What is a 25 (50)? Indicates the pool length: some pools are 25 meters, while others are 25 yards. Swimming a 25 simply means swimming 1 length; swimming a 50 would be 2 lengths, and so on. 

What is a heat? Indicates a group of 6 swimmers (one per lane) that participate in an event; most events have multiple heats because of the limited lane space. Seeding is used to group swimmers in heats based on their times.

What does bronze, silver, or gold mean? Indicates the three categories or time standards for each event. All new swimmers start in the bronze category and move up into the other categories if their times meet the standards. Swimmers in different categories (e.g. a “gold” swimmer and a “silver” swimmer) may swim in the same heat during the regular season meets, but all are awarded points and ribbons based on their own classification. For example, a first place might be awarded to a gold swimmer in 50 free. In that same event, a silver swimmer might also be awarded first place.

What is an IM? Stands for Individual Medley. During this event, one swimmer swims 25 meters of all four strokes in the following order: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle.

What is a medley relay/free relay? The medley relay starts with the lead-off swimmer swimming backstroke, then the next swimmer swims breaststroke, followed by a butterflier, and, finally, a freestylist. In a free relay, all swimmers swim freestyle. A relay team for 11-12s, 13-14s, or 15-18s can have no more than 2 boys.

What is a DQ? Indicates that a swimmer has been disqualified during a particular event. See the next section for a list of the most common reasons a swimmer is DQ’d. The coaches will review the DQ cards and help the swimmer correct their error during the next regularly scheduled practice. DQ’s are a learning tool and are designed to help swimmers know what they need to work on.

What is the Clerk of Course? Represents the area of the pool (during a swim meet) where the swimmers are told which lane and heat they will swim in. All swimmers must listen to hear their event number called by the meet announcer and then report to the clerk of course in order to get ready to swim. Clerk of Course is located in the baby pool area at Smoketree. Mite 

How do we know what event we are on? The announcer will announce events. Help your swimmer to recognize their event numbers, as they will be the same for each meet.

MOST COMMON DISQUALIFICATIONS (DQ'S)

Freestyle: Almost anything is allowed in freestyle.

• swimmer must make a forward start and must touch the wall at both the turn and finish
• the only DQs are for using the lane lines or the floor of the pool for advancement or for not touching the wall on the turn

Breaststroke: Most common DQs are for:

• the hands and/or legs not being synchronized and parallel with water surface; elbows should remain in the water except at the turn or the finish
• an improper kick (should be “frog kick” with feet turned out; a flutter or butterfly kick is not allowed )
• a one hand touch at the turn or finish line; hands must touch simultaneously
• two strokes or kicks underwater (only one full arm pull and one kick are allowed underwater at the start and at the turn)

Backstroke: Most DQs are for:

• a swimmer turning over to a prone position

Butterfly: Most common DQs are for:

• if the swimmer's arms do not break the surface of the water, it is not considered to be "over the water" and would be cause for a disqualification
• using incorrect kick (breaststroke kick, flutter kick and scissors kick are considered “incorrect”) a one hand touch at the turn or finish line; hands must touch simultaneously

Starts: Most DQs are for:

• 2 “false starts” leaving the starting blocks before the starter gives the start signal
• too many strokes under water (i.e. breaststroke)

Turns: Most DQs are for:

• not touching with 2 hands simultaneously in butterfly and breaststroke

Finish: Most DQs are for:

• not touching with 2 hands simultaneously in butterfly and breaststroke

Relays: Most DQs are for:

• subsequent swimmers starting before previous swimmer touches
• swimming strokes out of order

Individual Medley: Most DQs are for:

• swimming strokes out of order
• stroke or turn infractions for any of the individual strokes