Swimming Vocab Flashcards
50 Free
A 50-meter or 50-yard freestyle swimming event focusing on speed over one length of the pool.
100 Free
A 100-meter or 100-yard freestyle event covering two lengths of a 50m pool, testing speed and endurance.
Freestyle
A swimming stroke where the swimmer uses the front crawl, the fastest of all strokes.
Backstroke
A stroke performed on the back with alternating arm strokes and a flutter kick.
Breaststroke
A stroke where arms move in a half-circular motion and legs perform a whip kick.
Butterfly
A stroke involving simultaneous arm movement over the water and a dolphin kick.
Individual Medley (IM)
An event where one swimmer swims butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle in sequence.
Relay
A team event where each swimmer completes a segment of the total distance before tagging the next teammate.
Flip Turn
A quick turn performed at the pool wall to reverse direction efficiently in freestyle and backstroke events.
Open Turn
A turning technique used in breaststroke and butterfly where the swimmer touches the wall with both hands.
Stroke Rate
The number of strokes a swimmer takes per minute, indicating pacing and efficiency.
Stroke Count
The number of strokes taken per length of the pool, used to assess efficiency.
Dolphin Kick
A kick where both legs move simultaneously in a wave-like motion, used in butterfly and underwater phases.
Underwater Phase
The segment of a race where swimmers are underwater after the start or turn, often using dolphin kicks.
Split
The time recorded for a specific segment of a race, such as each lap or stroke section.
Anchor
The last swimmer in a relay team, often responsible for securing the team’s final position.
Lane Line
The floating markers that separate swimming lanes in a pool.
False Start
Leaving the starting block before the starting signal, which can lead to disqualification.
Warm-up
Pre-race swimming to prepare muscles and increase heart rate before competition.
Cool-down
Post-race swimming to help the body recover by gradually lowering heart rate and aiding muscle relaxation.
Drafting
Swimming closely behind another swimmer to reduce water resistance.
Negative Split
Swimming the second half of a race faster than the first half, indicating good pacing.
Bilateral Breathing
Breathing on both sides during freestyle, promoting symmetrical stroke and balance.
Fins
Training equipment worn on the feet to increase kicking strength and speed.
Paddles
Hand-held devices used during training to build upper body strength and improve stroke technique.
Pull Buoy
A flotation device placed between the legs to isolate arm movements during training.
Kickboard
A flotation tool used to support the upper body while focusing on leg kick techniques.
Snorkel
A breathing tube allowing swimmers to focus on technique without turning the head to breathe.
Drag Suit
An additional suit or loose-fitting garment worn over the swimsuit to increase water resistance during training.
Streamline
The optimal body position after pushing off the wall or starting block to minimize water resistance.
Pace Clock
A poolside clock used by swimmers to monitor intervals and rest periods during training.
Starting Block
The platform from which swimmers dive at the beginning of a race.
Touch Pad
Electronic pads at the end of each lane that record swimmers’ times when touched.
Psych Sheet
A list of swimmers and their seed times used to organize heats and lanes in a meet.
Seed Time
A swimmer’s entry time used to assign heats and lanes in a competition.
Scratch
Withdrawing from an event after being entered, often before the event begins.
Qualifying Time
The minimum time a swimmer must meet to enter a specific competition or event.
Time Trial
A race against the clock to achieve a qualifying time or personal best, often held outside regular competition.
Deck Entry
Signing up for an event on the day of the meet, if allowed by meet regulations.
Set
A group of repetitions in training designed to focus on specific skills or conditioning.
Interval
The predetermined time in which a swimmer must complete a repetition and rest before starting the next one.
Yardage
The total distance swum during a training session, often measured in yards or meters.
