Change the last sentenceof 101.3.2__Stroke to read " Both arms shall be brought forward in an overarm manner and pulled back simultaneously". .
Change the second sentence of 101.3.3__Kick to read, "A scissors kicking movement is never permitted in the Butterfly Stroke".
Since these two proposed changes are being proposed only because of the widely differing interpretation encountered in the last couple of years, they can be incorporated without further ado other than the agreement of the rules committees before the meet, whether it be tomorrow, next month, or next year.
Alright ! New Bern, home of two great guys, both Indiana University students, contemporaries who probably never heard of each other. Walt Bellamy and Bill Bynum. Oh yeah. Calgary Canadian Nationals 2006, wrists didn't always clear the water. 2007 YMCA Nationals, forearms didn't always clear the water. 2007 National Masters elbows didn't always clear the water, Savannah 2004 Nationals LCM, 400 IM, same foot said not to be always higher than the other.
...Calgary Canadian Nationals 2006, wrists didn't always clear the water. 2007 YMCA Nationals, forearms didn't always clear the water. 2007 National Masters elbows didn't always clear the water...
I am assuming that not only did they not clear the water, but they were not together/symetrical?
Many swimmers have difficulty getting the entire arm/forearm/hand above the water in fly, especially in longer swims, but I thought as long as they were symetrical in bringing the arms forward (and of course attempting to do so over the top) they would be okay.
Regarding the armstroke: officials generally use common sense when judging "Both arms must be brought forward over the water...simultaneously". Inconsistencies in judging that part of the rule are appropriately addressed in officials' education and in officials' briefings at meets.
Regarding the kick: the current language of the kick rule does not allow for a scissors kick. For dolphin kick, "All up and down movements of the feet and legs must be simultaneous." When breaststroke kick is used, 101.2.3 "Kick" (breaststroke rule) applies, and it states, "A scissors...kick is not permitted...".
Kathy Casey, Chair
USMS Rules Committee
I am assuming that not only did they not clear the water, but they were not together/symetrical?
Many swimmers have difficulty getting the entire arm/forearm/hand above the water in fly, especially in longer swims, but I thought as long as they were symetrical in bringing the arms forward (and of course attempting to do so over the top) they would be okay.
But if they don't clear the water at all, it's an illegal underwater recovery. An attempt to clear isn't enough. This isn't breaststroke!
Actually, I mentioned David Armbruster in the link post I providedI should have known you wouldn’t have missed Armbruster.
Back in my youth, I used to swim in the David Armbruster meet in Iowa City.
.....
Ahhh, but Butterfly is indeed breaststroke! Overarm recovery was one of the early refinements to the stroke to go faster (Paul Wolf, 1932 Olympian, is generally credited with the change). It wasn't until around 1960 that Butterfly was recognized as a seperate stroke (since the classsical breaststroke style was no longer competitive with it). No breather and underwater breaststroke was also outlawed about the same time.
Skip, Rob, Bill et al,
This part of the thread is proof that success has a million fathers. I knew Paul Wolf in the 1960s and swam at his swim school. So far, he predates anyone else's claim, but is not credited in print. I am guessing he used overarm recovery for part of his race and took credit later for inventing the stroke when it became popular. I'll do some more research and post any supporting evidence here.
