If you're not a former swimmer, each of the strokes and their rules can be confusing. Most people do not have a copy of the USA Swimming Rules, so we'll briefly describe the strokes below. The rules below are the USA Swimming rules as modified for use our swim league.

Freestyle

The freestyle is defined as any means of swimming across the pool. Any stroke and kick are acceptable. There are, however, a few don'ts associated with this stroke, specifically: (1) You cannot walk on or spring from the bottom or pull yourself along using the lane lines, and (2) In a 50 meter / yard race (two pool lengths) you must touch the wall at the end of the first pool length before touching the wall at the 50 meter / yard end. Not doing so can result in a DQ, or disqualify the swimmer.

Backstroke

Like the freestyle, almost anything goes on the backstroke as long as you stay on your back. Swimmers will learn to guide off the lane lines, use the overhead backstroke flags and the lane line markings to know where they're at in the pool, and count strokes from the flags to the wall.

Backstroke starts are different from all others because the swimmer is in the water feet planted against the wall, and hanging on to either another swimmer's legs or the lip of the pool awaiting the starter's signal. "Legs" must be grabbed below the knee. Persons serving in an official capacity (such as timers or coaches) may not serve as legs.

If your swimmer is a backstroker, he or she will eventually learn the backstroke flip turn. This is the one exception to staying on your back and can be used only as part of a turn (not a finish) at the pool wall.

Breaststroke

The breaststroke has two components, the kick, and the arm pull. The pull and its recovery must both be under the breast and cannot extend further back than the waist area. The kick is a "frog" kick and the toes must be pointed outward during the propulsive part of the kick. The arm pull and kick must be in an alternating sequence and the elbows must stay below the water except for tagging the wall at the finish. Breaststroke turns and finishes require a simultaneous two-hand touch.

Butterfly

The fly is the hardest stroke for most swimmers to perfect. There are two components of the fly; the arm pull, and the kick. The arm pull must be an over the water recovery (elbows breaking the surface of the water) with the arms moving simultaneously. The kick is a dolphin-style kick with both legs moving simultaneously. Unlike the breaststroke, there is no requirement to alternate the kick and pull. Turns and finishes require a simultaneous two-hand touch at the wall.

Disqualifications (DQs)

In swimming, the rules must be followed in total or risk disqualification (DQ) is committed. This can be traumatic the first time a swimmer is DQ'd for just one mistake, but it isn't fair to other swimmers who swim the entire race per the rules to do otherwise. A DQ is any violation of the rules observed by any appropriate official. Some of the more common reasons for DQ-ing are as follows.

Freestyle

• The swimmer fails to touch the wall at the turning end of the pool.
• The swimmer walks on or springs from the bottom or pulls on the lane lines.
• The swimmer exits the pool before swimming the specified distance.

Backstroke

• The swimmer flips vertically towards the breast at any time except during a flip turn.
• The swimmer leaves the wall after a flip turn and flips vertically towards the breast.
• The swimmer completes an improper flip turn (older swimmers).

Breaststroke

• The swimmer produces an incorrect kick, such as a scissor kick or flutter kick.
• The swimmer completes a non-simultaneous two-hand touch or one-hand touch at turn or finish.
• The swimmer’s toes were not pointed outward during the propulsive part of the kick.
• The swimmer completes more than one stroke underwater with arms fully extended at the start or turn.
• The swimmer attempts an arm recovery past the waist (except on the first stroke) after start or turn.
• The swimmer’s head didn't break the surface by the conclusion of a second arm pull underwater after a start or after a turn.

Butterfly

• The swimmer produces a non-simultaneous or one-handed wall touch at the turn or finish.
• The swimmer shows a non-simultaneous leg movement during kicks.
• The swimmer’s arms don't break the water’s surface during recovery (judged at the elbows).
• The swimmer attempts a non-simultaneous arm movement during recovery.

Relay Races

• The swimmer leaves the deck before the previous swimmer touches the wall or deck.

False Start

• The swimmer starts the race early (more details below).

How will I know a DQ has occurred?

Unlike football, we don't blow a whistle and announce to the world that a rules violation occurred. When a Stroke and Turn Judge observes a violation, he raises his hand to signify that he has observed a violation and then writes it up on a DQ slip. The judge then takes the slip to the referee, who verifies that rule has been broken and can question the stroke and turn the judge to ensure that he was able to see the violation that was cited. The referee then gives one copy of the DQ slip to the Team Rep and another copy to the Table Workers. Another clue that a DQ has occurred is a Stroke and Turn Judge writing and a longer than a normal pause between events.

Disqualifications for early relay takeoffs are done slightly differently. The referee receives all the take-off slips from all the judges. If both judges on a lane agree that an early takeoff occurred, the Referee will stand over the lane that the team being DQ’d swam in and raise his hand.

Commissioner: Lisa Gebbia
swimming@daagators.org