Hi,
I just read Doug Strong's awesome story from LC Nationals. He had mentioned a previous DQ in the meet for something he thought was very questionable. That reminds me...
Does anyone else think the latest backstroke rule is a little silly? I'm talking about the one where one glides into the wall "too long" on their stomach for the turn. To me, as I mentioned, it just seems silly. (1) I believe the rule says that you must have continuous forward motion into the turn. If you are gliding in, which by the way is not faster, then you are moving forward. I've yet to see one stop completely! And (2) there is definitely no advantage to gliding in for that "moment too long" that is the decision of the official.
I have a feeling that this rule will go by the way of some other rules and be gone in the next few years.
Just some thoughts, and a question :)
Karen
Parents
Former Member
Originally posted by Rob Copeland
From USA-Swimming “Guide for Officiating”, which I think is used for USMS turns as well. Backstroke Swim Mechanics:
2) The swimmer begins to turn past the vertical towards the ***, but touches the wall with some part of their body (including the hand, arm, forehead, chin, etc.) before going into the turn. As long as their turning motion was continuous once they went past vertical towards the ***, it’s still legal, and they may turn in any manner they want as long as they’re past vertical towards the back when their feet leave the wall. If, however, they go past vertical towards the ***, and stick their arm out but don’t immediately begin a pulling motion, that’s a DQ for “non-continuous turning action.”
With the above there would be no way to do an open turn since you couldn't reach for the wall without being disqualified. There is an exception that makes open turns legal. From the USMS rule book.
Note: The swimmer who turns past vertical and, in a continuous motion, grabs the wall before pushing off with the feet while on the back is considered to have executed a "continuous turning action".
I don't know how continuous motion would be defined here. You are rolling onto your front, extending your arm but not moving it. Can you kick? How far from the wall could you be and have it still be continuous?
Originally posted by Rob Copeland
From USA-Swimming “Guide for Officiating”, which I think is used for USMS turns as well. Backstroke Swim Mechanics:
2) The swimmer begins to turn past the vertical towards the ***, but touches the wall with some part of their body (including the hand, arm, forehead, chin, etc.) before going into the turn. As long as their turning motion was continuous once they went past vertical towards the ***, it’s still legal, and they may turn in any manner they want as long as they’re past vertical towards the back when their feet leave the wall. If, however, they go past vertical towards the ***, and stick their arm out but don’t immediately begin a pulling motion, that’s a DQ for “non-continuous turning action.”
With the above there would be no way to do an open turn since you couldn't reach for the wall without being disqualified. There is an exception that makes open turns legal. From the USMS rule book.
Note: The swimmer who turns past vertical and, in a continuous motion, grabs the wall before pushing off with the feet while on the back is considered to have executed a "continuous turning action".
I don't know how continuous motion would be defined here. You are rolling onto your front, extending your arm but not moving it. Can you kick? How far from the wall could you be and have it still be continuous?
