The DQ thread got me thinking about swimming rules I'd like to see repealed. Here's my list:
15M rule on freestyle -- You're allowed to do virtually anything you want in a freestyle race provided you touch the walls, don't push off the bottom and don't pull on the lane lines. Why is going beyond 15 meters doing SDK not "freestyle?"
15M rule on backstroke -- Again, the rule seems arbitrary as I could go 15M underwater SDK, pop up and then kick the rest of the way still doing SDK on my back and be perfectly legal. What's so magical about 15M?
Dolphin kick off the wall on a breaststroke pullout -- just have the guts to DQ Kitajima back when he should've been DQd and this whole :worms:wouldn't have been opened.
Rollover backstroke turns -- go back to the bucket turn (touch on your back, turn, push off on your back) and you save a whole bunch of DQ hassles for swimmers & judges. Yeah, times will be way slower, but we banned tech suits, so clearly the swimming purists should be lined up behind this one.
Standup backstroke starts -- what's so magical about starting with your toes / feet in the water when we get to start with our feet out of the water on all other races? Let's stop the discrimination against backstrokers!
For the record, with the exception of #5, I would derive no speed benefit from any of the above rule changes as a competitor (I can't hold my breath in a race for 15M and my doplhin kick on the *** pullout is weak at best). As an S&T judge, though, all of these would make my life easier and, I believe (#5 possibly excepted), be more consistent with the overall rules for the strokes.
I don't understand why it would add to the timeline. My suggestion was to make counters optional. There would be no time wasted to make sure counters were in place. Heats would start just like normal. The starter wouldn't check or even need to comment on whether or not counters were present.
Theoretically yes but changing out 6,8, or 10 counters per events would tend to muck up the works. I still haven't seen a compelling reason for having masses of counters on deck for free events. The kids need to learn.
Stillwater - many large aquatic complexes don't allow parents on deck, especially if there is bleacher spectator seating above. This forces the kids to get to their heats (or miss them).
Chris, I like the flags set at 5 yards better than 5 meters. :) And I think I'm a backstroker. However, I agree that it would preferable if the distance was uniform.
I don't personally care which it is, as long as it is the same for all courses. The "not a backstroker" crack was for anyone who thinks it is no problem at all to switch between two different distances.
Since no one else in the civilized world uses yards, and two of our 3 seasons are based on meters, I figured 5m is more palatable.
I don't personally care which it is, as long as it is the same for all courses. The "not a backstroker" crack was for anyone who thinks it is no problem at all to switch between two different distances.
Since no one else in the civilized world uses yards, and two of our 3 seasons are based on meters, I figured 5m is more palatable.
After missing every walls on a recent 200 SCM back, it seems that yards and LCM are the same length to me. You would think that they would be the same for the SCM and LCM, not LCM and Yards.
I don't think I've ever attended a meet (when I was 11 or older) where there wasn't at least one event requiring counters, so odds are if you're hosting a meet you need the counters anyway.
If counters are allowed for 200s, then there are a significant (I think about 40%) of the meets in my area that would have to maintain counters for sessions as they do not have 500 Free for 12&Us.
I don't personally care which it is, as long as it is the same for all courses. The "not a backstroker" crack was for anyone who thinks it is no problem at all to switch between two different distances.
Since no one else in the civilized world uses yards, and two of our 3 seasons are based on meters, I figured 5m is more palatable.
Chris, I can fully get behind this but I wish it was a simple as saying 'so let it be written, so let it be done!!!'
This weekend our local club hosted its annual December meet. 500 kids each day in an indoor, 6 lane 25y pool. Fortunately, it's split session, with 11-14 in the am, and 10/u and 15/o in the pm.
My 7 year old swam his first competitive 200y free ever the first night (Fri). Although he shows no fear, he was worried about losing count. So I told him I would use the lap counter for him. He went 3:30(!).
The next morning, within 30 secs of arriving on the deck, I got cornered by the meet director and was told that I had violated several USAS rules, the main two being "interfering with the swimmer" and "using a counter for a race of less than 16 lengths".
I absolutely lost it (I don't care for anal retentive meet directors, and his approach tee'd me off), and told him that that had to be the stupidest of many stupid USAS rules, and if they wanted to discourage young kids from swimming more than a 50, this was the way to do it.:bitching:
So, repeal the rule about lap counters for less than 16 lengths.
I like a good old fashioned disagreement. In the unlikely event I was at this meet and not officiating and saw some parent counting for their kid in a 200 I would have immediately raised a stink. It isn't about the kid it benefits as much as about the other kids who it may distract.
If I was officiating the meet I would also have DQ'd the swimmer, sorry, them be the rules. It doesn't matter if a rule is perceived as a technicality, it is a rule and should be enforced. Technically, every rule is a technicality.
Now, if the meet officials had offered counting for all kids I would have been fine with it. But, the times would not be counted for those that used a counter since it does violate a few rules.
I would be interested in pwolf's view on this.
I am amazed to disagree with Geek.
My problem is not even so much with the rule - which is idiotic - but with the way the MD approached me. What's the problem with saying something along the lines of "hey, sorry to let you know, but you can't use counters even for a 7 year old in a 200"?
I fail to see how this rule hinders anyone.
There are many arbitrary, idiotic rules, and not allowing lap counters for little kids is one of them. And just because a rule is a rule, doesn't mean it's not stupid.
YMMV.
I'll split the baby with you. Allow counters on any distance but no parents on deck. How about that?
Agreed. I can see where we don't need raging moms/dads on deck, accidentally bumping officials into the pool. Fine to say only coaches or other swimmers may count.
Also, just 'cause someone is a volunteer and puts in many hours at , doesn't mean they can't be a tactless d-bag. :D
It seems that the official didn't meet your standards of decorum, and hurt your feelings.
My problem is not even so much with the rule - which is idiotic - but with the way the MD approached me.
Or,Also, just 'cause someone is a volunteer and puts in many hours at , doesn't mean they can't be a tactless d-bag.
And, There are many arbitrary, idiotic rules, and not allowing lap counters for little kids is one of them. And just because a rule is a rule, doesn't mean it's not stupid.
Plus,I absolutely lost it (I don't care for anal retentive meet directors, and his approach tee'd me off)
I trust you didn't "lose it" in front of children. Hopefully your child is proud of a 3:30. I wonder who is more upset about the DQ, you or your child?
I suggest you stay in the bleachers and read the rule book.
If counters are allowed for 200s, then there are a significant (I think about 40%) of the meets in my area that would have to maintain counters for sessions as they do not have 500 Free for 12&Us.
They don't have the 500 for 11-12? If they do, then only meets for 10&U wouldn't require counters now. I guess there are some, but my feeling is most facilities already have counters.
