In this Issue:
Sometimes it's hard to write up the DQ documentation quickly AND correctly when there are a number of disqualifications that occur. But in order to help with the learning process we're trying to support, it's important that Stroke & Turn officials are as accurate as possible. This is particularly true during the IM - where all 4 strokes are swum. For example, there are many strokes where "shoulders past vertical" is a required element of the stroke:
Butterfly: After the start and each turn, the swimmers shoulders shall be at or past vertical towards the breast.
Backstroke: The swimmer must be at or past vertical towards the back during the swim and at the finish.
Breaststroke: After the final pull into the wall at the turn and finish, the arms no longer need to be in the same horizontal plane, however, the shoulders do have to be at or past vertical towards the breast when the feet leave the wall at each turn and again at the finish
While noting "Shoulders Past Vertical" on the DQ form in a non-IM event would be enough, the documentation for the IM would need to include detail on which stroke the infraction occurred. Also, part of the documentation process includes routing the DQ slip to the coach within a short amount of time after the event so that it could be looked at and get any subsequent questions answered. Host teams should be sure to have a method of delivery of the yellow copy DQ slips to the respective coaches once they've been entered into the results.
Part of the work we do as an official's team includes being consistent heat to heat, event to event and meet to meet. It's important that the things we do during the meet are the same - mostly because we don't want any swimmer to arrive at Champs to find out they've been doing it wrong all season long. For example, we're trying to make sure that the starting procedure is the same across the league and there was clarification regarding the Whistle Start Procedure - specifically, a three whistle sequence is used on backstroke (the third indicating "placement of the feet") rather than the usual two whistle sequence. But this process needs to be balanced with the ability of the swimmers. If you as a starter determine that the third whistle is more confusing than using a "place your feet" voice command, then modify your approach for starting the backstroke events. However, we are relying on the coaches to be working with their swimmers so none of this would come as a surprise.
We also need to be consistent in the protocol for officiating and being in position during the events. This is as true in the freestyle events as it is in any other events. Officials should be walking the length of the pool (as much as possible, and to mirror the official on the other side of the pool) - and on freestyle, officials should put themselves in a position to watch the touch at each end of the pool. Work with your starter/referee on how to best manage this - it may take one official at the start-end and one at the turn-end (both watching all lanes) during the 100-yard freestyle events.
Relay concerns seem to have generated a lot of interest this year, so let's review a few rules.
1. Relays are considered events just like every other event - an individual swimmer is only allowed to swim on "one" relay. For example, the same 14-year old swimmer swam the freestyle leg in the 14&U and the 15&O 200 Medley Relay. Thus, the second event swim should be marked as exhibition.
2. Relay entries may only be changed prior to the start of the heat. Coaches should be making the changes on the relay slips - or the swimmers should notify the timers at the blocks if the order is to be changed.
3. B-DQ times may occur in relays where a individual relay swimmer has already achieved the time in the individual event. As such, those relays are not eligible for scoring in a B-meet; this would also apply if the swimmer swims "up" an age-group - they would need to have achieved the B-DQ time in the older age-group before it would not be permitted. Also, there may be instances in a Medley Relay where a swimmer with a B-DQ time in Freestyle but not in Breaststroke would be allowed to swim the breaststroke leg.
Q1: On backstroke, is it legal for a swimmer to do a double arm or a single arm pulldown, underwater, at the start or after a turn?
A1: As long as they are on their back, they can pull however they like, provided the head breaks the surface of the water by the 15-meter mark.
Q2: One of my swimmers was DQ'd for "Non-continuous turning motion" in backstroke. Other coaches and Stroke and Turn officials were asked but none of them can explain it. Can you could give me an explanation of this ruling?
A2: In Midlakes (different from
USA Swimming), the only way a swimmer would have been DQ'd for
"Non-continuous turning motion" would be if they took 2 single arm pulls
or recovered their arm(s) over the water during the turn. It may
be a case where the swimmer turned to their breast too early (before the
backstroke flags) or turned to their breast, saw they were too far away
from the wall, returned to their back, then turned again to their breast
to execute the turn. In either case, this should have been noted
as "Shoulders past vertical". Also, keep in mind that during the
IM, during the backstroke to breaststroke transition, "suicide turns"
are legal - once the finish of that leg is completed on the back, the
swimmer may turn in any fashion.
Q3: In breaststroke, is it legal to do a butterfly kick
at the start or after a turn WITHOUT doing a pull?
A3: No, the requirement is that the first pull must be initiated (indicated by any lateral or downward motion of the arms) before the butterfly kick is permitted. Keep in mind that the butterfly kick during this portion of the swim is not required.
Q4: During breaststroke, what about a swimmer who doesn’t breathe every stroke?
A4: As long as head breaks the water every stroke cycle, taking a breath is not required.
Q5: During breaststroke, I know that arms must be in the same horizontal plane, but if the swimmer puts one hand on top of the other, would that be a disqualification? If that’s the case, then how is the touch without the hands in the same horizontal plane legal?
A5: The arms (defined as wrist to
shoulder) must be in the same horizontal plane - so if one arm is "on
top of the other" (in other words the arms have crossed), then they are
not in the same plane and thus a DQ. The touch is separate from
the stroke and there is no such requirement for the touch - only that it
be simultaneous.
I know there are other questions - don't be shy to ask. And as
always, thanks for the work you do.
