Swimming Vocab

Question 1

50 Free

Answer 1

A 50-meter or 50-yard freestyle swimming event focusing on speed over one length of the pool.

Question 2

100 Free

Answer 2

A 100-meter or 100-yard freestyle event covering two lengths of a 50m pool, testing speed and endurance.

Question 3

Freestyle

Answer 3

A swimming stroke where the swimmer uses the front crawl, the fastest of all strokes.

Question 4

Backstroke

Answer 4

A stroke performed on the back with alternating arm strokes and a flutter kick.

Question 5

Breaststroke

Answer 5

A stroke where arms move in a half-circular motion and legs perform a whip kick.

Question 6

Butterfly

Answer 6

A stroke involving simultaneous arm movement over the water and a dolphin kick.

Question 7

Individual Medley (IM)

Answer 7

An event where one swimmer swims butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle in sequence.

Question 8

Relay

Answer 8

A team event where each swimmer completes a segment of the total distance before tagging the next teammate.

Question 9

Flip Turn

Answer 9

A quick turn performed at the pool wall to reverse direction efficiently in freestyle and backstroke events.

Question 10

Open Turn

Answer 10

A turning technique used in breaststroke and butterfly where the swimmer touches the wall with both hands.

Question 11

Stroke Rate

Answer 11

The number of strokes a swimmer takes per minute, indicating pacing and efficiency.

Question 12

Stroke Count

Answer 12

The number of strokes taken per length of the pool, used to assess efficiency.

Question 13

Dolphin Kick

Answer 13

A kick where both legs move simultaneously in a wave-like motion, used in butterfly and underwater phases.

Question 14

Underwater Phase

Answer 14

The segment of a race where swimmers are underwater after the start or turn, often using dolphin kicks.

Question 15

Split

Answer 15

The time recorded for a specific segment of a race, such as each lap or stroke section.

Question 16

Anchor

Answer 16

The last swimmer in a relay team, often responsible for securing the team’s final position.

Question 17

Lane Line

Answer 17

The floating markers that separate swimming lanes in a pool.

Question 18

False Start

Answer 18

Leaving the starting block before the starting signal, which can lead to disqualification.

Question 19

Warm-up

Answer 19

Pre-race swimming to prepare muscles and increase heart rate before competition.

Question 20

Cool-down

Answer 20

Post-race swimming to help the body recover by gradually lowering heart rate and aiding muscle relaxation.

Question 21

Drafting

Answer 21

Swimming closely behind another swimmer to reduce water resistance.

Question 22

Negative Split

Answer 22

Swimming the second half of a race faster than the first half, indicating good pacing.

Question 23

Bilateral Breathing

Answer 23

Breathing on both sides during freestyle, promoting symmetrical stroke and balance.

Question 24

Fins

Answer 24

Training equipment worn on the feet to increase kicking strength and speed.

Question 25

Paddles

Answer 25

Hand-held devices used during training to build upper body strength and improve stroke technique.

Question 26

Pull Buoy

Answer 26

A flotation device placed between the legs to isolate arm movements during training.

Question 27

Kickboard

Answer 27

A flotation tool used to support the upper body while focusing on leg kick techniques.

Question 28

Snorkel

Answer 28

A breathing tube allowing swimmers to focus on technique without turning the head to breathe.

Question 29

Drag Suit

Answer 29

An additional suit or loose-fitting garment worn over the swimsuit to increase water resistance during training.

Question 30

Streamline

Answer 30

The optimal body position after pushing off the wall or starting block to minimize water resistance.

Question 31

Pace Clock

Answer 31

A poolside clock used by swimmers to monitor intervals and rest periods during training.

Question 32

Starting Block

Answer 32

The platform from which swimmers dive at the beginning of a race.

Question 33

Touch Pad

Answer 33

Electronic pads at the end of each lane that record swimmers’ times when touched.

Question 34

Psych Sheet

Answer 34

A list of swimmers and their seed times used to organize heats and lanes in a meet.

Question 35

Seed Time

Answer 35

A swimmer’s entry time used to assign heats and lanes in a competition.

Question 36

Scratch

Answer 36

Withdrawing from an event after being entered, often before the event begins.

Question 37

Qualifying Time

Answer 37

The minimum time a swimmer must meet to enter a specific competition or event.

Question 38

Time Trial

Answer 38

A race against the clock to achieve a qualifying time or personal best, often held outside regular competition.

Question 39

Deck Entry

Answer 39

Signing up for an event on the day of the meet, if allowed by meet regulations.

Question 40

Set

Answer 40

A group of repetitions in training designed to focus on specific skills or conditioning.

Question 41

Interval

Answer 41

The predetermined time in which a swimmer must complete a repetition and rest before starting the next one.

Question 42

Yardage

Answer 42

The total distance swum during a training session, often measured in yards or meters.