New FINA rules

Also, backstrokers can no longer finish underwater. How will that be judged? What if your entire body is submerged on the final lunge except for the toes of one foot completing a final kick? This isn't really a new rule b/c swimmers were DQ'd before if they submerged before the finish (b/c the violated the "you can't be submerged past 15m" rule). I've seen USMS swimmers DQ'd who lunged too early. It is okay to be submerged when your hand is on the wall but not before. Kirk is right: how can you be submerged AT the finish if you weren't submerged PRIOR to the finish (which is not allowed)? So they got rid of the "it is okay to be submerged at the finish" part. I think this has always been a hard call b/c it is difficult to simultaneously view the finish and the feet (which are the last thing to go under). Maybe any officials here can disagree though (ie, argue that it isn't a hard call).

Rich, let me answer for you (but im sure Kathy could do a more eloquent job). we (USMS) just voted in new rules to make sure this never happens in USMS. now, you will become a member of club Unattached (1 per lmsc) that allows you and everyone else in the meet to be legal. europe requires everyone to be in a club but doesnt have our 60day rule.....so this is our way of still keeping our rules and also following theirs. um, if the toes break the surface, you arent submerged now are you! :D steve (and yes i'm on the rules committee) p.s. all of those went in effect on monday in accordance with FINA.

...Also, backstrokers can no longer finish underwater. How will that be judged?...... probably about as well as 'only one underwater dolphin kick' on the breaststroke pullout.

pwb, remember it USED to be ZERO.....but then they changed it because the olympic gold medalist and world record holder kept taking 1.....even though it was illegal

The backstroke rule was silly before. How can you finish submerged, but avoid being submerged before that point? A rule that can't be judged accurately is a poor rule.

if that is true... I am glad have decided not to compete so soon! Have been unattached all my life and been at the Top10 until 2012 either USMS member or Europe’s unattached swimmer. Rubbish!:blah: My turn to group45-49 will be smooth:cheerleader:, no competitions:D

Thinking about the final lunge to the wall is not why the rule was changed. There were some swimmers that were actually going underwater from the flags and kicking into the wall. "Club Unattached" is strictly an administrative effort to keep all USMS members legal for FINA records and top ten listings. If you had never heard of the rule change, you would not know any difference. When you register, you will not have to select the club, your registrar will not have to pay for creating a new club, and the national office will only have to create 52 new clubs on lists. Just don't get the great idea that Club Unattached can enter relays. Not gonna happen.

Thinking about the final lunge to the wall is not why the rule was changed. There were some swimmers that were actually going underwater from the flags and kicking into the wall. I've seen two people DQ'd for this type of thing even under the old rules.

I just saw an article about the new FINA swim rules and I'm confused about the one relating to swimming unattached in a SCM or LCM meet. The new rule states that if a swimmer does enter a meet as unattached not only will his or her time not count for FINA top ten or a record, but that everyone in the meet will also have their times be unrecognized. Sounds a bit harsh. What does europe have against unattached swimmers?

This is clever. While we're on the topic, I read somewhere that you can't enter Worlds without being attached to a club. First, is that true, and second, if so, does this new USMS rule allow one to enter Worlds under "Team Unat"?