Yeti Swimming Essentials: A Guide to Key Terms

Pool Terminology

• Deck: The area around the pool.
• Lane Line: The dividers used to separate each lane.
• Lap Counter: A device used to count laps in long-distance races.
• Starting Blocks: Platforms from which swimmers dive to start a race.

Underwater Techniques

• Yeti Streamline: The most efficient and tight streamline position used underwater to reduce drag and increase speed.
• Underwater Dolphin (Body Action): Used after starts and turns to gain speed underwater, focusing on core and glute engagement.
• Push-Off: The action of pushing off the wall after a turn or start, in a tight streamline position.

Stroke Techniques

• Dolphin (Body Action): Used in underwater phases, engaging core and glute muscles for propulsion.
• Freestyle: A front crawl swim stroke.
• Backstroke: A swimming stroke performed on the back.
• Breaststroke: A swim stroke where the arms move in a half-circle simultaneously while the legs perform a frog kick.
• Butterfly: A swim stroke where both arms move symmetrically, accompanied by a dolphin (body action) kick.
• Catch: The phase of the stroke where the hand grabs the water.
• High Elbow: Technique in freestyle and butterfly to improve the pull phase.
• Early Vertical Forearm (EVF): Technique in freestyle and butterfly to maximize propulsion.
• Stroke Finish: Where the hand finishes on or relative to your leg.

Turns and Starts

• Flip Turn: A turn used in freestyle and backstroke where the swimmer somersaults before pushing off the wall.
• Open Turn: A turn where the swimmer touches the wall with their hand and then turns.
• T-Start: A specific technique used to start a swim from a stationary position.

Training and Drills

• Alternate Breathing: Breathing on both sides in freestyle, usually every three strokes.
• Arm Pull: The movement of the arm during a stroke.
• Circle Swimming: Swimming in a lane with others, staying to the right side.
• Descend: A set where each repetition gets faster.
• Endurance Set: A workout to improve stamina.
• Individual Medley (IM): A race where a swimmer swims all four strokes: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle.
• Negative Split: Swimming the second half of a race faster than the first half.
• Over Distance Training: Training with distances longer than the race distance.
• Recovery: The phase of the stroke where the arm returns to the starting position.
• Streamline: The position used underwater to reduce drag and increase speed.
• Taper: Reducing training before a major competition.
• Vertical Kick: Kicking in an upright position.

Competition Terms

• Heat: A group of swimmers competing in the same event at the same time.
• Lane: The individual sections of a pool where swimmers compete.
• Meet: A swimming competition.
• Seed Time: The time a swimmer is entered with, used to determine their placement in heats.
• Split: The time it takes to swim a portion of a race.
• Scratch: Withdrawing from an event.

Relay Terms

• Anchor: Last swimmer in a relay.
• Takeover: The changeover from one swimmer to another in a relay.

Timing and Pace

• Interval: The time allotted to swim a set distance plus rest.
• Pace: The speed at which a swimmer is swimming.
• Tempo: The rhythm or rate of a swimmer's strokes.
• Lap: One length of the pool.
• Long Course Meters (LCM): A 50-meter pool.
• Short Course Meters (SCM): A 25-meter pool.
• Short Course Yards (SCY): A 25-yard pool.