Disqualification
The last word we all want to hear when results are being read out at a gala especially if it's our child that has done it!!
At some stage or other during their swimming life a swimmer will be disqualified, even World Champions and Olympians like the great Ian Thorpe or closer to home Mark Foster who has been disqualified more time than most. Everybody makes mistakes, whether they are young swimmers or older swimmers. Believe me, the are always mortified and disappointed at letting themselves and the team down and, for the most part, they are genuine mistakes and we all make mistakes at some time or other. More importantly, they can be worked on and put right and they rarely do it twice.
Sometimes its difficult to see why a swimmer has been disqualified and at our recent Committee meeting it was felt that parents and swimmers might like an insight as to some of the reasons for disqualifications.
The Rules state that there should be 2 stroke judges, 2 turning judges at one end and 2 place/turning judges at the other. These six people support the referee, who makes the final decision on the information received from these judges but the Referee can make his/her own decision without input from these judges. Generally, the swimmer is given the benefit of doubt, unless the infringement is blatantly obvious.
Here are some reasons for disqualifications:-
STARTING Moving on the blocks. Falling in or going too early. Delaying the start of the race. All races, or the majority of them, are run on a One Start Rule.
FRONTCRAWL Failing to touch the wall at the turn. Taking a step or walking. Swimmers can stand still and rest, but who would want to do that in a race!!
BACKSTROKE Feet moved before the start. Toes above the water line. Standing in or on the gutter, or toes curled over the gutter. Failing to stay on the back except when executing a turn. Swimming more that 15m underwater. Turning over before touching the wall at the finish. The backstroke turn is a frequent cause of disqualification. Basically, the swimmer can turn over to facilitate the turn but this must be a continuous movement with no gliding and the swimmer must come off the wall on the back.
BREASTSTROKE Uneven arm pulls (not simultaneous action). Elbows must remain under the water, except for the final strike at the turn or finish. Hands must not be brought back beyond the hip line except at the first stroke at the start and the turn. Leg movements must be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane, with no alternating movements. Feet must be turned out. Scissor, flutter or dolphin kicks are not permitted. Swimmers heads must break the surface at some point during the arm/leg cycle. At the start and at the turn, only one kick and one arm pull is permitted under water. The touch at the turns and the finish must be made with both hands at the same time.
BUTTERFLY the body must be kept on the breast. Both arms must be brought forward together over the water and brought backwards simultaneously. Feet movements must be simultaneous. No alternating kicks or breaststroke kicks are allowed. Turns and finishes must be made with both arms recovering over the water and touching the end simultaneously. At the start the swimmer is permitted one pull underwater to bring to the surface. Not more than 15m underwater at the start.
MEDLEY RELAYS All ASA technical rules apply to each stroke.
FREESTYLE RELAY Swimmers may not swim more than one leg. Taking over too early (flyer) (often the fault of the incoming swimmer). The incoming swimmer must have touched the wall before the outing swimmer?s feet have left the block.
There are a few more general rules that swimmers are not allowed to do, i.e. pulling on the lane rope. Entering another swimmers lane and impeding that swimmer (this has happened in relays where electronic timing is in place and swimmers are not allowed to climb out over the pads).
Swimmers must not leave the water at the end of a race until authorised by the Referee.
Most of the disqualifications that occur can easily be corrected. Swimmers can, however, help themselves by practising all their turns and correct finishes during training. Good starts, turns and finishes can and will win races.
Further information can be obtained from the Coaches.
Anne Geale