Key terms + definitions
Terms:
Session – A combination of events and heats for a group of swimmers to compete in over a continuous time period of typically no more than 5 hours.
Warm-up – The period of time before the session begins when the swimmers warm-up in the pool as a group before the competition.
Backstroke flags – Suspended across the pool, the backstroke flags are located 5 meters from the start and turn end of the pool. The backstroke flags are a visual aid to backstroke swimmers.
Bulkhead – A bulkhead is a raised wall found at the end of a pool. It is often movable to allow a 50m pool to be divided into two 25m courses. Turn judges will stand on the bulkhead to observe the swimmers.
Starting Blocks – The starting blocks are located at the start end of the pool. A second set of starting blocks may be located at the turn end of a 50m pool.
Official Time – The final time given to a swimmer.
Split Times – A time which is recorded part way through a race and at an interval shorter than the total distance of the race.
Entry Times – Also referred to as a Seed Time, this is the time a swimmer has previously achieved in a given event.
Qualifying Time – A set time a swimmer must achieve to be eligible to enter into an event in a given competition.
Event – An event is a group of races that have the same distance, stroke, gender and age group defined. Each event will typically have a number assigned to it.
Heat – Swimmers are sorted into groups called heats based on their entry time for the event. Heats typically include a maximum number of swimmers equal to the number of lanes in the pool (6, 8 or 10) who will swim together in one race.
Lane – Each swimmer is assigned a lane and need to start and finish their race in that lane. Lanes are numbered from 1 to 6 (six-lane pool), 1 to 8 (eight-lane pool) or 0 to 9 (in a ten-lane pool) from right to left when standing behind the starting blocks.
Meet Manager Software – A software program (in Canada this is typically HyTek Meet Manager or SPLASH) used to organize the swim meet and generate the required printouts and results. Timekeepers may be provided with printed heat sheets and/or lane timer sheets to identify lane assignments and record times from this software.
Psych Sheets– Ranking of swimmers entered in an event based on entry times. Swimmers with No Time are ranked last
Seeding– Rules to be followed to place swimmers in lanes and heats
Heat Sheets – After seeding, listing of heats and lanes for each event
Entry Card– When seeding is done with a meet management software, the entry card for each swimmer or team indicates heat and lane assignment
Scratches– A withdrawal for an upcoming race from a swimmer or team
Deck Entry– A swimmer added to an event after seeding is completed
Positive Check-in – A check-in to assure the clerk of course that a swimmer is present to race their event
No Show – A swimmer that has failed to report to the Clerk of Course for their race (empty lane) without their knowledge. This will show as NS in results reports
DNF - Disqualification code where an athlete does not finish an event.