Page 22 - 4SSC Handbook 2018

Jargon Buster – a Glossary of Swimming Terms

Term Meaning

Age at Gala A swimmer who competes in the appropriate age group determined by
their age on the 31st December the year of competition.

Age Groups Groups of ages set by the gala/competition organisers. ‘age at end of
year’.

ASA Amateur Swimming Association.

ASA Handbook Contains the ASA Laws, Rules and Regulations.

Backstroke One of the four recognised ASA strokes. Swimmers start the race in the
water and must stay on their backs, except during any turn. ASA technical
rules apply.

Breaststroke One of the four recognised ASA strokes. ASA technical rules apply.

Butterfly One of the four recognised ASA strokes. ASA technical rules apply. Usually

referred to as ‘fly’.

Competitive Start A level of competence in starts and turns that all swimmers have to achieve
Award (ASA) before they are allowed to dive in from the blocks or from the shallow end
of the pool. There is also a pre-competitive start award that allows

swimmers to dive from the blocks at the deep end but does not allow them
to dive from blocks at the shallow end.

Counties A shortened name used for the Oxon and North Bucks Annual
Championships.

County Swimmers need to achieve the ‘accepted’ qualifying times to be

Qualifying Time guaranteed a swim or achieve the ‘considered’ times to be considered for
entry. For the latter slower times may not be accepted depending on the
number of entries.

County Team This is selected by Oxon and North Bucks County ASA. Coaches from each

Club within the County Association nominate swimmers to the County
Selection Committee.

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