Glossary
\r\n\r\n

 

\r\n

Add Up                        \r\nAggregate Time - times achieved by 4 swimmers in individual events which \r\nare added together to arrive at a provable relay entry time. \r\n

\r\n

Anchor                         \r\nThe final swimmer in a relay.

\r\n

Aerobic Training          \r\nModerate speed training to increase oxygen uptake ability. Long sets with \r\nshort rest and lower intensity.

\r\n

Anaerobic Threshold

\r\n

Training           \r\n            \r\nHard swimming with short rest. Trains the ability to continue to push. \r\n

\r\n

Approved Meet            \r\nA meet conducted with sufficient USA Swimming officials to certify \r\nconformance to USA Swimming rules. The meet may include competitors who are not \r\nUSA Swimming members. The meet may be a competition sanctioned at the LSC level \r\nwith the added approval of USA Swimming because both member and non-member \r\nathletes will be competing.

\r\n

Backstroke                  \r\nOne of the 4 competitive racing strokes, basically any style of swimming \r\non your back. Backstroke is swum as the first stroke in the Medley Relay and \r\nsecond stroke in the I.M. Racing distances are 50 yards/meter, 100 yards/meter, \r\nand 200 yards/meter. (LSCs with 8-under divisions offer the 25 yd back) \r\n

\r\n

Blocks                         \r\nThe starting platforms located behind each lane. Some pools have blocks \r\nat the deeper end of the pool, and some pools have blocks at both ends. Blocks \r\nhave a variety of designs and can be permanent or removable. \r\n

\r\n

Breaststroke               \r\nOne of the 4 competitive racing strokes. Breaststroke is swum as the \r\nsecond stroke in the Medley Relay and the third stroke in the I.M. Racing \r\ndistances are 50 yards/meter, 100 yards/meter, and 200 yards/meter. (LSCs with \r\n8-under divisions offer the 25 yd back)

\r\n

Butterfly                       \r\nOne of the 4 competitive racing strokes. Butterfly (nicknamed FLY) is \r\nswam as the third stroke in the Medley Relay and first stroke in the I.M. Racing \r\ndistances are 50 yards/meter, 100 yards/meter, and 200 yards/meter. (LSCs with \r\n8-under divisions offer the 25 yard back)

\r\n

Button                          \r\nThe manual Timing System stopping device that records a back-up time in \r\ncase the touch pad malfunctioned. The button is at the end of a wire, plugged \r\ninto a deck terminal box. There are usually 3 buttons per lane. It is the \r\ntimers\' responsibility to push the button as the swimmer finishes the race. \r\n

\r\n

Cap                             \r\nThe latex or Lycra covering worn on the head of swimmers. \r\n

\r\n

Carbohydrates            \r\nThe main source of food energy used by athletes. Refer to a Nutritional \r\nManual for more information.

\r\n

Championship Finals  \r\nThe top 6 or 8 swimmers (depending on the # of pool lanes) in a \r\nPrelims/Finals meet who, after the Prelims swim, qualify to return to the \r\nFinals. The fastest heat of finals when multiple heats are held. Big Finals. \r\n

\r\n

Check-In                      \r\nThe procedure required before a swimmer swims an event in a deck seeded \r\nmeet. Sometimes referred to as positive check in, the swimmer must mark their \r\nname on a list posted by the meet host. 

\r\n

Chlorine                       \r\nThe chemical used by most pools to kill the bacteria in water and keep it \r\nclear and safe to swim in.

\r\n

Chunk                          \r\nA chunk is a standard distance used to guide swimmers of different \r\nability so that all will finish approximately the same amount of work in the \r\nsame amount of time.

\r\n

Circle Seeding            \r\nA method of seeding swimmers when they are participating in a \r\nprelims/finals event.  The fastest \r\n18 to 24 swimmers are seeded in the last three heats, with the fastest swimmers \r\nbeing in the inside lanes, (i.e.) Lane 4 in the final 3 heats. See rule book for \r\nexact method for seeding depending on the lanes in the \r\npool.

\r\n

Circle Swimming        When \r\n2 or more swimmers are in a lane, each swimmer swims down one side of the lane \r\nand back the other, usually counter-clockwise.

\r\n

Clinic                           \r\nA scheduled meeting for the purpose of instruction. (i.e.) Officials \r\nclinic, Coaches clinic.

\r\n

Consolation Finals      After the fastest \r\n6 or 8 swimmers, the next 6 or 8 swimmers (depending on the # of pool lanes) in \r\na Prelims/Finals meet who, after the Prelims swim, qualify to return to the \r\nFinals. Consolations are the second fastest heat of finals when multiple heats \r\nare held and are conducted before the Championship heat. \r\n

\r\n

Cruise Interval             \r\nThe number of minutes and seconds it usually takes a swimmer to swim 100 \r\nyards (or meters). Determined by swimming 600 hard, and then dividing the total \r\ntime by 6. Can also be approximated by average finish time within a moderately \r\nhard set of 10 x 100, resting 15 seconds between each 100. (Used to establish \r\nrest periods for swimmers of differing abilities.) Each swimmer will have a \r\ncruise interval for yards and one for meters, and perhaps even different cruise \r\nintervals for short course vs. long course.

\r\n

Course                        \r\nDesignated distance (length of pool) for swimming competition. (i.e.) \r\nLong Course = 50 meters / Short Course = 25 yards or 25 meters. \r\n

\r\n

Deck                            \r\nThe area around the swimming pool reserved for swimmers, officials, and \r\ncoaches. No one but an \"authorized\" USA Swimming member may be on the deck \r\nduring a swim competition.

\r\n

Deck Entries               \r\nAccepting entries into swimming events on the first day or later day of a \r\nmeet.

\r\n

Deck Seeding             \r\nSwimmers report to a bull pen or staging area and receive their lane and \r\nheat assignments for the events.

\r\n

Disqualified                 \r\nA swimmers performance is not counted because of a rules infraction. A \r\ndisqualification is shown by an official raising one arm with open hand above \r\ntheir head.

\r\n

Dive                             \r\nEntering the water head first. Diving is not allowed during warm-ups \r\nexcept at the designated time, in specific lanes that are monitored by the \r\nswimmers coach.

\r\n

Diving Well                  \r\nA separate pool or a pool set off to the side of the competition pool. \r\nThis pool has deeper water and diving boards/platforms. During a meet, this area \r\nmay be designated as a warm-down pool with proper supervision. \r\n

\r\n

Dropped Time             \r\nWhen a swimmer goes faster than the previous performance they have \r\n\"dropped their time\".

\r\n

Dryland                        \r\nThe exercises and various strength programs swimmers do out of the water. \r\n

\r\n

Entry                            \r\nAn Individual, Relay team, or Club roster\'s event list into a swim \r\ncompetition.

\r\n

Entry Fees                  \r\nThe amount per event a swimmer or relay is charged. This varies depending \r\non the LSC and type of meet.

\r\n

Entry Limit                   \r\nEach meet will usually have a limit of total swimmers they can accept, or \r\na time limit they can not exceed. Once an entry limit has been reached, a meet \r\nwill be closed and all other entries returned.

\r\n

Electronic Timing        \r\nTiming system operated on DC current (battery). The timing system usually \r\nhas touchpads in the water, junction boxes on the deck with hook up cables, \r\nbuttons for backup timing, and a computer type console that prints out the \r\nresults of each race. Some systems are hooked up to a scoreboard that displays \r\nswimmers.

\r\n

Event                           \r\nA race or stroke over a given distance. An event equals 1 preliminary \r\nwith its final, or 1 timed final.

\r\n

False Start                  \r\nWhen a swimmer leaves the starting block before the horn or gun. One \r\nfalse start will disqualify a swimmer or a relay team, although the starter or \r\nreferee may disallow the false start due to unusual circumstances. \r\n

\r\n

False Start Rope         \r\nA recall rope across the width of the racing pool for the purpose of \r\nstopping swimmers who were not aware of a false start. The rope is about 1/2 way \r\non yard pools and about 50 feet from the starting end on meter \r\npools.

\r\n

Fartlek                         \r\nSwedish for \"speed play\", fartlek means alternating between intense \r\nbursts of speed and leisurely pace during a long distance swim or kick set. The \r\nsprint segments are usually about ¼ the duration of the easy segments. \r\n

\r\n

Fastest to Slowest      A seeding method \r\nused on the longer events held at the end of a session. The fastest seeded \r\nswimmers participate in the first heats followed by the next fastest and so on. \r\nMany times these events will alternate one girl\'s heat and one boy\'s heat until \r\nall swimmers have competed.

\r\n

FINA                            \r\nThe international, rules making organization, for the sport of swimming. \r\n

\r\n

Finals                          \r\nThe final race of each event. See

\r\n

Final Results               \r\nThe printed copy of the results of each race of a swim meet. \r\n

\r\n

Fins                             \r\nLarge rubber fin type devices that fit on a swimmers feet. Used in swim \r\npractice, not competition.

\r\n

Flags                           \r\nPennants that are suspended over the width of each end of the pool \r\napproximately 15 feet from the wall.

\r\n

Format                        \r\nThe order of events and type of swim meet being conducted. \r\n

\r\n

Freestyle                     \r\nOne of the 4 competitive racing strokes. Freestyle (nicknamed Free) is \r\nswam as the fourth stroke in the Medley Relay and fourth stroke in the I.M. \r\nRacing distances are 50 yards/meter, 100 yards/meter, 200 yards/meter, 400 \r\nmtr/500 yd 800 mtr/1000 yds, 1500 mtr/1650 yds. (LSCs with 8-under divisions \r\noffer the 25 yd free)

\r\n

Gallery                         \r\nThe viewing area for spectators during the swimming competition. \r\n

\r\n

Heats                           \r\nA division of an event when there are too many swimmers to compete at the \r\nsame time. The results are compiled by swimmers time swam, after all heats of \r\nthe event are completed.

\r\n

Heat Award                 \r\nA ribbon or coupon given to the winner of a single heat at an age group \r\nswim meet.

\r\n

Heat Sheet                  \r\nThe pre-meet printed listings of swimmers seed times in the various \r\nevents at a swim meet.

\r\n

High \r\nPoint                    \r\nAn \r\naward given to the swimmer scoring the most points in a given age group at a \r\nswim meet. All meets do not offer high \r\npoint awards; check the pre meet information. \r\n

\r\n

Horn                            \r\nA sounding device used in place of a gun. Used mainly with a fully \r\nautomatic timing system.

\r\n

IM                                 \r\nIndividual Medley. A swimming event using all 4 of the competitive \r\nstrokes on consecutive lengths of the race. The order must be: Butterfly, \r\nBackstroke, Breaststroke, and Freestyle. Equal distances must be swum of each \r\nstroke. Distances offered: 100 yards, 200 yards/meters, and 400 yards/meter. \r\n

\r\n

Interval                         \r\nA specific elapsed time for swimming or rest used during swim practice. \r\n

\r\n

Invitational                   \r\nType of meet that requires a club to request an invitation to attend the \r\nmeet.

\r\n

Jump                           \r\nAn illegal start done by the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th member of a relay team. The \r\nswimmer on the block breaks contact with the block before the swimmer in the \r\nwater touches the wall.

\r\n

Kick                             \r\nThe leg movements of a swimmer. A popular word to \"yell\" to encourage \r\nswimmers during a race.

\r\n

Kick Board                  \r\nA flotation device used by swimmers during practice. A lightweight object \r\nused with great accuracy by coaches.

\r\n

Lactate Tolerance

\r\n

Training                       \r\nIntense swimming very near race pace. Trains the ability to handle blood \r\nlactate and the associated discomfort.

\r\n

Lane                            \r\nThe specific area in which a swimmer is assigned to swim. (i.e.) Lane 1 \r\nor Lane 2. Pools with starting blocks at only one end: As the swimmers stand \r\nbehind the blocks, lanes are numbered from Right (lane 1) to Left (Lane 6). \r\n

\r\n

Lane Lines                  \r\nContinuous floating markers attached to a cable stretched from the \r\nstarting end to the turning end for the purpose of separating each lane and \r\nquieting the waves caused by racing swimmers.

\r\n

Lap                              \r\nOne length of the course. Sometimes may also mean down and back (2 \r\nlengths) of the course.

\r\n

Lap Counter                \r\nThe large numbered cards (or the person turning the cards) used during \r\nthe freestyle events 500 yards or longer. Counting is done from the end opposite \r\nthe starting end. The numbers on the cards are \"odd numbers\" only with the final \r\nlap being designated by a bright orange card.

\r\n

Late Entries                 \r\nMeet entries from a club or individual that are received by the meet host \r\nafter the entry deadline. These entries are usually not accepted and are \r\nreturned to sender.

\r\n

Leg                              \r\nThe part of a relay event swam by a single team member. A single stroke \r\nin the IM.

\r\n

Length                         \r\nThe extent of the competitive course from end to end. See \r\nlap.

\r\n

Long Course               \r\nA 50 meter pool.

\r\n

Mark                            \r\nThe command to take your starting position.

\r\n

Meet                            \r\nA series of events held in one program.

\r\n

Meet Director              \r\nThe official in charge of the administration of the meet. The person \r\ndirecting the \"dry side\" of the meet.

\r\n

Meters                         \r\nThe measurement of the length of a swimming pool that was built per specs \r\nusing the metric system. Long course meters is 50 meters, short course meters is \r\n25 meters.

\r\n

Mile                              \r\nThe slang referring to the 1500 meter or the 1650 yard freestyle, both of \r\nwhich are slightly short of a mile.

\r\n

Natatorium                  \r\nA building constructed for the purpose of housing a swimming pool and \r\nrelated equipment.

\r\n

Non-Conforming

\r\n

Time                            \r\nA short course time submitted to qualify for a long course meet, or vice \r\nversa.

\r\n

Novelty Meet                \r\nA meet that does not fall into a specific category because of limited \r\nevents, sessions, or age brackets.

\r\n

NRT                             \r\nNational Reportable Time. A time list published once a year, which if a \r\nswimmer equals or betters the time on the list, they may submit their time in \r\nthat event for consideration for national \r\nrecognition.

\r\n

NT                               \r\nNo Time. The abbreviation used on a heat sheet to designate that the \r\nswimmer has not swam that event before.

\r\n

NTV                             \r\nNational Times Verification - A certificate verifying a national \r\nqualifying time achieved by a swimmer and issued only by a verification official \r\nof the location where the meet was held.

\r\n

Officials                       \r\nThe certified, adult volunteers, who operate the many facets of a swim \r\ncompetition.

\r\n

Omega                        \r\nA brand of automatic timing system.

\r\n

OT                               \r\nOfficial Time. The swimmers event time recorded to one hundredth of a \r\nsecond (.01).

\r\n

Open Competition       Competition \r\nwhich any qualified club, organization, or individual may \r\nenter.

\r\n

Pace Clock                 \r\nThe electronic clocks or large clocks with highly visible numbers and \r\nsecond hands, positioned at the ends or sides of a swimming pool so the swimmers \r\ncan read their times during warm-ups or swim \r\npractice.

\r\n

Paddle                         \r\nColored plastic devices worn on the swimmers hands during swim \r\npractice.

\r\n

Positive Check In        The \r\nprocedure required before a swimmer swims an event in a deck seeded or pre \r\nseeded meet. The swimmer must mark their name on a list posted by the meet host. \r\n

\r\n

Prelims                        \r\nSession of a Prelims/Finals meet in which the qualification heats are \r\nconducted.

\r\n

Prelims-Finals             \r\nType of meet with two sessions. The preliminary heats are usually held in \r\nthe morning session. The fastest 6 or 8 (Championship Heat) swimmers and the \r\nnext fastest 6 or 8 swimmers (Consolation Heat) return in the evening to compete \r\nin the Finals. A swimmer who has qualified in the Consolation Finals may not \r\nplace in the Championship Finals even if their finals time would place them so. \r\nThe converse also applies.

\r\n

Pre-seeded                 \r\nA meet conducted without a bull pen in which a swimmer knows what lane \r\nand heat they are in by looking at the Meet heat sheet or posted meet \r\nprogram.

\r\n

Psyche Sheet             \r\nAn entry sheet showing all swimmers entered into each individual event. \r\nSometimes referred to as a \"Heat Sheet\" or meet program. However, a \"heat sheet\" \r\nwould show not only every swimmer in an event, but also what heat and lane they \r\nare swimming in.

\r\n

Pull Buoy                     \r\nA flotation device used for pulling by swimmers in \r\npractice.

\r\n

Race                           \r\nAny single swimming competition. (I.e.) preliminary, final, timed \r\nfinal.

\r\n

Race Pace Training    Swims at race speed - trains \r\nswimmers to go fast. Requires adequate rest and recovery. \r\n

\r\n

Recall Rope                \r\nA rope across the width of the racing pool for the purpose of stopping \r\nswimmers who were not aware of a false start. The rope is about 1/2 way on yard \r\npools and about 50 feet from the starting end on meter \r\npools.

\r\n

Referee                       \r\nThe head official at a swim meet in charge of all of the \"Wet Side\" \r\nadministration and decisions.

\r\n

Relays                         \r\nA swimming event in which 4 swimmers participate as a relay team each \r\nswimmer swimming an equal distance of the race. There are two types of \r\nrelays:  1.) Medley relay - One \r\nswimmer swims Backstroke, one swimmer swims Breaststroke, one swimmer swims \r\nButterfly, one swimmer swims Freestyle, in that order. Medley relays are \r\nconducted over 200 yd/meter and 400 yd/meter distances. 2.) Freestyle relay - \r\nEach swimmer swims freestyle. Free relays are conducted over 200 yd/meter, 400 \r\nyd/meter, and 800 yd/meter distances.

\r\n

Repeat                        \r\nA single distance swim out of a set of multiple swims. \r\n

\r\n

Rest Interval                \r\nThe amount of rest between repeats in a set. The start time of the next \r\nrepeat is dependent on the finish time of the previous repeat (i.e., you get the \r\nsame rest regardless how fast you swam the previous repeat). \r\n

\r\n

Sanction                      \r\nA permit issued by an LSC to a Masters group member to conduct an event \r\nor meet.

\r\n

Sanctioned Meet         \r\nA meet that is approved by the LMSC in which is is held.  Meet \r\nmust be conducted according to USMS rules.  All participants, including \r\ncoaches, athletes and officials, must be USMS \r\nmembers.

\r\n

Scratch                       \r\nTo withdraw from an event after having declared an intention to \r\nparticipate. Some meets have scratch deadlines and specific scratch rules, and \r\nif not followed, swimmer can be disqualified from remaining \r\nevents.

\r\n

Seed                            \r\nAssign the swimmers heats and lanes according to their submitted or \r\npreliminary times.

\r\n

Seeding                       \r\nDeck Seeding - swimmers are called to report to the Clerk of the Course. \r\nAfter scratches are determined, the event is seeded. Pre Seeding - swimmers are \r\narranged in heats according to submitted times, usually a day prior to the \r\nmeet.

\r\n

Sendoff                        \r\nA non-variable interval at the end of which the swimmer begins the next \r\nrepeat of the set. Can be a time (e.g. start a 100 repeat every 2 minutes) or \r\nbased on a cruise interval (e.g. start a 100 repeat on cruise plus 10 -- if your \r\ncruise interval is 1:20, then your sendoff would be 1:30). Each repeat starts at \r\nthe same time regardless of the speed of the previous repeat (i.e., a slower \r\nswim would result in less rest).

\r\n

Session                       \r\nPortion of meet distinctly separated from other portions by locale, time, \r\ntype of competition, or age group.

\r\n

Shave                          \r\nThe process of removing all arm, leg, and exposed torso hair, to decrease \r\nthe \"drag\" or resistance of the body moving through the water. \r\n

\r\n

Short Course              \r\nA 25 yard or 25 meter pool.

\r\n

Split                             \r\nA portion of an event, shorter than the total distance, which is \r\ntimed.  (i.e.) A swimmer\'s first 50 \r\ntime is taken as the swimmer swims the 100 race. It is common to take multiple \r\nsplits for the longer distances.

\r\n

 Standard Set              \r\nA standard set is a number of repeats that will allow people of differing \r\nabilities to finish at about the same time.Standard sets are determined by \r\nFreestyle cruise intervals, and are defined as follows: \r\n

\r\n

Set                               \r\nA group of repeated swim distances (e.g. 4 x 100 yds on cruise plus :20, \r\n8 x 200 yds backstroke on 3:10, etc.).

\r\n

Super Set                    \r\n10 repeats on the fastest interval where you can actually make the \r\ninterval on the entire set of ten.

\r\n

Sprint Speed

\r\n

Training                       \r\nDrills that train speed. Very short repeats with moderately long rest. \r\n

\r\n

Stations                       \r\nSeparate portions of a dryland or weight \r\ncircuit.

\r\n

Start                            \r\nThe beginning of a race. The dive used to begin a \r\nrace.

\r\n

Starter                         \r\nThe official in charge of signaling the beginning of a race and insuring \r\nthat all swimmers have a fair takeoff.

\r\n

Still Water                   \r\nWater that has no current caused by a filter system or no waves caused by \r\nswimmers.

\r\n

State                            \r\nA meet held twice a year (Short Course and Long Course.) \r\n

\r\n

Stand-up                     \r\nThe command given by the Starter or Referee to release the swimmers from \r\ntheir starting position.

\r\n

Step-Down                  \r\nThe command given by the Starter or Referee to have the swimmers move off \r\nthe blocks. Usually this command is a good indication everything is not right \r\nfor the race to start.

\r\n

Stroke                          \r\nThere are 4 competitive strokes:  \r\nButterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and \r\nFreestyle.

\r\n

Stroke Judge               \r\nThe official positioned at the side of the pool, walking the length of \r\nthe course as the swimmers race. If the Stroke Judge sees something illegal, \r\nthey report to the referee and the swimmer may be \r\ndisqualified.

\r\n

Submitted Time          \r\nTimes used to enter swimmers in meets. These times must have been \r\nachieved by the swimmer at previous meets.

\r\n

Swim-off                      \r\nIn a Prelims/Finals type competition, a race after the scheduled event to \r\nbreak a tie. The only circumstance that warrants a swim-off is to determine \r\nwhich swimmer makes finals or an alternate, otherwise tie\'s \r\nstand.

\r\n

Taper                           \r\nThe resting phase of a senior swimmer at the end of the season before the \r\nchampionship meet.

\r\n

Team Records            \r\nThe statistics a team keeps, listing the fastest swimmer in the clubs \r\nhistory for each age group/each event.

\r\n

Timed Finals               \r\nCompetition in which only heats are swum and final placings are \r\ndetermined by those times.

\r\n

Time Standard            \r\nA time set by a meet or LSC or USA-S (etc) that a swimmer must achi.e.ve \r\nfor qualification or recognition.

\r\n

Timer                           \r\nThe volunteers sitting behind the starting blocks/finish end of pool, who \r\nare responsible for getting watch times on events and activating the backup \r\nbuttons for the timing system.

\r\n

Time Trial                    \r\nAn event or series of events where a swimmer may achi.e.ve or better a \r\nrequired time standard.

\r\n

Touch Out                   \r\nTo reach the touchpad and finish first in a close \r\nrace.

\r\n

Touch Pad                  \r\nThe removable plate (on the end of pools) that is connected to an \r\nautomatic timing system. A swimmer must properly touch the touchpad to register \r\nan official time in a race.

\r\n

Unattached                  \r\nAn athlete member who competes, but does not represent a club or team. \r\n(abbr. UN)

\r\n

Unofficial Time            \r\nThe time displayed on a read out board or read over the intercom by the \r\nannouncer immediately after the race. After the time has been checked, it will \r\nbecome the official time.

\r\n

USMS                          \r\nUnited \r\nStates Masters Swimming. The governing and \r\nsanctioning body for Masters Swimming in the USA. \r\n

\r\n

Vertical                        \r\nAt right angle to the normal water level.

\r\n

Warm-down                \r\nThe recovery swimming a swimmer does after a race when pool space is \r\navailable.

\r\n

Warm-up                     \r\nThe practice and \"loosening-up\" session a swimmer does before the meet or \r\ntheir event is swum.

\r\n

Watch                         \r\nThe hand held device used by timers and coaches for timing a swimmers \r\nraces and taking splits.

\r\n

Yards                           \r\nThe measurement of the length of a swimming pool that was built per specs \r\nusing the American system.  A short \r\ncourse yard pool is 25 yards (75 feet) in length.

\r\n\r\n