Swim Rant

Breaststroke DQs The rule and the interpretation of the rule re the pull before the kick (off blocks and walls) creates a logical disconnection. I have researched this in depth, including speaking to the highest levels of USAS rules officials, the ultimate answer being that the system does not want those calls, and thus overturns them in the video rooms at the high end meets (I have previously supplied links to several examples). You just can't be sure the swimmer did not do even a tiny down or side motion with the hands (even though the hands stayed together, sometimes locked together) before the kick. However, not all officials get the unwritten 'memo'. My concern is consistency across officials and meets. I think the rule regarding this does not need to be rewritten, simply dropped. A pull does not really mean pull anymore with the current interpretation of FINA intent. Another occurrence (that sometimes gets a DQ but usually does not) that also goes against the written rule...the last strokes before a wall. The breaststroke is unique in that it is a cycle stroke...pull, then kick, pull, then kick etc. However, relatively common (ie, not 1 in a thousand) at the finish as the wall is faced 'early', many (not most) swimmers put in a double pull (with no intervening kick). There is no requirement that swimmers be notified right after their swim about their DQ. Officials try, but the next heat is not delayed in order to notify.

Breaststroke DQs The rule and the interpretation of the rule re the pull before the kick (off blocks and walls) creates a logical disconnection. I have researched this in depth, including speaking to the highest levels of USAS rules officials, the ultimate answer being that the system does not want those calls, and thus overturns them in the video rooms at the high end meets (I have previously supplied links to several examples). You just can't be sure the swimmer did not do even a tiny down or side motion with the hands (even though the hands stayed together, sometimes locked together) before the kick. However, not all officials get the unwritten 'memo'. My concern is consistency across officials and meets. I think the rule regarding this does not need to be rewritten, simply dropped. A pull does not really mean pull anymore with the current interpretation of FINA intent. Another occurrence (that sometimes gets a DQ but usually does not) that also goes against the written rule...the last strokes before a wall. The breaststroke is unique in that it is a cycle stroke...pull, then kick, pull, then kick etc. However, relatively common (ie, not 1 in a thousand) at the finish as the wall is faced 'early', many (not most) swimmers put in a double pull (with no intervening kick). There is no requirement that swimmers be notified right after their swim about their DQ. Officials try, but the next heat is not delayed in order to notify.