There is nothing more challenging for an official than having to DQ a swimmer for a false start: either a dual confirmation done after the heat has been started or for the lone swimmer who goes in all by themselves.
It is a shame that starting early and only gaining, at most, .5 seconds results in the entire race being nullified. I would hate to be the 400 IMer or the 1650 swimmer if that were to happen.
So, instead of nullifying the entire swim, consider a time penalty assessed for a False Start. In either situation that I mentioned in the first paragraph, the swimmer incurs a 5 seconds penalty when the False Start is dual confirmed. The swimmer gets the benefit of the race, albeit with a time penalty.
This could be managed quite easier with a software change in Meet Manager or whatever meet software is being used.
Paul
I'm wiht the "strategic cheating" crowd, in that I don't like the proposed rule change, as it would further push people to try to anticipate the start. Seems like it would be adding the distance, even wiht a multiplier, a defensive lineman has made his way across the line before theh snap in football. It completely changes the race/play if you don't make it black and white.
I'm wiht the "strategic cheating" crowd, in that I don't like the proposed rule change, as it would further push people to try to anticipate the start. Seems like it would be adding the distance, even wiht a multiplier, a defensive lineman has made his way across the line before theh snap in football. It completely changes the race/play if you don't make it black and white.
