Swimming can be rather confusing for both swimmers and parents, especially at galas, until they have got used to the technical terminology which is used.
Below are a range of terms with short explanations. If you can think of any other terms you want adding to this list, then please contact the coaching team.
“The king of the pool and the one that is always right.”
A competition between two clubs.
The most common reasons why a swimmer is disqualified are that a swimmer has not touched the wall properly when turning or has not used the proper stroke technique.
At a Graded Meet a time cap is applied and only those swimmers below the cap are allowed to compete.
The division of an event in which there are too many swimmers to compete at one time.
This means that there are no finals and the age group winners are announced according to the fastest time after all the heats have been completed
A race comprising all four strokes in the following series – Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Freestyle.
A flat rectangular piece of foam used in kick sets.
A long course pool is 50m in length. A short course pool is 25m in length. To convert times from LC to SC or vice versa, use the converter found here.
The area where swimmers are to report to ahead of their race.
This means that a swimmer is automatically disqualified for provoking a false start.
At an Open Meet swimmers are required to meet qualification times in order to compete.
This means that swimmers stay in the water until the next heat has started (Butterfly, Breaststroke, Freestyle).
Flat pieces of plastic worn on the hands, usually during pull sets
This is the fastest time that a swimmer has recorded in their lifetime,for a particular stroke and length. Apart from elite level, PBs can be recorded at internal club competitions or club time trials.
A piece of foam that goes between your legs and helps you float whilst doing pull sets.
This is the fastest time that a swimmer has recored for a particular stroke and length, in that current season (Sept-Aug) When a swimmer achieves a PB, then they also achieve an SB. When a swimmer achieves an SB, they may not achieve a PB.
This means that the swimmers stay in the water until the next heat has started (Backstroke)
This is what a swimmer receives for swimming too fast at a Graded Meet
At the start of a race the referee will blow three times to notify the competitors that race is about to begin. The referee will then give one long blow which tells the swimmers to mount the starting blocks or enter the water (Backstroke) The referee will then hand over to the starter who will say “take your marks” Once all the swimmers are ready, the starter will either press the electronic starter button or blow a whistle. In the event of a false start, the starter will press the starter button again and/or the false start rope will be dropped into the water.
A board at the end of the pool that acts as a stopwatch. When the swimmer finishes and hits the touchpad, it records the time.
