This
is an extract of the ASA Technical Rules of Racing. The full document can
be found by clicking here
to link to the ASA site.
Freestyle
A swimmer may start with a
plunge or jump, or in the water holding the rail or side of the pool
or other starting place with one or both hands.
Freestyle means that in an
event so designated, the swimmer may swim any style, except that in
Individual Medley or Medley Relay events, Freestyle means any style
other than Backstroke, Breaststroke or Butterfly.
Some part of the swimmer
must touch the wall upon completion of each length and at the finish.
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
of each turn. By that point, the head must have broken the surface.
Breaststroke
A swimmer may start with a
plunge or jump, or in the water, facing the course, and holding the
rail or side of the pool or other starting place, with one or both
hands.
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 hands shall be pushed
forwards together from the breast, on, under or over the water. The
elbows shall be under the water except for the final stroke before the
turn, during the turn and for the final stroke at the finish. The
hands shall be brought back on or under the surface of the water. The
hands shall not be brought back beyond the hip line, except during the
first stroke after the start of each turn.
All movements of the legs
shall be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane, without
alternating movement.
The feet must be turned
outwards during the propulsive part of the kick. A scissors, flutter
or downward dolphin kick is not permitted. Breaking the surface of the
water with the feet is allowed unless followed by a downward dolphin
kick.
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 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
A swimmer may start with a
plunge or jump, or in the water, facing the course, and holding the
rail or side of the pool or other starting place, with one or both
hands.
From the beginning of the
first arm stroke after the start and after each turn, the body shall
be kept on the breast. Underwater kicking on the side is allowed. It
is not permitted to roll onto the back at any time.
Both arms must be brought
forward together over the water and brought backward simultaneously
throughout the race, subject to the provisions of ASA Technical Rule
concerning turns within the stroke.
All up and down movements
of the legs and feet must be simultaneous. The position of the legs or
the feet need not be at the same level, but they shall not alternate
in relation to each other. A breaststroke kicking movement is not
permitted.
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 am pull under the
water, which must bring him 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.
Backstroke
Prior to the starting
signal the swimmers shall line up in the water facing the starting end
holding the starting grips with both hands or, in the case of a
swimmer in a Masters race, with one or both hands. The feet, including
the toes, shall be under the surface of the water. Standing in or on
the gutter or bending the toes over the lip of the gutter is
prohibited.
At the signal for starting
and after turning, the swimmer shall push off and swim upon his back
throughout the race, except when executing a turn as set out in ASA
Technical Rule concerning turns within the stroke. The normal position
on the back can include a roll movement of the body up to, but not
including 90 degrees from the horizontal. The position of the head is
not relevant.
Some part 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, at the finish 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.
--During the turn the
shoulders may be turned over the vertical 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, any kick or arm pull must be used to initiate
the turn. Once the body has left the position on the back, any kick or
arm pull must be part of a continuous turning action. The swimmer must
have returned to a position on the back upon leaving the wall. When
executing a turn there must be a touch of the wall with some part of
the swimmer's body.
Upon the finish of the race
the swimmer must touch the wall while on the back. The body may be
submerged at the touch.
Wherever possible
backstroke turn indicators shall be provided by means of flagged ropes
suspended across the pool at a minimum of 1.8m and at a maximum height
of 2.5m above the surface from fixed supports or strands set 5m from
each end wall of the pool.
Medley Swimming
In individual events, the swimmer covers the four
swimming strokes in the following order: Butterfly, Backstroke,
Breaststroke, Freestyle.
In Medley Relay events, swimmers cover the four
swimming strokes in the following order: Backstroke, Breaststroke,
Butterfly, Freestyle.
Each section must be finished in accordance with
the ASA Technical Rule which applies to the stroke concerned.
