Alternates line up to the side when that race is starting and they see if there is a no show. In my experience, it’s rare that kids sub in right on the spot. Usually a kid is sick and you find out earlier at the meet if your coach knows the other coach of the absent swimmer.

My 18 yr old was an alternate in his odd number years many times. Never once made it to swim and was always first alternate.
It does happen though - I think our situation was just funny to not ever swim. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride!

OP here - thanks for the info!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gosh, I’ve seen alternates come in very frequently due to false starts. They stand by the heat and are ready to swim if something happens. Personally, I hate it. I hate that their “fate” rests on another child messing up and having the walk of shame. I hate everything about it. But that’s how NVSL does it anyway.

I get it, nobody wants to cheer for a kid to make a mistake. But you would rather have an empty lane than let a kid swim who is ready, willing, and able. Or are you arguing that someone who DQd should still be allowed to swim even though there is an alternate standing by? You hate the rule, but what are you proposing instead.

No argument. It’s just the “my child got a new heart because another child died” deal (okay, that’s horrible and morbid and possibly triggering, and I’m sorry). I don’t love anything in life where a bad thing happens to a child for a good thing to happen for a child.

In PMSL we got our first psych sheet yesterday and our second today with some scratches already included. Lots of movement in the older levels (not surprising with Futures next weekend). Less movement in the lower levels. My kid is currently second alternate in 11-12 and didn't move overnight. Probably wouldn't bring them out for one stroke as an alternate, but their sibling is swimming, so we'll all be there anyway.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For NVSL, some kids wait until later to scratch to keep their name in the program. So there's a good sized batch on Wednesday evening. That's mostly teenagers though; less movement 8-12...

I was a team rep for years and never encountered kids delaying scratching to get their names in the program. Younger kids are far more likely to attend than older kids, which means fewer scratches. Older kids suck at communication, which means later scratches. They trickle in over the first few days and then a large dump mid-week and then trickle up to Friday.

That's great for your team! Good kids. My daughter personally knows two delaying scratching for this exact reason, and more from years past

Anonymous wrote:For NVSL, some kids wait until later to scratch to keep their name in the program. So there's a good sized batch on Wednesday evening. That's mostly teenagers though; less movement 8-12...

I was a team rep for years and never encountered kids delaying scratching to get their names in the program. Younger kids are far more likely to attend than older kids, which means fewer scratches. Older kids suck at communication, which means later scratches. They trickle in over the first few days and then a large dump mid-week and then trickle up to Friday.

You can check here daily to see the newest updates/lineup based on scratches:

https://www.mynvsl.com/documents?folder_id=37059

For NVSL, some kids wait until later to scratch to keep their name in the program. So there's a good sized batch on Wednesday evening. That's mostly teenagers though; less movement 8-12...

Anonymous wrote:Gosh, I’ve seen alternates come in very frequently due to false starts. They stand by the heat and are ready to swim if something happens. Personally, I hate it. I hate that their “fate” rests on another child messing up and having the walk of shame. I hate everything about it. But that’s how NVSL does it anyway.

I get it, nobody wants to cheer for a kid to make a mistake. But you would rather have an empty lane than let a kid swim who is ready, willing, and able. Or are you arguing that someone who DQd should still be allowed to swim even though there is an alternate standing by? You hate the rule, but what are you proposing instead.

It will happen daily up until the kids hit the water. NVSL will release scratch reports nightly saying who’s out and in. Last year, we had an alternate get in the morning of the meet, as well as a few others in the days prior.
As another poster said, the alternates go to clerk and the start in case someone no shows, false starts, or gets sick.
Teams may notify you, but you can also find the scratch batch files on the website once they start releasing them.

Meaning at the start line.

MCSL as well - alternates suit up and appear at the blocks. Most of the time they come back without swimming. But at least they still get the bag tag and can wear the T-shirt.

Gosh, I’ve seen alternates come in very frequently due to false starts. They stand by the heat and are ready to swim if something happens. Personally, I hate it. I hate that their “fate” rests on another child messing up and having the walk of shame. I hate everything about it. But that’s how NVSL does it anyway.

When do these decisions get made? Can the lane be filled up until the meet starts?