What's An Interval, Anyway???
Swimming has it's own special language. This glossary will help new swimmers understand that odd-sounding jargon they might encounter during a practice session And no the coach is not talking in tongues
Swimming, like every other vocation and specialized subject, has its own jargon, its own lingo. If you've been swimming for a while, that jargon has become second nature to you.
Take, for example, the sentence:
We did a set of 10x100 on the 1:30, negative-splitting each 100 and descending the set.
Huh?
For the swimming veteran, that sentence is crystal clear. For the newer swimmer, however, it is a language that must be confusing and I may be a little bit intimidating... Fear not, new swimmer! Understanding the language of swimmers is actually quite simple, once you become acquainted with the more common terms. To help you along the path to aquatic enlightenment, we've developed the following SPP Glossary.
10 X 100
This number describes the number of sets times the distance of each set. The pool is 25 yards long. If you were to swim from one end of the pool to the other end, you have completed 1x25. If you were to make it a round trip and swim from one side to the pool and back you have swum 50 yards, or 1x50. If you were to swim 2 round trips then you have swum 100 yards or 1x100. If you were to swim 100 yards ten times, then you have done 10x100!
ASCENDING INTERVAL
A set during which the interval (swim time plus rest) increases with each repeat. An ascending interval set of 5x100 may have send-offs at 1:40, 1:45, 1:50, 1:55, and 2:00.
ASCENDING SET
A series of swims of the same distance whereby the swim time increases with each successive repeat. The swimmer's times on an ascending set of 4x50 on a 1:00 minute interval may be :40, :42, :44, :46.
BILATERAL BREATHING or Breathing on Both Sides
The process of breathing on alternate sides during freestyle, or breathing in a pattern of odd-numbered single arms strokes, such as breathing every third or fifth stroke.
On the Bottom
The reading on a pace clock corresponds to a second reading of "30". Typically a coach will instruct swimmers to leave (begin) "on the bottom" or "on the 30". Also, see "Top"
BUILD
Specific distances over which the rate of speed is gradually increased. For a build-up 100 yard swim, the swimmer starts at a slow speed, gradually building to a maximum or the near-maximum speed at the end of the 100.
Step Down
The specific distance over which the rate of speed gradually decreases or slows down. The pace or speed starting faster pace and ending that distance slower.
CIRCLE PATTERN SWIMMING
An oval-shaped path followed in a lane that will accommodate multiple swimmers. In the United States, circle pattern swimming implies swimming on the right-hand side of the lane at all times no matter what direction you are going in the pool mIn other parts of the world swimmers use the left-hand side of the lane.
CYCLE
A series of sets. Multiple sets swum one after another comprises a cycle. An example of a complete cycle would be swimming 2x100, followed by 4x100, followed by 8x50.
DESCENDING INTERVAL
A set during which the interval (swim time plus rest) decreases with each repeat. A descending-interval set of 5x100 may have send-offs of 2:00, 1:55, 1:50, 1:45 and 1:40.
DESCENDING SET
A series of swims of the same distance whereby the swim time decreases with each successive repeat. The swimmer's times on a descending set of 4x50 on 1:00 may be :46, :44, :42, :40.
DRAFTING
Swimming in the wake or behind another swimmer. It has been proven that a swimmer benefits by swimming roughly 10 meters or less behind or next to a leading swimmer.
DRILL
An exercise designed primarily to improve the technique of a swimmer. Many drills focus on a single aspect of a stroke or stroke technique. Often Coach may say Drill 25, then Swim 25 which means do a drill stroke for 25 yards, then do the full stroke for the next 25 yards.
EVEN SPLIT
Swimming the first and second halves of a swim in identical times.
INTERVAL
A specific time period that includes both the active swimming and subsequent rest. A set of 10x50 yards on an interval of 1:00 means that the swimmer leaves from the starting wall every minute. If it takes the swimmer 45 seconds to complete 50 yards, the rest following the swim is 15 seconds.
KICKING
Propelling by use of the legs only. Kicking sets or exercises often include the use of kickboards and/or fins.
LACTATE TOLERANCE TRAINING
Training during which the body experiences a lack of oxygen, resulting in the production of lactic acid. During the production of lactic acid, the swimmer typically experiences a burning or aching sensation in the muscles.
LAP/LENGTH
In swimming, a lap may refer to either one or two lengths of the pool. A length is a distance from one side of the pool to the other, typically 25 yards or 50 meters. Coaches and swimmers communicate in terms of "lengths" rather than "laps" to eliminate any confusion over intended distances.
NEGATIVE SPLIT
A swim during which the second half is completed faster than the first half.
PULLING or All Gear
A swim during which only the arms are used. Pulling generally implies the use of a pull buoy, a flotation device placed between the legs. Hand Paddles and fins are also often used.
RACE PACE TRAINING or All Out
Swimming in a workout that simulates the speed at which a swimmer will compete.
REST INTERVAL
A specified amount of rest between two swims in a set. A set of 5x200 with a 1:00 rest interval means that a swimmer rests for 1:00 after the conclusion of each 200 regardless of the 200 swim time.
SEND-OFF
Similar to the interval, a send-off of 2:00 means that the swimmer starts each swims two minutes apart. Send-off may also refer to the actual position or reading on a pace clock, such as a send-off on the "top" or "bottom".
SET
A number of repetitive swims (repeats) at specific distances that typically involve an interval or rest interval. There is virtually a limitless number of sets that vary in the number of repeats, distance or repeats, and rest or swim interval. An example of a basic set is 10x100 yard swims on a 1:30 interval.
Open Water swim
SPLIT
The time for a portion of a race or swim. Also called "Split Time".
STREAMLINING
The method of aligning the body so as to reduce resistance in the water.
STROKE DRILL
See "Drill"
TAPER
Training period designed to produce a peak performance by a swimmer in a competition. A taper generally follows a higher-intensity phase or phases and is a phase during which a swimmer grows stronger through rest and recovery.
TOP
The reading on a pace clock corresponds to a second reading of "0" or "60". Typically, a coach will instruct swimmers to leave (begin) "on the top" or "on the 60".
Recovery Swim or Active Recovery
Exercising with gradually diminishing intensity immediately after a bout of vigorous exercise; facilitates lactate and metabolic waste removal by maintaining blood flow in muscles during recovery.
WARM-DOWN or Cool-Down
Easy to moderate swimming following an intensive effort or race. The purpose is to rid the body of excess lactic acid and to reduce heart rate and respiration. May also be referred to as "recovery swimming" or "active rest".
WARM-UP
A period of swimming designed to acclimate the swimmer for a workout or a race. During warm-up, a swimmer generally experiences an increase in heart rate and respiration.
*inspired by the Long Beach Grunions Post