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
Agree that Peirsol glides longer on his turn than most other swimmers. Even he reportedly admits that turns aren't his strongest suit.
But in the end, it's like someone running the 400 meter dash who swerves into an outside lane without interfering with another runner. That runner is not disqualified because he/she has actually given himself/herself farther to run. It that same runner swerves into an inner lane, they ARE disqualified because they've shortened the distance and thus gained an unfair advantage.
I believe that the principle in any sport should be that someone is disqualified for putting themselves at an unfair advantage - why DQ someone for placing themselves, whether by error or poor technique, at a DISadvantage? Makes no sense at all, IMHO.
Agree that Peirsol glides longer on his turn than most other swimmers. Even he reportedly admits that turns aren't his strongest suit.
But in the end, it's like someone running the 400 meter dash who swerves into an outside lane without interfering with another runner. That runner is not disqualified because he/she has actually given himself/herself farther to run. It that same runner swerves into an inner lane, they ARE disqualified because they've shortened the distance and thus gained an unfair advantage.
I believe that the principle in any sport should be that someone is disqualified for putting themselves at an unfair advantage - why DQ someone for placing themselves, whether by error or poor technique, at a DISadvantage? Makes no sense at all, IMHO.
