What are the rules on swimming double arm backstroke with a breaststroke kick in competition? Is flutter kick allowed if the swimmer can't do breaststroke kick?
From the rules:
101.4.2 Stroke—Standing in or on the gutter, placing the toes above the lip of the
gutter or bending the toes over the lip of the gutter immediately after the
start is not permitted. The swimmer shall push off on the back and continue
swimming on the back throughout the race. Some part of the swimmer must
break the surface of the water throughout the race, except it shall be permissible
for the swimmer to be completely submerged during the turn, at the
finish and for a distance of not more than 15 meters (16.4 yards) after the
start and each turn. By that point, the head must have broken the surface of
the water.
So as long as you stay on your back, you can do anything with your arms or legs.
You may also be interested in the turn and finish rules:
101.4.3 Turns—Upon completion of each length, some part of the swimmer must
touch the wall. During the turn the shoulders may be turned past the vertical
toward the ***, after which a continuous single arm pull or a continuous
simultaneous double arm pull may be used to initiate the turn. Once the body
has left the position on the back, any kick or arm pull must be part of the
continuous turning action. The swimmer must have returned to a position
on the back upon leaving the wall.
Note: The swimmer who turns past vertical and, in a continuous motion,
grabs the wall before pushing off with the feet while on the back is considered
to have executed a “continuous turning action
101.4.4 Finish—Upon the finish of the race, the swimmer must touch the wall while
on the back. The body may be submerged at the touch.
Enjoy your backstroke, no matter what the flavor!
From the rules:
101.4.2 Stroke—Standing in or on the gutter, placing the toes above the lip of the
gutter or bending the toes over the lip of the gutter immediately after the
start is not permitted. The swimmer shall push off on the back and continue
swimming on the back throughout the race. Some part of the swimmer must
break the surface of the water throughout the race, except it shall be permissible
for the swimmer to be completely submerged during the turn, at the
finish and for a distance of not more than 15 meters (16.4 yards) after the
start and each turn. By that point, the head must have broken the surface of
the water.
So as long as you stay on your back, you can do anything with your arms or legs.
You may also be interested in the turn and finish rules:
101.4.3 Turns—Upon completion of each length, some part of the swimmer must
touch the wall. During the turn the shoulders may be turned past the vertical
toward the ***, after which a continuous single arm pull or a continuous
simultaneous double arm pull may be used to initiate the turn. Once the body
has left the position on the back, any kick or arm pull must be part of the
continuous turning action. The swimmer must have returned to a position
on the back upon leaving the wall.
Note: The swimmer who turns past vertical and, in a continuous motion,
grabs the wall before pushing off with the feet while on the back is considered
to have executed a “continuous turning action
101.4.4 Finish—Upon the finish of the race, the swimmer must touch the wall while
on the back. The body may be submerged at the touch.
Enjoy your backstroke, no matter what the flavor!
