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Scratch- When a swimmer doesn’t swim an event that they are entered into. Different leagues and meets have different rules about procedures for and consequences of scratches.
Seed Time- The time with which a swimmer is entered into a meet.
Short Course Meters- When swimming pools are set at a distance of 25 meters per length, the races are referred to as “short course meters.” Typically, short course meters races are only swum in countries outside of the United States, although there is presently a strong push for the United States to
move to more short course meters swimming pools.
Short Course Yards- When swimming pools are set at a distance of 25 yards per length, the races are referred to as “short course yards.” These races are swum almost exclusively in the United States, which is why there is no Short Course World record, although there is a U.S. Open record, which means a record swum in the United States by a swimmer of any nationality, making the U.S. Open record effectively the World record for Short Course Yards races. In the United States, short course yards pools are generally used in the winter season, in NCAA events, and in most neighborhood and high school leagues.
Split- In a relay or an individual event, a split is the amount of time taken to swim a certain portion of a race. For example, in a 200 yard freestyle relay, the amount of time it took the 3rd swimmer to swim their 50 freestyle would be that swimmer’s split.
Sprint/Sprints- “Sprint” is a term used to describe swimming full, race speed in practice. “A sprint” is a practice technique where swimmers swim a short distance at full, race speed, typically from a dive.
Stroke Count- A term used to describe the number of strokes a backstroker will take between the flags and the wall on both their flip turns and their finish. The number of strokes taken on the turn should be about 1 less than the number taken on the finish. It’s important to take a stroke count when swimming full speed.
Stroke Rate- The number of strokes taken per second. Should be used in conjunction with Distance Per Stroke to maximize stroke efficiency. Calculated as # of strokes/time.
