Glossary of Swim Terms
25, 50, 100: These are distances swum in practices and in meets and are measured according to the length of the pool, which is, by standard, 25 yards long. Therefore, a “25" is one length, a "50" is two lengths; a "100" is four lengths, etc.
Bishop Estates Pool is 25 meters in length, which is longer than 25 yards. Therefore, times will appear slower when swum in our pool. You can convert meter times to yard times by dividing the meter time by 1.1. Example: A swimmer who swims a 50-meter freestyle in our pool does a 31.56. The equivalent yard time is 31.56 divided by 1.1, or 28.69.
Anchor: The fourth and final swimmer on a relay team. A position of prestige, often reserved for the fastest swimmer on the relay, as they are competing for a better finishing position.
DQ. : Abbreviation for "disqualification". It means that a swimmer's specific performance cannot be counted for points and that his or her time is not official. Someone can be disqualified for performing a stroke incorrectly, missing the wall on a turn, touching a wall incorrectly, or even for missing a race in a big meet.
Dragsuit: A second loose fitting swim suit worn by swimmers in workout and warm-up to add a certain amount of weight and resistance to the flow of the water around the swimmer. This is encouraged during Hell Week.
Deck: The concrete area immediately around the pool.
Events: The race the swimmers compete in (e.g., freestyle). There may be more than one heat in each age group event.
Flip Turn: Physically doing a somersault at the wall to change direction (freestyle and backstroke only)
Heat: One flight of swimmers doing an event. For example, in an 8-lane pool, it would be 8 swimmers doing the same race. An event of race can have a few or many heats.
Individual Medley (IM): Single swimmer swims four laps, one lap each of all four strokes in order of butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle.
Invitational: A meet to which we have been invited. The swimmers compete against other teams and individuals that have been invited to swim.
Kick: Using only your legs for propulsion.
Mini Cuda: A swimmer who can swim the width of the pool and tread water for 30 seconds. Mini Cuda’s will be taught as a group, and when they are able to swim the length of the pool without holding onto a lane line, they may, at the coach's discretion, be assimilated into their respective age groups. Mini Cuda’s will be expected to enter the pool, without hesitation, at the request of any coach. Parents are encouraged to arrange independent swim lessons to help the swimmers progress more quickly.
Pull: Using only your arms for propulsion.
Relays:
Medley Relay: A group of four swimmers, each one swimming a different stroke. The first one swims backstroke, the second swims breaststroke, the third butterfly, and the fourth freestyle.
Freestyle Relay: This is a group of four swimmers; each swimmer swimming freestyle.
Strokes:
Free: Freestyle
Breast: Breaststroke
Fly: Butterfly
Back: Backstroke
Starting Block: The platform a swimmer uses to dive into the water. When a coach says to "get behind the blocks," this means the swimmer should get behind their respective starting block in anticipation of their heat.
Stroke Count: The number of strokes you take per lap or length. This is a common measurement of efficiency in the water.
Tapering: A period of up to three weeks before a swim meet where a swimmer's training is steadily decreasing. This is a fine-tuning period for swimmers as they prepare for competition.
Junior Coach (ages 15-18 years old): May give directions outside water if needed. Leads a group (practice) solo with guidance from Head Coach. May be in water to lead practice. Corrects swimmers when seeing they are swimming incorrectly.
Mini Coach (ages 13-14 years old): Only coaches inside water. Helps send off swimmers and maintain form in water to help assist coaches outside water. Makes sure all swimmers are paying attention and following all rules for safety.
