Swimming Terms Explained

An easy way to start learning a new sport is to familiarize yourself with the lingo. Before your child even jumps in the pool, they can start to understand the swimming terms they'll need to succeed. 

Alternate

Once the finalists are decided in a preliminary/finals meet, the swimmers with the next two fastest times are considered alternates. If a finalist can’t participate, the alternates are called to take their place.

Anchor

The final swimmer in a relay.

Blocks

The starting platforms located behind each lane. The minimum water depth for the use of starting blocks is four feet and can be either permanent or removable.

Course 

The distance for a swimming competition, which ties into the length of the pool. A long course is 50 meters, and a short course is 25 meters.

Deck

The area around the swimming pool reserved for swimmers, officials, and coaches.

Deck Seeding

Heat and lane assignments are posted after swimmers have checked in.

Distance

How far swimmers swim, often determined by lengths, meters, or yards.

Disqualified

A swimmer’s performance is not counted because of a rule infraction. Disqualifications are shown by an official raising their arm above their head with an open hand.

Diving Well

A separate pool, or a pool set off to the side of the competition pool. These have deeper water and diving boards/platforms.

False Start

When a swimmer leaves the starting block before the horn or gun sounds. While one false start will disqualify a swimmer or relay team, an official may disallow it due to unusual circumstances.

False Start Rope

A recall rope across the width of the racing pool for the purpose of stopping swimmers who were not aware of the false start.

Fins

Large rubber flipper-type devices that fit the swimmer’s feet. They’re used in swim practice but not allowed in competition.

Flags

Pennants that are suspended across the width of the pool, approximately 15 feet from both ends, indicating to the swimmers they are approaching the wall.

Goggles

Glasses-type devices worn by swimmers to help them see underwater and protect their eyes.

Heats

These are groups of swimmers that compete against one another. The results are compiled by times swum once all heats are completed.

Jump

Done in a relay when the swimmer on the block jumps into the water before the team member in the pool touches the wall.

Kick Board

A flotation device used by swimmers during practice, but can’t be used during competitions.

Lane

An area the length of the pool that the swimmer must stay in during the race. Each swimmer is assigned a different lane (i.e. Lane 1, Lane 2, Lane 3, etc.).

Leg

The part of a relay event swum by a single member of the team.

Pace Clock

The electric clocks, or large clocks with highly visible numbers, located at the ends or sides of the pool so swimmers can read their times.

Relay

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; 2.) Freestyle relay - Each swimmer swims Freestyle.

Stroke

The style in which a competitor swims. There are four types of strokes: Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly, and Freestyle.

Timer

These volunteers sit behind the starting blocks at the end of the pool and are responsible for getting watch times on events and activating the backup buttons for the timing system.

Warm-Up

The session swimmers use to loosen up prior to their event.

Warm-Down

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