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Glossary of
Swimming Terms
A glossary of those strange and wacky words
we use in the sport of swimming. You may or may not find these
words in the English Dictionary, and if you do, their definitions
will probably be radically different than the ones listed in this
Glossary. Relax and take your time reading. Soon you'll be
understanding and maybe even speaking some "swim slang."
"A"
Time classification for a swimmer. National Age Group Time Standard
"A". "A" time is .01 seconds faster than the "BB" time
standard and .01 slower than the "AA" time standard. See the NAGT
published chart.
"AA"
Time classification for a swimmer that is .01 faster than "A"
time standard.
"AAA"
Time classification for a swimmer that is .01 faster than the
"AA" time standard.
"AAAA"
Time classification for a swimmer that is .01 faster than the
"AAA" time standard. This is the fastest time standard listed
on the NAGT chart. Times faster than this are approaching
National cuts or Top Times consideration.
A-Meet
Swim meet that requires swimmers to have previously achieved
an "A" time standard in the events they wish to enter.
A-B
Meet
Swim meet that offers separate competition for both "A" swimmers
and "B" swimmers, usually with medals for the "A" swimmers and
ribbons for the "B" swimmers. Swimmers compete in separate brackets
against other swimmers of their own ability. Usually only "A"
swimmers can score individual event team points.
A-B-C
Swim meet similar to the A-B meet except that there are three
divisions. This type of meet includes every ability level of
swimmer from Novice to very experienced. All swimmers with an
"A" time or faster compete in the "A" division, and all swimmers
with a "C" and down compete in the "C" division. The "B"
division is the most limited with both top (.01 slower than "A")
and bottom (.01 faster than "C") limitations.
Achiever
Card A
recognition card or certificate proving the swimmer has made a
specific time in an event. The card lists the distance, stroke,
swimmer's time, date and place of meet, swimmer's name, and meet
referee's signature.
Add
Up
Aggregate Time - times achieved by four swimmers in individual
events which are added together to arrive at a provable relay entry
time.
Admission
Certain swim meets charge for spectators to view the
meets. These are usually the larger more prestigious meets.
Sometimes the meet program (heat sheet) is included in the price of
admission.
Age
Group
Division of swimmers according to age. The National Age Group
divisions are: 10-under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18. Some LSCs
have divided the swimmers into more convenient divisions specific
to their situations: (i.e.) 8-under, 13-Over, 15-Over, Junior,
Senior.
Alternate
In a Prelims/Finals meet, after the finalists are decided, the next
two fastest swimmers other than the finalists are designated as
alternates. The faster of the two being the first
alternate and the next being second alternate. If a finalist cannot
participate, the alternates are called to take their
place.
Anchor
The final swimmer in a relay. 
Approved
Meet A meet
conducted with sufficient USA Swimming officials to certify
conformance to USA Swimming rules. The meet may include competitors
who are not USA Swimming members. The meet may be a competition
sanctioned at the LSC level with the added approval of USA Swimming
because both member and non-member athletes will be
competing.
ASCA
The American Swim Coaches Association. The
professional organization for swim coaches throughout the nation.
Certifying coaches and offering many services for coaches'
education and career advancement.
"B"
Time classification for a swimmer. National Age Group Time Standard
"B". "B" time is .01 seconds faster than the "C" time standard and
.01 slower than the "BB" time standard. See the NAGT published
chart.
"BB"
Time classification for a swimmer. National Age Group Time Standard
"BB". "BB" time is .01 seconds faster than the "B" time standard
and .01 slower than the "A" time standard. See the NAGT published
chart.
B-Meet
Swim meet that requires swimmers to have previously achieved a
"B" time standard in the events they wish to enter. Some meets have
no bottom cut time allowing "C" swimmers also to compete.
B-C
Meet
Swim meet that offers separate competition for both "B" swimmers
and "C" swimmers, usually with ribbons for the "B" swimmers and
smaller ribbons for the "C" swimmers. Swimmers compete in separate
brackets against other swimmers of their own ability. Swimmers are
not allowed to enter an event that they have an "A" time
in.
Backstroke
One of the four competitive racing strokes, basically any
style of swimming on your back. Backstroke is swum as the first
stroke in the Medley Relay and second stroke in the I.M. Racing
distances are 50 yards/meter, 100 yards/meter, and 200 yards/meter
(LSCs with 8-under divisions offer the 25 yd back).
Beep
The starting sound from an electronic, computerized timing
system.
Blocks
The starting platforms located behind each lane. Some pools have
blocks at the deeper end of the pool, and some pools have blocks at
both ends. Blocks have a variety of designs and can be permanent or
removable.
BOD Board
of Directors of the Local Swim Committee (LSC) or USA Swimming
(USA-S).
Bonus
Heat The
heat held during the finals session of a Prelims/Finals meet that
is slower than the swimmers participating in Big Finals. The Bonus
Heat may refer to Consolation Finals or an extra heat in addition
to Consolation finals.
Bottom The
floor of the pool. Bottom depths are usually marked on the walls or
sides of the pool.
Breaststroke
One of the four competitive racing strokes. Breaststroke is
swam as the second stroke in the Medley Relay and the third stroke
in the I.M. Racing distances are 50 yards/meter, 100 yards/meter,
and 200 yards/meter. (LSCs with 8-under divisions offer the 25 yd
breast)
Bull
Pen
The staging area where swimmers wait to receive their lane and heat
assignments for a swimming event. Area is usually away from the
pool and has rows of chairs for the swimmers to sit. The Clerk of
the Course is in charge of the Bull Pen.
Bulletin
One of the most important communication devices for a swim club.
Bulletin boards are usually in the entrance Board ways of
pools and have timely information posted for swimmers and parents
to read.
Butterfly
One of the four competitive racing strokes. Butterfly
(nicknamed FLY) is swam as the third stroke in the Medley Relay and
first stroke in the I.M. Racing distances are 50 yards/meter, 100
yards/meter, and 200 yards/meter (LSCs with 8-under divisions offer
the 25 yard fly).
Button
The manual Timing System stopping device that records a back-up
time in case the touch pad malfunctioned. The button is at the end
of a wire, plugged into a deck terminal box. There are usually 3
buttons per lane. It is the timers responsibility to push the
button as the swimmer finishes the race.
Camp
A swimming function offered by USA-S, your LSC, or a USA-S coach.
There are many types of camps for just about every level of
swimmer. When selecting a camp, ask for your coach's advice as to
what will be the best for the swimmer, or call USA-S swimming for
details on the many camps they offer.
Cap The
latex or lycra covering worn on the head of swimmers. The colors
and team logo's adorning these caps are limitless. National Caps,
State Team Caps, award caps, plain practice caps, etc.
Car
pool
The major transportation service provided by parents of a swim
club, to shuttle swimmers to and from practices.
Cards
A card that may either be handed to the swimmer in the bull
pen or given to the timer behind the lane. Cards usually list the
swimmers name, USA-S number, seed time, event number, event
description, and the lane and heat number the swimmer will swim in.
Backup times are written on these cards. Each event may have a
separate card.
Carbohydrates
The main source of food energy used by athletes. Refer to a
Nutritional Manual for more information. 
Championship Meet The meet held
at the end of a season. Qualification times are usually necessary
to enter meet.
Championship Finals The
top six or eight swimmers (depending on the number of
pool lanes) in a Prelims/Finals meet who, after the prelims
are swum, qualify to return to the Finals. The fastest heat of
finals when multiple heats are held.
Check-In
The procedure required before a swimmer swims an event in a
deck-seeded meet. Sometimes referred to as positive check-in, the
swimmer must mark their name on a list posted by the meet
host.
Check-Out
The parent's job at the motel. This is listed here to remind
parents to request "Late Check Out" times if offered at no charge
by the motel. This makes the last day of the meet a little less
hectic.
Chlorine
The chemical used by most pools to kill the bacteria in water and
keep it clear and safe to swim in.
Circle
Seeding A method of
seeding swimmers when they are participating in a prelims/finals
event. The fastest 18 to 24 swimmers are seeded in the last three
heats, with the fastest swimmers being in the inside lanes. (i.e.)
Lane 4 in the final three heats. See rule book for exact
method for seeding depending on the lanes in the pool.
Clinic
A scheduled meeting for the purpose of instruction. (i.e.)
Official's clinic, Coach's clinic.
Closed Competition Swim meet
which is only open to the members of an organization or group.
Summer club swim meets are considered to be "Closed
Competition."
Club A
registered swim team that is a dues-paying member of USA-S and the
local LSC.
Code
A set of rules that have been officially published.
Code of
Ethics A Code
of Conduct that both swimmers and coaches are required to sign at
certain USA-S/LSC sponsored events. The Code is not strict and
involves common sense and proper behavior.
Colorado
A brand of automatic timing
system.
Consolation Finals
After the fastest six or eight swimmers, the next six
or eight swimmers (depending on the number of pool lanes)
in a Prelims/Finals meet who, after the prelims are swum, qualify
to return to the Finals. Consolations are the second fastest heat
of finals when multiple heats are held and are conducted before the
Championship heat.
Convention
United States Aquatic Sports annual, week long, meeting where all
rules changes are decided and working committees are established.
Representatives are sent by each LSC to make up the voting
body.
Course
Designated distance (length of pool) for swimming competition. (Ie)
Long Course = 50 meters / Short Course = 25 yards or 25
meters.
Deadline The
date meet entries must be "postmarked" by, to be accepted by the
meet host. Making the meet deadline does not guarantee acceptance
into a meet since many meets are "full" weeks before the entry
deadline.
Deck
The area around the swimming pool reserved for swimmers, officials,
and coaches. No one but an "authorized" USA Swimming member may be
on the deck during a swim competition.
Deck
Entries
Accepting entries into swimming events on the first day or later
day of a meet.
Deck
Seeding
Swimmers report to a bull pen or staging area and receive their
lane and heat assignments for the events.
Dehydration
The abnormal depletion of body fluids (water). The most common
cause of swimmers cramps and sick feelings.
Developmental
A classification of meet or competition that is usually held early
in the season. The purpose of a developmental meet is to allow all
levels of swimmers to compete in a low-pressure
environment.
Distance
How far a swimmer swims. Distances for short course are: 25
yards (1 length), 50 yards (2 lengths), 100 yards (4 lengths), 200
yards (8 lengths), 400 yards (16 lengths), 500 yards (20 lengths),
1000 yards (40 lengths), 1650 yards (66 lengths). Distances for
long course are: 50 meters (1 length), 100 meters (2 lengths), 200
meters (4 lengths), 400 meters (8 lengths), 800 meters (16
lengths), 1500 meters (30 lengths).
Disqualified
A swimmer's performance is not counted because of a rules
infraction. A disqualification is shown by an official raising one
arm with open hand above their head.
Dive
Entering the water head first. Diving is not allowed during warmups
except at the designated time, in specific lanes that are monitored
by the swimmer's coach.
Diving
Well
A separate pool or a pool set off to the side of the competition
pool. This pool has deeper water and diving boards/platforms.
During a meet, this area may be designated as a warm-down pool with
proper supervision.
Division
I-II-III NCAA member
colleges and universities are assigned divisions to compete in,
depending on the school's total enrollment. Division I being the
large universities and Division III being the smaller
colleges.
Double
Dual
Type of swim meet where three teams compete in dual meets against
each other at the same time. Separate meet scores would be kept for
Team A vs. Team B, Team A vs. Team C, and Team B vs. Team
C.
Dual
Meet
Type of meet where two teams/clubs compete against each
other.
Draw
Random selection by chance.
Dropped
Time When a
swimmer goes faster than the previous performance they have
"dropped their time."
Dryland
The exercises and various strength programs swimmers do out of the
water.
Dry
Side
That part of the Code book (rule book) that deals with the
"Administrative" Regulations of Competition.
Entry
An individual, relay team, or club roster's event list in a swim
competition.
Entry Chairperson
The host club's designated person who is responsible for receiving,
and making sure the entries have met the deadline, or returning the
entries if the meet is full. This person usually will find
discrepancies in the meet entries and notify the entering club to
correct any errors.
Entry
Fees
The amount per event a swimmer or relay is charged. This varies
depending on the LSC and type of meet.
Entry
Limit
Each meet will usually have a limit of total swimmers they can
accept, or a time limit they cannot exceed. Once an entry limit has
been reached, a meet will be closed and all other entries
returned.
Electronic
Timing Timing system operated on DC current
(battery). The timing system usually has touchpads in the water,
junction boxes on the deck with hook up cables, buttons for backup
timing, and a computer-type console that prints out the results of
each race. Some systems are hooked up to a scoreboard that displays
swimmers.
Eligible to compete The status of
a member swimmer that means they are registered and have met all
the requirements.
Equipment
The items necessary to operate a swim practice or conduct a swim
competition.
Event
A race or stroke over a given distance. An event equals 1
preliminary with its final, or 1 timed final.
False
Start
When a swimmer leaves the starting block before the horn or gun.
One false start will disqualify a swimmer or a relay team, although
the starter or referee may disallow the false start due to unusual
circumstances.
False Start
Rope A recall rope across the width
of the racing pool for the purpose of stopping swimmers who were
not aware of a false start. The rope is about 1/2 way on yard pools
and about 50 feet from the starting end on meter
pools.
Fastest to Slowest A
seeding method used on the longer events held at the end of a
session. The fastest seeded swimmers participate in the first heats
followed by the next fastest and so on. Many times these events
will alternate one girls heat and one boys heat until all swimmers
have competed.
Fees Money
paid by swimmers for services. (i.e.) Practice fees, registration
fee, USA-S membership fee, etc.
FINA
The international rules-making organization for the sport of
swimming.
Finals
The final race of each event. See "Consolation Finals", "Timed
Finals", etc.
Final
Results
The printed copy of the results of each race of a swim
meet.
Fine
The monetary penalty assessed a swimmer or club when a swimmer does
not achieve the necessary time required to swim in an event, and
cannot prove they have done the time previously.
Fins
Large rubber flipper-type devices that fit on a swimmers feet. Used
in swim practice, not competition.
Flags
Pennants that are suspended over the width of each end of the pool
approximately 15 feet from the wall.
Format
The order of events and type of swim meet being
conducted.
Fund
Raiser
A money making endeavor by a swim team/club usually involving both
parents and swimmers.
Freestyle
One of the four competitive racing strokes. Freestyle (nicknamed
Free) is swum as the fourth stroke in the Medley Relay and fourth
stroke in the I.M. Racing distances are 50 yards/meter, 100
yards/meter, 200 yards/meter, 400 mtr/500, yd 800 mtr/1000 yds,
1500 mtr/1650 yds (LSCs with 8-under divisions offer the 25 yd
free).
Gallery
The viewing area for spectators during the swimming
competition.
Goals
The short- and long-range targets for swimmers to aim
for.
Goggles
Glasses-type devices worn by swimmers to keep their eyes from being
irritated by the chlorine in the water.
Gun
Lap
The part of a freestyle distance race (400 meters or longer) when
the swimmer has two lengths plus five yards to go. The
starter fires a gun shot over the lane of the lead swimmer when the
swimmer is at the backstroke flags.
Handbook
A reference manual published by teams/clubs and LSCs or other
swimming organizations.
Headquarters
The motel designated by the meet host. Usually, hospitality rooms
and meetings relating to the meet will be held at this location.
Many times this motel is one of the sponsors of the
meet.
Heats
A division of an event when there are too many swimmers to compete
at the same time. The results are compiled by swimmers time swum,
after all heats of the event are completed.
Heat
Award
A ribbon or coupon given to the winner of a single heat at an age
group swim meet.
Heat
Sheet
The pre-meet printed listings of swimmers' seed times in the
various events at a swim meet. These sheets vary in accuracy, since
the coaches submit swimmers times many weeks before the meet. Heat
sheets are sold at the admissions table and are used mainly to make
sure the swimmer has been properly entered in all the events they
signed up for. Parents enjoy looking at the seedings prior to the
race plus swimmers can tell the order the events will be conducted
and get a rough idea how long the meet sessions will
last.
High
Point
An award given to the swimmer
scoring the most points in a given age group at a swim meet. All
meets do not offer high point awards; check the pre meet
information.
HOD
House of Delegates. The ruling body of an LSC composed of the
designated representative of each club plus the board of directors
(BOD) of the LSC. One vote per club and board member.
Horn
A sounding device used in place of a gun. Used mainly with a fully
automatic timing system.
Illegal
Doing something against the rules that is cause for
disqualification.
IM Individual
Medley. A swimming event using all four of the competitive
strokes on consecutive lengths of the race. The order must be:
Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Freestyle. Equal distances
must be swam of each stroke. Distances offered: 100 yards, 200
yards/meters, 400 yards/meter.
Insurance USA
Swimming offers "accident insurance coverage," which is automatic
when a swimmer, coach, or official pays their USA-S membership
fee. Many restrictions apply, so check with your club for detailed
information.
Interval A
specific elapsed time for swimming or rest used during swim
practice.
Invitational Type
of meet that requires a club to request an invitation to attend the
meet.
J.O. Junior
Olympics. An age group championship meet conducted by the
LSC.
Jump
An illegal start done by the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th member of a relay
team. The swimmer on the block breaks contact with the block before
the swimmer in the water touches the wall.
Juniors
A USA-S Championship meet for swimmers 18 years old or less.
Qualification times are necessary.
Kick
The leg movements of a swimmer. A popular word to "yell" to
encourage swimmers during a race.
Kick
Board
A flotation device used by swimmers during practice. A lightweight
object used with great accuracy by coaches.
Lane
The specific area in which a swimmer is assigned to swim. (ie) Lane
1 or Lane 2. Pools with starting blocks at only one end: As the
swimmers stand behind the blocks, lanes are numbered from Right
(lane 1) to Left (Lane 6).
Lane
Lines
Continuous floating markers attached to a cable stretched from the
starting end to the turning end for the purpose of separating each
lane and quieting the waves caused by racing swimmers.
Lap
One length of the course. Sometimes may also mean down and back (2
lengths) of the course.
Lap
Counter
The large numbered cards (or the person turning the cards) used
during the freestyle events 500 yards or longer. Counting is done
from the end opposite the starting end. The numbers on the cards
are "odd numbers" only with the final lap being designated by a
bright orange card.
Late
Entries
Meet entries from a club or individual that are received by the
meet host after the entry deadline. These entries are usually not
accepted and are returned to sender.
Leg
The part of a relay event swum by a single team member. A single
stroke in the IM.
Length
The extent of the competitive course from end to end. See
lap.
Long
Course
A 50-meter pool.
LSC
Local Swim Committee. The local level administrative division of
the corporation (USA-S) with supervisory responsibilities within
certain geographic boundaries designated by the
Corporation.
Lycra
A stretch material used to make competitive swim suits and swim
hats.
Malfunction A
mechanical or electronic failure.
Mark
The command to take your starting position.
Marshall
The official who control the
crowd and swimmer-flow at a swim meet.
Meet
A series of events held in one program.
Meet
Director The
official in charge of the administration of the meet. The person
directing the "dry side" of the meet.
Meters The
measurement of the length of a swimming pool that was built per
specs using the metric system. Long course meters is 50 meters,
short course meters is 25 meters.
Mile
The slang referring to the 1500 meter or the 1650 yard freestyle,
both of which are slightly short of a mile.
NAIA
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
NAGTS
National Age Group Time Standards - the list of "C" through "AAAA"
times published each year.
Nationals
USA Swimming National Championship meet conducted in March/April
and August.
Natatorium
A building constructed for the purpose of housing a swimming pool
and related equipment.
NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
NGB
National Governing Body
NCSA
National Club Swimming Association, Inc. is a private nonprofit
organization for professionally coached swimming clubs and their
coaches. The clubs are independently owned and operated and
not under the direct control of any other institution.
Non-Conforming Time A short
course time submitted to qualify for a long course meet, or vice
versa.
Novelty
Meet A
meet that does not fall into a specific category because of limited
events, sessions, or age brackets.
NRT
National Reportable Time. A time list published once a year, which
if a swimmer equals or betters the time on the list, they may
submit their time in that event for consideration for national
recognition.
NSSA
National Swim School Association
NT
No Time. The abbreviation used on a heat sheet to designate that
the swimmer has not swum that event before.
NTV
National Times Verification. A certificate verifying a national
qualifying time achieved by a swimmer and issued only by a
verification official of the location where the meet was
held.
Observed
Meet A meet that is not
conducted according to USA Swimming rules (high school, YMCA) where
a request for observation has been processed and approved in
advance. Sufficient USA Swimming officials are present to
certify that the athletes' swims are in compliance with USA
Swimming technical rules.
Observed Swim
A swim observed by assigned USA Swimming officials for conformance
with USA Swimming technical rules in a meet conducted under other
than USA Swimming rules.
Officials
The certified adult volunteers who operate the many facets of a
swim competition.
Olympic
Trials The
USA-S sanctioned long course swim meet held the year of the Olympic
Games to decide what swimmers will represent the USA on our Olympic
Team. Qualification times are faster than Senior
Nationals.
Omega
A brand of automatic timing system.
OT
Official Time. The swimmers event time recorded to one hundredth of
a second (.01).
OTC
Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Open Competition
Competition which any qualified club, organization, or individual
may enter.
Parka
Large 3/4 length fur lined coats worn by swimmers. Usually are in
team colors with logo or team name.
Pace
Clock
The electronic clocks or large clocks with highly visible numbers
and second hands, positioned at the ends or sides of a swimming
pool so the swimmers can read their times during warmups or swim
practice.
Paddle Colored
plastic devices worn on the swimmers hands during swim
practice.
Pool
The facility in which swimming competition is
conducted.
Positive Check
In The procedure required before a swimmer
swims an event in a deck seeded or pre seeded meet. The swimmer
must mark their name on a list posted by the meet host. 
Practice
The scheduled workouts swimmers attend with their swim
team/club.
Prelims
Session of a Prelims/Finals meet in which the qualification heats
are conducted.
Prelims-Finals
Type of meet with two sessions. The preliminary heats are usually
held in the morning session. The fastest six or eight
(Championship Heat) swimmers, and the next fastest six
or eight swimmers (Consolation Heat) return in the evening to
compete in the Finals. A swimmer who has qualified in the
Consolation Finals may not place in the Championship Finals even if
their finals time would place them so. The converse also
applies.
Pre-seeded
A meet conducted without a bull pen in which a swimmer knows what
lane and heat they are in by looking at the heat sheet or
posted meet program.
Proof of
Time An
official meet result, OVC, or other accepted form. Swimmers/Coaches
must supply proof of time with some meet entries, and other meets
it is not required unless a swimmer misses a cut of time at the
meet.
Psyche
Sheet
An entry sheet showing all swimmers entered into each individual
event. Sometimes referred to as a "Heat Sheet" or meet program.
However, a “heat sheet” would show not only every
swimmer in an event, but also what heat and lane they are swimming
in.
Pull
Buoy
A flotation device used for pulling by swimmers in
practice.
Qualifying
Times Published times necessary to
enter certain meets, or the times necessary to achieve a specific
category of swimmer. See "A", "AA" (etc.) times.
Ready
Room
A room pool side for the swimmers to relax before they compete in
finals.
Recall
Rope
A rope across the width of the racing pool for the purpose of
stopping swimmers who were not aware of a false start. The rope is
about 1/2 way on yard pools and about 50 feet from the starting end
on meter pools.
Referee
The head official at a swim meet in charge of all of the "Wet Side"
administration and decisions.
Registered
Enrolled and paid as a member of USA-S and the LSC.
Relays
A swimming event in which four swimmers participate as a team.
Each swimmer completes an equal distance of the race. There
are two types of relays: 1.) Medley relay - One swimmer swims
Backstroke, one swimmer swims Breaststroke, one swimmer swims
Butterfly, one swimmer swims Freestyle, in that order. Medley
relays are conducted over 200 yd/mtr and 400 yd/mtr distances. 2.)
Freestyle relay - Each swimmer swims freestyle. Free relays are
conducted over 200 yd/mtr, 400 yd/mtr, and 800 yd/mtr
distances.
Rest
Area
A designated area (such as a gymnasium) that is set aside for
swimmers to rest during a meet.
Safety
The responsible and careful actions of those participating in a
swim meet. USA-S and each LSC now have a "Safety Coordinator" and
each meet must have "Marshalls" in charge of safety.
Sanction
A permit issued by an LSC to a USA-S group member to conduct an
event or meet.
Sanction
Fee
The amount paid by a USA-S group member to an LSC for issuing a
sanction.
Sanctioned
Meet A meet that is approved by
the LSC in which it is held. Meet must be conducted
according to USA Swimming rules. All participants, including
coaches, athletes and officials, must be USA Swimming
members.
Schedule
USA-S or LSC list of meets with dates, meet host, meet location,
type of meet, and contacts address and phone.
Scratch
To withdraw from an event after having declared an intention to
participate. Some meets have scratch deadlines and specific scratch
rules, and if not followed, swimmer can be disqualified from
remaining events.
Sectionals
Nickname for Speedo Championship Series (see below).
Seed
Assign the swimmers heats and lanes according to their submitted or
preliminary times.
Seeding
Deck Seeding - swimmers are called to report to the Clerk of the
Course. After scratches are determined, the event is seeded. Pre
Seeding - swimmers are arranged in heats according to submitted
times, usually a day prior to the meet.
Senior
Meet
A meet that is for senior level swimmers and is not divided into
age groups. Qualification times are usually necessary and will vary
depending on the level of the meet.
Senior Nationals A
USA-S National Championship meet for swimmers of any age as long as
the qualification times are met.
Session
Portion of meet distinctly separated from other portions by locale,
time, type of competition, or age group.
Shave
The process of removing all arm, leg, and exposed torso hair, to
decrease the "drag" or resistance of the body moving through the
water. Used only by Seniors at very important (Championship)
meets.
Short
Course
A 25-yard or 25-meter pool.
Speedo Championship
Series
Open "senior level" meets held in the spring and summer. Each
Zone may hold up to four meets. Meets are commonly called
"Sectionals." Qualifying times, sites, dates and meet rules
are determined locally.
Splash
The USA Swimming magazine that is mailed bi-monthly. A benefit of
being a member of USA Swimming.
Split
A portion of an event that is shorter than the total distance
and is timed. (i.e.) A swimmer's first 50 time is taken as the
swimmer swims the 100 race. It is common to take multiple splits
for the longer distances.
STARS
Swimming Tracking and Recognition System. National Times Database
of meet results provided by tabulators appointed by each
LSC.
Stations
Separate portions of a dryland or weight circuit.
Start
The beginning of a race. The dive used to begin a race.
Starter
The official in charge of signaling the beginning of a race and
insuring that all swimmers have a fair takeoff.
Still
Water
Water that has no current caused by a filter system or no waves
caused by swimmers.
State
A meet held twice a year (Short Course and Long Course) sponsored
by the LSC. In larger LSCs it is common to hold a Championship
Senior meet and Age Group meet separately. Qualification times are
usually necessary.
Stand-up
The command given by the Starter or Referee to release the swimmers
from their starting position.
Step-Down
The command given by the Starter or Referee to have the swimmers
move off the blocks. Usually this command is a good indication
everything is not right for the race to start.
Stroke
There are 4 competitive strokes: Butterfly, Backstroke,
Breaststroke, Freestyle.
Stroke
Judge
The official positioned at the side of the pool, walking the length
of the course as the swimmers race. If the Stroke Judge sees
something illegal, they report to the referee and the swimmer may
be disqualified.
Submitted
Time Times used to enter
swimmers in meets. These times must have been achieved by the
swimmer at previous meets.
Suit
The racing uniform worn by the swimmer, in the water, during
competition. The four most popular styles/types of suits worn are:
Nylon, Lycra, Paper, and Fastskin.
Swim-A-Thon
The "Fund Raiser" trademarked by USA Swimming for local clubs to
use to make money.
Swim
America The
professional swim lesson program administrated by the American Swim
Coaches Association licensed to coaches.
Swim-off
In a Prelims/Finals type competition, a race after the scheduled
event to break a tie. The only circumstance that warrants a
swim-off is to determine which swimmer makes finals or an
alternate, otherwise ties stand.
SWIMS USA
Swimming system that keeps track of every time swum by all
swimmers. Available through the USA-S website.
Taper
The resting phase of a swimmer at the end of the season before the
championship meet.
Team
USA-S Registered club that has the right to compete for
points.
Team
Records The
statistics a team keeps, listing the fastest swimmer in the clubs
history for each age group/each event.
Timed
Finals
Competition in which only heats are swum and final placings are
determined by those times.
Time
Standard A time set
by a meet or LSC or USA-S (etc) that a swimmer must achieve for
qualification or recognition.
Timer
The volunteers sitting behind the starting blocks/finish end of
pool, who are responsible for getting watch times on events and
activating the backup buttons for the timing system.
Time
Trial
An event or series of events where a swimmer may achieve or better
a required time standard.
Top
16
A list of times compiled by the LSC or USA-S that recognizes the
top 16 swimmers in each age group (boys & girls) by each event
and distance. The number 16 was arbitrarily chosen because it would
normally fill the finals and consoles heats at a swim
meet.
Touch
Out
To reach the touchpad and finish first in a close
race.
Touch
Pad
The removable plate (on the end of pools) that is connected to an
automatic timing system. A swimmer must properly touch the touchpad
to register an official time in a race.
Transfer
The act of leaving one club or LSC and going to another. Usually
120 days of unattached competition is required before swimmer can
represent another USA-S club.
Travel
Fund
A sum of money set aside for a swimmer to use for travel expenses
and entry fees to specified meets.
Tri-meet
A meet with three teams competing for points to see who places
1st-2nd-3rd.
Unattached
An athlete member who competes, but does not represent a club or
team. (abbr. UN)
Uniform
The various parts of clothing a swimmer wears at a meet. May
include: parka, Warm-up jacket, team duffel bag, sweat pants,
suits, hat, goggles, T-shirt, etc.
Unofficial
Time The time
displayed on a read out board or read over the intercom by the
announcer immediately after the race. After the time has been
checked, it will become the official time.
USA-S
The governing body of swimming--USA Swimming.
USA Swimming
The national governing body of the sport headquartered in Colorado
Springs.
USA-S ID Number A
16-part number assigned to a swimmer after they have filled out the
proper forms and paid their annual dues. The first 6 parts are
numbers of a swimmer's birthdate: Day/Month/Year using zeros as
place holders. The next three spaces are the first three letters of
the athlete's legal first name. The next letter is the middle
initial, followed by the first four letters of the swimmer's last
name. For example: USA-S ID# for swimmer Suzanne Eileen Nelson and
born Aug.27, 1976 = 082776SUZENELS.
USOTC
United States Olympic Training Center located in Colorado Springs,
Colorado.
Vertical
At right angle to the normal water level.
Warm-down The recovery
swimming a swimmer does after a race when pool space is
available.
Warm-up
The practice and "loosening-up" session a swimmer does before
the meet or their event is swum.
Watch
The hand held device used by timers and coaches for timing a
swimmers races and taking splits.
Weights
The various barbells, benches, machines, etc. used by swimmers
during their dryland program.
Whistle
The sound a starter/referee makes to signal for quiet before they
give the command to start the race.
Yards
The measurement of the length of a swimming pool that was built per
specs using the American system. A short course yard pool is 25
yards (75 feet) in length.
Yardage
The distance a swimmer races or swims in practice. Total yardage
can be calculated for each practice session.
Zones
The country is divided up into 4 major zones: Eastern - Southern -
Central - Western. At the end of the long course season (in August)
the Zone Administration sponsors a championship age group
meet.
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