Is a DQ always a good result?

RE: Is a DQ always a good result?

knelson — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 12:52:49 GMT

The delay initiating turn in backstroke has always struck me as a bit absurd. ‘We’re going to disqualify you for misjudging your turn, gliding into the wall without any further propulsion and causing your swim to be slower than it could have been.’ It seems like a rule for the sake of having a rule. The justification is that you aren't swimming backstroke if you are on your stomach. To summarize the stroke rules for back, they are basically "swim on your back, with the exception of turns."

RE: Is a DQ always a good result?

Former Member — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 09:58:02 GMT

The justification is that you aren't swimming backstroke if you are on your stomach. To summarize the stroke rules for back, they are basically "swim on your back, with the exception of turns." Right. I do understand the letter of the law, I've written a number of slips for this infraction, it's just one of the more odd and unnecessary DQ's in my personal opinion. A swimmer could also avoid such a DQ by making their arm pull a very slow one so that the completion of their arm pull still initiated the actual turn.

RE: Is a DQ always a good result?

Windrath — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 07:39:34 GMT

Howdy, As a backstroker, I hate the current backstroke turn rules. I believe the backstroke turn rule was approved because the "cross over turn" was too difficult to officiate effectively. AND, some coaches wanted to find a way to speed up the backstroke times without going to a forward start. Similar changes were made to allow dolphin kicks in breaststroke pull-outs because high level swimmers were doing it, but not being DQd. :( I get the concept that gliding on your stomach into a turn is NOT backstroke, but come on... We allow gliding into a turn in every other stroke. I suppose the argument about gliding could be that you can glide on your back before turning over. That would be completely legal. I am waiting for some high level coach to propose one hand touches on *** and fly. They seem to be the only people who matter to FINA. :) Paul

RE: Is a DQ always a good result?

Former Member — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 14:24:11 GMT