Sports Glossaries
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artistic impression

One of the categories by which synchronized swimming is judged. It encompasses choreography and the use of movement to interpret the mood of the music.

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back layout

A position in which the body is extended with the face, chest, thighs, and feet at the surface. Head, hips and ankles should be in line.

back pike

A position in which the body is bent at the hips to form a 45-degree angle or less and the legs and trunk extended, with the back straight and the head in line.

ballet leg

A position in which one leg is extended perpendicular to the water surface, while the body is in a back layout position.

ballet leg double

A position in which both legs are extended perpendicular to the water surface, with the swimmer's face at the surface.

boost

A move in which the swimmer rises rapidly out of the water, head first, bringing as much of the body as possible above the surface.

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cadence action

A sequence of identical movements performed by all team members, individually and in rapid succession.

combined spin

A descending spin of 360 degrees or more followed immediately by an equal ascending spin. Compare reverse combined spin.

continuous spin

A descending spin with a rapid rotation through 720 degrees or more; i.e., two complete revolutions of the body.

crane

A position in the body is extended upward and one leg is extended forward at a 90-degree angle.

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deckwork

Movements performed on the deck of the pool, as part of a routine, before the athletes enter the water. Limited to 10 seconds in international competition.

degree of difficulty

A multiplier assigned to a figure for scoring purposes. E.g., if the degree of difficulty is 1.2 and the raw score is 6, the final score is 7.2.

descending spin

A 180- or 360-degree spin that begins at the apex of the vertical position and is completed when the heels reach the surface.

dolphin

A move in which the swimmer, from a horizontal position on the surface, submerges headfirst and swims down and under, re-emerging at the original location.

dolphin arch

A position in which the body is arched so that the head, hips and feet conform to the arc.

duet

An event in which two athletes swim together.

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eggbeater

Rapid rotary action of the legs, which supports and propels the upper body while in an upright position, leaving the arms free.

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figure

A specific combination of body positions and transitions, performed in a prescribed manner.

figures

A portion of the competition in which swimmers have to perform a series of highly technical movements.

flamingo

A position in which one leg is extended perpendicular to the surface while the other leg is drawn up to the chest. The lower leg is parallel to the surface and the face is at the surface.

float

A formation on the water surface in which two to eight swimmers are connected horizontally.

free routine

A routine that's planned and choreographed by the competitors and their coaches, done to music, and limited to five minutes plus or minus 15 seconds.

front layout

A position in which the body is extended, with the head, upper back, buttocks and heels at the surface. The face may be in or out of the water.

front pike

A position in which the body is bent at the hips to form a 90-degree angle and the legs and trunk are extended, with the back straight and the head in line.

full twist

A 360-degree rotation of the body around its vertical axis.

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gel

To hold uniform hairstyles in place and to keep their hair out of their eyes, swimmers use a specially formulated waterproof hair gel.

grand slam

The feat of winning first place in every event at a meet, typically solo, duet, and team competition.

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half twist

A 180-degree rotation of the body around its vertical axis.

hybrid figure

A combination of various body positions and transitions with parts of figures.

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level

The location of the body in relation to the water surface.

lift

A move in which one or more swimmers lift a swimmer or swimmers above the surface.

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nose clip

A device that holds the nostrils closed to keep water out of the swimmer's nasal cavity while underwater.

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pattern

A formation of team members in which they are all in the same position or in alternating positions.

pool pattern

The swimmer's path through the water.

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required elements

Eight to ten fixed figures that must be performed by in the technical routine.

reverse combined spin

An ascending spin of 360 degrees or more followed immediately by an equal descending spin. Compare combined spin.

rocket split

A move combining a thrust to the vertical position and a rapid leg split, followed by a return to maximum height in the vertical position.

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scull

Continuous movement of the hands in the water to balance and support the body.

spin

Rotation about the body's vertical axis while in the vertical position.

split

A position in which one leg is extended forward, the other backward, with the feet and thighs at the surface. The lower back is arched and the hips, shoulders and head are in a vertical line in the water.

solo

An event in which individual swimmers compete against one another.

surface arch

A position in which the lower back is arched, with the hips, shoulders and head on a vertical line. the legs together and at the surface.

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team

There are ten swimmers on a team, only eight of whom swim in a routine. Different sets of eight athletes may swim in the technical routine and the free routine.

technical merit

One of the categories by which synchronized swimming is judged. It's based primarily on the ability of the athletes to execute certain movements with precision.

technical routine

A routine in which required elements must be performed in a specific sequence. It lasts two minutes and 50 seconds.

thrust

A move in which the swimmer begins in the back pike position, with the legs perpendicular to the surface, then moves the legs and hips rapidly upward, unrolling the body to to assume the vertical position.

trio

An event in which three swimmers work together as a team.

tub

A position in which the legs are bent and together, the feet and knees are at the surface and parallel to it, the thighs are perpendicular, and the face is at the surface, with the head in line with trunk.

tuck

A position in which the knees are brought nearly to the head, with the heels close to the buttocks and the back rounded.

twirl

A rapid 180-degree twist.

twist

A rotation of the body at sustained height.

twist spin

A move combining a half-twist with a continuous spin, in rapid succession.

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vertical position

A position in which the body is extended perpendicular to the surface with the head down and the legs together. Head, hips and ankles should be in line.

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walkout front

A move in which the swimmer starts in the split position, lifts the front leg in a 180-degree arc over the surface to meet the other leg, and then continues into the back layout position.

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