Five practices

By Alan Tapley

Editor’s note:  Alan Tapley is the parent of two female swimmers, ages twelve and fourteen.  Over the past eight years he has been with them at hundreds of meets and practices.  He has had countless conversations with swimmers about what they would like the public to know about their pursuit of this grueling sport.

As the high school swim season began and my daughter, now a Sophomore, handed in her registration papers, doctor’s physical, and Code of Conduct form, she sighed.  After all, she would still need to attend five practices before becoming eligible to swim at a meet, and that thought seemed daunting.  Wait, just five?  For the week, right?  No.  Five total practices for the entire high school swim season.  It is different state by state, and often a coach or high school changes the rules and asks swimmers to show up twice a week, or even every practice.  But in our state, the rule is that a swimmer must attend five practices before they are eligible to swim at a high school meet, and with an extremely large high school swim team and limited pool space, at my daughter’s school, just five practices are required.  So why the sigh?

School started back in August and included a back-to-school swim party as well as introducing the full- time pre-season swim and conditioning program.  But since the official season doesn’t begin until November 14^th, no practices would count towards the five.  But so what?  November 14^th to the end of the season in February is a ton of time. 

Actually, while the State Championships are in February, the coach really wants everyone eligible by the first major meet, the Coaches Invite, a prelims/finals high school meet against many of the state’s top swimmers on December 17^th.  Still, November 14^th to December 17^th, that’s a month plus to get five practices in.

November 14^th-20^th was a bit rough.  Remember that club swimmers are trying to juggle their daily practices, expectation of coaches, their next big meet, school and fatigue when trying to pick which high school practices to make.  The first day, November 14^th, was following a three day meet, no one was going to high school practice that day.  Day two was simply blown off, after all, there’s still plenty of time.  Day three was doubles at club practice.  Day four was club practice and a physical therapy session for a tired shoulder.  And the next two days were occupied by an invite only, Long Course Meter camp that included swimming Friday night, twice on Saturday, and once more on Sunday.

November 21^st -27^th was rough too.  Could barely move on day one thanks to the camp, and with the Thanksgiving schedule, high school practices were only available on day two and three.  And neither were going to work.  Attending high school practice would mean missing the club practice, and with a huge meet coming up, that wasn’t going to happen.

November 28^th – December 4^th.  First practice attended on Monday, November 28^th!  A morning practice with some high school girls, followed by a club practice that night.  Tuesday, another high school practice in the morning, followed by another club practice that night.  Wednesday, doubles at the club practice, no high school.  Thursday was another day of high school practice in the morning and a club swim at night, and technically, the start of the coach’s taper for Junior Nationals on December 7.  Friday, another high school morning practice but only because the club morning swim was canceled, but the night session wouldn’t be.  Four practices down, one more to go, and despite all the two-a-days, the shoulder is doing better.

December 5^th – 11^th.  Could have attended practice on Saturday, but the coach wanted the Junior National swimmers to attend a meet in the morning and just get a few token swims in.  Monday and Tuesday were available for high school swimming, but probably not a good idea to mess with a taper schedule.  Wednesday to Sunday would be a trip to Junior Nationals that included a flight to Houston, a drive to Texas A&M, three days of swimming and a late return flight.  Just need one practice, with one week to go.

December 12^th-December 16^th.  Timing is everything as it is the week of finals.  Exams in Spanish, Pre-Calc, Science, History, English, and a project due.  Club practice each day, and doubles on Wednesday.  On Friday morning, December 16^th, one day before the high school swim deadline, there is no school unless you are taking a make up exam, you decide to skip a 5am club practice, and you stroll into the rec center at 7am to finish off your last required practice.  Mission accomplished.