All stars relay - alternate

[Anonymous]

What are the chances that an alternate team gets to swim at the All Stars relay?

[Anonymous]

Slim - but I've been at a few that it's happened. Our coach tells the alternates not to bother I always thought that was a poor attitude, but I do understand the difficulty of getting kids there mid-afternoon on a Wednesday, particularly when they will most likely not swim. It comes down to what you think your swimmers will get out of it; will they take in the experience and will it drive them to give it a little bit more next time? Or will it just be one big bummer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Slim - but I've been at a few that it's happened. Our coach tells the alternates not to bother I always thought that was a poor attitude, but I do understand the difficulty of getting kids there mid-afternoon on a Wednesday, particularly when they will most likely not swim. It comes down to what you think your swimmers will get out of it; will they take in the experience and will it drive them to give it a little bit more next time? Or will it just be one big bummer?

It’s rare, but I’ve seen it happen. Our team always sends alternates. It’s also possible a relay could scratch in advance. I’ve definitely seen that happen as well.

[Anonymous]

Last year we had to pull one of our relays morning of the meet.

[Anonymous]

It’s pretty rare because teams can sub in other swimmers if someone gets sick or there is another reason one of the swimmers has to miss.

[Anonymous]

Are teams allowed to sub in a swimmer in someone gets sick? Doesn't seem fair to do that because swapping even one kid makes for a very different relay...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are teams allowed to sub in a swimmer in someone gets sick? Doesn't seem fair to do that because swapping even one kid makes for a very different relay...

Yes. 3 of the original swimmers must participate, but you can substitute one of the spots. It’s summer; people travel, get sick, etc. it’s pretty common to have to make a sub for ASR.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are teams allowed to sub in a swimmer in someone gets sick? Doesn't seem fair to do that because swapping even one kid makes for a very different relay...

The rule is a team can only sub one swimmer. You must have three of the original swimmers. I think that’s a very fair way to balance not wanting the original kids to miss out for one kid getting sick or family issue, but also acknowledging that the composition of a relay matters.

[Anonymous]

What is the rule on false start DQ'ing? My youngest graduated last year and I haven't been to an ASR in about 3 years. Back when my DS was swimming he went to ASR several times and we saw a couple of teams being subjected to "the walk of shame" and the alternate team getting to swim. The worse was when one of his closest friends was swimming next to him in the same heat. His friend was the lead off and went in early and did the walk of shame. It was awful. I was standing next to his mom and didn't know what to say.

My DS was on an alternate team once - the medley - and they did not get to swim. I think the free relays have a greater chance of false start DQ'ing than the medley with backstroke being the starting stroke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the rule on false start DQ'ing? My youngest graduated last year and I haven't been to an ASR in about 3 years. Back when my DS was swimming he went to ASR several times and we saw a couple of teams being subjected to "the walk of shame" and the alternate team getting to swim. The worse was when one of his closest friends was swimming next to him in the same heat. His friend was the lead off and went in early and did the walk of shame. It was awful. I was standing next to his mom and didn't know what to say.

My DS was on an alternate team once - the medley - and they did not get to swim. I think the free relays have a greater chance of false start DQ'ing than the medley with backstroke being the starting stroke.

It’s still the same. If the team false starts prior to the start, the team gets walked off the deck and the alternate team takes the spot.

[Anonymous]

Last year we had a relay team as an alternate. ASR was well underway and many relays had gone, and we got notice that the alternates were called up to swim. It happens!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the rule on false start DQ'ing? My youngest graduated last year and I haven't been to an ASR in about 3 years. Back when my DS was swimming he went to ASR several times and we saw a couple of teams being subjected to "the walk of shame" and the alternate team getting to swim. The worse was when one of his closest friends was swimming next to him in the same heat. His friend was the lead off and went in early and did the walk of shame. It was awful. I was standing next to his mom and didn't know what to say.

My DS was on an alternate team once - the medley - and they did not get to swim. I think the free relays have a greater chance of false start DQ'ing than the medley with backstroke being the starting stroke.

It’s still the same. If the team false starts prior to the start, the team gets walked off the deck and the alternate team takes the spot.

Correct. They changed the rule for dual meets, but in all star meets where there is an alternate they will still walk them off an let the alternate swim.

[Anonymous]

MCSL or NVSL (or something else?). In MCSL some 8U teams don’t make it to all star relays because the #4 swimmer is out of town and they can’t find a sub due it to it being the week after divisionals and people are gone.

[Anonymous]

which league? If MCSL, Group 1 has the extra lane this year, so the next best time will be seeded in.