Understanding Swim Terminology

Learning the lingo used in swimming can help new swimmers and their parents feel more comfortable and engaged. Here’s a breakdown of some common terms you’ll encounter at practices and meets.

Common Terms:

• Freestyle: One of the four main strokes in competitive swimming, freestyle is swum on the stomach with an alternating arm stroke and a flutter kick. It’s typically the fastest stroke and often referred to as the "front crawl."
• Backstroke: Swum on the back with an alternating arm stroke and a flutter kick, backstroke is unique because it’s the only stroke swum on the back. Swimmers use a backstroke start and must touch the wall while on their back at the turns and finish.
• Breaststroke: Characterized by a frog-like kick and simultaneous arm movements, breaststroke requires precise timing and technique. Swimmers must touch the wall with both hands simultaneously at the turns and finish.
• Butterfly: A powerful stroke featuring a dolphin kick and a simultaneous arm pull, butterfly is known for its rhythm and coordination. Like breaststroke, both hands must touch the wall simultaneously at the turns and finish.
• IM (Individual Medley): An event where a swimmer performs all four strokes in a specific order: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle. The distance varies depending on the level of competition (e.g., 100 IM, 200 IM).
• Split Time: The time it takes a swimmer to complete a portion of their race, often used to track the time at each lap or segment in longer races. Split times help coaches and swimmers analyze performance and pacing.
• DQ (Disqualification): A swimmer can be disqualified (DQ’d) for not following the rules of the stroke they are swimming. Common reasons include incorrect stroke technique, false starts, or illegal turns. If a swimmer is DQ’d, their time doesn’t count in the results.
• Seed Time: A swimmer's best time in an event, used to determine their placement in heats at a meet. Seed times ensure that swimmers of similar abilities compete against each other in preliminary heats.
• Heat: A grouping of swimmers who compete in the same event, usually based on their seed times. Meets with large numbers of swimmers will have multiple heats for each event.
• Lane Assignment: The specific lane in which a swimmer will compete during a race. Lane assignments are typically based on seed times, with the fastest swimmers placed in the middle lanes.
• False Start: Occurs when a swimmer leaves the starting block before the starting signal. A false start usually results in disqualification.
• Relays: A team event where four swimmers each swim a portion of the race. Relays can be freestyle or medley, with each swimmer completing a different stroke.

Practice Lingo:

• Intervals: The set amount of time in which swimmers must complete a specific distance and have some rest before starting the next repetition. For example, “100s on 1:30” means each 100-yard swim must be completed within 1 minute and 30 seconds, including rest.
• Sets: A series of swims or exercises grouped together in practice. A set typically includes a specific number of repetitions (reps) and a prescribed distance or stroke. For example, a set might be “4x100 freestyle,” meaning four repetitions of 100 yards/meters each.
• Reps (Repetitions): The number of times a swimmer repeats a specific distance or drill within a set. For example, in a set of “4x50s,” the swimmer will complete 50 yards/meters four times.
• Drills: Specific exercises designed to improve technique in a particular stroke. Drills might focus on aspects like kicking, breathing, or arm movements.
• Pace: The speed at which a swimmer is expected to swim during a particular set. Coaches often prescribe a target pace to help swimmers develop consistent speed and endurance.
• Kick Set: A set where swimmers focus solely on their kicking technique, often using a kickboard. Kick sets are designed to build leg strength and improve kicking efficiency.
• Pull Set: A set where swimmers focus on their arm movements, often using a pull buoy to isolate the upper body. Pull sets help strengthen the arms and improve stroke mechanics.
• Build: Gradually increasing speed over the course of a distance. For example, “build to a sprint” means starting a swim at a moderate pace and finishing with maximum effort.
• Negative Split: Swimming the second half of a race or distance faster than the first half. This strategy requires precise pacing and is often used to conserve energy for a strong finish.
• Cool Down: The easy swimming at the end of practice or a race to help the body recover and return to a normal state. Cooling down helps flush out lactic acid and prevents stiffness.
• On the Top: A phrase used to describe starting a set on the 60-second mark of the clock (the top of the minute). For example, “start on the top” means beginning the swim when the clock’s second hand is at 60.

Descend: A set where swimmers aim to swim each repetition faster than the previous one. For example, in a set of “4x100 descend,” each 100 should be faster than the last.

Tags

• Swimming 101