Introduction to

swimming

What is Swimming?
- The action of propelling oneself
through water with one's arms and legs
History of swimming
- In early 2500 BCE, Archaeological and other evidence shows swimming to have been practiced in Egypt
and thereafter in Assyrian, Greek, and Roman civilizations.

- In Greece and Rome swimming was a part of martial training and was, with the alphabet, also part of
elementary education for males.

- In 1st century BCE, the Orient swimming shows some evidence of swimming races then in Japan.

- By the 17th century an imperial edict had made the teaching of swimming compulsory in the schools.

- In the 19th century, organized swimming events were held before Japan was opened to the Western
World.

In the 1st century BCE, the Romans build swimming pools, distinct from their baths. The Roman Gaius
Maecenas is said to have built the first heated swimming pool.
TERMINOLOGIES
IN SWIMMING
Terminologies in swimming
EQUIPMENT /GEAR
CAP - A material that covers the head.
GOGGLES - Equipment that goes over the
eye.
KICKBOARD - A swim equipment that
floats on the waters surface and is used
for kick and drill sets.
SWIM BAG - A swim bag holds dry
equipment/gear.
POOL SPECIFIC SWIMMING TERMINOLOGY
BACKSTROKE FLAGS - A series of flags stretched
out across the width of the pool at both ends.
DECK - The area surrounding the pool.
LANE LINES - Stretch of rope or wire.
LANE - Two lane lines or a lane line and a wall can
make up a lane.
LAP - Swimming down and back the length of the
pool.
WALL - Place in the pool where a swimmer will
start, finish, and turn.
Terminologies in swimming
STROKES
BACKSTROKE - A stroke swam on the back and
that starts in the water.
BREASTSTROKE - The kick for the breaststroke
looks like a frog kick.
BUTTERFLY - The legs stay together and form a
kick like a dolphin, and the arms swing forward
over the water together.
FREESTYLE - Also known as a front or forward
crawl.
INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY(IM) - More of a race than
a stroke.
PRACTICE/WORKOUT
CIRCLE SWIMMING - Swim down the right-hand side of the
lane, complete a flip turn, and return on the right-hand side of
the lane.
COOL DOWN - Period of time at the end of a practice or
workout dedicated to flushing out the remaining lactic acid in
the muscles.
DOLPHIN KICK - Used underwater in a streamlined position
when coming off the walls for all strokes except breaststroke.
FLIP TURN - Swimmers approach the wall and from their
stomachs and complete a forward roll.
OPEN TURN(two-hand turn) - You do not flip (like in the flip
turn), but rather, pivot on the wall.
STREAMLINE - The action of pushing off the wall.
WARM-UP - Period of time at the start of a practice
dedicated to loosening up the muscles.
 PRINCIPLES OF
SWIMMING
- Swimming is a highly technical sport, and the principles of movement are
crucial to achieving efficiency and speed in the water.

- In addition to that, the "FOUR B'S" in swimming principles are a way to

remember key elements that contribute to efficient and effective
swimming. These principles help swimmers maintain good form and
improve their overall performance. The "FOUR B'S" are as follows:
Principles of movement in
swimming

Breath Control Buoyancy Balance Body Position

These four are just foundational principles, so here are

the additional principles of movement in swimming;
 Principles of movement in
swimming
Kick Efficiency Rhythm and Timing Breaststroke
Pullout
Stroke Technique Flexibility
Open-Water
Starts and Turns Mental Focus Navigation

Underwater Phases Recovery and Rest

Principles of movement in
swimming
These additional principles of movement, combined
with the "FOUR BS," contribute to a comprehensive
understanding of the techniques and strategies involved
in swimming. Swimmers can apply these principles to
improve their performance and achieve their goals in
water.
FACILITIES AND
EQUIPMENTS
 Facilities
Fiberglass pool shells are beautiful,
comfortable, and enjoyable, but they
must also withstand weather, salt,
chemicals, and swimmers.

Pool and beach lifeguard chairs give a

specific, comfortable position for monitoring
swimmer safety. A lifeguard chair is
necessary in pool facilities that require an
elevated platform for appropriate bather
monitoring.
 Facilities
A diving platform or diving tower
Diving Platform
is a type of structure used for
or Diving Tower
competitive diving.

A swimming pool, often known as a swimming bath,

wading pool, or just pool, is a facility built to store
water for swimming or other leisure activities. Pools
can be constructed into the ground (in-ground Swimming Pool
pools) or aboveground (as a freestanding structure
or as part of a building or other bigger structure), and
can be seen on ocean liners and cruise ships.
 Facilities
The pace clocks serve as a giant
stopwatch that runs continuously.
Traditionally, pace clocks are used to
time swims, time rest intervals, and to
Pace Clocks
keep each swimmer separated from
other swimmers in a lane. Pace clocks
can be digital or analog.
 Equipments
Swimmers utilize swimming starting blocks to get a
race started. Swimmers launch themselves into the
water and begin swimming forward from these
Swimming Starter
starting blocks. Every Olympic-sized pool contains
these starting blocks because swimmers must
practice diving off of them on a regular basis to
increase their efficiency.

A lap counter for swimming is helpful for keeping

track of a swimmer's laps. Lap counters are used by
swimmers, coaches, and officials to keep track of
how many laps a swimmer has done. They're great Swimming Lap
for keeping track of yards or meters at a swim meet
or just recalling how much a swimmer finished during Counter
a practice session.
 Equipments
Swimming headphones are waterproof
headphones that swimmers use in their ears.
Swimming earplugs cannot be used in conjunction Swimming
with them. Swimming headphones are often
Headphones
Bluetooth-enabled, allowing the phone playing
music to stay close and outside of the pool.

A swim cap is a plastic elastic cap that fits over a

swimmer's head. Swimmers use hats to protect their
hair from getting too wet, but it will still get little
damp. Swimmers will also cover their hair with swim Swimming Cap
caps to improve their aerodynamics. These aid in
swimming speed and are worn by all competitive
swimmers during competitions.
 Equipments
Swimmers use swimming goggles to protect their eyes
from the water and chlorine in swimming pools.
Swimmers use goggles to allow them to keep their Swimming Goggles
eyes open while underwater. Swimmers prefer to keep
their eyes open underwater in order to see where they
are going and to swim in a straight path.

-All individuals, both on the pool deck and in the

swimming pool, must wear proper swim attire.
-Infants and toddlers are required to wear swim diaper.
-Individuals can wear clean cotton t-shirt and sarongs on Swim Wear
the pool deck only. They must also wear proper swim
attire underneath these clothing items.
-Underwear and other undergarments are not allowed to
be worn under swimsuits.
WATER SAFETY RULES
AND REGULATIONS IN
SWIMMING
ACKNOWLEDGE THE SIGNS PLAY CAREFULLY
-Follow the safety instructions that - You must behave appropriately in and
have been posted. around the pool area.

WALK, DO NOT RUN DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL

- Never run around on the pool deck. - Alcohol slows your reaction time and may
put you to sleep.

BE AWARE OF SUCTION HAZARDS BE AWARE OF NATURAL HAZARDS

- Pool drains and skimmers should never be - Lakes, Rivers, and Oceans may harbor
tampered with. unknown dangers.
WATCH FOR UNDERWATER TRAPS
- Some railings, ladders or removable pool TAKE A FIRST AID COURSE
equipment can create small spaces where people
can become trapped underwater.

WEAR LIFE JACKETS/PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE

(PFDs)
- Always wear life jackets or PFDs on boats or rocks.
Thank you