Glossary Of Swimming Terms

Glossary of Swimming Terms
A Glossary of those strange and wacky words we use in the sport of swimming. You may or may not find these words in the English Dictionary, and if you do, their definitions will probably be radically different than the ones listed in this Glossary. Relax and take your time reading. Soon you'll be understanding and maybe even speaking some "SWIMSLANG". "A" Time -classification for a swimmer. National Age Group Time Standard "A". "A" time is .01 seconds faster than the "BB" time standard and .01 slower than the "AA" time standard. See the NAGT published chart. "AA" - Time classification for a swimmer that is .01 faster than "A" time standard. "AAA" - Time classification for a swimmer that is .01 faster than the "AA" time standard. "AAAA" - Time classificationfor a swimmer that is .01 faster than the "AAA" time standard. This is the fastest time standard listed on the NAGT chart. Times faster than this are approaching National cuts or Top Times consideration. A-Meet - Swim meet that requires swimmers to have previously achieved an "A" time standard in the events they wish to enter. A-B Meet - Swim meet that offers separate competition for both "A"swimmers and "B" swimmers, usually with medals for the "A" swimmers and ribbons for the "B" swimmers. Swimmers compete in separate brackets against other swimmers of their own ability. Usually only "A" swimmers can score individual event team points. A-B-C Swim meet - similar to the A-B meet except that there are three divisions. This type of meet includes every ability level of swimmer from Novice tovery experienced. All swimmers with an "A" time or faster compete in the "A" division, and all swimmers with a "C" and down compete in the "C" division. The "B" division is the most limited with both top (.01 slower than "A") and bottom (.01 faster than "C") limitations. Age Group Division of swimmers according to age. The National Age Group divisions are: 10-under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18. SomeLSCs have divided the swimmers into more convenient divisions specific to their situations: (i.e.) 8-under, 13-Over, 15-Over, Junior, Senior. "B" Time - classification for a swimmer. National Age Group Time Standard "B". "B" time is .01 seconds faster than the "C" time standard and .01 slower than the "BB" time standard. See the NAGT published chart.

"BB" Time - classification for a swimmer.National Age Group Time Standard "BB". "BB" time is .01 seconds faster than the "B" time standard and .01 slower than the "A" time standard. See the NAGT published chart. B-C Meet Swim - meet that offers separate competition for both "B" swimmers and "C" swimmers, usually with ribbons for the "B" swimmers and smaller ribbons for the "C" swimmers. Swimmers compete in separate brackets against otherswimmers of their own ability. Swimmers are not allowed to enter an event that they have an "A" time in. Blocks - The starting platforms located behind each lane. Some pools have blocks at the deeper end of the pool, and some pools have blocks at both ends. Blocks have a variety of designs and can be permanent or removable. Breaststroke - One of the four competitive racing strokes. Breaststrokeis swam as the second stroke in the Medley Relay and the third stroke in the I.M. Racing distances are 50 yards/meter, 100 yards/meter, and 200 yards/meter. (LSCs with 8-under divisions offer the 25 yd breast) The “Bubble” - During the months of October - May the pool is covered by a dome allowing lessons to continue in a warm and comfortable environment. Bull Pen - The staging area where swimmerswait to receive their lane and heat assignments for a swimming event. Area is usually away from the pool and has rows of chairs for the swimmers to sit. The Clerk of the Course is in charge of the Bull Pen. Butterfly - One of the four competitive racing strokes. Butterfly (nicknamed FLY) is swam as the third stroke in the Medley Relay and first stroke in the I.M. Racing distances are 50...