Hey Fellow Swimmers,
I am a backstroker and I have a fairly good underwater SDK for my age. I can swim faster underwater than I can on the surface. Usually, 15 meters is not a problem for me.
From the USMS rule book:
101.4 Backstroke
101.4.2 Stroke—Standing in or on the gutter, placing the toes above the lip of the gutter or bending the toes over the lip of the gutter immediately after the start is not permitted. The swimmer shall push off on the back and continue swimming on the back throughout the race. Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the race, except it shall be permissible for the swimmer to be completely submerged during the turn, at the finish and for a distance of not more than 15 meters (16.4 yards) after the start and each turn. By that point, the head must have broken the surface of the water.
My main question:
Upon reviewing the rules, I believe that I could break the surface of the water with my head before the 15 meter (16.4 yards) and then continue to swim underwater (SDK on my back) for the remaining part of the race as long as I held my pinkie above the water (or until I drown).
A minor question: most pools have lane markers embedded in the lane lines - how does one know if the markers are exactly 15 meters (16.4 yards). It does not appear that there is a stringent requirement to measure the markers (as opposed to the length of the pool).
A minor question: does the 15 meter rule hold for 25 yard competition. I was told that for 25 yard competition, the maximum allowable distance is 15 yards.
Respectfully yours,
It's always 15 meters, never yards.
I agree with your read on the rules. Your head must break the surface by 15 meters, but after that you could go back under as long as you keep one hand (or pinkie) up out of the water. I'd love to see someone try it! I have a feeling that position is very difficult to maintain AND not at all streamlined.
I'd trust the markers about as much as I'd trust wookiee around most farm animals.
Knelson is correct, it is always 15 meters.
Wolfie is my final authority on all things rules so I'd like his ruling as well.
I don't believe you can go back under once you surface. I have seen people get DQ'd for this on the finish: they lunge/dive under the water for the touch, and the judge's hand goes up.
There is no guarantee the markers are at 15m. When I was DQ'd for going past the 15m mark at Indy, the ref told me the judges place their foot at the position of the marker that is furthest away from the wall. When I asked how they knew this was 15m -- the markers can move, after all -- I was told it "probably" was.
I asked Charlie Cockrell, chair of the USMS Officials Committee, about this once, and he said that in that situation, he would concede all "close calls" to the swimmer and only DQ someone who was quite clearly beyond the marker. That feeling isn't universal among officials, though: it wasn't the case for my DQ, not that I'm bitter or anything...:).
It has always seemed odd to me that they are so strict on the tolerances for pool length measurements and so lax about this issue.
I don't believe you can go back under once you surface. I have seen people get DQ'd for this on the finish: they lunge/dive under the water for the touch, and the judge's hand goes up.
Right, but they're going all the way under (for it to be a valid DQ, anyway). In pdjang's scenario he keeps some part of his body above the surface of the water. That should be legal per the wording of the rule.
It has always seemed odd to me that they are so strict on the tolerances for pool length measurements and so lax about this issue.
I agree. How hard would it be to just mark the deck at the 15 meter mark at both ends? It doesn't even need to be permanent. Just put some tape down.
That would require a Steel tape to be used & most pools do not keep it out.
Also ,does going another foot really drop the time that much? Not for me, anyhow.
Also ,does going another foot really drop the time that much? Not for me, anyhow.
Yes, it would, hence the rule. In a sport measured in hundredths, a foot amounts to a good deal of time.
I don't see how it would be possible to come up, restart your momentum, go back under and keep your finger above water. I guess it is possible but it sure wouldn't be fast. I think Chris should give it a test at practice this week and report back.
I don't see how it would be possible to come up, restart your momentum, go back under and keep your finger above water. I guess it is possible but it sure wouldn't be fast. I think Chris should give it a test at practice this week and report back.
I was wondering about this as well. Perhaps you would have to come up sooner than the 15 meter mark to give you time to re-develop momentum underwater? If you were shallow the second time under, maybe the drag wouldn't be as bad. Still, I take so few strokes on the first length that it doesn't seem like this method would be faster.
You have seen people DQ'd for going under at the finish? I think all the top backstrokers finish underwater now.
They might touch the pad/finish underwater. But the rule states that the body cannot be fully submerged prior to the finish. I've deeked fast kids for this myself.
You have seen people DQ'd for going under at the finish? I think all the top backstrokers finish underwater now.
Yep, like Fort, I have called this. It is actually a pretty easy call.
They might touch the pad/finish underwater. But the rule states that the body cannot be fully submerged prior to the finish. I've deeked fast kids for this myself.
We allow them to be underwater as they lunge for the wall at the finish. But that doesn't mean they can lunge at the flags and kick in underwater either. Basically a final stroke reach for the wall. This was the interpretation of one of the referees here who has been involved in officiating swimming (at all levels) for a very long time .
