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Block
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The starting platform |
| Circle Swimming |
Performed by staying to the right of the black line when swimming in a lane to enable more swimmers to safely swim in each lane.
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| Coach |
A person who teaches and trains athletes in the sport of swimming
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| Coach-Athlete-Parent Triangle |
It has been shown that a balanced positive relationship between the coach and athlete, the coach and parent, and the parent and swimmer offers the swimmer the best opportunity for both high swimming performance and positive life experience
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| Cut |
Slang for qualifying time. A time standard necessary to attend a particular meet or event
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| Distance Events |
Term used to refer to events over 400 meters
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| DQ |
Disqualification. 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.
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| Drill |
teaching exercise involving a portion of a stroke which is used to improve technique
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| Dry land Training |
Training done out of the water that aids and enhances swimming performance; usually includes stretching and calisthenics (also see weight training).
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| Entry Form |
Form on which a swimmer enters a competition. Usually includes club and swimmer name, USA Swimming number, age sex, event numbers, event names and entry times.
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| False Start |
Occurs when a swimmer is moving before the start is sounded. Depending on the rules being followed at the competition, one false start can result in disqualification.
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| Final |
The championship heat of an event in which the top swimmers from the preliminaries compete.
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| Finish |
The final phase of the race; the touch at the end of the race.
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| Flags |
Backstroke flags placed 5 meters (long and short course meters), from the end of the pool. The flags enable backstrokers to execute a backstroke turn safely and more efficiently.
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| Goal |
A specific skill or time achievement a swimmer sets and strives for. Can be short or long term.
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| I.M. |
Short for Individual Medley. An event in which the swimmer uses all four strokes in the following order: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle.
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| Lap Counter |
The title given to the person who counts for the swimmer, stationed at the opposite end from the start.
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| Long Course |
A pool 50 meters in length.
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| Long Distance |
Term used to refer to events of 800 meters to 1500 meters.
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| Meet |
Competition designed to be a learning experience. By implementing what has been learned in practice, the swimmer races against the clock to determine improvement.
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| Middle Distance |
Term used to refer to events of 200 meters to 400 meter.
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| Negative Split |
Swimming the second half of the race equal to or faster than the first half.
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| Official |
A judge on the deck of the pool at a sanctioned competition who enforces Swimming rules. There are stroke and turn judges, administrative officials, starters, timers and referees.
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| Open Water Swims |
A freestyle event from 5000 meters to 25,000 meters, conducted in a natural body of water, such as a lake, river or ocean.
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| Optimal ‘Push’ |
That combination of encouragement and restraint that gives the swimmer the most parental support with the least interference.
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| Pace Clock |
Large clock with a large second hand and a smaller minute hand, used to check pace or maintain intervals in practice; may also be digital.
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| Prelims |
Short for preliminaries. Also called Heats or Trials. Those races in which swimmers qualify for the championship, consolation finals or semi-finals.
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| Q-Time |
Qualifying time necessary to compete in a particular event and/or competition. Also known as a cut.
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| Relay |
An event in which four swimmers compete together as a team to achieve one time.
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| Safety |
The condition of being safe. Safety procedures are designed to prevent accidents.
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| Scratch |
To withdraw from an event prior to it being held in a competition.
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| Short Course |
A pool 25meters in length.
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| Sprint |
Describes the shorter events (50m and 100m). In training, to swim as fast as possible for a short distance.
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| Streamline |
The position used by swimmers when starting or pushing off the walls designed to reduce water resistance.
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| Taper |
The final preparation phase, sometimes referred to as ‘rest’. The slow gradual reduction of work loads and intensities in preparation for season ending competition.
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| Time Standards |
Performance requirement to enter a swimming competition.
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| Time Trial |
A time only swim, which is not part of a regular meet.
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| 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.
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| Warm Up |
Low intensity swimming used by swimmers 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.
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| Watches |
Stop watches used to time swimmers during a competition. When totally automatic timing equipment is used, watches serve as a back-up method.
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| Weight Training |
A form of dry land training that is suggested only for older swimmers. Excessive weight training in younger swimmers can injure the growth plates and cause bone and joint problems later in life.
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