With the ability to do a dolphin kick now along with the pulldown, what is the proper timing. I have been out of swimming for a while, and when I competed, we couldn't use the dolphin kick at all.
Except that this, by rule, is considered an illegal technique. USA Swimming rule 101.3 (taken from the FINA rules) states
"Kick - After the start and each turn, a single downward butterfly kick FOLLOWED by a breaststroke kick is permitted"
Now, there may be wriggle room in the meaning of 'followed' as in sometime after, the fact of the matter that in this case, it should be the next independent action taken.
When I ref, this is the definition that I brief and when I stroke and turn that is the definition that I use. I have email USA swimming and FINA numerous times asking them to just add the word 'immediately' just before 'followed' in the wording or to alter the wording in such a way as it can only be interpreted in this manner, or to change so that the 'single butterfly kick must coincide with or immediately follow the arm pull'
But so far, in the last 2 years I have heard nothing back and have seen no changes.
Paul
Well, that would be bad... I wonder if the USAS/FINA rules are worded differently?
Here's the USAS Rule:
Kick — After the start and each turn, a single butterfly kick, which must be followed by a breaststroke kick, is permitted during or at the completion of the first arm pull. Following which, all movements of the legs shall be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane without alternating movement.
That seems pretty similar to the USMS standard, so it comes down, as you say, to a matter of interpretation. I want to try kicking first to see what it does. I feel like a lot of the power of the butterfly kick is lost in the power of the pulldown so it's probably beneficial to do the butterfly kick first, if legal.
Except that this, by rule, is considered an illegal technique. USA Swimming rule 101.3 (taken from the FINA rules) states
"Kick - After the start and each turn, a single downward butterfly kick FOLLOWED by a breaststroke kick is permitted"
Now, there may be wriggle room in the meaning of 'followed' as in sometime after, the fact of the matter that in this case, it should be the next independent action taken.
When I ref, this is the definition that I brief and when I stroke and turn that is the definition that I use. I have email USA swimming and FINA numerous times asking them to just add the word 'immediately' just before 'followed' in the wording or to alter the wording in such a way as it can only be interpreted in this manner, or to change so that the 'single butterfly kick must coincide with or immediately follow the arm pull'
But so far, in the last 2 years I have heard nothing back and have seen no changes.
Paul
Well, that would be bad... I wonder if the USAS/FINA rules are worded differently?
Here's the USAS Rule:
Kick — After the start and each turn, a single butterfly kick, which must be followed by a breaststroke kick, is permitted during or at the completion of the first arm pull. Following which, all movements of the legs shall be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane without alternating movement.
That seems pretty similar to the USMS standard, so it comes down, as you say, to a matter of interpretation. I want to try kicking first to see what it does. I feel like a lot of the power of the butterfly kick is lost in the power of the pulldown so it's probably beneficial to do the butterfly kick first, if legal.
