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AGE GROUP SWIMMING
Program through which CSA provides fair and open
competition for its younger members. Designed to encourage maximum
participation, provide an educational experience, enhance physical
and mental conditioning and develop a rich base of swimming talent.
Nationally recognized age groups are 10 and under, 11-12, 13-14,
15- 16, 17-18 and 15-18. Local meets may include events for 8 and
unders.
BLOCK
The starting platform
BULKHEAD
A wall constructed to divide a pool into different courses such as
a 50 meter pool into two 25 yard courses.
CIRCLE
SWIMMING
Performed by staying in to the right of the black line when
swimming in a lane, to Enable more swimmers to swim in each lane.
COACH
A person who trains and teaches athletes in the sport of swimming.
CODE OF
CONDUCT
Designed to make a swimmer abide by certain behavioral guidelines.
CUT
Slang for qualifying time. A time standard necessary to attend a
particular meet or event.
DISTANCE
Term used to refer to events over 400 meters/500 yards.
DQ
Disqualified. This occurs when a swimmer has committed an
infraction of some kind A disqualified swimmer is not eligible to
receive awards, nor can the time be used as an official time.
DRILL
An exercise involving a portion or part of a stroke, used to
improve technique.
DRYLAND
TRAINING
Training done out of the water that aids and enhances swimming
performance.
ENTRY FORM
Form on which a swimmer enters a competition. Usually includes USA
number, age, sex, event number and time.
FAILED SWIM
Where a meet calls for proof of a time standard and the swimmer
fails to meet that standard in a particular race.
FALSE START
Occurs when a swimmer is moving at the start.
FINALS
The championship heat of an event in which the top six or eight
swimmers from the preliminaries compete, depending on the number of
lanes in the pool.
FLAGS
Backstroke flags placed five yards (short course) or 5 meters (long
course) from the end of the pool. They enable backstrokers to
execute a backstroke turn more efficiently by counting their
strokes.
GOAL
A specific time achievement a swimmer sets and strives for. Can be
short or long term.
GUTTER
The area along the edge of the pool in which water overflows during
a race and is re circulated through the filtration system.
IM
Slang for the Individual Medley, an event in which the swimmer uses
all four strokes in the following order: butterfly, backstroke,
breaststroke and freestyle.
LAP COUNTER
A set of plastic display numbers used to keep track of laps during
a distance race. Also, the person who counts for the swimmer
stationed at the opposite end from the start.
LONG COURSE
A pool 50 meters in length. USA conducts most of its summer
competition in long course.
LONG DISTANCE
Any freestyle event over 1500 meters, normally conducted in a
natural body of water, Such as a lake, river or ocean. Also known
as Marathon swimming.
LSC
Local Swimming Committee. Governing body for swimming on a local
level.
MEET
Competition designed to be a learning experience by implementing
what has been learned in practice. The swimmer tests himself
against the clock to see how he is improving.
MEET PROGRAM
Contains pertinent information regarding event, heat and lane
assignments for all participating swimmers at a meet. Parents
should purchase one at the beginning of each meet.
MIDDLE
DISTANCE
Term used to refer to events of 200 yards/meters to 400
yards/meters in length.
NATIONAL AGE GROUP
STANDARD
Time standards derived from the previous years’ results that
are broken down by age and sex as well as B, A, AA, AAA, AAAA
divisions. Theses designations are NATIONAL and may be used for
qualifying purposes. Many LSC’s have their own time
standards.
NATIONAL AGE GROUP TOP
16
Time standards set for both short and long course based on previous
years’ achievements. Only times meeting these standards may
be submitted for consideration each year.
NEGATIVE SPLIT
Swimming the second half of the race equal to or faster than the
first half.
OFFICIAL
A judge on the deck of the pool at a sanctioned competition who is
there to enforce USA rules. There are stroke and turn judges,
administrative officials, starters, timers and referees.
PACE CLOCK
Large clock with a large second hand and a smaller minute hand,
used to check pace or to maintain intervals in practice; may also
be digital.
PRELIMS
Slang for preliminaries, also called Heats or Trials. Those races
in which swimmers qualify for the championship and consolation
finals in events.
PROOF OF TIME
A requirement at some meets to make certain that all swimmers have
legally met the time standards for that meet. Parents must pay
$25.00 for any failed swim at a Southeastern championship meet.
Q-TIME
Qualifying time necessary to compete in a particular event and/or
competition.
REFEREE
The official who has the authority over all other officials at a
meet. He/She makes all final decisions and sees to the efficient
running of the meet.
RELAY
An event in which four swimmers compete together as a team to
achieve one time.
SAFETY
The condition of being safe. Safety procedures are designed to
prevent accidents.
SCRATCH
To withdraw from an event in a competition.
SEEDING TIMES
The time a swimmer uses to enter a meet. This time, which is
written on the entry card, determines ones position and lane in a
particular meet.
SET
A group of drills put together to form a complete practice.
SENIOR
SWIMMING
A program that provides fair and open competition in National
Swimming championships. It is designed to afford maximum
opportunity for participation, provide an educational experience,
enhance physical and mental conditioning and develop a pool of
talented athletes for International competition. There are no age
restrictions in Senior competition.
SHORT COURSE
A pool 25 yards or 25 meters in length. USA conducts most of its
winter competition in short course.
SPLIT
A swimmer’s intermediate time in a race. Splits are
registered every 50 yards or meters and are used to determine if a
swimmer is on record pace. Under certain conditions, splits may
also be used as official times.
SPRINT
Describes the shorter events (50 and 100). In training, to swim as
fast as possible for a short distance.
STARTER
The official at a meet responsible for starting each heat and
calling the next heat to the blocks.
STREAMLINE
The position used to gain maximum distance during a start and/or
push off from the wall in which the swimmer’s body is as
tight as it can be.
STROKE AND TURN
JUDGE
The official who determines the legality of a swimmers’
strokes and turns and who disqualifies those swimmers who do not
conform to the rules.
TAPER
The final preparation phase prior to major competition. An older
more experienced swimmer will shave his entire body to reduce
resistance and heighten sensation in the water.
TIME TRIAL
A time only swim which is not part of a regular meet.
TOUCH PAD
A large sensitive board at the end of each lane where a
swimmer’s touch is registered and sent electronically to the
timing system.
USA SWIMMING
United States of America Swimming, Inc. The national governing body
for amateur competitive swimming in the United States.
USA CARD
NUMBER
Unique number assigned to a swimmer when they join United States of
America Swimming.
WARM DOWN
Low intensity swimming used by swimmers after a race or main
practice. It rids the body of excess lactic acid and to gradually
reduce heart rate and respiration.
WARM UP
Used by a swimmer prior to a main practice, set or race. Gets
muscles loose and warm and gradually increases heart and
respiration.
WATCHES
Stopwatches used to time swimmers during a competition, usually
electronic. When totally automatic timing equipment is used,
watches serve as a back-up method.
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