Swim
Backstroke flags: Lines of flags placed above the lanes at each end to signal the backstroker that he is five yards or meters (depending upon the course) from the wall.
Block: the starting platform.
Disqualification (DQ): This occurs when a swimmer has committed an infraction of some kind; e.g., freestyle kick in butterfly. A disqualified swimmer is not eligible to receive awards, nor can the time be used as an official time.
Event: Any race or series of races in a given stroke or distance.
False Start: Occurs when a swimmer is moving before the start gun is sounded. In USA Swimming, one false start will result in DQ after the event concludes.
Heat: A single race in an event in which there are too many swimmers to compete at one time.
Heat Sheets: The swim meet program that includes information such as the name of the events, heats, lanes and swimmers.
I. M.: Slang for Individual Medley event in which the swimmer uses all four strokes in the following order: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle.
Lane: The specific area in which the swimmer is assigned to swim, i.e., lane 1, lane 2, etc.
Lane markers, lines or ropes: Continuous floating markers extending from one end of the pool to the other.
Lane markings: Guide lines on the bottom of the pool and in the center of each lane extending from one end of the pool to the other.
Medley Relay: A group of four swimmers each swimming different strokes in an event; back, breast, butterfly, and free.
Meet: A series of events held in one program.
No Time (NT): Seed time is entered as "No Time" if a swimmer has never swum an event before.
Official : A judge on the deck of the pool at a sanctioned competition who enforces USA Swimming rules. There are stroke and turn judges, administrative officials, starters, and referees.
Relay: An event in which 4 swimmers compete together as a team to achieve one time.
Scratch : To withdraw from an event in a competition.
Split: A time recorded from the official start to the completion of an initial distance within a longer event. Also the time for one of the four individuals in a relay. Under certain conditions, splits may also be used as official times, for example, the lead off swim in a relay, or the lead off portion of an event.
Sprint: Describes the shorter events (50 and 100). In training, to swim as fast as possible for a short distance.
Starter : Meet official who fires gun or sounds horn that begins each heat of an event.
Starting blocks: Platforms from which the swimmer enters the water at the beginning of an event.
Streamline: The position used by swimmers when starting or pushing off the walls designed to reduce water resistance.
"Take your mark": The starter’s command to swimmers to which they must respond by at once assuming a starting position.
Taper: The final preparation phase, sometimes referred to as "rest". Prior to major competitions, older, more experienced swimmers shave their entire bodies to reduce resistance and heighten sensation in the water.
Timers: Volunteers who time swimmers in a specific lane during a swim meet.
Touch Pad: A large sensitive board at the end of each lane where a swimmer’s finish is registered and sent electronically to the timing system.
Warm Down: Low intensity swimming used by swimmers after a race or main practice set to rid the body of excess lactic acid, and to gradually reduce heart rate and respiration.
Warm Up: Low intensity swimming used by swimmer prior to a main practice set or race to get muscles loose and warm. Warm up gradually increases heart rate, respiration and helps to prevent injury.
Block: the starting platform.
Disqualification (DQ): This occurs when a swimmer has committed an infraction of some kind; e.g., freestyle kick in butterfly. A disqualified swimmer is not eligible to receive awards, nor can the time be used as an official time.
Event: Any race or series of races in a given stroke or distance.
False Start: Occurs when a swimmer is moving before the start gun is sounded. In USA Swimming, one false start will result in DQ after the event concludes.
Heat: A single race in an event in which there are too many swimmers to compete at one time.
Heat Sheets: The swim meet program that includes information such as the name of the events, heats, lanes and swimmers.
I. M.: Slang for Individual Medley event in which the swimmer uses all four strokes in the following order: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle.
Lane: The specific area in which the swimmer is assigned to swim, i.e., lane 1, lane 2, etc.
Lane markers, lines or ropes: Continuous floating markers extending from one end of the pool to the other.
Lane markings: Guide lines on the bottom of the pool and in the center of each lane extending from one end of the pool to the other.
Medley Relay: A group of four swimmers each swimming different strokes in an event; back, breast, butterfly, and free.
Meet: A series of events held in one program.
No Time (NT): Seed time is entered as "No Time" if a swimmer has never swum an event before.
Official : A judge on the deck of the pool at a sanctioned competition who enforces USA Swimming rules. There are stroke and turn judges, administrative officials, starters, and referees.
Relay: An event in which 4 swimmers compete together as a team to achieve one time.
Scratch : To withdraw from an event in a competition.
Split: A time recorded from the official start to the completion of an initial distance within a longer event. Also the time for one of the four individuals in a relay. Under certain conditions, splits may also be used as official times, for example, the lead off swim in a relay, or the lead off portion of an event.
Sprint: Describes the shorter events (50 and 100). In training, to swim as fast as possible for a short distance.
Starter : Meet official who fires gun or sounds horn that begins each heat of an event.
Starting blocks: Platforms from which the swimmer enters the water at the beginning of an event.
Streamline: The position used by swimmers when starting or pushing off the walls designed to reduce water resistance.
"Take your mark": The starter’s command to swimmers to which they must respond by at once assuming a starting position.
Taper: The final preparation phase, sometimes referred to as "rest". Prior to major competitions, older, more experienced swimmers shave their entire bodies to reduce resistance and heighten sensation in the water.
Timers: Volunteers who time swimmers in a specific lane during a swim meet.
Touch Pad: A large sensitive board at the end of each lane where a swimmer’s finish is registered and sent electronically to the timing system.
Warm Down: Low intensity swimming used by swimmers after a race or main practice set to rid the body of excess lactic acid, and to gradually reduce heart rate and respiration.
Warm Up: Low intensity swimming used by swimmer prior to a main practice set or race to get muscles loose and warm. Warm up gradually increases heart rate, respiration and helps to prevent injury.