Rules Corner

Kathy, Can you post the proposed rule change for breaststroke that I saw on the USAS web site? I think it will help the officials a lot.

RULES CORNER #8 by Kathy Casey, USMS Rules Chair November, 2007 Major Changes or clarifications affecting swimming rules as passed at Convention (rule changes are effective January 1, 2008): 1. For breaststroke kick, the body must be on the *** from the time the feet leave the wall, “downward” and “while wholly submerged” have been deleted from the single butterfly (dolphin) kick part of the rule, and the single butterfly (dolphin) kick must be during or at the end of the first arm pull. (101.2.2 and .3, page 2) 2. Relevant rules for recognition will be listed in 202.2.1E (page 54) and include the following: Article 101 (Starts, Strokes, and Relays) or Article 108 (Swimmers with a Disability); Article 103.12.3 (Timing Resolution); Articles 103.13.1, 103.13.2, 103.13.3, 103.13.4, and 103.13.6 (Official Time); Articles 105.1, 105.2.1, 105.2.2A, 105.3.2, 105.3.7A, and 105.3.10 (Records and Top 10 Times); and Articles 107.2.1, 107.2.3A, 107.3, 107.11.1, 107.11.2, and 107.13 (Minimum Standards for Facilities). Contact Kathy Casey (rules@usm.org) for a detailed explanation. 3. At recognized events, relay leadoff split times that conform to 103.13.1 and 105.2.2A will be recognized for events listed in 102.5 (USMS membership is not required for the other members of the relay team, and the relay event itself need not conform to 102.5). This will be included in 202.2.1E, relevant rules. 4. Times from nonconforming events will not count for USMS records and Top 10 times (202.1.1F, pages 53-54) except for initial distances and relay leadoff split times for distances that are also events defined in 102.5 (page 7). For example the leadoff split time for a 50 fly from a 200 butterfly relay (a nonconforming event that has been announced in the meet information and entry form) could count as an official time, but the time from the 200 butterfly relay does not count for an official time since that is not an event listed in 102.5. For an individual event, the 200 initial distance of an 800 breaststroke event could count as an official time, but the 800 breaststroke time does not count for an official time. How does your LMSC or meet hosts do at running meets according to the rules? 1. Is the primary timing system a fully automatic timing system, 3 semiautomatic buttons per lane, or 3 watches per lane in order to meet national and world record requirements? 2. Are 50-meter split times at long course meets recorded by fully automatic timing? (Remember, 50-meter split times recorded by 3 watches count only for World records.) 3. Is the referee a certified official? 4. Are timers assigned to every lane? 5. Are the pools measured and certified for proper length? Question: If the primary timing system is two semiautomatic buttons but two watches were added for a particular swim, can that swim count for a national or world record with two semiautomatic button times and two watch times? Answer: No. National and world records require 3 buttons or 3 watches if fully automatic timing is not the primary timing system (103.13.3, page 25). Exceptions to this occur only when there is a primary timing system malfunction (fully automatic or semiautomatic), and the rules include clear procedures for adjusting times due to such malfunctions (103.12.4C, D, E, and F, pages 22-24). For any questions about rules contact Kathy Casey, USMS Rules Chair, rules@usms.org.

RULES CORNER #9 by Kathy Casey, USMS Rules Chair January 25, 2008 Fly Splits from the IM Situation: I was told that the 50 fly split and the 100 fly split from the 400 IM would not count as official times for butterfly because the event is called “IM” instead of butterfly and the rule book says, “An official time for an event or stroke can only be achieved…in an initial distance of such event or stroke.” (103.13.2) Answer: That is the correct rule, but the interpretation was wrong. The rule book describes the first one-fourth of the IM as butterfly (101.6). Therefore, the 50 fly split and the 100 fly split of the 400 IM would both count as official times for butterfly. Quoting 103.13.2 above along with the language of 101.6 (in parentheses), “an initial distance” (first one-fourth) “of such event or stroke” (individual medley) means the butterfly (first one-fourth of the IM). Swimmers with Disabilities Question: If a swimmer has severe damage to the rotator cuff in the left shoulder, is she allowed to swim one length of butterfly with the right arm only and the next length with the left arm only? Answer: No. The general rule is: if a part of the body cannot be used, it is not judged; if it is used during the stroke or kick, it should be judged in accordance with the USMS rules (108.5.2). In this case, the injured arm was used every other length in that race and must be judged according to the stroke rules for butterfly (101.3.2). Referees have the authority to modify rules for swimmers with disabilities (103.6.7 and 108.1.1). Article 108 contains guidelines and suggestions for modifying the rules for swimmers with disabilities. Article 108 cannot list the modifications for every disability that exists, so each case is handled on its own merits. The swimmer (or a representative of the swimmer) must notify the referee of the swimmer’s disability prior to the competition. Recognized Meets: Question: How do we get times from a recognized meet to count for USMS? Answer: These steps must be followed (1, 2, and 3 are not required for meets sanctioned by USA Swimming, 202.2): 1. Apply to the LMSC where the meet is to be held for recognition and get a recognition number for that meet. (202.2.1A) 2. A USMS observer must be assigned to the recognized meet. (202.2) 3. The USMS observer must submit a written report to the LMSC verifying whether the relevant USMS rules were followed or not. (202.2) 4. The swimmer(s) must submit the times and documentation for those times to the appropriate LMSC Top 10 recorder. (202.2) 5. The pool length certification must be on file with USMS or USA-S or must be measured and submitted if such certification is not on file or if there have been structural changes to the pool (for a bulkhead pool, the length of the two outside lanes and a middle lane must be confirmed at the end of each session). (105.1.6 & .7) Note: Caution! World record applications are accepted only from meets sanctioned by USMS or a FINA member federation and will not be accepted from recognized meets. (Instructions on the “Application for USMS and/or World Record”, Appendix B) For any questions about rules contact Kathy Casey, USMS Rules Chair, rules@usms.org.

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.

Thanks Kathy! As an 'occasional" breaststroker, I've always wondered about the partial stroke into the wall before a turn. Not swimming it enough to be able to judge the wall well, I tend to take a longer glide in if I'm a little short. Good to know I can take an extra quick pull if need be!

As a breaststroker, I'm extremely nervous about the local judges on this particular issue. I NEVER (repeat NEVER) take a half cycle when coming to the wall. If I feel I can't glide in, I just increase my tempo on the last stroke before hitting the wall for the turn. That's the way I coach my swimmers as well. I have never been deeked on breaststroke and I don't want to start now.

Mel,in the 200 SCY BR I seem to always find myself at a 1/2 stroke on at least one turn.I have never been DQd for that and am prepared to appeal if I am(but our local judges are really good,so I doubt it will come up.)

RULES CORNER #10 by Kathy Casey, USMS Rules Chair May 11, 2008 QUESTIONS and CLARIFICATIONS 1. Wrist Watches: Question: If I wear a wrist watch during the 1650, will I be disqualified? Answer: No, if you do not use it as a pacing device. Yes, if you use it as a pacing device (102.15.9). 2. 15-Meter Rule: Question: Three of the stroke rules specify that a swimmer's head must break the surface within 15 meters of the start and after turns. Does the head have to break the surface 15 meters from the wall or can the head break the surface when the swimmer’s feet have traveled 15 meters from the wall? Answer: The head has to break the surface at or before the 15-meter mark. If the head breaks the surface when the feet pass the 15-meter mark, that is a DQ. The head must break the surface of the water not more than 15 meters (16.4 yards) after the start and each turn (101.3.2, 101.4.2, and 101.5.2). 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). 4. Backstroke Start: Question: Can I place my toes above the surface of the water for the backstroke start? Answer: Yes, however bending the toes over the lip of the gutter before or after the start is prohibited (101.1.2B). The phrase “the toes shall be placed under the surface of the water” was deleted beginning with the 2006 rule book. FINA changed that rule, USA Swimming adopted it, and then USMS also adopted it. However, it is difficult to place the toes above the surface of the water without bending the toes over the lip of the gutter before or after the start if the touch pad does not extend .3 meter above the water surface as required by FINA rule FR 2.4.3. If you have a touch pad that extends .3 meter above the surface of the water, it is easy to place the toes above the surface of the water because there is no gutter to bend the toes over. 5. USMS Policy on FINA-Approved Suits: Question: Are the new suits like the Speedo LZR legal in Masters swim meets? Answer: Yes, if they have been approved by FINA. It has been the practice of both USMS and USA Swimming to follow FINA’s approvals and rejections of new swimwear (high-end competitive suits of new design and materials such as the Speedo LZR, TYR Tracer Light and Tracer Rise, the Blueseventy Pointzero3, and the Xterra Velocity 0.02 all of which have been approved by FINA). The USMS Rules Committee has established the following policy, “FINA approval or rejection of new swimwear will be accepted by USMS.” This approval is in effect for competitions held in pool, postal, and open water events. Proposed Rule Changes: This is a “Rules Year”. Proposed amendments can be passed by a majority vote of the House of Delegates if the amendments are recommended by the Rules Committee. Information about submitting proposed amendments to Part 1: Swimming Rules and the Glossary can be found in Article 601, pages 93 – 96 of the 2008 USMS Rule Book. More detailed information, including examples and a template for your use, can be found in the LMSC Handbook, “Convention” section, pages 2 – 6, at www.usms.org/admin/lmschb/. LMSCs wishing to submit proposals must do so in writing (email, fax, or mail) by July 10 to Kathy Casey, rules@usms.org, or (253)589-8321 (fax), or 11114 – 111th St. SW, Tacoma, WA, 98498.

I'm thinking of printing out this thread and bringing it with me to meets just in case. I'd hate to be DQ'd for something that is actually legal...

Mel,in the 200 SCY BR I seem to always find myself at a 1/2 stroke on at least one turn.I have never been DQd for that and am prepared to appeal if I am(but our local judges are really good,so I doubt it will come up.) Others have told me that as well, Allen. However, rather than taking a chance on blowing my stack in front of a official (my ambassadorial skills are, shall we say, a bit on the defensive side) and losing an appeal on that account, I just fudge the stroke a bit.