GLOSSARY

"A" - Time classification for a swimmer. National Age Group Time Motivational Standard "A." "A" time is faster than the "BB" time standard and slower than the "AA" time standard. See the NAGT published chart.

"AA" - Time classification for a swimmer.  Faster than "A" time standard.

"AAA" - Time classification for a swimmer.  Faster than the "AA" time standard.

"AAAA" - Time classification for a swimmer.  Faster than the "AAA" time standard. This is the fastest time standard listed on the NAGT chart. Times faster than this are approaching National Reportable Times or Top 16 Times consideration.

A-Meet - Swim meet which requires swimmers to have previously achieved an "A" time standard in the events they wish to enter.

A-B Meet - Swim meet that offers separate competition for both "A" swimmers and "B" swimmers, usually with medals for the "A" swimmers and ribbons for the "B" swimmers. Swimmers compete in separate brackets against other swimmers of their own ability. Usually only "A" swimmers can score individual event team points.   NT (no time) entries are not accepted in A-B meets.

A-B-C - Swim meet similar to the A-B meet except that there are 3 divisions. This type of meet includes every ability level of swimmer from novice to very experienced. All swimmers "A" time or faster compete in the "A" division, and all swimmers "C" and down compete in the "C" division. The "B" division is the most limited with both top (slower than "A") and bottom (faster than "C") limitations.

Add Up Aggregate Time - times achieved by 4 swimmers in individual events which are added together to arrive at a provable relay entry time.

Age Group - Division of swimmers according to age.  Some LSC's have divided the swimmers into more convenient divisions specific to their situations: (i.e.) 8-under, 13-Over, 15-Over, Junior, Senior. 

Age Group Swimming - The program through which USA swimming provides fair and open competition for its younger members.  Nationally recognized age groups are 10 and under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16 and 17-18

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 2 is first alternate and the next being second alternate. If a finalist cannot participate, the alternates are called to take their place, often on a moment's notice.

Anchor - The final swimmer in a relay.

Approved Meet - Swim meets conducted by organizations (other than USS member clubs or LSC's) that have applied to USS or the local LSC for approval. If approval is granted, swimmers may use times achieved as USS qualifying times. A USS official must be present at all sessions of the meet.  Approval does not mean Sanctioned.  Example:  Delaware High School State Championships

ASCA - The American Swim Coaches' Association. The professional organization for swim coaches throughout the nation: certifies coaches and offers many services for coaches' education and career advancement.

"B" - Time classification for a swimmer. National Age Group Time Standard "B." "B" time is faster than the "C" time standard and slower than the "BB" time standard. See the NAGT published chart.

"BB" - Time classification for a swimmer. National Age Group Time Standard "BB." "BB" time is faster than the "B" time standard and slower than the "A" time standard. See the NAGT published chart.

B-Meet - Swim meet which requires swimmers to have previously achieved a "B" time standard in the events they wish to enter. Some meets have no bottom cut time, allowing "C" swimmers also to compete.

B-C Meet - Swim meet that offers separate competition for both "B" swimmers and "C" swimmers, usually with ribbons for the "B" swimmers and smaller ribbons for the "C" swimmers. Swimmers compete in separate brackets against other swimmers of their own ability. Swimmers are not allowed to enter an event that they have an "A" time in.

Backstroke - One of the 4 competitive racing strokes, basically any style of swimming on your back. Backstroke is swum as the first stroke in the Medley Relay and second stroke in the Individual Medley (I.M.).  Racing distances are 50 yds/mtr, 100 yds/mtr, and 200 yds/mtr. (LSC's with 8-under divisions offer the 25 yd back)

Banner - A team sign that is displayed at swim meets. Banners are usually made from nylon material and carry the Team Logo and possibly the name of a popular team sponsor. Some size restrictions are enforced at certain meets.

Beep - The starting sound from an electronic, computerized timing system.

Blocks - The starting platforms located behind each lane. Some pools have blocks at the deeper end of the pool, and some pools have blocks at both ends. Blocks have a variety of designs and can be permanent or removable.

Bonus Heat - The heat held during the finals session of a Prelims/Finals meet, that is slower than the swimmers participating in the Championship finals. The Bonus Heat may refer to Consolation Finals or an extra heat in addition to Consolation finals.

Bonus Event -  at certain meets with qualifying times, a swimmer may enter a restricted number of events for which they do not meet the qualifying time standard.  For example, at the Speedo Championships (Sectionals) swimmers qualifying in one event may swim a second “bonus” event for which they are not qualified. 

Bottom - The floor of the pool. Bottom depths are usually marked on the walls or sides of the pool.

Breaststroke - One of the 4 competitive racing strokes. Breaststroke is swum as the second stroke in the Medley Relay and the third stroke in the Individual Medley (I.M.).  Racing distances are 50 yds/mtr, 100 yds/mtr, and 200 yds/mtr. (LSC's with 8-under divisions offer the 25 yd breast)

Bulkhead – a moveable wall, constructed to divide a pool into different courses, such as a 50 meter pool into two 25 yard courses.

Butterfly - One of the 4 competitive racing strokes. Butterfly (nicknamed FLY) is swum as the third stroke in the Medley Relay and first stroke in the Individual Medley.  Racing distances are 50 yds/mtr, 100 yds/mtr, and 200 yds/mtr. (LSC's with 8-under divisions offer the 25 yd fly)

Button - The manual Timing System stopping device that records a back-up time in case the touch pad malfunctioned. The button is at the end of a wire, plugged into a deck terminal box.  It is the timer's responsibility to push the button as the swimmer finishes the race.

Camp - A swimming function offered by USS, your LSC, or a USS coach. There are many types of camps for just about every level of swimmer. When selecting a camp, ask for your coaches' advice as to what will be the best for the swimmer, or call USS swimming for details on the many camps they offer.

Cap - The latex, silicone or lycra covering worn on the head of swimmers. The colors and team logos adorning these caps are limitless. National Caps, State Team Caps, award caps, plain practice caps, etc.

Carbohydrates - The main source of food energy used by athletes. Refer to a nutritional manual for more information.

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

Championship Finals - The top 6,8 or 10 swimmers (depending on the # of pool lanes) in a Prelims/Finals meet who, after the Prelims swim, 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 Swimming – Performed by staying to the right of the center line when swimming to enable more swimmers to safely swim in each lane.

Clerk of Course –retains names of all swimmers in all events including relay swimmers in the order in which they swim; swimmers must report to the “clerk of course” as soon as their event is called.

Clinic - A scheduled meeting for the purpose of instruction, i.e., Officials' clinic, Coaches' clinic.

Closed Competition - Swim meet which is open only to the members of an organization or group.

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

Code - A set of rules that have been officially published.

Code of Ethics - A Code of Conduct that both swimmers and coaches are required to sign at certain USS/LSC sponsored events. The Code is not strict and involves common sense and proper behavior.

Colorado - A brand of automatic timing system.

Conforming time – A qualifying time standard that corresponds to the meet competition course.

Consolation Finals - After the fastest 6 or 8 swimmers, the next 6 or 8 swimmers (depending on the # of pool lanes) in a Prelims/Finals meet who, after the Prelims swim, 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.

Convention - United States Aquatic Sports annual, week long meeting where all rules changes are decided and working committees are established. Representatives are sent by each LSC to make up the voting body.

Course - Designated distance (length of pool) for swimming competition, i.e., Long Course = 50 meters / Short Course = 25 yards or 25 meters.

Cut – Slang for qualifying time.  A time standard generally necessary to attend a particular championship-level meet or event.

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

Deck Entries - Entries accepted into swimming events on the first day or later day of a meet.  The fee for deck entries is often double the normal fee.  Deck entered swimmers may not score or receive awards.

Deck Seeding -  A meet where swimmers must declare availability to swim prior to the scratch deadlines.  Swimmers report to a staging area to receive their lane and heat assignments for the events.

Dehydration - The abnormal depletion of body fluids (water). The most common cause of swimmers' cramps and sick feelings.

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).

Distance events – term used to refer to events over 400 meters/500 yards.

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.

Dive - Entering the water head first. Diving is not allowed during warmups except at the designated time, in specific lanes that are monitored by the swimmers' coach.

Diving Well - A separate pool or a pool set off to the side of the competition pool. This pool has deeper water and diving boards/platforms. During a meet, this area may be designated as a warm-down pool with proper supervision.

Division I-II-III - NCAA member colleges and universities are assigned divisions to compete in, depending on the school's total enrollment. Division I includes the large universities and Division III includes the smaller colleges.

Double Dual - Type of swim meet where three teams compete in dual meets against each other, at the same time. Separate Meet scores would be kept for Team A vs. Team B, Team A vs. Team C, and Team B vs. Team C.

Dual Meet - Type of meet where two (2) teams/clubs compete against each other.

Drill – A teaching exercise involving a portion of a stroke which is used to improve technique.

Dropped Time - When a swimmer goes faster than the previous performance they have "dropped their time".

Dryland - The exercises and various strength programs swimmers do out of the water that aids and enhances swimming performance; usually includes stretching and calisthenics, sometimes weight training.

Dry Side - That part of the Code book (rule book) that deals with the "Administrative" Regulations of Competition.

Entry - An Individual, Relay team, or Club roster's event list into a swim competition.

Entry Chairperson - The host club's designated person who is responsible for receiving and making sure the entries have met the deadline, or returning the entries, if the meet is full. This person usually will find discrepancies in the meet entries and notify the entering club to correct any errors.

Entry Deadline - The date meet entries must be "postmarked" by, 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.

Entry Fees - The amount per event a swimmer or relay is charged. This varies depending on the LSC and type of meet.

Entry Form – Form on which a swimmer enters a competition.  Usually includes swimmer’s name, USS ID number, age, event numbers and event names.  DST uses paper entry forms and an on-line system available through our website.

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

Electronic Timing - Timing system operated on DC current (battery). The timing system usually has touchpads in the water, junction boxes on the deck with hookup 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' times.

Eligible to compete - The status of a member swimmer that means they are registered and have met all the requirements.

Equipment - The items necessary to operate a swim practice or conduct a swim competition.

Event - A race or stroke over a given distance. An event equals1 preliminary with its final, or 1 timed final.

False Start – Occurs when a swimmer is moving between the time the starter says “take your mark” and the start signal is sounded.  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. Many times these events will alternate one girls' heat and one boys' heat until all swimmers have competed.

Fees - Money paid by swimmers for services, i.e., practice fees, registration fee, USS membership fee, etc.

FINA  (Federation Internationale de Natation)- The international, rules-making organization for the sport of swimming.

Final - The championship heat of an event in which the top swimmers from the preliminaries compete.

Final Results - The printed copy of the results of each race of a swim meet.

Fine - The monetary penalty assessed a swimmer or club when a swimmer does not achieve the necessary time required to swim in an event and cannot prove they have done the time previously.

Fins – A rubber covering for the foot having a flat, flexible portion than widens as it extends from the toes.  Used in swim practice, not competition. Also known as “flippers”.

Flags – Backstroke flags placed 5 yards (short course yards) or 5 meters (long and short course meters) from the end of the pool.  These flags enable backstrokers to execute a turn safely and more efficiently.

Format - The order of events and type of swim meet being conducted.

Freestyle - One of the 4 competitive racing strokes. Freestyle (nicknamed Free) is swum as the fourth stroke in the Medley Relay and fourth stroke in the Individual Medley.  Racing distances are 50 yds/mtr, 100 yds/mtr, 200 yds/mtr, 400 mtr/500 yd, 800 mtr/1000 yds, 1500 mtr/1650 yds. (LSC's with 8-under divisions offer the 25 yd free)

Gallery - The viewing area for spectators during the swimming competition.

Goals - The short and long-range targets for swimmers to aim for.

Goggles – Tight-fitting eyeglasses worn by swimmers to keep their eyes from being irritated by the chlorine in the water.

Gun Lap - The part of a freestyle distance race (500 yards or longer) when the lead swimmer has 2 lengths plus 5 yards to go. The starter fires a gun shot over the lane of the lead swimmer when he(or she) is at the backstroke flags.  This signals to the heat that the race is near completion.   Sometimes a bell is used instead of a gun.

Gutter – The area along the edge of the pool in which water overflows during a race and is circulated through the filtration system.

Headquarters - The motel designated by the meet host. Usually, hospitality rooms and meetings relating to the meet will be held at this location. Many times this motel is one of the sponsors of the meet.

Heat - A division of an event when there are too many swimmers to compete at the same time. The results are compiled by swimmers' time swum, after all heats of the event are completed.

Heat Award - A ribbon or coupon given to the winner of a single heat at an age group swim meet.

Heat Sheet - The pre-meet printed listings of swimmers' seed times in the various events at a swim meet. These sheets vary in accuracy, since the coaches submit swimmers' times many weeks before the meet. Heat sheets are sold at the admissions table and are used mainly to make sure the swimmer has been properly entered in all the events they signed up for. Parents enjoy looking at the seedings prior to the race, and swimmers can tell how the order the events will be conducted and get a rough idea how long the meet sessions will last.  Unlike a program, a heat sheet has no cover, nor does it contain advertisements, time standards, etc.

High Point - An award given to the swimmer scoring the most points in a given age group at a swim meet. All meets do not offer high point awards. Check the pre-meet information.

HOD (House of Delegates) - The ruling body of an LSC composed of the designated representative of each club plus the board of directors (BOD) of the LSC. One vote per club and board member.

Horn - A sounding device used in place of a gun. Used mainly with a fully automatic timing system.  (see Beep)

Illegal - Doing something against the rules that is cause for disqualification.

Individual Medley (IM) -  A swimming event using all 4 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 yds, 200 yds/mtr, 400 yds/mtr.

Insurance - USS offers "accident insurance coverage" which is automatic when swimmer, coach, or official pays their USS membership fee. Many restrictions apply, so check with your club for detailed information.

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

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

J.O. (Junior Olympics) - An age group championship meet conducted by the LSC.  Swimmers must meet time standards of “A” or faster in order to enter.  The Junior Olympic Championship is the main focus of the age group swim season.

Jump - An illegal start done by the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th member of a relay team. The swimmer on the block breaks contact with the block before the swimmer in the water touches the wall.

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

Kick Board - A flotation device used by swimmers during practice.

Lane - The specific area in which a swimmer is assigned to swim, i.e., Lane 1 or Lane 2. 

Lane Lines - Continuous floating markers attached to a cable stretched from the starting end to the turning end for the purpose of separating each lane and quieting the waves caused by racing swimmers.

Lap – Technically, 1 lap is equal to 2 lengths of the pool, (down and back), but commonly referred to as 1 pool length.

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.

Late Entries - Meet entries from a club or individual that are received by the meet host after the entry deadline. These entries are usually not accepted and are returned to sender.

Lead-off swimmer – the swimmer who completes the first leg of a relay.  Since the lead – off swimmer starts from an official start signal, sounded by a certified starter, the time achieved during his/her swim may be recorded as a sanctioned time for that event and distance.  This is not true for the remaining 3 swimmers in the relay.

Leg - The part of a relay event swum by a single team member.  Also, a single stroke in the Individual Medley.

Length - The extent of the competitive course from end to end. See lap.

Long Course - A 50 meter pool.  USA Swimming conducts most of its summer competition in long course pools.  The US Open and all National meets are conducted in long course pools.

LSC (Local Swim Committee) – The governing body for swimming at the local level.  There are 59 LSCs in the United States.  DST is affiliated with the Middle Atlantic LSC.

LSC Camps  - the LSC camps provide local age group athletes with camp experiences that focus on skill development and motivation.

Middle Atlantic Swimming Association (MA)  - Our Local Swimming Committee (LSC)

Malfunction - A mechanical or electronic failure  (not a human failure by the swimmer).

Mark - The command to take your starting position.

Marshal - The adult(s) (official) who control the crowd and swimmer flow at a swim meet.

Medals - Awards given to the swimmers at some meets. They vary in size and design and method of presentation.

Meet - A competition comprised of series of racing events held in one program.

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

Meters - The measurement of the length of a swimming pool that was built per specs using the metric system. Long course meters is 50 meters, short course meters is 25 meters.

Middle distance – Term used to refer to events of 200 yards/meters to 400 meters/500 yards.

Mile - The slang referring to the 1500 meter or the 1650 yard freestyle, both of which are slightly short of a mile.

NAIA - National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics

NAGTS - National Age Group Time Standards - the list of "C" through "AAAA" times published every four years.  Also known as “Motivational Times”.

Natatorium - A building constructed for the purpose of housing a swimming pool and related equipment

Nationals - USS senior or junior-level meets conducted in March/April and August. See Senior or Junior Nationals.

National Reportable Time (NRT)/Top 16 Time – Time standards set for both short and long course to give national recognition to the fastest 16 swimmers in each stroke, distance, gender and age group.  Achieving these standards allows a swimmer’s times to be submitted for consideration, but does not guarantee a Top 16 ranking.

National Team – the “A” team comprises those American swimmers who are ranked in the top 8 in the world.  The “B” team includes those swimmers ranked in the top 16 in the world.

NCAA - National Collegiate Athletic Association

Negative Split – Swimming the second half of the race faster than the first half.

NGB - National Governing Body

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

Non-Team Meet - A meet not targeted by the coaching staff. Swimmers who wish to attend non-team meets must provide meet information to the DST office and register through the DST office.

Novelty Meet - A meet that does not fall into a specific category because of limited events, sessions, or age brackets.

Novice - A beginner or someone who does not have experience.

NSSA - National Swim School Association

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

Officials – The certified judges on the pool deck at sanctioned competitions who enforce USA Swimming rules.  There are stroke and turn judges, starters, and referees.  As a meet host team, DST is required to provide officials for our meets.  Training is available through Middle Atlantic at no cost.

Open Water Swims – a freestyle event conducted in a natural body of water such as a lake, river or ocean

Olympic Trials - The USS sanctioned long-course swim meet held the year of the Olympic Games to decide which swimmers will represent the USA on our Olympic Team. Qualification times are faster than Senior Nationals.

Omega - A brand of automatic timing system.

OT Official Time. - The swimmers event time recorded to one hundredth of a second (.01).

OTC - Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

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

Pace Clock - The large clocks with highly visible numbers and second hands, positioned at the ends or sides of a swimming pool used to check pace or maintain intervals in practice; may also be digital

Paddle - Colored plastic devices worn on the swimmers hands during swim practice.  Used as an aid to improve technique; sometimes used to add resistance to improve strength.

Place judge – stands on the side of the finish line and records the order of finish of all swimmers by lane

Positive Check In - The procedure required before a swimmer swims an event in a deck seeded or pre seeded meet. Check In the swimmer must mark his/her name on a list posted by the meet host.

Practice - The scheduled workouts a swimmer attends with his/her swim team/club.

Prelims -  Abbreviation for preliminaries.  Sometimes called Trials.  Session of a Prelims/Finals meet in which swimmers qualify for the championship, consolation finals, bonus heat or semi-finals.

Prelims-Finals - Type of meet with two sessions. The preliminary heats are usually held in the morning session. The fastest 8 (A-finals) swimmers, and sometimes the next fastest 8 swimmers (B-finals) return in the evening to compete in the Finals.  Some meets have a Bonus Heat or C-finals (17^th-24^th ranked swimmers after prelims).  A swimmer who has qualified in the consolation (B) Finals may not place in the A – 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 Meet heat sheet, or posted meet program.

Program -  the order of events, including starting times and intermissions, sequentially listed by class of competition, sex, age group, distance and stroke as set forth in the meet announcement.  Programs frequently contain other information such as time standards, records and advertisements.

Proof of Time - An official meet result, OVC, or other accepted form. Swimmers/Coaches must supply proof of time with some meet entries, while at other meets, it is not required unless a swimmer misses a cut of time at the meet.

Psych Sheet – A listing of all entrants in a meet in order of ranking according to entry time.

Pull Buoy - A flotation device generally used by swimmers in practice for pull-only drills to eliminate kicking, isolate the upper body and help float the lower body.

Pyramid Seeding (circle seeding) – the top 3 heats in a prelim/finals format competition are seeded such that each of the three fastest entrants has equal opportunity to swim in the center lane (usually lane 4) in the preliminaries. The 4^th-24^th ranked swimmers will be distributed in the final 3 preliminary heats accordingly.  For example, swimmers ranked 4^th, 5^th and 6^th will all swim in lane 5, swimmers ranked 7, 8^th and 9^th will all swim in lane 3, swimmers ranked 10^th, 11^th and 12^th will all swim in lane 6 and so on…

Qualifying Times (Q-times)- Published times necessary to compete in a particular event and/or competition.  Also known as a cut.

Race - Any single swimming competition, i.e. preliminary, final, timed final.

Ready Room - A room pool side for the swimmers to relax before they compete in finals.

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

Registered - Enrolled and paid as a member of USS and the LSC.

Relays - A swimming event in which 4 swimmers participate as a team to achieve one time.  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 and 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.

Relay Take-off Judge – stand so they can clearly see the touch of the incoming swimmer and the feet of the departing swimmer; judges whether the departing swimmer is in contact with the platform when the incoming swimmer touches the end of the pool

Ribbons - Awards in a variety of sizes, styles, and colors, given at most swim meets for age group swimmers.

Safety - The responsible and careful actions of those participating in a swim meet. USS and each LSC now have a "Safety Coordinator" and each meet must have "Marshals" in charge of safety.

Sanction - A permit issued by an LSC to a USS group member to conduct an event or meet.

Sanction Fee - The amount paid by a USS group member to an LSC for issuing a sanction.

Schedule (USS or LSC) - list of meets with dates, meet host, meet location, type of meet, and contact's address and phone.

Scratch - To withdraw from an event prior to it being held in competition.  Some meets have scratch deadlines and specific scratch rules, and if not followed, swimmer can be disqualified from remaining events.

Seed - Assign the swimmer's heats and lanes according to their submitted or preliminary times.

Seeding - Deck Seeding - swimmers are called to report to the Clerk of Course. After scratches are determined, the event is seeded. Pre-Seeding - swimmers are arranged in heats according to submitted times, usually a day prior to the meet.

Senior – A category for competition synonymous with “Open”.  Any age swimmer may compete in an event designated “senior” or  “open”, providing they meet the qualifying time standard.

Senior Meet - A meet that is open to all ages but races are not divided into age groups.  Qualification times are usually necessary and will vary depending on the level of the meet.

Senior Nationals - Nationals are conducted long course in the spring (usually in late March) and in the summer (usually in late July or August).

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

Shave - The process of removing all arm, leg, and exposed torso hair, to decrease the "drag" or resistance of the body moving through the water and heighten sensation in the water.  Used only by older, more experienced swimmers prior to major competitions.

Short Course - A 25 yard or 25 meter pool.  USA Swimming conducts most of its winter competition in short course pools.

Simultaneously - A term used in the rules of butterfly and breaststroke, meaning at the same time.

Splash - 1) United States Swimming newsletter that is mailed bi-monthly.  2) Meet term used for counting number of actual swims.

Split -  A time recorded from the official start to the completion of an intermediate distance within a longer event.  Also the time for one of the four individuals in a relay.  Under certain conditions, splits may also be used as official times, for example, the lead-off swim in a relay, or the lead off portion of an event.

Sprint – Describes the shorter events, 50 and 100 yard/meters. In training, sprint means to swim as fast as possible for a short distance.

Start - The beginning of a race; the forward dive used to begin a race in free, fly or breast, or the ‘back dive’ in backstroke.

Starter - The official in charge of signaling the beginning of a race and insuring 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.

Streamline – The position used by swimmers when starting or pushing off the walls, designed to reduce water resistance

Stroke - There are 4 competitive strokes: Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Freestyle.

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-A-Thon - The "Fund Raiser" copyrighted by USS swimming for local clubs to use to make money.

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.

Taper - The final preparation phase, sometimes referred to as the resting phase of a senior swimmer at the end of the season; a slow, gradual reduction of work loads and intensities in preparation for a championship meet.

Team - USS Registered club that has the right to compete for points.

Team Meet - Meet targeted by the coaching staff. Anyone in the group targeted who qualifies for the meet should plan on attending. Coaches are present at these meets.

Team Records - The statistics a team keeps, listing the fastest swimmer in the club's history for each age group/each event.

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 Standard - A time set by a meet or LSC or USS (etc.) that a swimmer must achieve for qualification or recognition.

Time Trial - An event or series of events where a swimmer may achieve or better a required time standard.   Time trials are offered at championship meets after the completion of regularly scheduled events.  Swimmers may not use time trials to score or receive awards.  Time trials count toward the event entry limits set forth in the meet announcement.

Top 16 - A list of times compiled by USA Swimming that recognizes the top sixteen swimmers in each age group, in each event, gender and distance.

Touch Out - To reach the touchpad and finish first in a close race.

Touch Pad - The touch-sensitive, removable plate (on the end of pools) that is connected to an automatic timing system.  A swimmer must properly touch the touchpad to register an official time in a race.

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

Tri-meet - A meet with 3 team competing for points to see who places 1st-2nd-3rd.

Trophy - Type of award given to teams and swimmers at some meets.

Turn Judge – Judge that stands at the end of the pool and ensures that when turning or finishing, the swimmer complies with the rules applicable to the stroke used.

Unattached - An athlete member of USS who competes, but does not represent a club or team. (abbr. UNAT)

United States Swimming (USS) - United States Swimming is the national governing body for competitive swimming in the United States.

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 Number -  A  number assigned to a swimmer upon joining USA Swimming. The membership card with this number may be required at any competition.  The USS number is the swimmer’s birth date (mmddyy) followed by the first 3 letters of the swimmers first name, followed by a middle initial and the first 4 letters of the last name.

USOTC - United States Olympic Training Center located in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

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.

 Warm-up – Low intensity or moderate intensity swimming used prior to a main practice set or race to get muscles loose and warm.  Warm-up gradually increases heart rate and respiration and helps prevent injury.

Watch - The hand held device used by timers and coaches for timing a swimmer's races and taking splits.  When totally automatic timing equipment is used at competitions, watches serve as a back-up method.

Weight training – A form of dryland resistance training.  Weight training involves various barbells / benches / machines and body-weight exercises.

Whistle - The sound a starter/referee makes to signal for quiet before they give the command to start the race.

Work Out - The practice sessions a swimmer attends.

Yards - The measurement of the length of a swimming pool that was built per specifications 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.

Zones – 1.)  The country is divided up into 4 major zones: Eastern - Southern - Central - Western.   2.) Eastern Zone Championship Meet -  Swimmers qualify to represent the LSC (Middle Atlantic) in competition against other swimmers representing other LSCs in the Eastern Zone.   Zone meets are the highest level of competition available to USA age group swimmers.  During short course zones, only the top two in each event qualify.  During long course zones, any number of swimmers achieving the qualification standard may compete.