Stroke & Meet Rules

GENERAL SWIMMING RULES

A full copy is available from SwimmingQLD 

The Referee is in complete command.

Swimmers are Marshalled

Swimmers are lead to behind blocks and put into their correct lanes by the check starter.

Caps and goggles need to be fitted and adjusted prior to stepping onto start blocks.


General Race Procedure

 All swimmers are to note the Starting Policy for all events:

 a)    One start rule for all 8 and over events.

On the Referee’s Whistle

 1.     Complete quiet surrounding the pool

 2.     Swimmers step onto the starting block and prepare to race

The Start - The Starter is in charge from the Referee’s whistle.  On his or her command “Take your Marks” the swimmers immediately step to the edge of the blocks and assume their normal starting position. When all the swimmers are steady on the blocks, the Starter will fire the starter’s signal.

The Starter (with the concurrence of the Referee) may recommend to disqualify competitors for delaying the start, disobeying an order or any other misconduct at the start.

At the end of the race, SWIMMERS MUST STAY IN THE WATER IN THEIR CORRECT LANES until the Referee instructs them to leave the water.  Swimmers must then exit by the sides of the pool.  Relay swimmers (with the exception of those swimming the last leg) may exit the end of the pool upon completion of their swim.

FREESTYLE RULES

• Freestyle - means that in an event so designated the swimmer may swim any style, except individual medley or medley relay events.

• The Touch - Some parts of the swimmer must touch the wall upon completion of each length and at the finish.

• The Turn - 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 and for a distance of not more than 15 metres after the start and each turn.  By that point the head must have broken the surface.

BACKSTROKE RULES

• The Start - Prior to the starting signal, the swimmers shall line up in the water facing the starting end, with both hands holding the starting grips.    Standing in or on the gutter or bending the toes over the lip of the gutter is prohibited.

• The Stroke - At the signal for starting and after turning, the swimmer shall push off and swim upon his or her back throughout the race except when executing a turn.  The normal position on the back can include a rolling movement of the body up to but not including 90º from horizontal.  The position of the head is not relevant.  Some parts of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the race, except that it shall be permissible for the swimmer to be completely submerged during the turn and 
for a distance of not more than 15 metres after the start and each turn.  By that point the head must have broken the surface.

• The Turn - The shoulders maybe turned 90º past from horizontal to the breast, after which a continuous single arm pull or a continuous simultaneous double arm pull, may be used to initiate the turn.  Once the body has left the position on the back there will be no kick or arm pull that is independent of the continuous turning action.  The swimmer must have returned to a position on the back upon leaving the wall.  When executing the turn there must be a touch of the wall with some part of the swimmers body.

• The finish - The swimmer must touch the wall while on the back at the finish.

BREASTSTROKE RULES

• The Start - From the beginning of the first arm stroke after the start and after each turn, the body shall be kept on the breast. It is not permitted to roll onto the back at any time. All movements of the arms shall be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane without alternating movement. The Arms - The hands shall be pushed forward together from the breast on, under or over the water. The elbows shall be under the water except for the last stroke to finish. The hands shall not be brought back beyond the hip line, except during the first stroke after the start and each turn.

• The legs - All movements of the legs shall be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane without alternating movement.

• The Feet - The feet must be turned outwards during the propulsive part of the kick. A scissors, flutter or downward butterfly kick is not permitted. Breaking the surface of the water with the feet is allowed unless followed by a downward butterfly kick.

• The Turn - At each turn and at the finish of the race, the touch shall be made with both hands simultaneously at, under or above the water level. The head may be submerged after the last arm pull prior to the touch, provided it breaks the surface of the water at some point during the last complete or incomplete cycle preceding the touch.

During each complete cycle of one arm stroke and one leg kick, in that order, some part of the swimmer’s head shall break the surface of the water except that, after the start and after each turn, the swimmer may take one arm stroke completely back to the legs and one leg kick while wholly submerged.  The head must break the surface of the water before the hands turn inward at the widest part of the second stroke.

BUTTERFLY RULES

• The Start - From the beginning of the first arm stroke after the start and after each turn, the body shall be on the breast and both shoulders shall be in line with the normal water surface.  Underwater kicking on the side is allowed.  It is not permitted to roll onto the back at any time.

• The Arms - Both arm must be brought forward together over the water and brought backward simultaneously.

• The Feet - All movements of the feet must be executed in simultaneous manner. Simultaneous up and down movements of the legs and feet in the vertical plane are permitted.  The legs or feet need not be at the same level, but no alternating movements are permitted.

• The Turn - At each turn and at the finish of the race, the touch shall be made with both hands simultaneously at, above or below the water surface.  At the start and at turns, a swimmer is permitted one or more leg kicks and one arm under the water, which must bring him/her to the surface.  It shall be permissible for a swimmer to be completely submerged for a distance of not more than 15 metres after the start and after each turn.  By that point, the head must have broken the surface.  The swimmer must remain on the surface until the next turn or finish.

MEDLEY RULES

• Individual Medley - The swimmer will cover the four swimming styles in the following order: Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke & Freestyle.

• Medley Relays - Swimmers will cover the four swimming styles in the following order: Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and Freestyle.