I recently posted a question about racing and received a lot of great answers so here is another question. I am about to participate in my first race (in a pool) and I am worried about being disqualified now. What are some of the common mistakes I need to be aware of? Turns maybe?
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Former Member
Touching the bottom of the pool is allowed. However:
“Standing on the bottom during a freestyle race shall not disqualify a swimmer, but the swimmer must not leave the pool, walk or spring from the bottom. Standing on the bottom during any other stroke shall result in disqualification.”
Wow, I never knew that specifically. Let's be honest though, if you're standing in the pool you're probably not going to win haha. I'm not sure I see the logic as to why it's not acceptable for anything but free. I know pretty much anyything is legal in free, but they still doesn't let you walk. Maybe they figure inexperienced swimmers are more likely to do free and being inexperienced they might stop to catch their breath?
Also interesting is Masters rule on goggles, being that you can touch them. That 500 race I had where my googles slipped may have ended differently if my division made that rule change. I don't think the old rule is fair. If you take the time to fix your goggles, it's putting you at a disadvantage. If you're fixing you're googles, you're not swimming. It also makes you feel like you screwed the race 100% as opposed to 95%.
Again, biggest thing is Jewelry. I've seen way too many people DQ'ed. It usually girls but I've seen a lot of guys as well. It doesn't matter what it is, it's not legal and the offic will DQ you, especially if you're the away team. And there is no need to wear a watch during a meet. That's what the $10,000+ easy timing equipment is for. It will probably just slow you down anyways.
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Former Member
Touching the bottom of the pool is allowed. However:
“Standing on the bottom during a freestyle race shall not disqualify a swimmer, but the swimmer must not leave the pool, walk or spring from the bottom. Standing on the bottom during any other stroke shall result in disqualification.”
Wow, I never knew that specifically. Let's be honest though, if you're standing in the pool you're probably not going to win haha. I'm not sure I see the logic as to why it's not acceptable for anything but free. I know pretty much anyything is legal in free, but they still doesn't let you walk. Maybe they figure inexperienced swimmers are more likely to do free and being inexperienced they might stop to catch their breath?
Also interesting is Masters rule on goggles, being that you can touch them. That 500 race I had where my googles slipped may have ended differently if my division made that rule change. I don't think the old rule is fair. If you take the time to fix your goggles, it's putting you at a disadvantage. If you're fixing you're googles, you're not swimming. It also makes you feel like you screwed the race 100% as opposed to 95%.
Again, biggest thing is Jewelry. I've seen way too many people DQ'ed. It usually girls but I've seen a lot of guys as well. It doesn't matter what it is, it's not legal and the offic will DQ you, especially if you're the away team. And there is no need to wear a watch during a meet. That's what the $10,000+ easy timing equipment is for. It will probably just slow you down anyways.
