Rules Corner

RULES CORNER #10 by Kathy Casey, USMS Rules Chair May 11, 2008 QUESTIONS and CLARIFICATIONS 3. Breaststroke Turn: Question: If I touch the wall in the middle of a stroke cycle (after the arm pull), am I disqualified for not completing the stroke cycle with a kick? Answer: No. Throughout the race the stroke cycle must be one arm stroke and one leg kick in that order (101.2.2). The breaststroke turn rule (101.2.4) refers to the last complete or incomplete cycle preceding the touch, so a swimmer can touch the wall after an arm pull (an incomplete cycle). Wow! There are a number of officials and coaches who have told me just the opposite and I was DQd during a 400 IM for just that reason. I took the little extra stroke with no kick and the rule was cited that states what a whole stroke is. After watching some world-class swimmers glide into the wall, I was convinced that I had missed a rule change and have changed my thinking about turns.

RULES CORNER #10 by Kathy Casey, USMS Rules Chair May 11, 2008 QUESTIONS and CLARIFICATIONS 3. Breaststroke Turn: Question: If I touch the wall in the middle of a stroke cycle (after the arm pull), am I disqualified for not completing the stroke cycle with a kick? Answer: No. Throughout the race the stroke cycle must be one arm stroke and one leg kick in that order (101.2.2). The breaststroke turn rule (101.2.4) refers to the last complete or incomplete cycle preceding the touch, so a swimmer can touch the wall after an arm pull (an incomplete cycle). Wow! There are a number of officials and coaches who have told me just the opposite and I was DQd during a 400 IM for just that reason. I took the little extra stroke with no kick and the rule was cited that states what a whole stroke is. After watching some world-class swimmers glide into the wall, I was convinced that I had missed a rule change and have changed my thinking about turns.