Swimming Terms and Strokes

Terms:

Blocks- the starting platforms located behind each lane

Deck- the area around the swimming pool reserved for swimmers, officials, and coaches, at most meets. Only an authorized USA Swimming member may be on the deck during a swim competition.

Disqualified/DQ- a swimmer’s performance is not counted in the results because of a rules infraction. A disqualification is shown by an official raising one arm with an open hand above their head.

Distance- how far a swimmer swims. The distance will depend on the event and will be listed in the heat sheet.

Dive- entering the water head first. Diving is not allowed during warm-ups except at a designated time in a specific lane.

Dual meet- type of meet where two or three teams/clubs compete against each other

False start- when a simmer moves or leaves the starting block before the horn or starting 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.

Fees (Meet) - for swim meets there is a charge for each meet and additional charges per event in which your swimmer is entered.

Final Results- the printed copy of the results of each race of a swim meet.

Flags- pennants that are suspended over the width of each end of the pool are exactly 15 feet/5 yards from the wall and are visual references for the backstroke events.

Format- the order of events and type of swim meet being conducted.

Goggles- glasses-type device worn by swimmers to keep their eyes from being irritated by the water.

Heats- (individual events and/or Relays). Heats will normally consisted of a number of swimmers less than or equal to the number of lanes in the pool. (10 lane pool x 40 swimmers = 4 heats).

Horn- This is a sound that the starter will use for heats. The starter will also announce via PA the event and heat.

Individual Medley (IM)- a swimming event using all four strokes; the order- Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Freestyle.

Inter-squad Meet- Inter-squad meets are meets where only the GSST swimmers compete. The team is separated into a BLUE vs. WHITE squad and practice/swim as if they were in a meet.

Interval- a specific elapsed time of swimming or rest used during swim practice.

Kick- the leg movement of a swimmer.

Kickboard- a floatation device used by swimmer during practice, mainly for kicking.

Lane- the specific area in which a swimmer is assigned to swim.

Lane lines- floating positions used to divide the pool.

Lap – 2 lengths of the pool.

Length- one time down the pool.

Leg- the part of the relay event swum by a single team member.

Long- course- a 50-meter pool.

Mark (“take your mark”, then a beep)- the command to take your starting position.

Marking Up- Writing the event, heat, and lap your child will be swimming in before the meet begins. (Can be on arm, leg, etc.).

Marshall- the official who controls the crowd and swimmer-flow at a swim meet.

Meet- series of events held in one program.

Meet director- the official in charge of the administration of the meet; the person directing the “dry scale” on the meet.

Officials- the certified adult volunteers who operate the many facets of a swim competition.

OT- official time.

Paddle- colored plastic device worn by swimmers during practice.

Referee- the head official at a swim meets in charge of all the “Wet Side” administration and decision; decisions made by referee are final.

Relays- a swimming event in which four swimmers participate as a team.

Sanctioned meet- a meet conducted with sufficient USA Swimming officials to certify conformance to USA Swimming rules.

Short course- a 25-yard pool.

Swimming 101 - Strokes:

Freestyle
Start	Forward start off the block.
Body Position	No restriction on body position except if submerged at start and turns. Head must break the water surface at the 15-meter mark.
Stroke	Any stroke style may be used.
Kick	Any style of kick may be used.
Turn/Finish	Some part of the body must touch the end of the racing course at the turn and finish.

Backstroke
Start	Start in the water with back to the course. Feet or toes may not be in or bent over edge of the gutter if one is present. The feet have to be on the wall under the water line.
Body Position	Must swim “on the back” except for turns. If submerged at the start and turns head must break the water by the 15-meter mark.
Stroke	Any stroke style may be used as long as the swimmer is on their back.
Kick	Any kick style may be used.
Turn/Finish	Some part of the body must touch the end of the racing course at the turn and finish. The swimmer MAY turn onto the stomach while executing the turn if the turning motion is continuous. The swimmer may be submerged at the finish touch but must be on their back at touch.

Breaststroke
Start	Forward start from the block.
Body Position	Must swim “on the breast.” May have one pull and kick while fully submerged. Also, may use one downward butterfly kick with or following the pull and prior to the breast kick. Head must break the water surface before hands turn inward at widest part of second stroke.
Stroke	Arms shall move simultaneously and in the same horizontal place, not alternating. Hands recovered under, on, or over water from the breast. Elbows under the water except at touch of turns and finish. Head must break surface during each “stroke cycle”.
Kick	A unique kick for this stroke ONLY. All vertical and horizontal movements must be simultaneous with feet turned out. Scissors, flutter, and butterfly are NOT ALLOWED.
Turn/Finish	Body must be on the breast, the touch s made with both hands simultaneously. Head may be submerged after the last arm pull prior to touch, provided it breaks the surface of the water at some point during the last complete or incomplete cycle preceding the touch.

Butterfly
Start	Forward start off the blocks.
Body Position	Must swim “on stomach.” If submerged at start and following turns, head must break surface by the 15-meter mark.
Stroke	One “arm pull” under water is allowed which must bring the swimmer to the surface. Arms must be brought forward over the water and recovered simultaneously.
Kick	All up and down movement of the feet and legs must simultaneous. Feet and legs may not alternate. Scissor or breaststroke kick is not permitted.
Turn/Finish	Body must be on the stomach; the touch is made with both hands simultaneously.

Individual Medley (IM)
Start	Forward start off the blocks.
Body Position	Rules for each stroke apply.
Stroke	Rules for each stroke apply. Stroke order: Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Freestyle
Kick	Rules for each stroke apply.
Turn/Finish	Intermediate turns confirm to rules for the stroke. Transition turns conform to the finish rules of that stroke.

If you have any more questions, please ask one of the coaches.

The coaches are not responsible for getting your swimmer where he/she needs to be.

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