Glossary of Swimming Terms

A
“A” Meet
A swim meet requiring swimmers to have achieved a qualifying “A” time standard in the events they wish to enter.
Adapted Swimming
Swimming for individuals with a disability.
Admin Table
Centralized area at a swim meet for administrative roles including the Admin Referee, Timing Operators, and Announcer.
Age Groups
Standard USA Swimming age divisions: 10 & Under, 11–12, 13–14, 15–16, 17–18. Some LSCs also include 8 & Under or broader Junior/Senior categories.
Age Group Swimming
Age-based meets typically held on weekends and hosted by local clubs.
Alternate
The next fastest swimmers who may fill in during Finals if a finalist cannot compete.
Alternate Breathing
Freestyle technique alternating breathing sides every third stroke. Also called bilateral breathing.
Anaerobic Training
High-intensity, low-oxygen training that builds power and lactic acid tolerance.
Anchor
Final swimmer in a relay or refers to the catch position in all strokes.
Announcer
Person announcing information at a swim meet, often a parent volunteer.
Approved Meet
Meet with USA Swimming oversight allowing non-member participants.
ASCA
American Swim Coaches Association: provides certification and professional development for swim coaches.
Ascending
Interval sets where each rep time increases (e.g., #1 – :55, #2 – 1:00...).
Assisted Swimming
Swimming aided by devices like stretch cords to enhance speed.
Attached
A swimmer registered with a specific USA Swimming club.
Automatic Timing System
Electronic timing activated by the start signal and stopped by the swimmer touching the pad.

B

 
Backstroke
One of the four competitive racing strokes, swum on the back. Common distances: 50, 100, and 200 yards/meters.
Backstroke Flags
Pennants suspended above pool ends to signal backstroke swimmers they are approaching the wall.
Backstroke Start
Race start used in backstroke events. Swimmers face the wall and push off backward from the wall.
Balance
Refers to the swimmer’s body position in the water, maintaining equal support among head, hips, and feet.
Bands
Resistance bands or ankle straps used in swim training for strength or technique isolation.
Blocks
Starting platforms used at the beginning of races. Minimum depth is required for safety.
Body Position
Fundamental element of efficient swimming; relates to posture and alignment in the water.
Body Roll
Side-to-side motion of shoulders and hips in freestyle and backstroke to promote efficient strokes.
BOD
Board of Directors – governing body of a Local Swim Committee or USA Swimming.
Break Out Stroke
First stroke taken after a start or turn; key for gaining momentum into the swim.
Breaststroke
One of the four competitive strokes, swum with simultaneous arm and leg movements on the front.
Broken Swims
Training sets simulating race pace with rest intervals during the swim to maintain speed.
Bulkhead
A movable wall used in 50-meter pools to divide the course into shorter lengths.
Burn-Out
Mental or physical fatigue resulting in loss of interest or performance in swimming.
Butterfly
One of the four racing strokes, swum with simultaneous arm and dolphin kick movements.
Button
Manual backup timing device used by lane timers, pressed at the swimmer’s finish.

 

C

Camp
A swimming function or clinic offered by USA-S, your LSC, or a USA-S coach for various skill levels.
Cap
A silicone or latex head covering worn by swimmers to reduce drag and keep hair out of the face.
Carbohydrates
Main source of food energy used by athletes during training and competition.
Catch
The phase in a stroke when the hand begins to pull water, generating forward movement.
Championship Meet
A high-level meet at the end of a season requiring qualification times, such as LSC Champs or Junior Olympics.
Championship Finals
The top heat of finals in a Prelims/Finals format, consisting of the fastest qualifiers.
Chlorine
The chemical used to sanitize pool water and prevent bacterial growth.
Check-In
A process where swimmers confirm their participation in a deck-seeded event.
Circle Seeding
Seeding top swimmers across the final three heats to balance competition, placing fastest in center lanes.
Circle Swim
A practice procedure in which swimmers stay to the right of the black line when sharing a lane.
Clinic
Instructional session or workshop for swimmers, coaches, or officials.
Closed Competition
Swim meets limited to a specific group or organization (e.g., a league meet).
Club
A registered USA-Swimming team under an LSC.
Code of Conduct
Guidelines swimmers and coaches agree to follow during sanctioned events or travel meets.
Colorado Timing System
A brand of electronic timing system commonly used at swim meets.
Concessions
Food and beverage stand at a swim meet, often hosted by the team.
Consolation (B) Finals
The second-fastest heat of finals, following the Championship Finals.
Converted Time
A swimmer’s time from one pool course translated into an equivalent time for another (e.g., SCY to LCM).
Convention
The annual USA Swimming governance meeting where rule changes and committee work occur.
Course
The length of the pool used for competition: Short Course Yards (25y), Short Course Meters (25m), or Long Course (50m).
Crossover Turn
A backstroke-to-breaststroke turn used in the Individual Medley where the swimmer rotates and performs a flip.
Cut
A time standard a swimmer must meet to qualify for a championship meet.

D

 
Daktronics Timing System
A brand of automatic timing equipment commonly used in swim meets.
Deadline
The last date entries will be accepted by the host team to be eligible for the meet.
Deck
The area surrounding the pool where swimmers, officials, and coaches may be during a meet. Spectators are usually restricted.
Deck Entries
Entries that are accepted on the day of the meet, usually with a higher entry fee.
Deck Seeding
A process where heat and lane assignments are determined after swimmers check in at the meet.
Dehydration
A state of inadequate water in the body, often resulting in cramps or dizziness in swimmers.
Descending
A practice or interval pattern where each swim is faster than the previous one.
Descend
Instruction to gradually increase effort or speed throughout a set of repeats.
Declared False Start
A procedure in which a swimmer withdraws from an event without penalty by notifying the referee prior to the start.
Developmental
Classification of meets designed for less experienced swimmers to gain competition experience in a low-pressure setting.
Distance
The length of a swim race, which may vary from short (25y/m) to long (1650y or 1500m).
Distance Freestyle
Freestyle events longer than 500 yards or meters, including the 1000y, 1650y, 800m, and 1500m events.
Disqualified (DQ)
The removal of a swimmer’s result from an event due to a rule infraction.
Dive
Entering the water head-first, typically from a starting block or platform.
Diving Well
A separate deep area of the pool used for diving or warm-up and cool-down activities during swim meets.
Division I, II, III
Classifications of collegiate athletic programs governed by the NCAA, often based on school size and scholarships offered.
Dolphin Kick
Wave-like motion used in butterfly and off the walls in other strokes, especially during underwater phases.
Drag Suit
A second, loose suit worn over a normal practice suit to increase resistance and strength in training.
Drills
Structured practice movements that isolate specific stroke components for improvement.
Dropped Elbow
A technical flaw where the elbow dips too low during the pull phase, reducing propulsion.
Dropped Time
A swimmer's new personal best that is faster than their previous recorded time.
Dryland
Strength and conditioning exercises performed outside the water to support swim performance.
Dry Side
Refers to the administrative or logistical aspects of a swim meet.
Dual Meet
A meet format in which two teams compete directly against each other.

E

Early Take-Off
Occurs when a relay swimmer leaves the block before the incoming swimmer touches the wall, resulting in disqualification.
Electronic Timing
Automatic timing system typically using touchpads and sensors to measure times precisely.
Eligible to Compete
Swimmer meets all requirements such as age, time standards, and registration to compete in a meet.
Entry
A swimmer’s registration to participate in a particular event.
Entry Chairperson
The meet official who manages and processes all swimmer entries.
Entry Fees
Fees paid for each event a swimmer enters in a competition.
Entry Limit
Maximum number of events a swimmer may enter or total number of swimmers allowed at a meet.
Entry Time
The official time submitted with the entry, often the swimmer’s best prior time in the event.
Event
A specific competition in a swim meet, such as 100 Freestyle or 200 Butterfly.

F

False Start
Occurs when a swimmer leaves the block early; results in disqualification.
False Start Rope
A rope dropped across the pool to stop swimmers who falsely start.
Fastest to Slowest
Seeding method in long events where fastest swimmers swim first.
Fatigue
Intentional stress on the body from training to build endurance and strength.
Fees
Monetary charges for practice, registration, and competition participation.
Fifteen-Meter Mark
Mark indicating the legal surface break point in backstroke, freestyle, and butterfly.
FINA
The international governing body for aquatic sports.
Finals
The top heats contested at the end of a Prelims/Finals meet session.
Final Results
Official race placements and times published post-event.
Finish
Completion of a race with a legal touch at the final wall.
Fins
Training gear used to develop kicking strength and speed.
Flags
Pennants above the pool to alert backstrokers they are near the wall.
Flip Turns
A somersault movement at the wall to quickly change direction in freestyle and backstroke.
Flutter Kick
Fast alternating leg kicks used in freestyle and backstroke.
Forward Start
A race start from the block with a forward dive.
Freestyle
One of the four competitive strokes, characterized by alternating arm strokes and flutter kicks.

G

Get Out Swim
A swim challenge at practice that can result in ending the session early if completed successfully.
Goals
Performance targets set to motivate and guide swimmers in their development.
Goggles
Protective eyewear worn to prevent eye irritation and improve visibility underwater.
Gun (or Bell) Lap
Signal given to the lead swimmer indicating the final lap in long-distance freestyle races.

H

Heats
Groups of swimmers competing in the same event; final rankings are based on time.
Heat Award
Prize given to the winner of an individual heat, often in the form of a ribbon or coupon.
Heat Sheet
Document listing all swimmers in their respective heats and lanes.
High Elbow
Technique promoting effective freestyle arm recovery and underwater pull.
High Point
Award given to the swimmer with the highest point total in an age group during a meet.
HOD
House of Delegates — the voting body of an LSC made up of club reps and board members.
Horizontal
Body position parallel to the water, critical for efficiency.
Horn
Sound signal used to start races in electronic timing systems.
Hospitality
Refreshment area at a meet for coaches and officials provided by the host team.
Host Team
The swim team responsible for organizing and running a sanctioned meet.
Hypoxic Breathing
Controlled breathing training involving limited breaths per lap to build lung capacity.
Hypoxic Training
Low-oxygen training meant to enhance a swimmer's ability to perform under stress, to be done under supervision.

 

 

I

Illegal
Any action contrary to the swimming rules that results in disqualification.
IM
Individual Medley – A race combining all four strokes in the following order: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle.
IMX
A motivational program by USA Swimming that ranks swimmers based on combined results from multiple strokes and distances.
IM Ready
A precursor to the IMX program that introduces swimmers to racing multiple strokes and distances without national ranking.
Insurance
Coverage provided through USA Swimming for members at sanctioned events.
Interval Training
Workouts that follow set start intervals to maintain consistency and manage fatigue.
Interval
The time given to swim and rest before beginning the next repeat in a set.
Intrasquad Meet
A meet where members of the same team compete against each other.
Invitational Swim Meet
A meet where participation requires an invitation from the host team.

J

Jump
An illegal start where a relay swimmer leaves the block before the incoming swimmer touches the wall.
Junior Nationals
A USA Swimming national championship for swimmers age 18 and under who meet qualifying standards.

K

Kick Board
A floatation device used in training to isolate and strengthen the kick.
Kick
The leg movement that contributes to propulsion in all strokes.

L

Lactic Acid
Byproduct of anaerobic energy production that builds up during intense efforts and causes muscle fatigue.
Lane
A designated area in the pool for a swimmer during practice or competition.
Lane Lines
Floating dividers that minimize wave interference between lanes.
Lap
One length of the pool, sometimes referred to as down and back (two lengths).
Lap Counter
Flip-style number cards used by timers during distance races to indicate laps remaining.
Late Entries
Meet entries submitted after the official deadline, often subject to higher fees or rejection.
Lead-Off
The first swimmer in a relay.
Leg
A single segment of a relay or medley event swum by one team member.
Length
A single swim from one end of the pool to the other.
Local Swim Committee (LSC)
Regional division of USA Swimming responsible for local governance and competitions.
Log Book
A journal where swimmers record training, times, goals, and meet results.
Long Course
A 50-meter pool, used in international and summer competitions.

M

Manual Timing System
A stopwatch-based method for timing races, started and stopped manually.
Marks
Command for swimmers to assume their starting position.
Marshall
Official responsible for managing swimmer traffic and deck safety.
Master’s Swimming
Swimming programs for adults aged 19+, with age groups in five-year brackets.
Medals
Awards for top finishes at meets, varying by level and host.
Medley Relay
A relay with each swimmer swimming a different stroke: back, breast, fly, free.
Meet
An organized swimming competition consisting of multiple events.
Meet Announcement
Document outlining event details, entry procedures, deadlines, and rules.
Meet Director
Person overseeing the dry-side operations of a swim meet.
Meet Program
Booklet with heat sheets and other event information, sold or distributed at meets.
Meters
Measurement system for long course (50m) and short course (25m) pools.
Mile
Common term for 1500 meters or 1650 yards freestyle events.

N

NAGTS
National Age Group Time Standards – used to measure swimmer development.
National Qualifying Time (NQT)
Required entry standard for national-level USA Swimming meets.
Nationals
USA Swimming’s top championship events held annually.
Natatorium
A building housing a competitive swimming pool.
NCAA
Governing body for collegiate athletics in the United States.
Negative Split
Swimming the second half of a race faster than the first half.
NGB
National Governing Body – for swimming, this is USA Swimming.
Non-Conforming Time
A time recorded in a different course type than the meet being entered.
No Show (NS)
A swimmer who fails to report to the starting blocks for their race.
No Time (NT)
A swimmer has no prior recorded time for the event.
Novice
Beginner swimmer, often new to the sport or competitive meets.

O

Observed Meet
A meet held under non-USA Swimming rules but observed by certified officials.
Observed Swim
Individual swims monitored for compliance with USA Swimming rules.
Officials
Certified volunteers who ensure compliance with meet rules.
Official Time
The final, verified time after review and processing.
Official Results
The published final placements and times from a meet.
Olympic Trials
Meets used to select swimmers for the U.S. Olympic Team.
Omega
A brand of automatic electronic timing systems used at many competitions.
OTC
Olympic Training Center located in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Open Competition
Meets open to any qualified individual regardless of club affiliation.
Open Turn
Turn technique used in butterfly and breaststroke involving a two-hand touch and turn.
Open Water
Swimming events conducted in natural bodies of water like lakes or oceans.
Over Fatigue
Excessive tiredness due to overtraining, poor nutrition, or stress.
Overhead Starts
A starting method where the previous heat remains in the water while the next starts.

P

Pace
Consistent speed maintained throughout training or a race.
Pace Clock
A large, visible clock used during practices for pacing and intervals.
Paddle
Plastic hand devices used to strengthen arms and improve technique.
Personal Best (PB)
The fastest time a swimmer has achieved in an event.
Plateau
A period of stalled performance improvement.
Pool
The body of water where practices and meets take place.
Positive Check-in
Confirmation required before certain events to be seeded into heats.
Practice
Regularly scheduled swim workouts.
Prelims
Preliminary heats that determine finalists in a prelim/final meet.
Prelims/Finals
A two-session meet format with morning preliminaries and evening finals.
Pre-Seeded
Events where heats and lanes are assigned ahead of time.
Proof of Time
Documentation showing a swimmer has achieved a qualifying entry time.
Psych Sheet
List of swimmers ranked by entry time per event.
Preliminary Heats
Initial rounds used to select finalists in championship meets.
Pull Buoy
Float held between legs to isolate upper-body training.

Q

Qualifying Times
Standard times required for entry into specific meets or events.

R

Race
A single competitive swimming event.
Ready Room
A waiting area for swimmers before final heats at high-level meets.
Recall Rope
A rope used to stop swimmers in case of a false start.
Records
The fastest times recorded in an event by age, gender, or level.
Recovery
The phase of a stroke where the arm returns to starting position; also refers to rest.
Referee
The chief official responsible for enforcing all meet rules and decisions.
Registered
Being officially enrolled with USA Swimming.
Relays
Events with four swimmers each swimming part of the total distance.
Relay Exchange
The handoff between outgoing and incoming relay swimmers.
Resistance Training
Swimming with added drag to build strength and power.
Results
The official finish times and placements from an event.
Ribbons
Small awards given for event placements.
Rules
Official regulations published by USA Swimming.

S

Safety
Behavior and procedures ensuring a safe swimming environment.
Sanction
Approval given by an LSC for a meet to be held under USA Swimming rules.
Sanction Fee
Fee paid by the host club to obtain meet sanction.
Sanctioned Meet
A meet approved and overseen by USA Swimming.
Scoreboard
Electronic display showing swimmers’ times and placements.
Schedule
List of planned meets and events over a season.
Scratch
To withdraw from an event before it is swum.
Sculling
Technique drills using fine motor movements of hands and arms.
Sectionals
Regional championship-level meets, also known as Speedo Series.
Seed
To assign swimmers to lanes and heats based on entry times.
Seeding
The process of placing swimmers in heats based on times and scratches.
Semi-Automatic Timing System
Button-based timing system linked to electronic start devices.
Send Offs
The timing interval between swimmers starting reps in practice.
Senior Meet
A competition for swimmers regardless of age with qualifying standards.
Senior Nationals
USA Swimming’s top meet for swimmers of any age with NQT times.
Session
A specific portion of a swim meet, such as prelims or finals.
Set
A segment of a swim practice, often with a defined purpose or distance.
Short Course
A 25-yard or 25-meter pool format.
Six-Beat Kick
Six kicks per two-arm stroke cycle in freestyle.
Speed Training
Training for sprinting and fast pace during racing.
Speedo Championship Series
Regional USA Swimming competitions also known as Sectionals.
Splash
USA Swimming’s official member magazine.
Split
Intermediate time recorded at various points in a race.
Start
Beginning of the race, initiated by dive or push-off.
Starter
Official who signals the start of each heat.
Stand Up
Command telling swimmers to step off the blocks and reset.
Step Down
Command to have swimmers leave the blocks due to delay or false start.
Strategy
Race plan developed between coach and swimmer.
Streamline
Body position aimed at reducing drag in the water.
Stroke
One of the four recognized techniques: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly.
Stroke Count
Number of strokes a swimmer takes per pool length.
Stroke Judge
Official who ensures swimmers follow stroke regulations.
Suit
Swimwear used during practice and competition.
Submitted Time
The entry time used for seeding at a meet.
Swim-A-Thon
Fundraiser event where swimmers collect pledges per lap swum.
Swim Off
Tie-breaking swim held to determine advancement or placement.
Swimming World
Subscription-based swimming magazine.
SWIMS
USA Swimming’s database of official times.

T

Taper
Reduction in training before major meets to enhance performance.
Team
Registered swimming organization competing under USA Swimming.
Team Records
Best performances in each event by club swimmers.
Timed Finals
Events where heats determine final placements, no finals session held.
Time Standards
Qualifying times required to enter specific meets.
Timer
Volunteer responsible for recording swimmers’ race times.
Time Trial
Timed races not part of meet scoring, often used for qualifying times.
Timing System
Electronic or manual methods used to measure swim race times.
Top 10 or Top 16
Listings of fastest swimmers in an age group or event.
Touch Pad
Electronic pad at wall end registering swimmer’s finish.
Transfer
Swimmer changing teams or LSCs with a required waiting period.
Transition
Change of strokes in IM races or turns between strokes.
Travel Fund
Funds to assist swimmers with meet travel expenses.
Trophy
Award for top performance or team placement.
Turn Judge
Official monitoring legal execution of turns.
Turnover
Rate at which a swimmer completes stroke cycles.

U

Unattached
Swimmer not representing a specific club during a meet.
Underwater Pullout
Arm stroke used in breaststroke after starts and turns before surfacing.
Unofficial Time
Displayed race time not yet verified by officials.
USA Swimming
Governing body for competitive swimming in the United States.
USA-S ID Number
Unique identifier assigned to each USA Swimming member.
USOTC
United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

V

VCC
Virtual Club Championships – measures club depth and success.
Venue
The facility hosting a swim competition.
Vertical
Perpendicular orientation to the pool surface.

W

Warm-Down
Recovery swimming done after races to flush out lactic acid.
Warm-Up
Swimming before competition to prepare the body.
Watch
Handheld stopwatch used by coaches and timers.
Weights
Dryland strength training tools used by swimmers.
Whistle
Sound used by referees to gain attention before start

Y

Yards – The measurement of the length of a swimming pool that was built per specs using the American system. A short course 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.

 

Z

Zones – The country is divided up into four major zones: Eastern, Southern, Central, and Western. At the end of the long course season (in August) the Zone Administration sponsors a championship age group meet