After seeing some accomplished swimmers get disqualified in Austin, our masters group has been trying to interpret the rules on both the butterfly and breaststroke turns.
The first question is related to the "simultaneous touch":
The 2008 USA Swimming Rules and Regulations book states for both strokes: "The touch shall be made simultaneously at, above, or below the water surface."
Does this mean that one hand can be above the water and one below the water as long as they touch at the same time? We all seem to remember as kids that the touch had to be simultaneous on the same horizontal plane.
For breaststroke, the book also states that throughout the stroke "the arms shall be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane...", so if that is the case, then the swimmer would have to touch the wall at the same level.
There is no such added description for arms in the butterfly stroke.
The second question is regarding the body position upon leaving the wall:
For breaststroke, the book states: "...after each turn when the swimmer leaves the wall, the body shall be kept on the ***." Must the swimmer be 100% flat as soon as their feet leave the wall?
For butterfly, it states: "Once the turn has been made, the shoulders must be at or past the vertical toward the *** when the swimmer leaves the wall."
To further complicate things, for the backstroke to breaststroke turn in the IM, the rule book states: "Once the legal touch has been made, the swimmer may turn in any manner but the shoulders must be at or past the vertical toward the *** when the swimmer leaves the wall and the prescribed breasstroke form must be attained prior to the first arm stroke."
Does anyone have any insight into these rules?
Thanks!
No, the swimmer does not have to complete the cycle before touching the wall on the turn (or finish). The last sentence of 101.2.4 (Breaststroke turns and finish) says: "...during the last complete or incomplete cycle preceding the touch." A complete cycle is not required prior to the touch. A swimmer cannot take two pulls prior to the touch (I have seen swimmers do that and get disqualified). It has to be an arm pull and a kick in that order, but if the wall comes up before the swimmer can kick, an incomplete cycle is legal preceding the touch. I heard of one case in my area this year in which the official was going to disqualifiy the swimmer for an incomplete cycle preceding the touch. Fortunately, the swimmer knew the rule and explained it to the official, who I hoped checked it in the rule book.
Kathy Casey, Chair
USMS Rules Committee
No, the swimmer does not have to complete the cycle before touching the wall on the turn (or finish). The last sentence of 101.2.4 (Breaststroke turns and finish) says: "...during the last complete or incomplete cycle preceding the touch." A complete cycle is not required prior to the touch. A swimmer cannot take two pulls prior to the touch (I have seen swimmers do that and get disqualified). It has to be an arm pull and a kick in that order, but if the wall comes up before the swimmer can kick, an incomplete cycle is legal preceding the touch. I heard of one case in my area this year in which the official was going to disqualifiy the swimmer for an incomplete cycle preceding the touch. Fortunately, the swimmer knew the rule and explained it to the official, who I hoped checked it in the rule book.
Kathy Casey, Chair
USMS Rules Committee
