Whiteboard Wednesday: Avoiding Disqualification in Swimming

Welcome to this week's session on how to avoid disqualification (DQ) in swimming competitions. Even for non-competitors, understanding the foundations of what actions lead to disqualification is crucial for mastering swimming techniques.

What Does Disqualification (DQ) Mean?

• Definition: DQ means your race is ineligible for points, placing, awards, and most importantly, time.
• Implications: A DQ nullifies your race time, which can be particularly disheartening if you achieve a personal best.

General Swimming Rules

1. False Start
   • Moving before the beep results in automatic DQ.
2. Pulling on Lane Line
   • Using lane lines for propulsion results in DQ.
3. Touching the Bottom
   • Using the bottom for propulsion is not allowed.
4. 15 Meter Rule
   • Applicable to butterfly, backstroke, and front crawl; you must surface before 15 meters.

Turn-Related Disqualifications

• Butterfly and Breaststroke
  • Must have a simultaneous two-hand touch at turns.
• Backstroke
  • Allowed one freestyle stroke when turning onto the stomach.
• Finish
  • Must touch wall; missing wall during a turn is a common DQ.

Stroke-Specific Rules

Butterfly

• Simultaneous Movement: Kicks and arm movements must be simultaneous.
• Recovery Over Water: Elbows must clear water surface during arm recovery.

Backstroke

• Start: Heels must be beneath water; toes cannot grip the gutter.
• Stay on Back: Must remain on back except during allowed turn onto the stomach.

Breaststroke

• Pullout: One arm pull, one dolphin kick, and one leg kick under water.
• Head: Must break water surface during each stroke cycle.

Freestyle

• Free Choice: Can swim any stroke; rules of chosen stroke apply.
• 15 Meter Rule: Applies; some part of the body must be above water.

Non-Obvious Disqualification Causes

1. IM Order: Stick to butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle.
2. Misconduct: Delay or inappropriate behavior can lead to DQ.
3. Crossover Turns: Not completing backstroke legally before switching to breaststroke.
4. 15 Meter Resubmersion: Full body cannot submerge after 15 meters.
5. Wrong Relay Order: Relay must follow submitted order.
6. Swimsuit Rules: Must comply with FINA standards; no zippers, must be water permeable.

Conclusion

• Community: Join the largest swimming group on Facebook.
• Feedback: Share your DQ experiences or insights in the comments.

By understanding and following these rules, swimmers can avoid disqualification and ensure their hard work and effort are properly recorded and rewarded.