A glossary of all of those words we use in the sport of swimming. You may or may not find these words in the English Dictionary, and if you do, their definitions will probably be radically different from the ones listed in this Glossary. Relax and take your time reading. Soon you'll be understanding and maybe even speaking some "swim slang."

Age group swim meet- All USA Swimming registered swimmers, 18 years of age and under, who have met the qualifying time standard for a specific event are eligible to participate in their age category. Age on the first day of competition shall govern the entire meet. The National Age Group divisions are: 10-under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18. Some LSCs have divided the swimmers into more convenient divisions specific to their situations: (i.e.) 8-under, 13-Over, 15-Over, Junior, Senior.

Alternate- In a Prelims/Finals meet, after the finalists are decided, the next two fastest swimmers other than the finalists are designated as alternates. The faster of the two being the first alternate and the next being second alternate. If a finalist cannot participate, the alternates are called to take their place.

Anchor- The final swimmer in a relay. Also, a term coaches use for the beginning of all four strokes indicating the “high elbow”, “catch,” or “early vertical forearm.”

ASCA- The American Swim Coaches Association. The professional organization for swim coaches throughout the nation. Certifying coaches and offering many services for coaches' education

and career advancement.

BOD- Board of Directors of the Local Swim Committee (LSC), USA Swimming (USA-S) or Susquehanna Valley Aquatic Club (SVAC).

Championship Meet- The meet held at the end of a season. Qualification times are usually necessary to enter these meets.

Championship Finals- The top six or eight swimmers (depending on the number of pool lanes) in a Prelims/Finals meet who, after the prelims are swum, qualify to return to the Finals. The fastest heat of finals when multiple heats are held.

Check-In- The procedure required before a swimmer swims an event in a deck-seeded meet. Sometimes referred to as positive check-in, the swimmer must mark their name on a list posted by the meet host.

Circle Seeding- A method of seeding swimmers when they are participating in a prelims/finals event. The fastest 18 to 24 swimmers are seeded in the last three heats, with the fastest swimmers being in the inside lanes. (i.e.) Lane 4 in the final three heats. See rule book for exact method for seeding depending on the lanes in the pool.

Club- A registered swim team that is a dues-paying member of USA-S and the local LSC.

Code of Conduct- A Code of Conduct that both swimmers and coaches are required to sign at certain USA-S/LSC sponsored events. The Code typically involves common sense and proper behavior.

Consolation Finals- After the fastest six or eight swimmers, the next six or eight swimmers (depending on the number of pool lanes) in a Prelims/Finals meet who, after the prelims are swum, qualify to return to the Finals. Consolations are the second fastest heat of finals when multiple heats are held and are conducted before the Championship heat. Consolation final swimmers do not advance to placing above consolation placement.

Deadline- The date meet entries must be "postmarked”, to be accepted by the meet host. Making the meet deadline does not guarantee acceptance into a meet since many meets are "full" weeks before the entry deadline.

Deck- The area around the swimming pool that is reserved for swimmers, officials, and coaches. No one but an "authorized" USA Swimming member may be on the deck during a swim competition.

Deck entries- Accepting entries into swimming events on the first day or later day of a meet.

Deck seeding - A procedure of assigning swimmers to proper lanes and heats immediately before each event at the ready bench at the meet.

Developmental- A classification of meet or competition that is usually held early in the season. The purpose of a developmental meet is to allow all levels of swimmers to compete in a low-pressure environment.

Distance- How far a swimmer swims. Distances for short course are: 25 yards (1 length), 50 yards (2 lengths), 100 yards (4 lengths), 200 yards (8 lengths), 400 yards (16 lengths), 500 yards (20 lengths), 1000 yards (40 lengths), 1650 yards (66 lengths). Distances for long course are: 50 meters (1 length), 100 meters (2 lengths), 200 meters (4 lengths), 400 meters (8 lengths), 800

meters (16 lengths), 1500 meters (30 lengths).

Disqualified (DQ)- A swimmer's performance is not counted because of a rules infraction. A disqualification is shown by an official raising one arm with open hand above their head or a dual confirmation of a false start.

Entry Fees- The amount per event a swimmer or relay is charged for an individual and relay team to participate in the meet.. This varies depending on the LSC and

type of meet.

Entry Limit- Each meet will usually have a limit of total swimmers they can accept, or a time limit they cannot exceed. Once an entry limit has been reached, a meet will be closed and all other

entries returned.

Electronic Timing- A timing system that removes most of the human error. The timing system usually has touchpads in the water, junction boxes on the deck with hook up cables, buttons for backup timing, and a computer-type console that prints out the results of each race. Some systems are hooked up to a scoreboard that displays swimmers.

False Start- When a swimmer leaves the starting block before the horn or 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.

Fastest to Slowest- A seeding method used on the longer events held at the end of a session. The fastest seeded swimmers participate in the first heats followed by the next fastest and so on.

Fees- Money paid by swimmers for services. (i.e.) Practice fees, registration fee, USA-S membership fee, meet entry, etc

FINA- The international rules-making organization for the sport of swimming.

Finals- The races that allow the fastest swimmers in prelims to compete for the top place in an event. See "Consolation Finals", "Timed Finals", etc.

Heat- All of the swimmers entered in the event are divided into heats, or groups of swimmers. The results are compiled by the times swum, after all heats of the event are completed.

Heat Sheet - the listing of swimmers participating in a meet. Items are listed by event and by heat.

IM- Individual Medley. A swimming event using all four of the competitive strokes on consecutive lengths of the race. The order must be: Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Freestyle. Equal

distances must be swum of each stroke. Distances offered: 100 yards, 200 yards/meters, 400 yards/meter.

IMX- IMX is a motivational program that allows swimmers across the nation to compare themselves to the thousands of other athletes in their age group. All you have to do is swim a combination of events, at least one time per season, and USA Swimming will automatically give you your ranking.

Interval- A specific elapsed time for swimming or rest used during swim practice.

Invitational- Type of meet that requires a club to request an invitation to attend the meet.

Junior Nationals- A USA-S Championship meet for swimmers 18 years old or less. Qualification times are necessary.

Lap Counter- The large numbered cards (or the person turning the cards) used during the freestyle events 500 yards or longer. Counting is done from the end opposite the starting end. The numbers on the cards are "odd numbers" only with the final lap being designated by a bright orange card.

Long Course- A 50-meter pool.

Local Swimming Committe (LSC)-Is an administrative division of USA Swimming with responsibility for administering the sport of competitive swimming within a defined territory. Our LSC is Mid-Atlantic.

Long Course - A type of competitive pool which measures 50 meters in length. The standard size for all international competition and all world record swimming is the 50-meter course. Typically meets in these pools are conducted from the end of April through August.

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

Meets- A series of events held in one program. Meets can be sanctioned, approved or observed. 

• Sanctioned Meet- All participants (including the meet director, athletes, coaches, officials, & clubs) must be members of USA-S, and the meet must be conducted under USA-S technical and administrative rules. All times achieved in a sanctioned meet will be recognized by USA Swimming for inclusion in the SWIMS times database.
• Approved Meet- An athlete is not required to be a member of USA Swimming to participate in the meet; however, the meet is conducted under USA-S technical rules. Upon approval of the meet, all times will be recognized by USA Swimming, and the times for USA Swimming members are eligible for inclusion in the SWIMS database.
• Observed Meets-There are no requirements for USA Swimming athlete membership, and the meet is conducted under technical rules other than those of USA Swimming (for example, high school, college, YMCA, or Masters rules). A request for observation of swims for compliance with USA Swimming rules must be made to the host LSC who determines if observation can be facilitated. Times from observed swims in compliance with USA Swimming technical rules are recognized, and times for USA Swimming members are eligible for inclusion in the SWIMS database.

Meet Director- The official in charge of the administration of the meet. The person directing the "dry side" of the meet.

Middle Atlantic - The regional area within USA Swimming in which the SVAC participates in.

NAGTS- National Age Group Time Standards - the list of "C" through "AAAA" times published each year.

Nationals- USA Swimming National Championship meet conducted in March/April and August.

Non-Conforming Time- A short course time submitted to qualify for a long course meet, or vice versa.

NT- No Time. The abbreviation used on a heat sheet to designate that the swimmer has not swum that event before.

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

Open Competition- Competition which any qualified club, organization, or individual may enter.

Positive Check In- The procedure required before a swimmer swims an event in a deck seeded or pre seeded meet. The swimmer or coach must indicate the swimmer is present and will compete.

Prelims - In certain meets, the qualifying rounds held for each event to determine the finalists.

Prelims-Finals-Type of meet -A meet with two sessions. The preliminary heats are usually held in the morning session. The fastest six or eight (Championship Heat) swimmers, and the next fastest six or eight swimmers (Consolation Heat) return in the evening to compete in the Finals. A swimmer who has qualified in the Consolation Finals may not place in the Championship Finals even if their finals time would place them so. The converse also applies.

Pre-seeded- A meet conducted without a bull pen in which a swimmer knows what lane and heat they are in by looking at the heat sheet or posted meet program.

Proof of Time - A requirement at some meets (usually "A" and above) to make certain that all swimmers have legally met the time standards for that meet.

Psych Sheet - A ranking by seeding times for all the swimmers entered in each race of a meet, sometimes used at meets in place of heat sheets.

Qualifying Times- Published times necessary to enter certain meets, or the times necessary to achieve a specific category of swimmer. See "A", "AA" (etc.) times.

Referee- The head official at a swim meet in charge of all of the "Wet Side" administration and decisions.

Relays- A swimming event in which four swimmers participate as a team. Each swimmer completes an equal distance of the race. There are two types of relays: 1.) Medley relay - One swimmer swims Backstroke, one swimmer swims Breaststroke, one swimmer swims Butterfly, one swimmer swims Freestyle, in that order. Medley relays are conducted over 200 yd/mtr and 400 yd/mtr distances. 2.) Freestyle relay - Each swimmer swims freestyle. Free relays are conducted over 200 yd/mtr, 400 yd/mtr, and 800 yd/mtr distances.

Scratch- To withdraw from an event after having declared an intention to participate. Some meets have scratch deadlines and specific scratch rules, and if not followed, swimmer can be disqualified from remaining events.

Seeding Times - The time a swimmer uses to enter a meet. This time, which is located in the heat sheet, determines one's position and lane in the particular event.

Senior swim meet - All USA Swimming registered swimmers who have met the qualifying time standard for a specific event(s) are eligible to complete.

Senior Nationals- A USA-S National Championship meet for swimmers of any age as long as the qualification times are met.

Session- Portion of meet distinctly separated from other portions by locale, time, type of competition, or age group.

Short Course - a type of competitive pool which measures 25 yards or 25 meters in length. Typically meets are conducted in these pools from October to April.

Split - A per lap time that coaches often record for teaching the concept of pacing, for instance, a swimmer's time for each 25-yard leg of a 100-yard event in his/her split.

Starter- The official in charge of signaling the beginning of a race and ensuring that all swimmers have a fair takeoff.

Stand-up- The command given by the Starter or Referee to release the swimmers from their starting position.

Step-Down- The command given by the Starter or Referee to have the swimmers move off the blocks. Usually, this command is a good indication everything is not right for the race to start.

Stroke Judge- The official positioned at the side of the pool, walking the length of the course as the swimmers race. If the Stroke Judge sees something illegal, they report to the referee and the swimmer may be disqualified.

Submitted Time-Times used to enter swimmers in meets. These times must have been achieved by the swimmer at previous meets.

Swim-off- In a Prelims/Finals type competition, a race after the scheduled event to break a tie. The only circumstance that warrants a swim-off is to determine which swimmer makes finals or an alternate, otherwise ties stand.

SWIMS- USA Swimming system that keeps track of every time swum by all swimmers. Available through the USA-S website.

Taper- The resting phase of a swimmer at the end of the season before the championship meet.

Timed Finals- Competition in which only heats are swum and final placings are determined by those times.

Timer- The volunteers sitting behind the starting blocks/finish end of pool, who are responsible for getting watch times on events and activating the backup buttons for the timing system.

Time standards - Certain qualifying times which have been set up annually by USA Swimming for all events in all levels of meets to ensure that all competitors are of reasonably the same ability in their respective meets. The swimmer's goals should be betterment of his/her time progressing from the "C" standard to the "AAAA" standard.

Time Trial- An event or series of events where a swimmer may achieve or better a required time standard.

"Top 16" - a tabulation of the Top 16 times in every age group and every event of all USA Swimming competition from the previous season. The short course "Top 16" are published in August and the long course "Top 16" are published every December.

Touch pad - The part of an electronic timing system that rests in the water at the finishing end of each lane. Swimmer's times are electronically recorded when the pad is touched.

Transfer-The act of leaving one club or LSC and going to another. Usually 120 days of unattached competition is required before swimmer can represent another USA-S club.

Unattached - The status of a swimmer receives when changing from one USA Swimming club to another. A swimmer must be "unattached" for 120 days from their last competition with their previous USA Swimming club. During this time, they may compete individually but not in relays and many not represent any club.

Unofficial Time-The time displayed on a read out board or read over the intercom by the announcer immediately after the race. After the time has been checked, it will become the official time.

USS# - the personal registration number for each athlete member in USA Swimming. The 14-part character formula is assigned after the proper paperwork and forms are complete. The method for deriving a USS# is:

Last initial, first initial, middle initial, then date of birth. For example, John A. Doe was born September 1, 1959. His USS# is DJA090159

Warm-down-The recovery swimming a swimmer does after a race when pool space is available.

Warm-up- The practice and "loosening-up" session a swimmer does before the meet or their event.

Yards- The measurement of the length of a swimming pool that was built per specs using the American system. A short course yard pool is 25 yards (75 feet) in length.

Yardage- The distance a swimmer races or swims in practice. Total yardage can be calculated for each practice session.

Zone- Within USA Swimming, the 59 LSCs are divided into four zones: Eastern, Southern, Central, and Western (see map). All four zones (Eastern, Southern, Central and Western) conduct All Star competitions and Sectional Meets twice a year. We are in the Eastern Zone which includes 12 LSCs (Adirondack, Allegheny Mountain, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Metropolitan, New England, New Jersey, Niagara, Potomac Valley and Virginia).