Swimming Glossary: Over 159 technical terms from competitive pool swimming and open water disciplines

Aerobic

Training or sets performed at moderate intensity over longer distances to build endurance.

Anaerobic

High-intensity, short-duration training or sets that build speed and power with limited oxygen use.

Anchor

The final swimmer in a relay team, often chosen for their speed and ability to finish strong.

Ascending Set

A set in which each repeat is swum slower than the previous one.

Ascend

To swim each repeat in a set slower than the previous one.

Assisted Swim

Swimming with equipment or aid (e.g. fins, paddles, wetsuit) to increase speed or efficiency.

At the Flags

The area 5 meters from the pool wall, marked by backstroke flags, used for turn preparation.

Automatic Timing

Electronic timing system that records swimmers’ times automatically.

Backstroke

One of the four competitive strokes, swum on the back with alternating arm and flutter kick.

Backstroke Start

A start from inside the pool, holding the wall or starting grips, used for backstroke events.

Backstroke Flags

Flags placed 5 meters from the wall to help backstrokers judge turns and finishes.

Beep

The electronic sound signaling the start of a race.

Bilateral Breathing

Breathing to both sides during freestyle, often every three strokes, for balance and technique.

Blocks

The starting platforms at the end of each lane.

Body Roll

Rotation of the body along the spine, especially in freestyle and backstroke, for efficiency.

Breakout

The transition from underwater phase to surface swimming after a start or turn.

Breaststroke

A competitive stroke with simultaneous arm and frog-like leg movement, requiring a glide phase.

Breaststroke Pullout

Underwater phase after the start or turn in breaststroke, involving a streamlined glide, arm pull, and kick.

Bulkhead

A movable wall in a pool used to change the length or divide the pool for different events.

Cap

Swim cap worn to reduce drag, protect hair, and keep the pool clean.

Catch

The phase of the stroke where the hand enters and “catches” the water to begin the pull.

Circle Seeding

Seeding method for heats where fastest swimmers are distributed among the fastest heats and lanes.

Circle Swimming

Swimming in a circular direction/pattern within a lane to accommodate multiple swimmers. Everyone goes down one side and returns on the other side of the lane

Coach

The person responsible for training, instructing, and motivating swimmers.

Cooldown

Low-intensity swimming at the end of a workout or race to aid recovery.

Counter

A person or device that counts laps for swimmers, especially in distance events.

Crossover Turn

A turn technique used in backstroke-to-breaststroke transitions in IM events.

Cut

A qualifying time standard for a particular meet or event.

Deck

The area surrounding the pool where swimmers and coaches gather.

Deck Entry

A swimmer entered into a meet on the day of the event, rather than in advance.

Deck Pass

Credential allowing access to the pool deck during a meet.

Descending Set

A set in which each repeat is swum faster than the previous one.

Disqualification (DQ)

Removal from an event for breaking a rule, such as an illegal stroke or false start.

Distance Event

Longer races, typically 400 meters/yards or more.

Dive

The entry into the water at the start of a race, usually from a starting block.

Dolphin Kick

A simultaneous, whipping kick used in butterfly and underwater phases.

Drafting

Swimming close behind or beside another swimmer to reduce water resistance, common in open water.

Drag

Resistance caused by water against the swimmer’s body or suit.

Drag Suit

A loose-fitting training suit worn over a regular suit to increase resistance.

Drill

A specific exercise to isolate and improve a part of the stroke or technique.

Entry

The act of entering the water, either at the start of a race or during a turn.

Entry Time

The time submitted for a swimmer to enter a meet, used for seeding purposes.

Event

A specific race in a swim meet, defined by stroke, distance, and age/gender.

Even Split

Swimming each half of a race in the same time.

Exhale

The act of breathing out underwater during the stroke cycle.

Exchange

The changeover between swimmers in a relay.

False Start

Leaving the block or starting position before the official start signal.

Fastest to Slowest

Seeding method where the fastest swimmers compete in the last heat.

Final

The last round of an event in a meet, determining the winner.

Finish

The completion of a race, often requiring a touch at the wall.

FINA

The international governing body of swimming (Fédération Internationale de Natation) this has now changed to World Aquatics.

Flags

Backstroke flags 5 meters from the wall to help swimmers judge turns and finishes.

Flip Turn

A tumble turn used in freestyle and backstroke to reverse direction at the wall.

Flutter Kick

A rapid, alternating leg kick used in freestyle and backstroke.

Freestyle

A competitive stroke, usually the front crawl, with no stroke restrictions.

Freestyle Relay

A relay race where all swimmers use the freestyle stroke.

Finish Judge

Official who determines the finish order in a race.

Fins

Training equipment worn on the feet to improve kick strength and speed.

Goggles

Eyewear that protects swimmers’ eyes from water and chlorine.

Goal Set

A training set designed to help achieve a specific performance goal.

Grab Start

A start technique where both hands grab the front edge of the block before diving in.

Gun Lap

The final lap of a distance race, often signaled by a bell or gun.

Hand Paddle

Training equipment worn on the hands to increase resistance and build strength.

Heat

A preliminary race in which swimmers compete to qualify for finals.

Heat Sheet

A printed or digital listing of all heats, swimmers, and lanes for a meet.

High Elbow

A technique in freestyle and butterfly where the elbow stays high during the recovery and catch phases.

Hypoxic Training

Training that limits breathing to build lung capacity and efficiency.

Hypothermia

Dangerously low body temperature, a risk in open water swimming.

IM (Individual Medley)

An event where a swimmer swims all four strokes in the order: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle.

Interval

The time allotted for each repeat in a set, including rest.

In-Water Start

A start where the swimmer begins in the water, used for backstroke and some open water events.

Ironman

A long-distance triathlon including a 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike, and 42.2 km run.

Jammer

A knee-length, tight-fitting swimsuit for male swimmers.

Judges

Officials who ensure swimmers follow the rules and determine race results.

Kickboard

A flotation device used to isolate and train the legs during kicking sets.

Kick Set

A training set focused on developing leg strength and technique.

Kicking

The use of the legs to propel the swimmer through the water.

Kneeskins

High-tech, knee-length swimsuits for female swimmers, designed for competition.

Lane

A designated area in the pool for each swimmer, marked by lane lines.

Lane Lines

Floating dividers that separate lanes and reduce waves.

Lap

One length of the pool; in some countries, a lap is two lengths.

Lap Counter

A device or person that tracks the number of laps completed, especially in distance events.

Lead-Off

The first swimmer in a relay team.

Leg

A section of a relay or IM event, or a single part of a multi-part race.

Long Course

A 50-meter pool, the standard for international competition.

Lap Split

The time taken to swim a single lap.

Marathon Swim

An open water swim of at least 10 kilometers.

Medley Relay

A relay race where each swimmer swims a different stroke in the order: backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle.

Meet

A swimming competition, ranging from local to international level.

Middle Distance

Races typically between 200 and 400 meters/yards.

Negative Split

Swimming the second half of a race faster than the first half.

Non-Scoring Heat

A heat in which swimmers’ times do not count towards team points.

National Age Group (NAG)

Time standards set for different age groups at the national level.

Negative Split

Swimming the second half of a race faster than the first half.

Non-Scoring Heat

A heat in which swimmers’ times do not count towards team points.

National Age Group (NAG)

Time standards set for different age groups at the national level.

Official

A person who enforces the rules at a swim meet.

Open Turn

A turn where the swimmer touches the wall with their hand(s), rotates, and pushes off.

Open Water

Swimming in outdoor bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, or oceans.

Open Water Swim

A swim conducted in a natural body of water, often over long distances.

Over Distance

Training sets longer than race distance to build endurance.

Over-Under

A training set alternating between swimming above and below the water surface.

Pace

The speed at which a swimmer swims, often measured per 50 or 100 meters/yards.

Pace Calculator

A swim pace calculator helps determine pace, time, or distance.

Pace Clock

A large clock on the pool deck used to time sets and intervals.

Paddles

Training equipment worn on the hands to increase resistance and build strength.

Personal Best (PB)

A swimmer’s fastest time in an event.

Prelims

Preliminary heats used to qualify for finals.

Pull

The arm movement in swimming, or a drill using a pull buoy to isolate the arms.

Pull Buoy

A flotation device held between the thighs to isolate arm work.

Pyramid Set

A set that increases and then decreases in distance or intensity.

Qualifying Time

The minimum time required to enter a particular event or meet.

Quarters

A training set divided into four equal parts, each with a different focus or pace.

Race Pace

The speed a swimmer aims to maintain during a race.

Ready Room

A room where finalists gather before their race.

Recovery

The phase of the stroke when the arm returns to the starting position, or rest between sets.

Referee

The chief official at a swim meet.

Relay

A race in which four swimmers each swim a portion of the distance.

Relay Exchange

The changeover between swimmers in a relay.

Relay Takeoff Judge

An official who ensures legal relay exchanges.

Rep

One repeat of a distance in a set (e.g., 10×100, each 100 is a rep).

Rest Interval

The amount of rest between repeats in a set.

Ribbon

An award for placing in an event, usually for younger swimmers.

Sculling

A drill involving small, quick hand movements to improve feel for the water.

Scratch

To withdraw from an event after entering.

Seed

To assign swimmers to heats and lanes based on entry times.

Seed Time

The entry time used to seed a swimmer in a meet.

Set

A group of repeats or intervals in a workout.

Shave

The act of shaving body hair to reduce drag before a big meet.

Short Course

A 25-yard or 25-meter pool, common for local and age group meets.

Shoulder Entry

Entering the hand in line with the shoulder during freestyle or backstroke for efficiency.

Sighting

Looking forward in open water to stay on course.

Split

The time for a portion of a race, such as a lap or leg of a relay.

Split Calculator

A calculator used to break down each lap/portion of a race to the ideal target time. For example if a swimmer wanted to target a 100m Freestyle race in a time of 59sec, the splits would be 28.16 and 30.84

Start

The beginning of a race, usually from the blocks or in the water for backstroke.

Streamline

A body position with arms extended and body straight to reduce drag.

Stroke

The style or technique used to swim, such as freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, or butterfly.

Stroke Judge

An official who ensures swimmers use the correct stroke technique.

Stroke Rate

The number of strokes taken per minute.

Swim-Off

An extra race to break a tie in heats or finals.

Swim Cap

A cap worn to reduce drag and protect hair from chlorine.

Swim Down

Another term for cooldown; easy swimming after a race or workout.

Swim Meet

A competition where swimmers race in various events.

Swim-Off

An additional race to break a tie.

Swimmer’s Ear

An infection of the outer ear canal, common among swimmers.

Take Your Mark

The command given by the starter before the race begins.

Tapper

A person who signals visually impaired swimmers when they are approaching the wall.

Tempo Trainer

A device worn under the cap that beeps at set intervals to help maintain stroke rate or pace.

Time Trial

An unofficial race against the clock to establish a time.

Time Standard

A qualifying time set by a governing body for entry into certain meets.

Timer

An official who records swimmers’ times during a race.

Touch

Contact with the wall to finish a race or complete a turn.

Touchpad

An electronic pad at the end of each lane that records finish times when touched.

Transition

The change from one stroke to another in IM or from swim to bike/run in triathlon.

Tumble Turn

Another term for flip turn; used at the wall in freestyle and backstroke.

Underwater Dolphin Kick

A powerful kick used off starts and turns, especially in butterfly and backstroke.

Unofficial Time

A time recorded by a timer but not confirmed as official.

Uniform

The team suit, cap, or warm-up gear worn by swimmers.

Vertical Kick

A drill performed in deep water to improve kick strength and technique, the individual is in a vertical position instead of horizontal.

Victory Lap

A celebratory lap by the winner of a race or event.

Warm-Up

Easy swimming or drills performed before a workout or race to prepare the body.

Watch

A stopwatch used by coaches and timers to record times.

Wave Start

In open water, a start where swimmers begin in groups or “waves.”

Wetsuit

A neoprene suit worn in open water to provide warmth and buoyancy.

Warm Down

Easy swimming after a race or workout to aid recovery.

Water Polo

A team sport played in the water with goals at each end.

Water Start

Starting a race from in the water, rather than from the blocks.

Wave

Movement of water caused by swimmers or external factors, can create resistance.

Yard

A unit of length used in some pools (1 yard = 0.9144 meters).

Yardage

Total distance swum in a workout, measured in yards or meters.

Zone

A region or area, such as a “zone meet” or a training “heart rate zone.”

Zone Meet

A regional swim meet for swimmers from a specific geographic area.