At this past weekend's Zone meet I was DQed in my 100 backstroke during my turn. I was told I glided into the wall, of which means that I must either be flipping or making an arm stroke. However the rules:
Upon completion of each lenght, some part of the swimmer must touch the wall. During the turn the shoulders may be turned past the vertical toward the ***, after which a continuous single arm pull or a countinuous simultaneous double arm pull may be used to execute the turn. Once the body has left the position on the back, any kick or arm pul must be part of the continuous turning action. The swimmer must have returned to a position on the back upon leaving the wall.
do not say that I have to be moving, it just says may. I searched the rest of the rules and found no "glide" anywhere in the rules. I do not understand why they told me I must use my arm when the rules state that I may. Is it possible that they used a different set of rules? I was talking to my coach afterwards and was told that many of the officials do kids meets as well and there are some differences. I just want to know why when to me it seems I didn't do anything wrong.
Edward,
A couple of things;
First USMS rules are constantly being looked at, so any proposed changes are cheerfully accepted by Leo Letendre and the USMS Rules Committee.
Second, as the rule is interpreted today, it is legal for a swimmer to flip over anywhere in the pool and do a slow arm pull. If this rule would start to be abused, I’m sure we would see a rule change. Also, as mentioned in other posts, disqualifications are based on want the official sees and how they understand the interpretation of the rules. In this hypothetical situation, some officials may not see this as “part of the continuous turning action.”
Edward,
A couple of things;
First USMS rules are constantly being looked at, so any proposed changes are cheerfully accepted by Leo Letendre and the USMS Rules Committee.
Second, as the rule is interpreted today, it is legal for a swimmer to flip over anywhere in the pool and do a slow arm pull. If this rule would start to be abused, I’m sure we would see a rule change. Also, as mentioned in other posts, disqualifications are based on want the official sees and how they understand the interpretation of the rules. In this hypothetical situation, some officials may not see this as “part of the continuous turning action.”
