DQ

The abbreviation for disqualified. Swimmers may be disqualified for using improper stroke/kick, missing the touch, or an improper turn or finish.

False Start

Any action, or lack of action, on the part of one or more competitors while under the command of the Starter, which delays or spoils a legal start. May be cause for disqualification.

Heat Sheet

a listing of all swimmers by event number, heat, and lane assignment. These sheets are usually available at the beginning of the meet for a nominal cost.

Heats

The designation for a portion of an event where there are more swimmers than can compete at one time. An event with 15 swimmers would be divided into three heats in a 6-lane pool.

Lap Counter

A person in a freestyle event of 500 yards or longer who is stationed at or near the turning end of the pool and counts laps for the swimmer.

Medley

An event where the swimmer swims all four strokes. An individual medley is swum Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Freestyle. A medley relay is swum Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly, and Freestyle.

Psyche Sheet

A ranking, by seed times, of all the swimmers entered in each race of a meet.

Qualifying Time

The maximum time allowed for a specific event to determine the swimmer’s level.

Relay

An event with a team of four swimmers who each complete one quarter of the race. Relays may be Freestyle or Medley.

Scratch

To withdraw a swimmer from an event before the start of the event.

Seeding

Where a specific swimmer falls in his event based on his personal best time for that event.

Staging Area

A "holding" area at invitational meets where swimmers wait for their events to be called. It can sometimes be a long wait, depending on the size of the meet. Swimmers may bring cards or books for the wait. No candy! Gameboys and CD players may be lost or stolen or soaked.

Split

A per lap time that is often used by coaches for teaching the concept of pacing.

Strokes

There are four recognized strokes for YMCA competition: Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly. Each stroke has definite rules that must be followed, particularly for turns and finishes.