2005-09-27
From the Officials Point of View
From Judy Gillies, Delegate to USMS Convention
Since US Masters is hosting the XI World Championship at Stanford, August 4-17 FINA has made some rule changes that we all need to know about. FINA is the governing body for world swimming events. These rule changes were accepted by USA Swimming and Masters at the USMS Convention and went into effect on Sept. 21st, 2005. That is 60 days after FINA approved them. They are:
Breaststroke: Rule 101.2, kick 101.2.3: After the start and after each turn, a single downward butterfly (dolphin) kick followed by a breaststroke kick is permitted while wholly submerged. Following which, all movements of the legs shall be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane without alternating movement.
Interpretation: This just now allows one dolphin kick during the underwater part of the stroke at the start and after each turn. This dolphin kick must follow the start of the pull or at the end of the pull down, while underwater. It must be followed by a breaststroke kick that then brings the swimmer to the surface.
Backstroke Start Rule 101.1.2: All courses- The swimmers shall line up in the water facing the starting end with both hands placed on the gutter or on the starting grips. Standing in or on the gutter, placing the toes over the lip of the gutter or bending the toes over the lip of the gutter before or after the start is prohibited. A backstroke starting block may not be used.
Interpretation: FINA has flat pool walls, with no gutters. The toes are now allowed to be out of the water, because sometimes the water level is too low to have them under the water. In pools with gutters, the toes are still NOT allowed to be curled over the gutter.
If you read the rule book, there are some word changes to the backstroke turn. However, the turn must still be executed in the same manner, and it will be officiated the same as in the past.
Reminder: Just a reminder that over a year ago a rule was accepted that watches are not to be worn during competition. We did have some swimmers in AZ DQ’ed for this at the LC National Meet in Mission Viejo. Please remember to remove your watch before swimming.
As always, if you have any questions about rules, please feel free to ask an official before your event.
Since US Masters is hosting the XI World Championship at Stanford, August 4-17 FINA has made some rule changes that we all need to know about. FINA is the governing body for world swimming events. These rule changes were accepted by USA Swimming and Masters at the USMS Convention and went into effect on Sept. 21st, 2005. That is 60 days after FINA approved them. They are:
Breaststroke: Rule 101.2, kick 101.2.3: After the start and after each turn, a single downward butterfly (dolphin) kick followed by a breaststroke kick is permitted while wholly submerged. Following which, all movements of the legs shall be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane without alternating movement.
Interpretation: This just now allows one dolphin kick during the underwater part of the stroke at the start and after each turn. This dolphin kick must follow the start of the pull or at the end of the pull down, while underwater. It must be followed by a breaststroke kick that then brings the swimmer to the surface.
Backstroke Start Rule 101.1.2: All courses- The swimmers shall line up in the water facing the starting end with both hands placed on the gutter or on the starting grips. Standing in or on the gutter, placing the toes over the lip of the gutter or bending the toes over the lip of the gutter before or after the start is prohibited. A backstroke starting block may not be used.
Interpretation: FINA has flat pool walls, with no gutters. The toes are now allowed to be out of the water, because sometimes the water level is too low to have them under the water. In pools with gutters, the toes are still NOT allowed to be curled over the gutter.
If you read the rule book, there are some word changes to the backstroke turn. However, the turn must still be executed in the same manner, and it will be officiated the same as in the past.
Reminder: Just a reminder that over a year ago a rule was accepted that watches are not to be worn during competition. We did have some swimmers in AZ DQ’ed for this at the LC National Meet in Mission Viejo. Please remember to remove your watch before swimming.
As always, if you have any questions about rules, please feel free to ask an official before your event.
