Five Swimming Definitions to Help You Understand Swimming

A swimmer's pocket dictionary.

Whatever hobby you’re pursuing, you’ve probably noticed that each interest comes with its own vocabulary. Part of becoming immersed in a new skill means adopting the identity that comes with it – for example, to become a good dancer you have to view yourself as a “dancer” at some point. It’s no less true with swimming, where there are so many uniquely-swimming terms that it might even constitute its own language. Let’s take a look at just five of those words and definitions.

Sculling: Sculling refers to a simple motion using a wide, sweeping motion with your hands, propelling you forward through the pool. When you’re sculling, much of your success and speed will actually depend on your hands – the angle they’re pushing through the water and the speed at which they’re doing it. Sculling is usually accompanied by a kick.
Sprint and sight: Many of you might be able to guess what this means simply by looking at the term itself. A “sprint and sight” swim usually refers to freestyle swimming, moving yourself quickly forward while taking frequent “peaks” ahead in order to spot an object like a buoy. Typically, this “sight” will take place every five strokes or so. Spring and sight usually applies to open water.
Rest interval: Only in an exhausting sport like swimming do you need a special term for the rest you take, which is often as important as the swimming you’re doing in the water. Also known as an “RI,” a rest interval is what you’ll take between repetitions during a workout. There are most likely differing opinions as to how long your rest interval should take.
Rhythm drill: Although it sounds like swimming to music, the rhythm drill simply refers to the way you’re swimming in the water: once you know the single-arm freestyle, you should be able to try two strokes with your right arm, followed by two strokes with your left arm, and then alternating in a similar pattern. This is a great way to build up strength in both arms.
Warm-down: The opposite of a warm-up, the warm-down is another way of saying “cool down.” If you try to ignore the temperature-related words, think of a “warm-down” as coming back to your resting state after a tough swim.

Of course, these definitions only scratch the surface of the swimming vocabulary. If you’re really interested in swimming, there’s no doubt that you’ll pick up others as you go along.

Photo Credits: dyoz

Originally posted 2009-08-17 03:33:35.

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