A serious question (I know, how unlikely is that?): I've been on the shelf most of the year since Nov., and I'm really curious as to how the new allowance of the single dolphin kick is being called. Not the official interpretation, but the actual experience of fellow breastrokers in meets, whether Open or Masters, local, zone or nats. At the time we originally discussed the new rule, there was the sentiment that some would push the envelope towards the second half-kick- is this happening, or are some calling it super-tight to avoid that?
Former Member
Originally posted by Jeff Commings
That guy shouldn't have been disqualified. The rules say you only have to do the dolphin kick before the first breaststroke kick. There is no rule saying it must be done "simultaneous" to the arm pull. That's just when the majority of people do it. I've seen top-notch swimmer do it right before the pull, as this guy did. No DQ.
If I were that guy I'd appeal. But it probably wasn't that big a deal in the end.
FINA has posted an interpretation of the rule as follows:
Interpretation (SW7.4):
A dolphin kick is not part of the cycle and is only permitted at the start and turn whilst the arms are pulling back to the legs or after the arm pull whilst wholly submerged followed by a breaststroke kick.
Originally posted by A.K.
Does the above quote interpret that you cannot change forward depth direction during the butterfly kick. ie go from a straight line underwater to an angle towards the surface during the kick?
No.
Originally posted by Matt S
Since its invention, I am unaware of any raging controversy (and the concomitant whining and hand wringing) about the legality of certain techniques in a butterfly race. Simple, recover your arms simultaneously and over the water, kick with your legs together, and touch the wall simultaneously and at the same level.
Let me stir up the pot a bit.....Regarding the Butterfly Rules and quoting Article 101.3.2 of the Code of Regulations and Rules of Competition of U.S. Masters Swimming "After the start and after each turn, only one breaststroke kick is allowed prior to the arm pull that brings the swimmer to the surface."
I find it interesting that Breaststroke allows a dolphin kick while Butterfly allows a breaststroke kick.
Furthermore, Article 101.3.3 allows the butterfly to be done with a breaststoke kick and "may be used exclusively or interchangeably with the dolphin kick."
I open this up for discussion. ;)
Developing a good dolphin kick in the breastroke depends on your pullout style. If you adhere to the old 'straight' glide, you will have a harder time incorporating the kick (without raising your feet, thereby DQ). If you perform the angled pullout, the downward kick is a natural part of the transition from 'down bubble' to 'up bubble'.
All I know, is due to this rule change, my 16 year old college record has fallen, to a guy who improved almost 2 seconds since the rule change. Fair? The chairman of the NCAA Hall Of Fame doesn't think so.
Is it right to change the rules in the name of 'progress'? They were quick to reel back the backstroke rule changes, but not before the damage was done. Or because the officials couldn't observe infractions without reasonable doubt? Baseball umpires don't use electronic equipment to make calls on split second action. If an official thought the downward motion of the feet were more than the natural movement between angles, he/she should just simply 'make the call'.
My experience as both swimmer and official is that they are calling dolphin kicks just a often for senior swimmers.
The biggest risk of trying to take advantage of the new "kick" or "turn" is that if you attempt the dolphin earlier during the pullout you: 1) Break streamline and must be sure that the extra propulsion from the dolphin kick more than compensates and 2) Must be very careful that after completing the kick you don't break your legs above your body and then need to lower them in maintain streamline. This results in most of the DQ's that I've seen (and called). You must make sure that the upward movement of the dolphin kick brings you in line with body and not above it or you are at risk.
The safest approch is to take the dolpin kick as your hands pass your hips.
All in all, I'd say that few swimmers (senior age groupers or masters) are able to extract much advantage. It probably requires a fair amount of time to master and some never well (look at how few swimmers can really exploit dolphin kicks off the walls in free).
Hmmm.....I found it easy to add the dolphin kick to my breastroke pullout. But I'm a flyer and used to kicking dolphin off the wall. It took a few weeks of practice to make it routine. I believe the dolphin lengthens my pullout by a yard or two. It feels faster, but I don't have any times to compare pre and post dolphin. Racing breastroke is a new phenomena for me.
Every once in a while - usually when I'm tired or just not thinking, I forget to do the dolphin and all of a sudden my pullout feels weird and out of sync.
I haven't seen many DQs so far. I don't believe the majority of Masters breastrokers has added it (yet). And plenty of fast guys haven't yet. A friend, who is a top 10 50-54 is just now adding it.
Anyone from Nationals (competitors, officials,spectators) have any further observations?
I have just purchased two day passes to watch the PanPacs in Victoria in August; hoping to see wonderful swimming, but also will watch this aspect closely & report back how they're calling it in Open events (yes, the Japanese team will be there, & yes, I will watch a certain someone to see if he's adding a second fly kick).
