Swimming terminology jargon buster
1. Freestyle – most people know that
there are four strokes in swimming, and
most of us know them as front crawl,
backstroke, butterfly and breaststroke.
However, once you start swimming more
regularly, you will hear the word freestyle
used a lot. In swimming terminology
freestyle is the official name of the front
crawl stroke used more commonly at a
competitive level.
2. Dolphin kick – the dolphin kick is
usually used for the butterfly stroke, and the
start and turns in a race, as it is very fast. It
involves a whipping motion with the legs,
keeping your feet together, similar to how a
dolphin swims. This is considered one of the
hardest parts of any stroke to learn, but
there are plenty of things you can do
outside of the pool to help speed you along.
3. Tumble turns – these are underwater
somersaults used in backstroke and
freestyle that allow swimmers to push off
from the wall for the next length. These may
seem like a tall order to a novice swimmer,
but they are fairly easy once you have
mastered the technique.
4. Body roll – body roll refers to the
rotation of your body from side to side. If
you are swimming freestyle, your body
should be tilting on its side to a 40-60%
angle, but your head should remain straight
in the water until you go to breathe.
5. Bilateral breathing – bilateral breathing
is used in the freestyle stroke and involves
breathing on both sides of the body. This
helps to create smooth and even strokes. It
also helps to develop a good body roll. This
is essential to swim great freestyle. Usually
you breathe after a set of three strokes,
alternating with breathing in on the left
stroke on the first set, and then on the right
on the second.
6. Swimming drills – when you start to
become more confident, you may be asked
by your teacher to do swimming drills. This
is swimming terminology for simple
exercises focusing on a particular part of
your technique. If you are struggling to get
the timing right on your breaststroke kick,
for example, you might use a float to hold
up your front end and then focus all your
attention on the kick to help you improve it.
7. Glide – you may hear your teacher
telling you that you are gliding too much. In
swimming terminology gliding is when you
are coasting along with a pause in your
stroke. When swimming, you should always
be moving. If you have a moment where
you are not being propelled through the
water at all, then you are losing speed and
creating more work for yourself as you
accelerate again with the next movement.
Gliding should be kept to a minimum and a
stroke should be as continuous as possible.
8. Body position – if you are told that you
need to raise your body position, this
usually means that your hips and legs are
sinking too low in the water, which means
you are not streamlined and your body has
increased resistance through the water. Try
to keep your body as flat as possible in the
water, and as close to the surface as
possible.
Dimension
In swimming, the term short course (abbreviated SC)
is used to identify a pool that is 25 metres (27.34 yd)
in length. The term is also often included in meet
names when conducted in a short course pool. "Short
course" is the second type of pool configuration
currently recognized by FINA and other swimming
bodies for pool competition; the other/primary pool
length being "long course", where the pool is 50
meters in length. Olympic and the World Aquatics
Championships are conducted in a long course pool.
Swimsuit
It’s obvious that you'll need a swimsuit to
swim. However, the right swimsuit fits close
to your body and doesn't hinder movement. A
suit that is too big may sag and make you
uncomfortable, altering how you move in the
water. A suit that is too snug may restrict
range of motion and make it difficult to get
the most out of your swimming session. Try
on several swimsuits to find the right fit.
Professional swimmers wear competition suits
that streamline their stroke and help with
speed. If you are a recreational swimmer,
choose a suit that is comfortable while you are
in the water.
Goggles
Goggles allow you to see underwater,
important in crowded pools or for lap
swimming when you need to see turns, walls
and barriers. Wearing goggles in the water
also protects your eyes from chemicals used to
clean the pool. If you wear contact lenses, a
pair of goggles helps prevent them from
falling out while you're swimming. Goggles
are available in a variety of styles and colors.
Choose a pair that sits snugly on your face,
which prevents water from seeping in.
Swimming Cap
Most people forgo a swimming cap in the
pool, but if you spend a lot of time in the
water, the right one is beneficial. A swimming
cap keeps long hair out of your face while you
swim. It also corrals your hair, helping
streamline your silhouette as you swim. Most
professional swimmers wear a swim cap for
these reasons. However, a cap also protects
your hair from harsh chemicals in pool water.
A swim cap also helps hold your goggles in
place, preventing them from shifting as you
move underwater.
Fins, Paddles and Boards
Fins, paddles and boards are not required for
competition, but may be beneficial during
practice or for recreational swimmers who are
looking for a more challenging workout. Fins
increase the resistance to your legs while
paddling, which enhances the muscular
benefits. Boards aid with buoyancy, allowing
you to practice new techniques. Paddles work
much like fins, but attach to your hands. These
tools are often used during professional
practice sessions to enhance speed and
performance.
