SWIMMING TERMINOLOGY   AGE GROUPS: 8 & Under - Anyone 8 years old or less 10 & Under -9 and 10 year olds 12 & Under - 11 and 12 year olds 14 & Under - 13 and 14 year olds Opens - 15 years and up including those who graduated in the June immediately proceeding that summer season. Age groups are determined by the age of the swimmer as of May 31st. Each age group has a male and female category. DIVISIONS: The Lancaster County Swim League is made up of three divisions. The higher the division the better and more competitive the teams are, first being the top division. At the end of the season the team which finishes at the bottom of a division may trade places with the team which finished at the top of the preceding division. Ranking within a division is determined by each teams’ win - loss record. ALL LEAGUES: The end of the year swim meet in which all the Lancaster County teams from the three divisions participate. Relays are held Friday night. 12 & Under, 14 & under, and Opens compete individually Saturday morning. 8 & Under and 10 & Under compete Saturday afternoon. This is all weather permitting. DIVISIONALS: This meet takes place after the regular dual meet schedule. All the teams from the same division compete against each other. DUAL MEETS: Two teams in the same division compete against each other. Admission is free. These are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Start of actual racing is 6:15 PM and takes about 2 1/2 hours ending with relays. SCORING Individual events - 1st place 5 points, 2nd place =3 points, 3rd place = I point. A team may not sweep a race. The team which does not place automatically gets 3rd place. Relays - 1st place receives 7 points. No other places receive points. A swimmer may be entered in up to 3 events, individual or relay. LIVE HEAT: Races in which points count towards team scores. There is only one live heat per individual category. EXHIBITION HEATS:: Races which do not count towards team scores. There will be as many exhibition heats needed as to let all swimmers at every capability compete against each other. INV1TATIONALS: Optional swim meets against other swimmers from teams invited to compete in that event. Swimmers are seeded by their times. The heats are run from slowest to fastest times with the fastest swimmers competing in the last heat of an event. Swimmers must pay entry fees per event in which they will be swimming. Entry fees must be paid even if a swimmer who is entered does not attend since this is done in advance. There is an admission charged for all non swimmers, since invitationals are also fund raisers for the pool holding them. Heat sheets are available for purchase. They tell when a swimmer will race and swimmer’s seeded times. Bring lawn chairs and snacks/lunch. Food is available for purchase. There is usually a vendor there so you may purchase any swimming needs (i.e.: suits or goggles).   STROKES: Freestyle: The crawl stroke is used for this because it is the fastest but technically any stroke may be done. Swimmers may not touch the bottom of the pool or they will DQ. Backstroke: Swimmers must remain on their back the entire length or they will DQ. Breaststroke and Butterfly must be performed in a strict manner or a DQ will occur. The order of strokes at dual meets is: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and free relays.   MANHEIM SWIM TEAM BI-LAWS   ARTICLE 1. MEMBERSHIP SECTION 1. Any interested swimmer who can demonstrate the ability to swim one length of the pool, (25 meters) or otherwise meets the coach’s requirements. SECTION 2. Dues shall be set by the Board. Failure to pay dues by June 1 renders membership null and void. SECTION 3.  All swimmers must be members of the Manheim Pool. SECTION 4. Any swimmer may be dismissed if he/she is inhibiting the coach’s ability to coach or endangering him/herself or other swimmers through his/her actions. SECTION 5. Membership in the Parent Group is automatic upon registration of swimmer and payment of pool dues.