I read the following PDF regarding the updated rule and interpretation for the freestyle portion of the IM:
www.usms.org/.../20150911_fina_im_interpretation.pdf
My question is regarding the freestyle flip turn. When you turn, you flip onto your back, push off and start twisting to the proper position for freestyle. It usually happens fairly fast so you're not completely on the back for any more than one kick worth at the most and by then you've begun rotating to the side. Honestly, I still flip slightly diagonally, so my feet land a bit off-horizontal but I've been working on correcting it to what has been shown to me as a more proper technique.
But I know as soon as I post this notice for my masters team on Wednesday, they are going to ask the same questions. I would assume that this position of being on the back is normal in freestyle and wouldn't constitute backstroke swimming but I've been wrong plenty of times in trying to interpret rules. But it gets me into wondering, what's going to be the line between a normal freestyle flip turn and too much time on your back? Obviously, no SDK-ing on your back down the length of the pool but exactly how fast does that twist need to be? Is there a standpoint from the officials on this yet?
Thanks in advance!
I agree. It pertains to all turns during the "freestyle" segment of an IM event. Technically it's also going to pertain to the start of the free leg of a medley relay, too.
well, no.
the IM rules say, 1/4 of the event must be: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and a stroke not perviouslly swum.
the medley relay rules says, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and freestyle.
ya see, freestyle on the IM is not the same as freestyle in the relay. clear as mud right?
in the relay you CAN do any stroke you want. on the IM you cannot.
but somehow we have backstroke that is defined as being on your back...except for that entire 1 stroke you can take on your *** for the flip turn, but we have "a stroke not previouslly swum" that can NOT include coming off the wall on your back when doing something very similar to freestyle.
I agree. It pertains to all turns during the "freestyle" segment of an IM event. Technically it's also going to pertain to the start of the free leg of a medley relay, too.
well, no.
the IM rules say, 1/4 of the event must be: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and a stroke not perviouslly swum.
the medley relay rules says, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and freestyle.
ya see, freestyle on the IM is not the same as freestyle in the relay. clear as mud right?
in the relay you CAN do any stroke you want. on the IM you cannot.
but somehow we have backstroke that is defined as being on your back...except for that entire 1 stroke you can take on your *** for the flip turn, but we have "a stroke not previouslly swum" that can NOT include coming off the wall on your back when doing something very similar to freestyle.
