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University of Eastern Philippines PE-3 Swimming

Module 4
SWIMMING TERMINOLOGY

Introduction

Have you ever listened to the swimmers around

you at practice and wonder: “Are they speaking
the same language as me?” In some cases, Learning Outcomes:
they’re not!
After this lesson you will be able to:
Swimmers, much like any athlete, have hundreds
1. Identify the terminologies used in
of words that only they know.
swimming.
Every sport has its own terminology, including
2. Understand the terminologies used
swimming. Learning swimming terms can be a lot
in swimming.
like trying to learn a new language. Swimming
terminology is essential for the different actions
you need to perform. The different swim strokes, apparel and accessories all have unique names.
If you're taking up the sport familiarize yourself with some basic terms to avoid misunderstanding
your coach or teammates.
To help you when you are learning to swim, we have gathered together some of the most common
swimming terminology.
So let’s begin!

KEEP THIS IN MIND

FINA - Federation Internationale de National de Amateur, the international governing body of

competitive swimming, diving, water polo and synchronized swimming.
ASA (Amateur Swimming Association): the governing body of swimming in England.
Streamlining – the method of aligning the body so as to reduce resistance in the water.
Bobbing- is where you go under the surface of the wate, touch the buttom with your feet and use all
your feet and use all your energy to push back to the surface.
Sculling- A phase of arm stroke where you accelerate your arms while moving backward in an S-
pattern.
Treading- The leg motions of treading water are a lot like riding a bicycle.
Flutter kick- A kick where both legs move up and down at the same time.
Dolphin kick- Kick that is a lot like the flutter kick, but the both legs move up and down at the same
time.
Frog kick- It begins by fully extending your legs followed by bending it up to your hips, then
spreading your legs with a strong kick and end it by squeezing the water with your legs.

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University of Eastern Philippines PE-3 Swimming

Freestyle- The most popular and easiest kick.

Backstroke- is the only one of the four competitive strokes that is swum on the back.
Breaststoke- Regarded by the novice as the easiest stroke, but considered by the expert as the
most difficult.
Butterfly- is the second-fastest swimming stroke and is quite exhausting.
Sidestroke- is an older swimming stroke that is swum on the side.
Mushroom Float-
Horizontal Back Float- you lie on your back in the water with your back slightly arched, your arms
out to the sides and your legs straight.
Starfish float- you float on your back or your chest in a horizontal position with the arms and legs
spread apart.
Jellyfish float- A type of float where the swimmer takes a deep breath, puts his face in the water,
arms hanging down, and allows the water to support the body.
Swim Down - Swimming slowly and steadily at the end of the session to warm down
Swim Off: In a heat/finals competition, a race after the scheduled event to break a tie. The only
circumstances that warrants a Swim-off is to determine which swimmer makes finals.
Leg- The part of a relay that is swum by a single team member.
Lycra suit- A suit that forms themselves to your body’ s contours
and do not absorb water.
Nylon suits- Suits that absorb more water but are sturdier and last
longer.
Goggles- It protects your eyes and allows you to see clearly
underwater.
Ear plug- A device inserted to the outer opening of the ear to prevent
water from entering.
Nose clips- Swimmers who are prone to breathing through the nose use this kind of equipment in
swimming.
Kick board- It is a rectangular in shape, with rounded edges, usually made of a light buoyant
material.
Hand paddles- These are usually made of a hard, plastic material
which come also in variety of shapes but are basically
rectangular.
Pull Bouy- These are made of a light, buoyant, foamy material
and consist of two small cylinders connected by an
adjustable cord.
Fins- It works by increasing the surface area of your feet,
letting you exerts more pressure on the water.
Swim cap- It protects your hair.
Backstroke flags a line of flags (not bunting!) suspended above the pool 5 metres from each pool
end. Used to help backstroke swimmers judge when to turn.
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University of Eastern Philippines PE-3 Swimming

Beep: The starting sound from an electronic timing system.

Blocks: The starting platforms located behind each lane. Blocks have a variety of designs and can
be permanent or removable, but also incorporate a bar to allow swimmers to perform backstroke
starts.
Event: A race or stroke over a given distance.
Heats: A division of an event when there are too many swimmers to compete at the same
time. The results are compiled by swimmers time swum, after all heats of the event are completed.
I.M. (Individual Medley) is an event where all four competitive strokes are swum in one event by
one swimmer. Order: butterfly – backstroke – breaststroke – frontcrawl.
Medley Relay is an event where all four competitive strokes are swum in one event with four
swimmers swimming in turns. Each swimmer swims one stroke.
The order is backstroke – breaststroke – butterfly – frontcrawl. (This is different to an IM)
Lane: The specific area in which a swimmer is assigned to swim. Lanes should be numbered from
right (Lane 1) to left (Lane 8).
Personal Best (PB) – this is the fastest time that a swimmer has recorded for a particular event.
Relay exchange - the exchange between the swimmer in the water and the next swimmer on the
relay team. A perfect exchange will simultaneously have the finishing swimmer's hand on the
Starting block / Plinth: a raised platform from which competitors dive at the start of freestyle,
butterfly, breaststroke and individual medley races.
Stroke Judge: The official positioned at the side of the pool, walking the length of the course as the
swimmers
Touchpad – a board at the end of the pool that acts as a stopwatch. When the swimmer finishes
and hits the touchpad, it records the time.
Tumble turn - The flip (somersault style) turn used for Frontcrawl and Backcrawl
Warm-up: The practice and loosening session a swimmer does before the meet or their
event. Essential to avoid injury, loosen muscles and prepare the body to go fast.
Warm Down: The loosening a swimmer does after a race when pool space is available. Used by
the swimmer to rid the body of excess lactic acid generated during a race.

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University of Eastern Philippines PE-3 Swimming

DO THIS! Activity No. 4

B. Answer what is asked in each item.

1. What differences exist in when performing…………

a. IM(individual medley) and MR(medley relay)

b. Warm-up and warm down

Feedback/Reflection

Congratulations on finishing the module! You have just had an amazing learning journey and for
sure, you will also do the same in the succeeding activities.

For the last time, share to the class your final insights by completing the following sentence
prompts.

Summary

Those are only the basic terminologies used in swimming. Knowing some swimming terminology,

or swim terms will help you navigate this new world you’ve just joined.

When swimming, you’ll hear several swimming terms tossed around in regards to swimming

equipment or gear.This is what a swimmer will use while in the water to assist with their stroke,

kick, or pull.

References/Sources:

https://wanderingswimmer.com/swimming-terminology/
http://www.lcatswimming.com/swim-terminology.html

College of Arts and Communication

Physical Education Department