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
Manticora may be correct with regards to how the rules should be set up -- to avoid unfair advantage. But that is not what this rule states or the way it is interpreted, and until the rule is changed it should be interpreted the way it is written. That is, if a swimmer does not turn in a continuous manner they should be disqualified. I know many important coaches and referees that are trying to get the rule changed.
That said, I have never heard the 'not both arms at the side' interpretation that Craig has, either as an experienced backstroke swimmer or as a stroke and turn judge. I did a few turns yesterday, and my arms are always at my side when I flip - if they were not I would be annoyed at myself, because back there, soon to be *up* there, is where I want my hands to be. Furthermore, I like that final push of the hand, by the thigh, to help the flip, and it usually occurs as my head is heading down. Knock on wood, but I have never been disqualified for a backstroke turn.
Yes, if the hands are at the side and one is gliding, that is a problem, but the problem is the glide, not the location of the arms or hands. When Piersol did his turn his arms finished at his side, but when that happened his head, and body, had already started his flipping action. Even if it hadn't already started, if the flipping action started immediately after the hands reached the side, it would be OK, marginal, but OK, as long as there was not a *finite* time (infinitesimal does not count) in which a glide was occurring.
Manticora may be correct with regards to how the rules should be set up -- to avoid unfair advantage. But that is not what this rule states or the way it is interpreted, and until the rule is changed it should be interpreted the way it is written. That is, if a swimmer does not turn in a continuous manner they should be disqualified. I know many important coaches and referees that are trying to get the rule changed.
That said, I have never heard the 'not both arms at the side' interpretation that Craig has, either as an experienced backstroke swimmer or as a stroke and turn judge. I did a few turns yesterday, and my arms are always at my side when I flip - if they were not I would be annoyed at myself, because back there, soon to be *up* there, is where I want my hands to be. Furthermore, I like that final push of the hand, by the thigh, to help the flip, and it usually occurs as my head is heading down. Knock on wood, but I have never been disqualified for a backstroke turn.
Yes, if the hands are at the side and one is gliding, that is a problem, but the problem is the glide, not the location of the arms or hands. When Piersol did his turn his arms finished at his side, but when that happened his head, and body, had already started his flipping action. Even if it hadn't already started, if the flipping action started immediately after the hands reached the side, it would be OK, marginal, but OK, as long as there was not a *finite* time (infinitesimal does not count) in which a glide was occurring.
