Event
The length, stroke, and course a race is performed in.

Course
The length of the pool being performed in.

SCY
Short course yards (25 yard pool commonly used for racing in the United States during the fall, winter and spring months of the year)

SCM
Short course meters (25 meter pool commonly used for racing in places other than the United States during the fall, winter and spring months of the year)

LCM
Long course meters (50 meter pool commonly used for racing worldwide during the summer months of the year)

Total Time
From the starting signal of the race to the swimmer’s final touch of the last wall.

Reaction Time
From starting signal of the race to the point the last foot leaves the starting block (or wall in the case of the backstroke start).

Start Breakout Time
From the point the last foot leaves the starting block, to the point the hands separate from the streamline position to initiate the first pull.

Turn Time
Free and Back Turn Time: From the point the head either lifts or drops to begin the somersault to the point the last foot leaves the wall.

Fly and Breast Turn Time: From the point the hands contact the wall either to the point the feet leave the wall.

Turn Breakout Time
From the point the last foot leaves the wall, to the point the hands separate from the streamline position to initiate the first pull. This includes kickups, long pullouts and transitions which move a swimmer to the point of breakout.

During the breaststroke long pullout a 4.2 to 5.2 second period of time is recommend. The more explosive a swimmer is, and the more potential for fast speed throughout the pullout, the longer the time period the swimmer can afford up to the 5.2 second cutoff.

Cycles
Freestyle and Backstroke: 2 full strokes
Butterfly and Breaststroke: 1 full strokes

Cycles Per Length
The number of cycles that are performed in one length of the pool. This can be expressed in full or half cycles (such as 6.5 cycles).

Cycle Rate
The time It takes to complete a single cycle.