Rules Corner

RULES CORNER #1 Breaststroke January 30, 2006 by Kathy Casey, USMS Rules Chair There have been questions about when the dolphin kick may be taken during the breaststroke and also about the order of the kick and pull of the breaststroke. The single dolphin kick may be taken during or at the end of the first arm pull-down after the start and after each turn. The official interpretation is as follows: “…during, or at the end of the arm pull-down of the first stroke after the start and after each turn, a single downward butterfly kick is allowed, but not required, followed by a breaststroke kick. During the pull-down, if a downward butterfly kick is taken, it must be followed by a breaststroke kick. It is not permissible to take only a downward butterfly kick without then taking a normal breaststroke kick. The downward butterfly kick is not permissible prior to the arm pull-down.” This quote is from Bruce Stratton, Chair of the USA Swimming Rules and Regulations Committee, and is part of the official interpretation published regarding the recent rule changes for breaststroke and backstroke. The full text can be accessed at usaswimming.org, click on volunteers, click on officials, click on rules and regulations, and click on the link to the interpretations in the 2nd paragraph on that page. The breaststroke must begin with an arm stroke; “…the stroke cycle must be one arm stroke and one leg kick in that order.” (101.2.2, 3rd sentence, p. 16 of the 2006 USMS Rule Book). For any questions about rules contact Kathy Casey, USMS Rules Chair at rules@usms.org.

RULES CORNER #1 Breaststroke January 30, 2006 by Kathy Casey, USMS Rules Chair There have been questions about when the dolphin kick may be taken during the breaststroke and also about the order of the kick and pull of the breaststroke. The single dolphin kick may be taken during or at the end of the first arm pull-down after the start and after each turn. The official interpretation is as follows: “…during, or at the end of the arm pull-down of the first stroke after the start and after each turn, a single downward butterfly kick is allowed, but not required, followed by a breaststroke kick. During the pull-down, if a downward butterfly kick is taken, it must be followed by a breaststroke kick. It is not permissible to take only a downward butterfly kick without then taking a normal breaststroke kick. The downward butterfly kick is not permissible prior to the arm pull-down.” This quote is from Bruce Stratton, Chair of the USA Swimming Rules and Regulations Committee, and is part of the official interpretation published regarding the recent rule changes for breaststroke and backstroke. The full text can be accessed at usaswimming.org, click on volunteers, click on officials, click on rules and regulations, and click on the link to the interpretations in the 2nd paragraph on that page. The breaststroke must begin with an arm stroke; “…the stroke cycle must be one arm stroke and one leg kick in that order.” (101.2.2, 3rd sentence, p. 16 of the 2006 USMS Rule Book). For any questions about rules contact Kathy Casey, USMS Rules Chair at rules@usms.org.