Announcement
‘A’ Time Standards- Single "A" time standards, set by USA Swimming, are grouped by age and gender, and are used to help swimmers set goals.
‘AA’ Time Standards – The double "AA" time standards, set by USA Swimming, are grouped by age and gender, and are a faster standard than the "A" standard
‘AAA’ Time Standards- The triple "AAA" time standards, defined by USA Swimming, are grouped by age and gender, and is a faster standard than the "A" and "AA" standards
‘AAAA’ Time Standards- The quadruple "AAAA" time standards, defined by USA Swimming, are grouped by age and gender, and is a faster standard than the "A", "AA", and "AAA" standards
Age Group Qualifying times (USA) - A set of time standards, defined by USA Swimming, to enable goal-setting by under-18 swimmers. These standards are also used to control the size of the top national meets for swimmers under the age of 18
Age Group Qualifying times (Niagara) - A set of time standards, defined by Niagara Swimming, to enable goal-setting by under-18 swimmers. These standards are also used to control the size of the top LSC meets for swimmers under the age of 18 (Silver, Gold, Zones)
Age Group Championships(USA) - Hosted by USA Swimming , the Age Group Championships, are USA's premier championship meets for under-18 swimmers. Swimmers must achieve qualifying times to be eligible to attend this national level meets (Speedo Sectionals, Futures, Junior Nationals)
Age Group Championships(Niagara) - Hosted by Niagara Swimming, the Age Group Championships, are Niagara's premier championship meet for under-18 swimmers. Swimmers must achieve qualifying times to be eligible to attend this high level meets (Silver, Gold, Zones)
Block – The starting platform
Bulkhead – A wall constructed to divide a pool into different courses, such as a 50-meter pool into two 25-meter courses
Carbohydrate – Primary source of energy used by athletes in workouts and meets. Foods such as cereals, fruits, breads, pasta, and vegetables are excellent sources of carbohydrates
Chase Meet - Occasionally long-course meets may be run as "chase meets" for events 100 m or more. Starting blocks are located at each end of the pool (usually referred to as the shallow-end blocks and the deep-end blocks). Swimmers for the shallow end race start from the shallow end blocks, swim to the other side, turn and head back to finish on the shallow end. Swimmers of the next race at the deep end step up to the blocks after those swimmers make their turn. As the shallow end swimmers near the last quarter or so of their race, officials will start the swimmers at the deep end starting blocks. At this point there are two swimmers in the land, one "chasing" the other. The shallow end swimmers finish their race and quickly exit the pool. The deep end swimmer continues his/her race. Another shallow end set of swimmers will begin their race before the deep end swimmer is done
Check-In – The indication that a swimmer intends to participate in the meet or event
Circle Swimming – Performed by staying to the right of the black line when swimming in a lane to enable more swimmers to swim in each lane
Consolation Finals – The competition for the fastest remaining swimmers of those who fail to qualify for Championship finals
Course – Designated distance over which there is a competition (Long course = 50 meters, short course = 25 yards or meters)
Cut – Slang for qualifying time (a time standard necessary to attend a particular meet or event)
Disqualification (DQ) – When an official determines that a swimmer has violated a swimming rule, he or she may disqualify that swimmer. Typically, swimmers are disqualified for an illegal stroke, turn, finish, or false start
Drag – The extra clothing swimmers may wear to create resistance while practicing, often in the form of shorts or multi-layered suits that may have rips or tears
