The
following is a list of terms that you may hear at a swim
meet. Terms are in alphabetical
order:
CLERK OF COURSE:
Seeds swimmers into their events and provides cards/info to deck
officials.
COURSE: Designated distance over which the
competition is conducted. Long course~50 meters. Short course=25
yards.
CUT: A
time standard for a particular swim meet.
DECK SEEDED
EVENT: An event where all entries are due prior
to first day of meet and swimmers must declare availability to swim
prior to scratch deadlines.
D.Q.
(DISQUALIFIED): The swimmer’s time is not considered
in the competition due to an improper or illegal stroke technique
or other rules infraction. The referee or stroke judge determines
DQ’s.
FALSE START: An
error in which the swimmer leaves the block before the swimmer
touches the wall on a relay event. Also a false start is given to
any swimmer who makes any movement after being called to your mark,
but before the starting signal has been given.
HEAT: A division
of an event in which there are too many swimmers to compete at one
time.
INVITATIONAL
COMPETITION: For those swimmers, organizations, and
clubs invited by the host club.
LSC: Local Swim
Committee: An administrative division of USA SWIMMING with
supervisory responsibilities within certain geographic boundaries
designated by USA SWIMMING.
OPEN: Each age
group will have no qualifying times. B/C swimmers may compete, but
awards will only be given to the top 6 or 8 fastest swimmers. Also,
may refer to a division at a swim meet that includes events that
are open to all ages, but awards will only be given to the top 6 or
top 8 fastest swimmers that swim each event within this division,
regardless of age.
TAPER: A
carefully planned program that involves getting a swimmer’s
body and mind into top or peak performance levels before a major
competition. (You will witness the taper program for our Regionally
and Nationally competitive swimmers only.)
PRELIMS & FINALS
MEET: A swimmer swims an event early in the day and
returns later and swims that event again if he/she makes the
consolation or final heat.
QUALIFYING
HEATS: Competition in which a number of heats are swum to
qualify the fastest swimmers for the finals where final placing for
the event will be determined by the final heat of the fastest 6 or
8 swimmers.
SEEDING: Events
seeded on the deck—Swimmers are called to report to the clerk
of course for their event on the day of the meet. After scratches
are determined they are then seeded in the proper
heats.
PRE-SEEDED
HEATS: Swimmers are arranged in heats in events according
to submitted times and heat sheets are prepared prior to the day of
competition.
SN: Sierra
Nevada Swimming, our LSC.
TIMED FINAL
HEATS: Competition in which placing in heats are
determined by the times performed in the qualifying
heats.
UNATTACHED: An
athlete member who competes but does not represent a club member of
USA SWIMMING. (UNAT) Any swimmer, who transfers to another USA
SWIMMING team, must swim unattached for 120 day between
representing the two teams in competition.
USA SWIMMING: The organization
that conducts swimming programs and supervises amateur competitions
in the United States .
WARM-UP: A planned
session prior to a meet or practice.
WARM-DOWN: A period after a race/practice for the
swimmer to loosen up the muscles to prevent stiffness or
soreness.
|