GLOSSARY OF SYNCHRO TERMS
Ballet Leg – A Ballet Leg is a position where the swimmer is “laying” on the surface of the water and one leg is out of the water, perpendicular to her body. A ballet leg requires flexibility, core control, and strong sculling technique.
Boost (also called a Pop or Pop-Up) – A boost is a move when a swimmer uses her strong leg muscles to propel herself straight up out of the water (without touching the bottom of the pool, of course!). Judges look for how high the athletes get out of the water, along with how much control they maintain throughout the move.
Eggbeater – Eggbeater is the alternating, circular movement of the legs that keeps a swimmer’s upper body steady and out of the water during a routine. Some people may think it is simply “treading water,” but it requires much more core than ordinary treading and involves a specific technique – just like the motion of the eggbeater in your kitchen – that allows for athletic and artistic movements above the water.
Execution – Refers to the performance level of the skills demonstrated.
Extension – The amount, degree or range to which something can be stretched to its fullest length. Use of muscular strength to enhance the stretch. In synchronized swimming we often refer to foot extension (toe point), knee extension, split extension and arm extension.
Figures - A figure is a series of synchronized swimming positions performed in sequence. At competitions, swimmers perform figures individually without music in front of a panel of judges. Figures are marked on a 10-point scale (same scale from Novice to Olympic level). Normally 4 figures are done at each competition. The figures for individual swimmers are determined by their level of competition and the age category in which their routines compete. Each level and age category has two compulsory figures that are swum at every competition and six supplementary figures, two of which are chosen for each competition. Supplementary figures are chosen 18-72 hours before the competition. Individual scores for figures are combined with the final routine score to get the overall score for a routine.
Flexibility – The ability to bend or flex. Flexibility is very important in synchronized swimming and is rewarded highly by judges.
Float – Two or more swimmers attached to make a formation on the surface of the water.
Hybrid – A hybrid is a sequence of leg movements performed while the swimmer is underwater in a routine. Hybrids, especially long hybrids, require synchronized swimmers to have a high aerobic capacity as well as flexibility, core control, and strength to maintain muscle control throughout the movement.
Knox – Knox is the gel-like substance in the swimmer’s hair to keep it in place during a routine performance. The swimmer’s hair is put up into a tight bun and then secured with bobby pins and a hairnet. Knox is prepared by mixing packets of unflavored gelatin with hot water to make a gel, which is then combed into and painted onto the hair.
Land Drilling – Swimmers practice their routines out of the water by land drilling. This involves listening to the routine music and moving their arms and body to mimic the way they would move their arms and legs in the water.
Layout – When the body is held flat on the surface with the assistance of a scull. Layouts can be face up (back layout) or face down (front layout).
Lift – A Lift is an exciting move where one athlete is lifted out of the water by her teammates who are still underwater. A lift can be stationary, where the athlete on top remains in contact with her teammates throughout the move, or it can be a “throw lift” where she actually launches away from them, allowing her to dive, flip or do some other move to thrill the judges and the audience. Different types of lifts include platforms and stacks.
Base - anyone underwater, at the bottom of a lift. Swimmers who take a turn as a base quickly learn the strength and coordination needed to propel someone out of the water, all without touching the bottom of the pool!
Flyer - the person on top of a lift who is lifted or thrown out of the water by her teammates.
Nose Clips - A piece of equipment that keeps the water out of your nose.
Patterns – Refers to formations made by the spatial relationship between members of a team.
Pool Pattern – The pathway the swimmer(s) take(s) through the water.
Propulsion Technique – The process by which the swimmer uses her arms and/or legs to move through the water.
Routine - Routines are a series of figures, strokes and arm movements choreographed and performed to music. Lifts and throws are also often incorporated into routines. During routines, swimmers synchronized to both one another and to the music. Routines are performed in front of judges and are scored on a 10-point scale. Scores are given for execution (synchronization and execution), difficulty and artistic impression (choreography, music interpretation, manner of presentation). Types of routines include solos (1 swimmer), duets (2 swimmers), and team routines (4-8 swimmers). Trios (3 swimmers) are allowed at the intermediate and novice levels and combination routines (4-10 swimmers) are allowed at the age group, junior and senior levels. Swimmers may compete in up to 3 routines at competitions.
Combination Routine (also called a Combo) - a special type of team routine featuring 8-10 swimmers that is choreographed to showcase a blend of traditional team swimming and small routine swimming. Any combination of the 10 swimmers may perform different parts of a combo, which opens up some neat possibilities for story-telling and choreography and makes combos both interesting to watch and challenging to perform. Combos used to be done rarely – only at particular meets that allowed them. But USA Synchro has added combos to the Junior Olympics so more teams will now be doing them.
Routine Suit & Headpiece - a swimsuit, often decorated with glitter, rhinestones and/or sequins that a swimmer wears during a routine performance or competition. Routine suits are usually custom made and designed to match the routine’s music selection and choreography, so they can help tell the story. A matching headpiece is typically worn around the bun to complete the look.
Sculling - the propulsive moves a swimmer makes with her hands and forearms. In synchronized swimming, we have about 10 different types of sculls for different purposes. Some enable you to stay stationary while executing a move with your legs; others allow you to spin; still others enable you to travel through the water.
Synchro Age - A swimmer’s competitive age, or “synchro age”, is determined by subtracting her birth year from the competitive year. For example, a swimmer born in 2005 will compete as a 10 year old in 2015 (the 2014-2015 season) competitions.
Synchronization – To swim or execute movements in unison, one with the other and with the music.
Transitions – Connecting movements which enable the swimmer(s) to change from one movement to another; stroke to hybrid; eggbeater to layout; etc.
Underwater – Swimming the length of the pool underwater to practice and build breath control.
Vertical - the position where both legs are together and above the surface of the water. Athletes achieve this difficult position by engaging their core and using the support scull motion with their arms. Many increasingly difficult moves are possible once an athlete has mastered a basic vertical.
Walkout & Deckwork – refers to how the athletes walk out onto the deck when it is their turn to swim a routine at a competition (walkout) and the pose they strike on deck (deckwork). How a team walks out and is not usually judged, but it is the first opportunity for athletes to show judges who they are as a team. Therefore, the athletes will choreograph and practice it just like everything else to make it as impressive as possible. Deckwork is limited to 10 seconds, and all athletes must maintain contact with the deck with at least one extremity, but other than that, teams can be as creative as they want.
Boost (also called a Pop or Pop-Up) – A boost is a move when a swimmer uses her strong leg muscles to propel herself straight up out of the water (without touching the bottom of the pool, of course!). Judges look for how high the athletes get out of the water, along with how much control they maintain throughout the move.
Eggbeater – Eggbeater is the alternating, circular movement of the legs that keeps a swimmer’s upper body steady and out of the water during a routine. Some people may think it is simply “treading water,” but it requires much more core than ordinary treading and involves a specific technique – just like the motion of the eggbeater in your kitchen – that allows for athletic and artistic movements above the water.
Execution – Refers to the performance level of the skills demonstrated.
Extension – The amount, degree or range to which something can be stretched to its fullest length. Use of muscular strength to enhance the stretch. In synchronized swimming we often refer to foot extension (toe point), knee extension, split extension and arm extension.
Figures - A figure is a series of synchronized swimming positions performed in sequence. At competitions, swimmers perform figures individually without music in front of a panel of judges. Figures are marked on a 10-point scale (same scale from Novice to Olympic level). Normally 4 figures are done at each competition. The figures for individual swimmers are determined by their level of competition and the age category in which their routines compete. Each level and age category has two compulsory figures that are swum at every competition and six supplementary figures, two of which are chosen for each competition. Supplementary figures are chosen 18-72 hours before the competition. Individual scores for figures are combined with the final routine score to get the overall score for a routine.
Flexibility – The ability to bend or flex. Flexibility is very important in synchronized swimming and is rewarded highly by judges.
Float – Two or more swimmers attached to make a formation on the surface of the water.
Hybrid – A hybrid is a sequence of leg movements performed while the swimmer is underwater in a routine. Hybrids, especially long hybrids, require synchronized swimmers to have a high aerobic capacity as well as flexibility, core control, and strength to maintain muscle control throughout the movement.
Knox – Knox is the gel-like substance in the swimmer’s hair to keep it in place during a routine performance. The swimmer’s hair is put up into a tight bun and then secured with bobby pins and a hairnet. Knox is prepared by mixing packets of unflavored gelatin with hot water to make a gel, which is then combed into and painted onto the hair.
Land Drilling – Swimmers practice their routines out of the water by land drilling. This involves listening to the routine music and moving their arms and body to mimic the way they would move their arms and legs in the water.
Layout – When the body is held flat on the surface with the assistance of a scull. Layouts can be face up (back layout) or face down (front layout).
Lift – A Lift is an exciting move where one athlete is lifted out of the water by her teammates who are still underwater. A lift can be stationary, where the athlete on top remains in contact with her teammates throughout the move, or it can be a “throw lift” where she actually launches away from them, allowing her to dive, flip or do some other move to thrill the judges and the audience. Different types of lifts include platforms and stacks.
Base - anyone underwater, at the bottom of a lift. Swimmers who take a turn as a base quickly learn the strength and coordination needed to propel someone out of the water, all without touching the bottom of the pool!
Flyer - the person on top of a lift who is lifted or thrown out of the water by her teammates.
Nose Clips - A piece of equipment that keeps the water out of your nose.
Patterns – Refers to formations made by the spatial relationship between members of a team.
Pool Pattern – The pathway the swimmer(s) take(s) through the water.
Propulsion Technique – The process by which the swimmer uses her arms and/or legs to move through the water.
Routine - Routines are a series of figures, strokes and arm movements choreographed and performed to music. Lifts and throws are also often incorporated into routines. During routines, swimmers synchronized to both one another and to the music. Routines are performed in front of judges and are scored on a 10-point scale. Scores are given for execution (synchronization and execution), difficulty and artistic impression (choreography, music interpretation, manner of presentation). Types of routines include solos (1 swimmer), duets (2 swimmers), and team routines (4-8 swimmers). Trios (3 swimmers) are allowed at the intermediate and novice levels and combination routines (4-10 swimmers) are allowed at the age group, junior and senior levels. Swimmers may compete in up to 3 routines at competitions.
Combination Routine (also called a Combo) - a special type of team routine featuring 8-10 swimmers that is choreographed to showcase a blend of traditional team swimming and small routine swimming. Any combination of the 10 swimmers may perform different parts of a combo, which opens up some neat possibilities for story-telling and choreography and makes combos both interesting to watch and challenging to perform. Combos used to be done rarely – only at particular meets that allowed them. But USA Synchro has added combos to the Junior Olympics so more teams will now be doing them.
Routine Suit & Headpiece - a swimsuit, often decorated with glitter, rhinestones and/or sequins that a swimmer wears during a routine performance or competition. Routine suits are usually custom made and designed to match the routine’s music selection and choreography, so they can help tell the story. A matching headpiece is typically worn around the bun to complete the look.
Sculling - the propulsive moves a swimmer makes with her hands and forearms. In synchronized swimming, we have about 10 different types of sculls for different purposes. Some enable you to stay stationary while executing a move with your legs; others allow you to spin; still others enable you to travel through the water.
Synchro Age - A swimmer’s competitive age, or “synchro age”, is determined by subtracting her birth year from the competitive year. For example, a swimmer born in 2005 will compete as a 10 year old in 2015 (the 2014-2015 season) competitions.
Synchronization – To swim or execute movements in unison, one with the other and with the music.
Transitions – Connecting movements which enable the swimmer(s) to change from one movement to another; stroke to hybrid; eggbeater to layout; etc.
Underwater – Swimming the length of the pool underwater to practice and build breath control.
Vertical - the position where both legs are together and above the surface of the water. Athletes achieve this difficult position by engaging their core and using the support scull motion with their arms. Many increasingly difficult moves are possible once an athlete has mastered a basic vertical.
Walkout & Deckwork – refers to how the athletes walk out onto the deck when it is their turn to swim a routine at a competition (walkout) and the pose they strike on deck (deckwork). How a team walks out and is not usually judged, but it is the first opportunity for athletes to show judges who they are as a team. Therefore, the athletes will choreograph and practice it just like everything else to make it as impressive as possible. Deckwork is limited to 10 seconds, and all athletes must maintain contact with the deck with at least one extremity, but other than that, teams can be as creative as they want.