This is my first new thread so be gentle:-)!!
I'm curious as the how the new FINA rules will be introduced into USMS. I heard that there was legislation passed that USMS would adopt all FINA/USA Swimming rule changes? I received the following email information from a coaching friend of mine and thought I'd see if anyone was talking about it on the USMS Forums but didn't find anything?
SWIMMING
During the breaststroke start and turns, while the swimmer is wholly
submerged, a single downward dolphin kick followed by a breaststroke kick
is permitted. The new rule ends decades of controversies (the first one
occurred in Berlin, in 1978, at the World Championships, the latest last
year in Athens, at the Olympics).
The backstroke finish rule has officially been clarified. Now it is legal
for a swimmer to be completely submerged not only during the turn but also
during the last stroke.
Also in backstroke, swimmers are now allowed to start with their feet out
of the water. It is no more mandatory that "The feet, including the toes,
shall be under the surface of the water"
Thoughts???
PS Have tried to find the information concerning these rule changes on both USA Swimming's and FINA's sites but to no avail...
Unless I’m mistaken, FINA is only striking “The feet, including the toes, shall be under the surface of the water.” NOT “Standing in or on the gutter or bending the toes over the lip of the gutter is prohibited.”
Swimmers will still not be allowed to grip their toes over the edge of the pool. What we will be able to do is place our feet a little higher up in gutterless pools. We shouldn’t see an increase in launching or head bumping.
USMS adoption of this rule is automatic and takes effect coincident with FINA, unless special actions are taken by the USMS Rules Committee.
Unless I’m mistaken, FINA is only striking “The feet, including the toes, shall be under the surface of the water.” NOT “Standing in or on the gutter or bending the toes over the lip of the gutter is prohibited.”
Swimmers will still not be allowed to grip their toes over the edge of the pool. What we will be able to do is place our feet a little higher up in gutterless pools. We shouldn’t see an increase in launching or head bumping.
USMS adoption of this rule is automatic and takes effect coincident with FINA, unless special actions are taken by the USMS Rules Committee.
