Regarding the back to *** turn in the IM, is it legal to grab the wall or top of the gutter when turning? I find that grabbing the wall helps in pulling the legs into the wall in preparation for pushing off. I read the rules on the backstroke and IM and did not see anything prohibiting this, but want to make sure before developing a habit. Also, any advice on a better way of making the turn is welcomed.
Here's the relevant bits from www.usms.org/.../part1.pdf:
Backstroke to breaststroke—The swimmer must touch the wall while on the back. Once a 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 breaststroke form must be attained prior to the first arm stroke.
102.16.1 The official results of any protested race shall not be announced, the affected awards shall not be given and points scored shall not be allocated until the protest is resolved or is withdrawn in writing.
102.16.2 Protests affecting the eligibility of any swimmer to compete or to represent an organization in any race shall be made in writing to the meet director or referee before the race is held, and if the meet committee deems it advisable, the swimmer may compete under protest and it shall be so announced before the race. The meet committee shall immediately refer such protest to the LMSC officers (local meets) or championship meet protest committee (national championship meets; see article 104.5.9B) having jurisdiction for adjudication at the earliest possible time.
102.16.3 Protests against judgment decisions of starters and stroke, turn and relay takeoff judges can only be considered by the referee, and the referee’s decision shall be final.
102.16.4 Protests concerning interpretation of the rules in Part 1: Swimming Rules and the Glossary shall be submitted in writing (on paper or in an electronic file), within 10 days to the USMS Rules Committee chair, who shall issue a decision in writing (on paper or in an electronic file) within five days of the date of receipt of such protest, unless the USMS Rules Committee chair notifies the parties that the issue must come before the entire committee.
The ruling shall be final and binding on all parties.
102.16.5 Any other protest arising from the competition itself shall be made within 30 minutes after the race in which the alleged infraction took place. If the protest is not resolved immediately, the protester shall at that time file a written protest with the chair of the LMSC or the chair’s representative having jurisdiction over the event. If the LMSC does not satisfactorily resolve the protest within 10 days, the protester may appeal in writing to the USMS Rules Committee chair within the next five days for final adjudication, whose decision shall then be binding on all parties.
Here's the relevant bits from www.usms.org/.../part1.pdf:
Backstroke to breaststroke—The swimmer must touch the wall while on the back. Once a 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 breaststroke form must be attained prior to the first arm stroke.
102.16.1 The official results of any protested race shall not be announced, the affected awards shall not be given and points scored shall not be allocated until the protest is resolved or is withdrawn in writing.
102.16.2 Protests affecting the eligibility of any swimmer to compete or to represent an organization in any race shall be made in writing to the meet director or referee before the race is held, and if the meet committee deems it advisable, the swimmer may compete under protest and it shall be so announced before the race. The meet committee shall immediately refer such protest to the LMSC officers (local meets) or championship meet protest committee (national championship meets; see article 104.5.9B) having jurisdiction for adjudication at the earliest possible time.
102.16.3 Protests against judgment decisions of starters and stroke, turn and relay takeoff judges can only be considered by the referee, and the referee’s decision shall be final.
102.16.4 Protests concerning interpretation of the rules in Part 1: Swimming Rules and the Glossary shall be submitted in writing (on paper or in an electronic file), within 10 days to the USMS Rules Committee chair, who shall issue a decision in writing (on paper or in an electronic file) within five days of the date of receipt of such protest, unless the USMS Rules Committee chair notifies the parties that the issue must come before the entire committee.
The ruling shall be final and binding on all parties.
102.16.5 Any other protest arising from the competition itself shall be made within 30 minutes after the race in which the alleged infraction took place. If the protest is not resolved immediately, the protester shall at that time file a written protest with the chair of the LMSC or the chair’s representative having jurisdiction over the event. If the LMSC does not satisfactorily resolve the protest within 10 days, the protester may appeal in writing to the USMS Rules Committee chair within the next five days for final adjudication, whose decision shall then be binding on all parties.
