Two questions. Is doing the pullout required in a meet (meaning if you skip the pull-out, could you get DQ'd)? And is there anyway the pull-out could be misinterpreted as an illegal stroke since it is the only time the arms are allowed to move down to the hips? I'm wondering if, in my upcoming first meet, I'd be better off skipping the pull-out (at risk of getting DQ) or studying it well and practicing it with the intention of doing it? Thanks!
Two questions. Is doing the pullout required in a meet (meaning if you skip the pull-out, could you get DQ'd)? And is there anyway the pull-out could be misinterpreted as an illegal stroke since it is the only time the arms are allowed to move down to the hips? I'm wondering if, in my upcoming first meet, I'd be better off skipping the pull-out (at risk of getting DQ) or studying it well and practicing it with the intention of doing it? Thanks!
Hi,
You do not have to do a pullout to be legal. However, there is a huge advantage to learning how to do a proper pull out so it is well worth the effort to learn. But I did see someone get DQ'ed this summer for botching a pullout (forgot to put a breaststroke kick in between the pullout and first swimming stroke) and there are a few areas where an official could DQ you if you mess it up:
You are allowed one full pull (past your hips) followed by one breaststroke kick underwater but your head must break the surface before your hands scull all the way out for your next stroke. Your hands can start to scull out on that next stroke before you are at the surface but your head must come up before your hands reach the widest point of the stroke. You could possible be DQ'ed if you take the big pull down at the surface instead of underwater (could be misinterpreted as a normal stroke) or if you take the pulldown then forget to take the kick before coming up to start swimming. The rules specify one pull and one kick per stroke. I think you'd have to have a picky official for them to call this, but it's possible.
Dolphin Kick- you are allowed a dolphin kick "during" the pullout. Basically you have to take this kick after your hands have split from the streamline to start the pullout. This is a tricky skill to develop and might be something you develop over time. You can do a pullout without the dolphin kick, just keeping your body in line. If you take the dolphin kick too early it is a DQ, take it too late and it slows you down.
Two hand touch on turns/finish. Both hands must touch the wall at the same time and without overlap. Your hands can be touching each other, but your fingers can't be overlapped (heels of hand/thumbs/index fingers touching is ok).
But IMHO pullouts are great :) Have fun!
-Isaac
Two questions. Is doing the pullout required in a meet (meaning if you skip the pull-out, could you get DQ'd)? And is there anyway the pull-out could be misinterpreted as an illegal stroke since it is the only time the arms are allowed to move down to the hips? I'm wondering if, in my upcoming first meet, I'd be better off skipping the pull-out (at risk of getting DQ) or studying it well and practicing it with the intention of doing it? Thanks!
Hi,
You do not have to do a pullout to be legal. However, there is a huge advantage to learning how to do a proper pull out so it is well worth the effort to learn. But I did see someone get DQ'ed this summer for botching a pullout (forgot to put a breaststroke kick in between the pullout and first swimming stroke) and there are a few areas where an official could DQ you if you mess it up:
You are allowed one full pull (past your hips) followed by one breaststroke kick underwater but your head must break the surface before your hands scull all the way out for your next stroke. Your hands can start to scull out on that next stroke before you are at the surface but your head must come up before your hands reach the widest point of the stroke. You could possible be DQ'ed if you take the big pull down at the surface instead of underwater (could be misinterpreted as a normal stroke) or if you take the pulldown then forget to take the kick before coming up to start swimming. The rules specify one pull and one kick per stroke. I think you'd have to have a picky official for them to call this, but it's possible.
Dolphin Kick- you are allowed a dolphin kick "during" the pullout. Basically you have to take this kick after your hands have split from the streamline to start the pullout. This is a tricky skill to develop and might be something you develop over time. You can do a pullout without the dolphin kick, just keeping your body in line. If you take the dolphin kick too early it is a DQ, take it too late and it slows you down.
Two hand touch on turns/finish. Both hands must touch the wall at the same time and without overlap. Your hands can be touching each other, but your fingers can't be overlapped (heels of hand/thumbs/index fingers touching is ok).
But IMHO pullouts are great :) Have fun!
-Isaac
