| Consideration or Qualification Time |
The slowest entry time for a particular event that the organisers of a gala will consider. |
| DQ or Disc |
Abbreviation for disqualified on results sheets and time cards |
| Drill |
A particular way of swimming during training. Designed to improve technique. |
| Entry Time |
The time submitted by the club for a swimmer being entered in a gala. If entries are made well in advance, the entry time may not be the swimmers current personal best. |
| False Start |
When, in a competition, a competitor dives or falls into the water before the starting signal is given. When this happens, the starter may re-call the swimmers in extenuating circumstances, but usually it is one strike and you're out. |
| Form Stroke |
One of the three strokes having specific requirements. (ie 200m, Breaststroke, Butterfly or Backstroke). Freestyle is not a Form Stroke but is used for distance events, such as 200/400/800 or 1500m depending on the swimmers age and sex. |
| Heat Declared Winner (HDW) |
When no final is swum and the winner is declared on the times swum in the heats. |
| Individual Medley (I.M) |
The competitor swims all four strokes in the following order:- butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle. |
| Kick |
Swimming without the use of arms (by use of Kickboard/Float). Used in training to strengthen legs and improve "kick" technique for racing purposes. |
| Licensed Meets |
This term has now replaced "designated meets". These are the only meets via which you can qualify for national competitions. |
| Long Course |
Events held in a 50m pool. |
| Lower Qualification Time (LQT) |
The slowest entry time for a particular event that the organisers of a gala will consider. |
| Medley Relay |
Four swimmers each swim a different stroke. The order is always backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle. |
| PB |
A swimmers personal best time for a given event. |
| Pull |
Swimming without the use of legs (by use of Pullbuoy). Used in training to strengthen arms and improve "arm" technique for racing purposes. |
| Upper Qualification Time (QT) |
The fastest entry time for a particular event that the organisers of a gala will consider. |
| Short Course |
Events held in a 25m pool. |
| Squadron Relay |
Usually the last race of a gala. A freestyle relay consisting of one swimmer from each age group or one swimmer of each sex from each age group. |
