Swim Terms
- Block – Risers located at the end of each lane in the deep end. Swimmers dive off at the sound of the starting system.
- DQ/Disqualification - Violation by the swimmer that is noted by a Meet Official. Common examples include false starts, pushing off the lane ropes, swimming another stroke other than the event entered, incorrect stroke technique, one hand touch for breaststroke or butterfly.
- Dual Meet – A meet where two teams compete.
- Event – A specific distance or stroke within an age group.
- Event Call Board – A display board showing swimmers which event numbers are being called to report to the heating area.
- False Start – Starting from the block prior to the start command or prior to the previous swimmer’s touch in a relay. This usually results in a disqualification (DQ).
- Heat – One group of swimmers in an event. An event can contain more than one heat.
- Heating Area – The area designated for swimmers to report to prior to swimming an event. Heating area workers will assign the heat and lane assignments to the individual swimmers.
- IM / Individual Medley – A single swimmer swims one or two lengths (depending on age) of each stroke in the following order: Butterfly, Back, Breast, and Freestyle.
- Invitational Meet – A meet by invitation only. Often a special meet where entries, along with entry fees, are required two weeks prior to the meet.
- Lane – Space allowed for a swimmer to swim.
- League Meets – South Jeffco Swim League holds two League Meets -- League Championships and Spirit Championships. Usually the fastest three or four swimmers in each event from each team go to the League meet and all other swimmers participate in the Spirit meet.
- Meter/Yards – A meter is a bit longer than a yard. Normally indoor pools are 25 yards long and outdoor pools are 25 meters long.
- Open Event – Any event that does not limit the number of entries from each team. Usually includes the short distance events of each stroke in each age group.
- Personal Record – Fastest time achieved by an individual swimmer in an individual event. Swimmers should keep track of their own times to monitor their progress.
- Records – Fastest time ever achieved. Pool records are the fastest time achieved at Governor’s Ranch. They can be made from any swimmer swimming at the Gator pool. Team records are the fastest times achieved by a particular Gator Swim Team member. They can be made at any pool when Governor’s Ranch Swim Team is swimming a meet.
- Scratch – When a swimmer does not show up and swim a scheduled event.
- Split – An individual’s time for one leg of a relay or portion of a larger event.
- State Championships – The last meet of the summer usually held on the last weekend in July. This meet has qualifying time standards that must be met in order to swim. Each swimmer can only swim three individual and two relay events. Many summer swim clubs from around the state are invited to participate. Usually 40 to 50 teams attend.
- Swimmer Folders – Ribbons from meets will be placed in folders with the swimmer’s names on them. This is usually done the Monday after the meet. The folders are in the swimmers file box. Take your ribbons and leave the folder. Other material and information will be put into these folders, so CHECK REGULARLY.
- Tri-Meet – A meet where three teams compete.
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