FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: How do preseason camp and tryouts work?

A: Preseason camp is a week of regular practices as a way for athletes to experience the kind of workouts to expect during the regular season, as well as meet coaches, captains, other athletes, and experience the team culture.

Tryouts are the following week, where all 5 days are required. If necessary, we will make the first round of cuts on Wednesday, and the team will be finalized the Friday of tryouts week.

• For those trying out for swim, we will hold time trials for the 50 and 100 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 100 butterfly, 100 breaststroke, and 200 IM.

• For those trying out for dive, we will start by going over the basics of board work and air awareness before working through and practicing the 5 dive categories (forwards, backwards, reverses, inwards, and twisters).

Q: Can I tryout for both swim AND dive?

A: No, you can only participate in one or the other.

Q: What are the requirements and time standards to make the team?

A: There is no set time standard to make the team, as we assess the levels of each athlete as tryouts week progresses. Our team is a capped sport due to transportation and limited pool space, but we expect a roster of about 50-55 athletes.  However, these are the minimum skills necessary for tryouts:

• SWIM: Must be able to complete a 100 yards of all four strokes, flip turn, and do a competition start off the blocks.

• DIVE: Must be able to perform/attempt a dive and/or flip in all 4 directions, have an amateur understanding of air awareness, and complete a basic 6-dive list during tryouts week.

Q: Who are the coaches?

A: Our coaching staff can be found here.

Q: How do I get in contact with the coaches?

A: All coaches can be contacted through ParentSquare.  This is where any announcements and direct contact with coaches (in either group chats or individually) will be found.

Q: Where are pool practices held?  What time is practice?

A: We practice at Chandler High School's pool from 3:45-6PM Monday through Friday.

Q: What do we do in between the end of school and the start of pool practice?

A: We will have team meetings, do some stretching, (light) weight training, visualization, plyometrics, etc. at ACP from 2:30-3PM.

Q: What kind of weight training do we do?  How often?

A: Our weight training is NOT just seeing who can put up the most weight.  We will have a dryland workout usually 3 times per week where we focus on explosivity, flexibility, and overall performance, not just strength.

Q: Do we ever have practices on the weekends?

A: Yes, we have scheduled team events every Saturday.  Team events vary between pool practices, invites, and team bonding activities.

Q: How much will we be swimming each day?

A: Approximately 5,000 yards, but this number will fluctuate depending on meet schedules and training regimens.

Q: If I want to swim with my club team during high school season, how many days do I need to be at ACP practices?

A: During a week with no meets or invites, the bare minimum is your choice of 2 days per week with ACP.  HOWEVER, when we have dual meets and invites, there will be more that is required with ACP.

Q: Will I be held back from competition if my grades dip?

A: Yes, any failing grade means required school tutoring during practice time and the removal from meets until the grade is pulled up. 

Q: How many events can I swim in at a meet?

A: You can swim a maximum of 4 total events, but no more than 2 individual events.

Q: When are meets and how long do they usually take?

A: Dual/tri/quad meets are typically 3 hours (including set up, warm up, and take down) and take place after school on Thursdays.  Invites are (usually) on Saturdays, but can take up to 7 hours.

Q: How many meets and invites will we have this season?

A: We have 6 official dual/tri/quad meets during the season.  We are allowed to compete in up to 4 invites plus the state meet, if you qualify.  There are required time standards that need to be met in order to compete.

Q: Are swim meets prelim/finals?

A: No, all swim meets are timed finals except for the state meet, which is the only 2-day prelim/final meet.

Q: How should I prepare for a meet?

A: Have all required team gear (team shirt/warm ups, suit, caps, goggles, shammy, towels, water, snack, chair, etc.).  Know where and what time to meet by the bus.  Know what events you will be competing in.  Stay on top of the meet timeline to ensure you are adequately prepared for your race.

Q: Can I leave a meet early after I finish my events?

A: No, it is extremely important to keep cheering on your teammates and support the team throughout the meet. After the meet is over, a bus will transport you back to ACP where you can then be picked up.

Q: Do we need to find our own rides to Chandler High School for practice?

A: A bus will be provided for transportation to practice at Chandler, but not after.  Your parent will pick you up from Chandler.

Q: If I drive to school, do I have to take the bus to practice?  Can I drive other people?

A: If you drive your own car to ACP, you can drive yourself and any siblings you have that are also on the team.  You are not allowed to drive anyone else.

Q: Can I go home after school ends and show up at the pool later? 

A: No, you are required to be at the team meeting/dryland practice for that time in between school and pool practice.

Q: Will we practice over fall break?

A: Yes, we still have practices and meets during break.  There are some days over break where we will have multiple practices and/or events going on.

Q: Can I go on vacation during fall break?

A: Yes, but ideally vacations are scheduled in a way to minimize the amount of missed practices and meets.

Q: How do I purchase team gear?

A: A team store will open once you make the team to buy team shirts, shorts, sweatshirts and other ACP Swim & Dive merch. Caps, suits, and matching team shirts will be ordered by the coaches. Parkas and warmups will be provided by the school and must be returned after the season ends.

Q: Will equipment be provided for us or do I have to bring my own?

A: We have a shed at the pool with kick boards, fins, buoys, and paddles, but you are more than welcome to bring your own equipment.

Q: What does team bonding look like outside of the pool?

A: We host team dinners before meets, we do some volunteering, and schedule other get-togethers at parks, restaurants, as well as go on hikes.