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,
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 .
If they are underwater prior to the touch, it is a DQ recommendation. It doesn't matter if it is a lunge or not. USA Swimming clarified this in the past year and it has been clarified at every meet I have officiated the past year as well.
Here's excerpts from the memo:
Question: Article 101.4.2 states that it is permissible for a swimmer to be completely submerged at the finish. What is the definition of “finish”?
Answer: Article 101.4.4 states that at the finish, the swimmer must touch the wall. Therefore, the “finish” is defined as the instant that a swimmer touches the wall. If a swimmer is completely submerged any time prior to that, except for 15 meters after the start and after each turn, it would be cause for a disqualification because the swimmer was completely submerged prior to the finish
wolf? wolf? Where are you?
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 .
If they are underwater prior to the touch, it is a DQ recommendation. It doesn't matter if it is a lunge or not. USA Swimming clarified this in the past year and it has been clarified at every meet I have officiated the past year as well.
Here's excerpts from the memo:
Question: Article 101.4.2 states that it is permissible for a swimmer to be completely submerged at the finish. What is the definition of “finish”?
Answer: Article 101.4.4 states that at the finish, the swimmer must touch the wall. Therefore, the “finish” is defined as the instant that a swimmer touches the wall. If a swimmer is completely submerged any time prior to that, except for 15 meters after the start and after each turn, it would be cause for a disqualification because the swimmer was completely submerged prior to the finish
wolf? wolf? Where are you?
