. AWARD GUIDELINES: Awards are given to the fastest six (6) in a six lane pool and to the fastest eight (8) swimmers in an eight lane pool, with this exception: the host club may choose not to give awards for events in these age categories - Senior, Open, 15 to 18, and 15 and over. The host club may determine that only the top three finishers shall receive awards or it may divide the awards with one type for the top three finishers and another lesser award for the remaining three or five finishers. This information must be included in the meet invitation. 1. An attempt has been made to permit a maximum degree of flexibility. In addition, an effort to maintain a degree of award continuity between the different classes of competition while at the same time establishing award continuity within each meet. Generally, the following restrictions apply: a. 12” maximum height limit when giving 1-6 or 1-8 places. b. 10” maximum height limit when given 1-3 places. c. 10” maximum height limit when coupled with medal awards. 2. A swimmer in age group competition where the fastest swimmers are excluded and who swim 10% faster in a 25 yard event or 5% faster in all other events than the times allowed for meet entry is not eligible for the place awards. Sponsoring clubs should provide achievement awards for “ineligible” swimmers. Speeding Tickets; a congratulations award that the athlete can move to the next level in motivational times. 3. High Point Awards and Team Awards are optional (note: these awards are not allowed at those meets where the fastest swimmers are excluded). Team Championship awards may not exceed a cost of $35.00 for first place, $35.00 for second place and $25.00 for third through fifth place. 4. Individual high point awards shall not exceed $25.00. However, meet hosts and swimmers should be aware that high school or college eligibility may be affected by prize cost or value.
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ALLEGHENY MOUNTAIN SWIMMING, INC OPERATING PROCEDURES
U. RESULTS: The Hy-Tek Meet Manager file backup shall be emailed to the Technical Planning Chair within forty- eight (48) hours of the meet’s conclusion. Clubs failing to comply with the prior sentence may be fined a minimum amount of $50.00. Fines will be levied at the discretion of the Fines Chair. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR RESULTS: i.
Swimmers who have been disqualified in any meet must be listed in the results without a place or time. The results must state “DQ.”
ii. Senior events must list the age of the swimmer. iii. Relay events must list the competing teams, first and last names of relay members and their ages. Names must be in order of the swim. iv. Results from all time trials held in connection with the meet must be included in the results. v. Corrections to results already distributed require the approval of the Meet Referee. Data from the electronic timing system as well as individual lane time documentation (cards or other methods) must be retained for a one year period. V. MEET SUMMARY: A meet summary form (AMS Form No. 14) must be completed by the host club within ten (10) days of the completion of the meet and mailed with a check for feed due AMS to the AMS permanent office. A copy of the form shall also be mailed to the AMS General Chair. Meet fees are to be remitted as follows: PAYMENT TO AMS: $1.75 PER INDIVIDUAL EVENT (Regular Meets) $0.75 PER INDIVIDUAL EVENT (Mini Meets) $0.75 PER INDIVIDUAL EVENT (Distance Meets) $1.00 PER RELAY ENTRY
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PART THREE - DEVELOPMENTAL MEET PROGRAM The following apply to all AMS Developmental Meets in addition to the policies and procedures outlined in Part Two. A. DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY: 1. ELIGIBILITY RULES - BB DIVISION: a. To be eligible for an event in the BB Division, a swimmer must have met the current time standard for that event in a meet or club time trial prior to the entry deadline. b. A swimmer who is entered in an event in a BB Division Meet with a time which equals or better the A time standard for that event, will not be permitted to swim that event in the BB Meet. c. When a swimmer does not have a current time for an event, and there is a probability that they can meet the A time standard, a club time trial should be held. 2. ELIGIBILITY RULES - B DIVISION: a. To be eligible for an event in the B Division, a swimmer must have met the current time standard for that event in a meet or a club time trial prior to the entry deadline. High School times are permitted. b. A swimmer, who is entered in an event in a B Division Meet, with a time which equals or betters the BB time standard for that event, will not be permitted to swim that event in the B Meet. c. When a swimmer does not have a current time for an event, and there is a probability that they can meet the BB time standard, a club time trial should be held. 3. ELIGIBILITY - RELAYS: a. A swimmer within his age group may participate in a relay at a higher level of competition. In other words, a B swimmer may participate in a BB relay. However, the swimmer’s name(s) must appear on the Master/Supplemental entry form of the BB Meet. Swimmers must compete within his/her age group, unless the relay is designated Senior. b. To swim a BB relay, a swimmer within his age group must have a BB or slower time in the applicable stroke and distance noted below. c. To swim a B relay, a swimmer within his age group must have a B or slower time in the applicable stroke and distance noted below:
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ALLEGHENY MOUNTAIN SWIMMING, INC OPERATING PROCEDURES 8 & Under 100 yard relay 200 yard relay
25 yards 50 yards
applicable stroke applicable stroke
6-10, 9-10, 11-12, etc. 200 yard relays 400 yard relays
50 yards 100 yards
applicable stroke applicable stroke
50 yards 100 yards 100 yards
freestyle all other strokes applicable stroke
13-14, 15-18, senior, etc. 200 yard relay 400 yard relay
5. AGE GROUP AND SENIOR CRITERIA: a. Age on the first day of the meet determines applicable age group. Exception: rule is not applicable Senior Meets. b. Senior events in all meets are limited to swimmers six (6) years and over. c. Swimmers are eligible to swim in all events in which they qualify unless entry limitations are imposed by the sponsoring club or the AMS Executive Committee to control meet duration.
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B. ENTRY FEES: Entry fees: $5.00 per Individual Event (Regular Meets) $4.00 per Individual Event (Mini Meets) $6.00 per Individual Event (Distance Meets) $8.00 per Relay Event (all meets) LSC Surcharge Policy: Clubs may add an athlete or facility surcharge. They can only have one, not both at $5.00. C. AWARDS: 1. Awards are to be ribbon place awards only, excluding Developmental Championship meets. 2. No individual high point or runner up awards. 3. No team awards are permitted. 4. Ineligible Awards - sponsoring clubs should provide achievement awards for “ineligible” swimmers, as they are not permitted to receive place awards. Host clubs must post a current ineligible time standard for all Developmental Meets. The formula to determine ineligible time is 10% faster than the top entry cutoff time for 25 yard events and 5% faster than the top entry cutoff time in all other events. D. RESULTS: The same meet result requirements exist for developmental meets as for other meets. SEE PART TWO, Section T. E. MEET SUMMARY: The same meet summary requirements exist for developmental meets as for other meets. SEE PART TWO, Section U.
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ALLEGHENY MOUNTAIN SWIMMING, INC OPERATING PROCEDURES
PART FOUR - INTERCLUB MEETS Interclub (dual) meets may be scheduled on an open weekend or a mutually agreeable weekday evening and are subject to the following rules and guidelines: IF ENTRY FEES ARE CHARGED: a. The meet structure must be submitted to the AMS Executive Committee at least thirty (30) days prior to the meet. b. AMS Sanction is required. c. Maximum entry fees are 50 cents per individual entry and $2.00 per relay entry. d. If awards, ribbons only. e. Heat sheets are required. f. Results are mandatory to participating clubs and the AMS Technical Planning Chair. g. USA SWIMMING Officials are required. IF NO FEES ARE CHARGED: h. Is considered a time trial. See Part Two, Section J. i. Not to exceed six (6) teams. j. Does not require a sanction. k. Does not require heat sheets. l. Results are optional to participating club
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ALLEGHENY MOUNTAIN SWIMMING, INC. OPERATING PROCEDURES PART FIVE - MISCELLANEOUS A. AMS TRAVEL TEAMS: AMS has several types of travel teams which funding is provided: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Olympic Trials National Championships Junior Nationals Futures Sectional Championships Senior Zones Age Group Zones
The higher a swimmer goes up the ladder of success, the more financial support they should receive from AMS. The following guidelines apply: 1. National Participation Funding a. Allocations of funds will be the responsibility of the AMS Executive Committee. b. All swimmers who qualify for funding must be registered USA SWIMMING/AMS athletes and have participated, as a minimum, during the respective season to the criteria set up by the Executive Committee. c. Olympic Trials: Participants’ teams should receive an amount equal to, but not less than, those swimmers participating in National Swimming Championships d. National Swimming Championships: Participants’ teams should receive more than Junior Nationals funding, but less than Olympic Trial funding. e. Junior Nationals: Participants’ teams should receive more than Sectional Championships funding, but less than National Swimming Championships funding. f. Sectional Championship, Senior Zone & Futures: Participants’ teams should receive an amount comparable to the travel needs of the swimmer, but less than Junior Nationals funding. g. AMS Senior Vice Chair shall sweep the meet results for all AMS participants. If you attend a Sectional meet outside the zone please notify the Senior Vice Chair. h. Funding reimbursement will be made after verification of individual event participation. i. Participation requirements for AMS Age Group swimmers (high school and younger): (1) Short Course - 3 AMS (2) Long Course - 2 AMS (3) Swimmers may use 2 Grand Prix meets annually, one during the short course season, and one during the long course season. j. No partial funding for Age Group swimmers.
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k. Participation requirements for college, 19 and older non-college, and prep school swimmers: i. Collegiate swimmers and prep school swimmers will receive full funding if they meet the following requirements: (a) Swimmer is a current registered member of Allegheny Mountain Swimming. (b) Swimmer was a registered member of Allegheny Mountain Swimming for the 24 months prior to leaving for college or prep school. (c) . For funded meets immediately following the short course season, swimmer must have participated as an AMS registered athlete in a minimum of three (3) AMS meets over five (5) days and for a total of 15 individual events. For funded meets immediately following the long course season, swimmer must have participated as an AMS registered athlete in a minimum of two (2) AMS meets over four (4) days and for a total of 12 individual events during the long course season. Swimmers may use 2 Grand Prix meets annually towards their requirements. ii. College and prep school swimmers who meet requirements (1)(a) and (1)(c) but do not meet requirement (1)(b) will receive partial funding according to the following: (a) 25 % of a full share during their first year of meeting requirements (1) (a) and (1) (c). (b) 60 % of a full share during their second year of meeting requirements (1) (a) and (1) (c) . (c) 100 % of a full share during their third year and subsequent years of meeting requirements (1) (a) and 1(c). iii. 19 and older non-collegiate swimmers will receive funding based on the following: (a) Athlete is a current registered member of Allegheny Mountain Swimming. (b) Swimmer must have participated in a minimum of 3 AMS meets over 6 days and for a total of 18 individual events during the 12 months prior to the meet for which funding is requested. Swimmers may use 2 Grand Prix meets annually towards their requirements. (c) 50 % for swimmers who have been a registered AMS member for at least 6 months prior to the swimmer’s 1st event at Olympic Trials, Nationals, or Sectionals. (d) 100 % for swimmers who have been a registered AMS member for at least 12 months prior to the swimmer’s 1st event at Olympic Trials, Nationals, or Sectionals. iv. A Swimmer, 16 & over, working at an AMS workshop or Racing Camp, will be given credit for 3 individual events or the equivalent of one day of competition. v. Under extenuating circumstances (i.e., medical or personal), if a swimmer cannot meet funding requirements, application can be made and is subject to approval. vi. Violation of the USA SWIMMING Code of Conduct or any other inappropriate actions or unsportsmanlike conduct will jeopardize funding. l. Funding for Outreach and/or Para-Olympic athletes will be dealt with on a case by casebasis. Athletes or Teams should contact AMS.
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AMS ZONE TEAM PARTICIPATION AND FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: a. Meet participation required for Zone team consideration: Short Course - 3 AMS Meets over 6 days/18 individual events. Long Course - 2 AMS Meets over 4 days/12 individual events. b. Must submit a completed AMS Form No. 18 to be considered for Zone Team to the head Zone Team Coach or team manager by 12 hours prior to the start of swimming on the last day of the last qualifying meet. c. All AMS meet results are compiled into an AMS Team Manager database and considered for Zone Team selection. The AMS Team Manager database is maintained by the Technical Planning Chair or his/her designee. d. Meet results from meets other than AMS sanctioned meets, with consent of the Age Group Committee, will be compiled into AMS Team Manager Database and considered for Zone Team selection, if: I. The participating club forwards a Hy-Tek Meet Manager backup and/or Meet Manager Results file to the Technical Planning Chair or his/her designee. e. Zone Team Swimmers Room Rebates: Room arrangements will only be made for team members (swimmers, coaches, and chaperones). Chaperones who are parents of 12 & under qualifying swimmers (and therefore room with their swimmers) will be responsible for one-half of the room cost. Chaperones who are parents of 13 & Older swimmers (and therefore will not be rooming with their swimmers) will be responsible for 3/4th of the room costs. f. Guidelines for Parent Responsibility for 12 & Under Swimmers: Parents are responsible to supervise their swimmer’s rest, quiet time and bedtime curfews. Parents are to make sure that their swimmer is on time for meals, buses, and meetings. Parents are to verify that their swimmer has all necessary equipment for swimming. B. SWIM-A-THON: The AMS Swim-A-Thon Coordinator shall: 1. Disseminate Swim-A-Thon information to AMS Clubs. 2. Receive information from USA SWIMMING regarding those clubs participating in Swim-AThons and advice regarding payment of fees. 3. Supply information to USA SWIMMING as requested with a copy to the AMS Administrative Vice Chair. 4. Receive payments from USA SWIMMING and forward to the AMS Treasurer. 5. Review information from USA SWIMMING and notify USA SWIMMING of necessary corrections. 6. Respond to USA SWIMMING and AMS General Chair on any policing activities associated with Swim-A-Thon. 7. Report to the House of Delegates twice a year on the Swim-A-Thons held by the Clubs. 8. Have materials ready for the November House of Delegates meeting to assist clubs interested in holding a Swim-A-Thon.
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C. SAFETY: All member clubs are to fully comply with the safety procedures outlined in the AMS Safety Program, AMS Form No. 16. Each club must appoint a safety representative for their club. Safety representatives must be USA SWIMMING/AMS registered and have the responsibility of attending safety meetings as scheduled by the AMS Safety Chair and reporting back to their clubs in order to keep the members of the club (coaches, swimmers and officers) abreast of current safety standards. Safety representatives have the responsibility to see that safety recommendations of the AMS Safety Chair and committee are implemented and that the safety rules of the corporation are enforced in their clubs, including preparation and submission of the Facility Hazard Identification and Risk Analysis Checklist. The AMS Safety Chair will: 1. Publish the Report of Occurrence and make it available to all member clubs with instructions on its use. 2. Ensure that safety representatives verify that Report of Occurrence forms are available at all meets hosted by their clubs. 3. Collect completed Report of Occurrence sheets when an accident has occurred and comply with all reporting requirements, including submissions to USA SWIMMING. 4. Compile an annual study of all accidents occurring for presentation to the House of Delegates. D. NATIONAL REPORTABLE TIMES AND AMS RECORDS: 1. NATIONAL REPORTABLE TIMES - TOP 10: a. The AMS Top 10 Chair shall keep current official records for each event for each age group and shall verify that the records listed on the AMS website are correct. b. At the end of each month, the AMS Top 10 Chair will sweep the USA SWIMS database for any AMS Top 10 changes in the previous 30 days and post a new AMS Top 10 on the AMS website. c. If an AMS Top 10 discrepancy is discovered, an email including the swimmer’s name, USA Swimming ID number, team, age group, event, and time, along with an internet link to the results should be sent to the AMS Top 10 Chair. d. Criteria for AMS Top 10 i. The swimmer must be an AMS registered swimmer at the time of the swim. ii. An AMS Top 10 swim must be done in a USA Swimming sanctioned meet or a USA Swimming “Observed” or AMS “Approved” meet. iii. Relay lead-off swims shall be recognized for those strokes and distances for which AMS keeps records, so long as that lead-off swim was completed legally, and regardless of whether the relay was subsequently disqualified. iv. There shall be no other criteria.
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2. AMS RECORDS: a. The AMS Records Chair shall keep current official records for each event for each age group and shall verify that the records listed on the AMS website are correct. b. To request a record change, an email including the swimmer’s name, USA Swimming ID number, team, age group, event, and time, along with an internet link to the results should be sent to the AMS Records Chair. c. At the end of each month, the AMS Records Chair will sweep the USA Swims database for any AMS records set in the previous 30 days for which he did not receive a notice. d. Criteria for AMS Records i. The swimmer must be an AMS registered swimmer at the time of the swim. ii. A record swim must be done in a USA Swimming sanctioned meet or a USA Swimming “observed” or AMS “approved” meet. iii. Relay lead-off swims shall be recognized for those strokes and distances for which AMS keeps records, so long as that lead-off swim was completed legally, and regardless of whether the relay was subsequently disqualified. iv. There shall be no other criteria. E. REQUEST FOR FUNDS FROM THE AMS TREASURER: All requests for AMS funds shall be directed to the AMS Treasurer using AMS Form found in the forms library. F. DIRECTORY OF CLUBS: AMS publishes on its web site currently-registered clubs within the corporation. This directory shall include the names and phone numbers of the coaches, president, safety representative, and athlete representative and entry person for that club. The Directory information will be published on the AMS website (WWW.AMSWIM.ORG). Use AMS Form to submit annual information to the AMS Registration Chair and AMS Directory Coordinator with the club’s annual registration and when changes are made in club personnel. G. FINES: Definition of Fines Committee: the responsibility of the fines committee is to apply fines or punishment to infractions of USA SWIMMING or AMS rules and guidelines as directed by the AMS HOD. The Fines Committee shall consist of the AMS Permanent Office, Admin vice Chair and Treasurer. Crimes & Fines: 1. Athlete’s use of drugs or alcohol during swim meets or while under the supervision of AMS coaches or officials. (Athlete Fine) 2. Athlete attempting to participate in a meet as attached prior to expiration of 120 day team transfer period. (Athlete Fine plus restart of the 120 day transfer period) 3. Falsifying documents. (Athlete Fine) or (Coach Fine) or (Team Fine) as applicable 4. Athlete swimming in meets but not yet registered. (Team Fine) 5. Meet hosts not following AMS guidelines and procedures. (Team Fine) 6. Meet Host failing to follow entry procedures shall forfeit all monies above the approved splashes and shall also be fined 1x the amount of forfeited monies to AMS.
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Fine Classifications: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Athlete Fine Coaches Fine Team Fine Parent Fine
(1 x Dues) (2 x Dues) (3 x Dues) (amount funded plus a full share cost)
All fines are tied to the individual USA SWIMMING/AMS registration fee. The fines will automatically go up with an increase in dues. Second violation of the same type within a 24 month period will double any fine or penalty or both. Third violation of the same type within a 24 month period will be reviewed by Fines Committee for further action with possible additional action by the Review Committee. All Fines are subject to appeal per the AMS Bylaws. Travel Team violations (AMS Funded Events) shall be assessed for the applicable fine and additionally the athlete shall be suspended from attending AMS Travel Team event in the future OR Travel Team violation (AMS Funded Events) shall be assessed for the applicable fine and additionally the athlete shall be suspended from receiving any AMS travel funds for future meets. H. SWIMMER OF THE YEAR AWARDS Criteria: • • •
• • • • • • •
The FINA Power points are used to calculate a score for the swimmer’s best time for each event, and to determine the winner. The award is based on the summer (LC), and the following winter season (SC) swims - (for example Summer 04 & Winter 05). In order to be considered, a swimmer must have participated in enough AMS sponsored meets to qualify for AMS funding. If a swimmer fails to meet this requirement in only one season they still can be considered, but only in the season that they met the funding requirement. Each event can only count once, and the best score will be used. For example, considering 50-Meter Free and 50-Yard Free times, only the best 50 Free score will be used. For swimmers ages 12 and under, the best six scores for each individual are used for determining the winner. For swimmers ages 13 and over, the best three scores for each individual are used for determining the winner. There is only a tie when the scores are exact. A one-point loss is not grounds for a tie. WPIAL & PIAA times are taken into account. The winners are announced at the annual spring Coaches Meeting. The award is presented at the annual AMS recognition banquet.
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