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Swimming Rules
These are the rules for
each of the swimming categories:
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Backstroke |
Start:
The backstroke start is used. The head must
break the surface by the 15-meter mark.
Stroke Cycle: The shoulders must be
past vertical toward back throughout the
race except at turn. The swimmer must remain
on their back and may not be completely
submerged except at the touch and the
finish.
On the turn and finish: Shoulders may
turn past vertical as part of a continuous
turning action at the turn only. Continuous
single or simultaneous double arm pull may
be used to execute turn, any kicking or
gliding must be part of the turning action.
Swimmer must be past vertical toward back
when he/she leaves the wall.
Common Violations: Submerged past the
15M mark; getting artificial assistance
(pulling on lane ropes or pushing off the
sides); shoulders past vertical toward
breast (not on back); non-continuous turn;
independent kicks or pulls during the turn;
no touch on the turn. |
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Breaststroke |
Start: The forward start is used. Swimmer is permitted one full arm pull (beyond
hipline) and one kick while submerged at the start and after turns; head must
break the surface by the widest part of the 2nd stroke (before hands turn
inward).
Stroke Cycle: Arm pulls shall be in same horizontal plane (parallel to water
surface). Hands shall be pushed forward from the breast on or under the water
(elbows must remain in water except at turn or finish). Stroke cycle consists of
one arm pull and one kick in that order; the head must break water surface at
least once each cycle. Swimmer's leg motions must be simultaneous; feet must be
turned out in downward propulsive part of kick. No flutter or butterfly kick is
allowed.
On the turn & finish: a simultaneous two-hand touch is required. On turn,
shoulders must be past vertical toward the breast when swimmer leaves wall.
Common Violations: Two strokes or kicks underwater; alternating kick; scissors
kick; butterfly kick; arms not moving in the same horizontal plane;
out-of-cycle; over water recovery; non-simultaneous or one-hand touch. |
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Butterfly |
Start: The forward start is used. The
swimmer is allowed one arm pull and as many
kicks as desired at the start and turn, but
the head must surface by the 15-meter mark.
The first arm pull must bring the swimmer to
the surface.
Stroke Cycle: The arms must pull and
recover simultaneously, with forward arm
motions over the water surface. The up and
down movement of the legs and feet must be
simultaneous. Breaststroke or flutter kicks
are not allowed.
On the turn and finish: At the turns
& the finish, both hands must touch
simultaneously, but do not have to be on the
same level. At the turn, shoulders must be
past vertical toward the breast when swimmer
leaves the wall.
Common Violations: The swimmer being
submerged past the 15 meter mark;
alternating kick; scissors kick;
non-simultaneous arm stroke; underwater
recovery; non-simultaneous or one-hand
touch. |
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Freestyle |
Start: The forward start is used. The
Swimmer's head must surface by the 15-meter
mark.
Stroke Cycle: Any stroke can be used,
except in the relay where a stroke can not
be repeated. No pulling on the lane lines,
walking or pushing forward off the bottom of
pool.
On the turn & finish: Some part of
the swimmer must touch the wall at the turn
and the finish.
Common Violations: Submerged past the
15-meter mark; no touch on the turn; walking
on or pushing off the bottom of the pool;
getting artificial assistance (pulling on
the lane ropes or pushing off the sides). |
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Individual / Relay Medley |
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The Individual Medley is swum in the
following order: Butterfly, Backstroke,
Breaststroke, and Freestyle. The Medley
Relay is swum in the following order:
Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and
Freestyle. |
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