Dive Into the World of Swimming Terminology: A Comprehensive Guide

By Shawn P. Ford
4/10/2023

Swimming is a fun, healthy, and enjoyable activity that people of all ages can participate in. As you become more involved in swimming, whether as a recreational swimmer or a competitive athlete, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the swimming terminology. Understanding these terms will not only help you communicate effectively with coaches and fellow swimmers but also enhance your overall swimming experience. In this blog post, we will dive into the world of swimming terminology, covering everything from basic swimming jargon to more advanced competitive swimming terms.

Basic Swimming Terms

  1. Freestyle: Also known as the front crawl, freestyle is the fastest swimming stroke and the one most commonly used in competitive swimming. Swimmers use alternate arm movements and a flutter kick to propel themselves through the water.

  2. Backstroke: As the name suggests, backstroke involves swimming on your back. Swimmers use alternating arm movements and a flutter kick, with their face out of the water, making it easier to breathe.

  3. Breaststroke: A slower swimming stroke, breaststroke involves simultaneous arm and leg movements that resemble a frog kick. Swimmers keep their head above the water during the stroke, making it easier to breathe.

  4. Butterfly: A challenging and physically demanding stroke, butterfly involves simultaneous arm movements and a dolphin kick. Swimmers must maintain a streamlined body position and undulating movement to swim efficiently.

  5. Flip Turn: A technique used in competitive swimming to change direction quickly at the end of a pool length. Swimmers perform a somersault in the water and push off the wall with their feet to start swimming in the opposite direction.

  6. Streamline: A body position that reduces water resistance, allowing swimmers to move through the water more efficiently. Swimmers achieve this position by extending their arms above their head, hands overlapping, and keeping their body as straight as possible.

  7. Tumble Turn: Another term for flip turn, commonly used in countries outside the United States.

  8. Kickboard: A flotation device used to help swimmers practice their kicking technique without using their arms.

  9. Pull Buoy: A flotation device placed between a swimmer's legs to isolate the upper body and focus on arm strength and technique.

  10. Goggles: Protective eyewear designed to keep water and chlorine out of a swimmer's eyes and improve underwater visibility.

Competitive Swimming Terms

  1. Personal Best (PB): A swimmer's fastest time in a specific event, often used to track progress and set goals.

  2. Split: A swimmer's time for a specific portion of a race, typically measured for each 50 meters or yards. Splits help coaches and swimmers analyze pacing and race strategy.

  3. Negative Split: A race strategy where a swimmer swims the second half of a race faster than the first half. This approach often results in a strong finish and can lead to personal best times.

  4. IM (Individual Medley): A swimming event that combines all four strokes (butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle) in a single race. Swimmers must swim each stroke in the prescribed order: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle.

  5. Medley Relay: A relay event where each team member swims a different stroke in the following order: backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle.

  6. False Start: When a swimmer starts a race before the official signal, resulting in a disqualification.

  7. DQ (Disqualification): When a swimmer is disqualified from a race due to a rule violation, such as a false start, incorrect stroke technique, or improper turn.

  8. Heat: A preliminary race used to determine the fastest swimmers who will advance to the finals or semifinals of an event. Swimmers are typically seeded based on their entry times, with the fastest swimmers in the last heat.

  1. Finals: The championship race in a swimming competition where the top swimmers from the heats compete for medals and overall placement. Depending on the meet format, there may be additional rounds like semifinals before the finals.

  2. Touch Pad: An electronic timing system placed at each end of the pool that records a swimmer's time when they touch it at the end of a race. Touch pads provide more accurate timing than manual stopwatch methods.

  3. Circle Swimming: A practice technique used by swimmers to share a lane, swimming in a circular pattern, usually in a counterclockwise direction. This method allows multiple swimmers to train simultaneously without colliding.

  4. Taper: The process of reducing training volume and intensity in the weeks leading up to a major competition, allowing swimmers to rest and perform at their peak during the event.

  5. Pace Clock: A large clock, typically found on the pool deck, that swimmers use to time their intervals and rest periods during training sessions.

  6. Interval: A set time that includes a swim and rest period. Swimmers must complete the swim within the designated time, with any remaining time used for rest before beginning the next swim. Intervals help develop pacing, endurance, and speed.

  7. Drill: A specific swimming exercise designed to improve technique, strength, or endurance. Drills often isolate specific parts of a stroke or focus on a particular skill.

  8. Set: A group of swims or drills performed during a practice session, usually with a specific focus, such as speed, endurance, or technique. Sets are often organized by intervals and can include various distances or strokes.

  9. Seed Time: A swimmer's entry time for a specific event in a competition. This time is used to determine which heat the swimmer will compete in and their lane assignment.

  10. Blocks: The starting platforms at the end of each lane in a swimming pool, used by swimmers to dive into the water at the start of a race.

  11. Touch Finish: A race finish where a swimmer must touch the wall with one hand (in freestyle, backstroke, and butterfly) or two hands (in breaststroke) to complete the race legally.

  12. Dive: The starting technique used by swimmers in competitive races to enter the water from the blocks, aiming for a streamlined, horizontal entry.

  13. Deck: The area surrounding the swimming pool where swimmers, coaches, and officials gather during a competition.

  14. Lactate Threshold: The exercise intensity at which lactic acid begins to accumulate in the blood faster than the body can remove it. Training at or near this intensity can improve a swimmer's endurance and race performance.

  15. Catch: The initial phase of a swimming stroke when the swimmer's hand enters the water and begins to pull backward, generating propulsion.

  16. Breakout: The transition from the underwater streamline position to the first stroke after a dive or turn. An efficient breakout helps swimmers maintain their momentum and speed.

  17. Swim Cap: A tight-fitting cap, usually made of silicone or latex, worn by swimmers to reduce water resistance and protect their hair from chlorine.

 

Understanding swimming terminology is an essential part of fully immersing yourself in the world of swimming. Whether you're a beginner looking to learn the basics or a seasoned swimmer striving for competitive excellence, knowing these terms will help you communicate more effectively with your coaches and teammates and enhance your overall swimming experience. Now that you're armed with this comprehensive guide to swimming terminology, you're ready to dive in and make a splash!