When does The LHHS swim season start?
The LHHS Swim Season begins when school starts in the Fall. We’ll have a team informational meeting around that same time. Please be on the lookout for an email, or a posting on the LHHS Swim Team Google Site, Google Classroom as well as Facebook for the time and place.
We are still finalizing the 2022-23 season meet schedule, as soon as the dates are confirmed the schedule will be posted. Most of the regular season meets will be on Saturdays working around other LHHS sports and activities.
The Last day to sign up for the 2022-23 Swim Team is TBD
Our first meet of the 2022-23 Season is TBD
How long does the high school swim season last?
The LHHS Swim Season lasts until the last qualified meet of the season.
First, we’ll attend the District Meet which is TBD
Next, will be the 2023 5-5A Regional Meets which is TBD
Finally, the 2023 5A State Meets which is TBD (typically this falls at the end of Feb. or the 1st week in March)
We’ll also have an End of the Season Banquet/Awards Dinner to celebrate the season’s accomplishments as well as our Seniors.
When are the tryouts for the LHHS Swim Team?
The Date for official try-outs to be on the team is TBD, and will be posted once it's been set. However, it is always at the coach’s discretion any time during the season to cut an athlete who proves not qualified to swim at the varsity level.
Can a LHHS Swimmer participate in other sports and activities and still be on the swim team?
Absolutely! In fact it is highly encouraged. We have swimmers on our team who are involved in choir, band, debate, DECA, FCA, PALS, TAFE, Cheerleading, Volleyball, Track, Soccer, Water Polo, and Club Swimming just to name a few.
Communication is the KEY, Coach Becker will work with you around your other interests/commitments just be sure to communicate often & early!
What forms are required to participate?
A Physical Evaluation.
A Medical History Form must be completed and signed by a parent/guardian prior to receiving the physical. (Physical Evaluation and Medical History Forms cannot be submitted electronically)
Physical & Medical History Forms
The Concussion Baseline Test will consist of 3 specific tests. These tests are mandatory for incoming 7th, 8th, 9th, and 11th graders. Any other grade student may participate in the baseline. These tests allow Athletic Trainers to better diagnose and treat a student should a head injury occur.
Athletic Participation forms must be completed ONLINE thru Rank One. ALL forms must be signed by a parent and the student-athlete which include:
Emergency Travel Form
UIL Forms Signature Page
Random Drug Testing
Where does the LHHS Swim Team Practice?
LHHS Swim will practice during 9th Period Athletics which will extend after school on certain days of the week. Due to a limited amount of pool time as a team, LHHS Swimmers do need to be practicing outside of school with a club swim team or swimming on their own. Please see Coach Becker if you need practice sets.
Where can a swimmer get extra practice?
Practice is the most important thing swimmers can do to improve their swimming times and techniques. Athletes are encouraged to practice on their own. Remember races are won in the hours that no one is watching!
Panther Swimmers Swim at any of the following (live links included):
Or you can use the link Find A Team
Do swimmers need a special diet?
No. Not unless they have a medical problem or diet-related condition that has been diagnosed by a doctor or a nutrition professional.
As a general rule, top swimmers follow;
“4 MORE 4 LESS, 4 ME:”
More - Complex carbohydrates like rice, bread, pasta
More - Lean quality protein like chicken, meat, fish
More - Water, fresh juices
More - Fresh fruit, nuts, and vegetables
Less - Take away food
Less - Saturated fats and oils
Less - Processed and pre-packaged foods
Less - Sodas
What are the events in high school swimming?
If you are new to high school swimming you will find a few differences between club or summer league swimming. High school competition is done using short course pools, either 25 years or 25 meters.
The National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS) Swimming and Diving Order of Events:
Event 1: Women’s 200-Yard Medley Relay
Event 2: Men’s 200-Yard Medley Relay
Event 3: Women’s 200-Yard Freestyle
Event 4: Men’s 200-Yard Freestyle
Event 5: Women’s 200-Yard Individual Medley
Event 6: Men’s 200-Yard Individual Medley
Event 7: Women’s 50-Yard Freestyle
Event 8: Men’s 50-Yard Freestyle
Event 9: Women’s 1 Meter Diving
Event 10: Men’s 1 Meter Diving
Event 11: Women’s 100-Yard Butterfly
Event 12: Men’s 100-Yard Butterfly
Event 13: Women’s 100-Yard Freestyle
Event 14: Men’s 100-Yard Freestyle
Event 15: Women’s 500-Yard Freestyle
Event 16: Men’s 500-Yard Freestyle
Event 17: Women’s 200-Yard Freestyle Relay
Event 18: Men’s 200-Yard Freestyle Relay
Event 19: Women’s 100-Yard Backstroke
Event 20: Men’s 100-Yard Backstroke
Event 21: Women’s 100-Yard Breaststroke
Event 22: Men’s 100-Yard Breaststroke
Event 23: Women’s 400-Yard Freestyle Relay
Event 24: Men’s 400-Yard Freestyle Relay
How many events does a high school swimmer swim?
Each athlete is allowed to swim in a maximum of 2 individual and 2 relay events at each meet. Another option is swimming 1 individual event and 3 relay races for a total of 4 events.
How will it be decided which events each swimmer will swim?
Every coach has a different selection policy based on his/her coaching philosophy. However, I like to give every swimmer a chance to compete as much as possible, regardless of their skill level. The size of our team, as well as the strength of the school(s) we’re competing against are also significant factors that influence how often swimmers compete in individual and relay events. Most often, it depends on an athlete’s most recent times before a meet. Before each meet swimmers will fill out their first and second choice for individual events on a Google Form for Coach Becker. Every effort will be made to place swimmers in the events they choose. However, there may be times when the coach feels the team would benefit more from a swimmer competing in certain events.
What if I am unable to swim in a meet?
Notify Coach Becker as soon as possible if you are unable to attend a swim meet. As much as swimming is an individual sport it is also a team sport, it causes a lot of stress and last-minute adjustments if someone doesn't show up without notice. If a last-minute emergency should arise, please CALL and also TEXT Coach Becker.
Two weeks prior to each swim meet swimmers MUST verify with Coach Becker that they will be attending the meet and which events they would like to swim via the Google Forms sent. Parents and swimmers will be emailed a meet confirmation.
All team members will ride to and from athletic contests via transportation provided by the school district. Only team members, coaches, and student assistants will be permitted to ride team buses. Students may return home with parents from athletic contests with written permission and must be signed out with Coach Becker. Prior to leaving the team will meet at the front of LHHS at the time provided by Coach Becker. Swimmers must be on time!
Swimmers are expected to stay for the duration of the meet in order to support and cheer on their team/teammates.
What equipment/gear does LHHS provide?
LHHS provides each swimmer with an embroidered swim parka, backpack, and warm-up jacket. Please use this gear when participating in swim meets only. These items are part of the team uniform and are not to be worn otherwise.
What equipment/gear must the swimmer provide?
Swimmers MUST wear LHHS Swim Team Caps when swimming in meets representing LHHS. It is against UIL rules for high school swimmers to wear non-school logos during high school swim meets.
Swimmers are required to provide their own goggles. It’s a good idea to have a backup pair in case they break, get lost, or are stolen.
Different faces need different goggles. Be sure and try on goggles for comfort before buying them.
Recommended Goggles:
Speedo Vanquisher, Vanquisher 2.0, or Vanquisher Jr. (MOST recommended)
Speedo Speed Socket
Speedo Air Seal XR
TYR Velocity
Nike Remora
A goggle bungee strap is highly recommended but not required.
LH Logo suits will be available for purchase through our swim team booster club but are not mandatory. If you do not wish to purchase a LH swimsuit you MUST wear a plain black competition-appropriate swimsuit (Girls must be a one-piece fixed back suit. Boys must wear a jammer or Speedo style racing suit. Baggy shorts or cut-offs are not permitted.)
How should my son or daughter prepare the night before a swim meet?
Sleep, nutrition, hydration, and mental preparation, are the “Hidden ingredients.” These are factors that greatly impact a swimmers performance in the pool. Obviously these are areas that are primarily done away from the pool deck where the coach cannot supervise. As parents, you have the ability to help your swimmers make healthy choices, which will help them to be the strongest competitor possible.
What should LHHS swimmers bring to swim meets?
LHHS Swim cap (always have a back-up swim cap)
Goggles (always have a back-up pair of goggles)
LHHS Swimsuit, or solid black competition swimsuit
LHHS Swim Parka
LHHS Swim Bag
LHHS Swim Warm-Up Jacket
Towel(s)
Water bottle and or sports drinks (no sodas)
Healthy snacks (sandwiches, fruit)
A foldable lawn chair
How can parents and guardians volunteer?
Join our SWIM TEAM BOOSTER CLUB!
Your help and support is greatly NEEDED & APPRECIATED, throughout the season. Volunteering is a great way to show your athlete that you support their efforts.
At each meet, we will need volunteers to help serve as timers.
For meets hosted by LHHS, District, Regional, and State additional volunteers will be needed.
Other ways to help our team - FOOD, food, and more food. Swimmers like to eat so we always welcome healthy snacks, water, and sports drinks to share with the team. This season we are also looking for parents to host team dinners and team bonding/get together opportunities such as:
Swim Team Tailgates at Panther Home Football Games
Swim Team Float for the Homecoming Parade
Swim Team Community Volunteer Opportunities
Swim Team Adopt a Family at Christmas
Swim Team Fundraisers
Swim Team Merchandise & Sales
Swim Team End of Season Banquet/Awards Dinner
If you are interested in any of these volunteer activities please contact Coach Becker!
What can I do to be the best swimming parent I can be?
Give your child that which only you can give, unconditional love, support, compassion and unwavering belief in them as human beings. In the long term, whether your child becomes a world-class swimmer, lawyer, doctor, teacher, or whatever profession they go into it is not their talent that defines them or makes them successful. It’s who they are!
No one helps kids to develop values, virtues, and characteristics like their family. 6 feet tall 12-year-old kids with large feet and strong muscles are great but give me intelligent, honest, coachable, and hard-working kids with a real sense of self-belief, courage, and integrity any day! I believe in developing the child first, swimming comes next!
If I have a question or concern how can I bring it up to the coach?
Coach Becker always, always, always has an open-door policy! However, my time with our athletes is extremely valuable. Please do not try to get into lengthy discussions at swim meets. If you wish to speak with me simply call, text, or email to set up an appointment where we can speak freely away from the pool deck. Also, I prefer you come to me early rather than wait... if there is an issue let's get to the bottom of it before things fester.
Coach Becker’s Contact Info.
Email = dbecker@libertyhill.txed.net
Swim Strokes:
Freestyle - In freestyle, you may swim any stroke, but the fastest is what is often called the crawl, which is characterized by the alternate stroking of the arms over the water surface and an alternating (up-and-down) flutter kick. On turns and finishes, some part of the swimmer must touch the wall. Most swimmers do a flip turn.
Backstroke - Backstroke consists of an alternating motion of the arms with a flutter kick while on the back. On turns, swimmers may turn onto the stomach and do a flip turn (they cannot glide into the wall and then turn). Some part of the swimmer must touch the wall at the turn. The swimmer must finish on their back.
Backstroke Starts - Being in the water holding onto the wall or the starting blocks. Toes must be underwater.
Backstroke Flags - The triangle flags at each end of the pool are used primarily for backstroke, to let the swimmer know the wall is near.
Breaststroke - The breaststroke requires simultaneous movements of the arms on the same horizontal plane. The hands are pushed forward from the breast. In the return of the arms, the hand cannot go past the waist. The kick is a simultaneous somewhat circular motion similar to the action of a frog. On turns and at the finish, the swimmer must touch the wall with both hands simultaneously. One of the hardest parts of the breaststroke is the start. After the dive, while still underwater, the swimmer can (but doesn’t have to) do one arm pull where the hands can go past the waist, one dolphin kick, and then another arm pull-with a breaststroke kick - to bring them to the surface.
Butterfly - The butterfly features a simultaneous movement of the arms over the water combined with an undulating dolphin kick. In the kick, the swimmer must keep both legs together and may not flutter, scissor, or breaststroke kick. Both hands must touch the wall simultaneously on the turns and the finish.
IM (Individual Medley) - The individual medley, commonly referred to as the I.M., features all four strokes. In the IM, the swimmer begins with the butterfly, then changes after one fourth of the race to backstroke, then breaststroke and finally freestyle. The rules of each stroke apply to that leg of the IM.
IM Order - Fly, Back, Breast, Free. Ex. 100 IM is a 25-yard swim of Butterfly, 25-yard swim of Backstroke, 25-yard swim of Breaststroke, and a 25-yard swim of Freestyle, in that order.
Medley Relay - The medley relay, all four strokes are swum. The first swimmer swims backstroke, the second breaststroke, the third butterfly, and the final swimmer anchors the relay with freestyle.
Medley Relay Order - Back, Breast, Fly, Free.
Freestyle Relay - The freestyle relay events consist of four swimmers, each swimming one quarter of the total distance of the event.
Starting Blocks - Not to be confused with diving boards, starting blocks are stationary and do not spring. Races begin at the blocks.
Starts - When the starting beep goes off swimmers jump or back out as far as they can and are in a streamlined position while in the air to begin a race.
Deck - The area around the swimming pool reserved for swimmers, officials, and coaches.
Disqualified (D/Q) - A swimmer's performance is not counted because of a rule infraction. A disqualification is shown by an official raising one arm with an open hand above their head. Please don't get upset if your swimmer gets DQed. Coach Becker and the team captains will work with them to improve.
Typical rules broken which could result in a DQ:
Freestyle - Pushing yourself forward off the bottom of the pool
Propelling yourself forward off the lane line
You are free to swim the style you choose
Backstroke - Rolling onto your stomach (other than if you are about to do a flip turn at the wall)
Pushing or pulling on the lane line
Pushing off the bottom of the pool
Breaststroke - Doing a butterfly, flutter, or scissor kick
Not getting your head out of the water every stroke
Keeping the 1/1/1 ratio, 1 pull with your arms, 1 breath (don’t actually have to breathe but your head must come up), 1 breaststroke kick with toes out and feet flex for the majority of the kick
Arms going below or past the belly button
Not touching the wall with two hands for your finish
Butterfly - Non-simultaneous arms (arms not moving together or in sync)
Feet coming apart (flutter kick or breaststroke kick)
Arms not coming out and going over the water after the pull
Not touching the wall with two hands for your finish
All Strokes - Moving on the block after the starter says “Take your mark” and before the BEEP, will cause a false start, the first false start of every heat is strike one for the entire heat, and the next swimmer to false start will be DQ’ed
Not finishing a race
Stopping to fix goggles (excluding freestyle)
Pushing off the bottom of the pool
Pushing or pulling on the lane line
Swimming in another swimmer’s lane
What is a Heat Sheet? What Does it say?
The Heat Sheet is a program that shows all the participating swimmers and what events they will participate in as well as the heat number and lane number. The announcer will say the event and heat number and there is also an electronic board with this information. Most meets print these out and tape them on the pool walls. Some even sell them at the door for a few dollars. Coach Becker typically prints them ahead of time and passes them out on the bus before traveling to a meet.
Changes to the Heat Sheet will be made just prior to the start of a meet based on swimmers who don't arrive on time or do not attend. Races might also be combined to speed up a meet. For example, if we have 3 girls swimming fly and 3 boys swimming fly the swimmers will be combined into one heat to save time.
The announcer will say if heats are combined. Please pay attention when it gets close to the time your swimmer's event is.
Event Number - There are 24 events in each meet. (Unless the Diving events are done at a separate time, which is often the case.)
Heat Number - In each of the 24 events, there are HEATS. Each heat has 6-8 swimmers - depending on the size of the pool and teams competing.
Lane Number - This will tell you which lane your swimmer is scheduled to be in. Typically the fastest swimmers in each heat get assigned to the middle lanes.
Seed Time: Once a swimmer participates legally in an event, they will have a "seed time" in that event for the next meet. Swimmers are placed in heats and relays according to their seed times*. The swimmer's fastest time prior to this meet.
Finals Time: The time swam at this meet
Points: Points are awarded to the team for swimmers placing 1-8 in individual meets and 1-2 in relays. A winner is determined at the end of each meet. Please keep in mind some meets, especially championship meets are scored differently.
Swimmers MUST be able to prove they are practicing outside of school with a club swim team for example; Nitro, Waterloo, Texas Gold, Lone Star or on your own (discuss with Coach Becker.)
You MUST be a competitive swimmer and have all four strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly) legal.
Swimmers MUST give 100% in the pool and in the classroom
Swimmers MUST maintain passing grades in all classes.
Swimmers MUST participate in 100% of all scheduled swim meets.
Swimmers MUST treat teammates, coaches, officials, volunteers, and other swimmers with respect at all times.
Swimmers MUST seek out the coach after each race for feedback and reflection.
Swimmers MUST behave as ladies and gentlemen at all times, but especially on school trips when they are acting as representatives of Liberty Hill ISD. Athletes are a reflection of the school district, those who coach them, and their families.
Swimmers MUST realize their responsibility as an athlete at LHHS. They represent the school and the community - we want them to make good responsible decisions.
Swimmers dress and behavior will meet the expected standards of the school district.
There shall be no gambling. This can only lead to hard feelings and detract from the team unity.
School policy provides for suspension from school and the team for drinking while on school trips or while involved in school activities.
Team morale and unity is vitally important.
Swimmers are asked to stay in the pool until all swimmers have completed the race. The exception to this would be if an official asks you to vacate the pool.
Swimmers should practice good sportsmanship at all times. Shake the hands of the swimmers in neighboring lanes after a race. Congratulate other swimmers and teams.
Swimmers should never throw swim goggles or a swim cap either in victory or defeat after a race.
Swimmers need to be mindful of slapping the water either in victory or defeat after a race.
Swimmers are encouraged to thank the meet volunteers (timers and officials).
Swimmers should always take pride in themselves, the athletic department, and LHHS.
No sharpie writing/ drawing will be allowed on the face, front of the torso, legs, arms or backs of LHHS Swimmers at meets with the exception of writing the swimmer’s events. Swimmers who violate this policy will be removed from competition and asked to remove said writing/drawing before returning.
Coach Becker’s Contact Info.
Dimitra Becker
Email = dbecker@libertyhill.txed.net
Google Site = LHHS Varsity Swim Team Google Site
Google Classroom = LHHS Varsity Swim Team Google Classroom
Class Code: Will be given to Swimmers and parents of the team
Facebook = Liberty Hill High School Varsity Swim Team Facebook Page
LHHS Swim Booster Club
Email = lhhsswimbooster@gmail.com