Swimming Competition Rules and Officials

Basic rules for the start, strokes and finish

The one-start rule

Any movement on the blocks is interpreted as the swimmer trying to gain an advantage. Therefore all swimmers must remain "completely still" once they are in the starting position. Any movement at this time will disqualify the swimmer (even to adjust goggles!)

Breaststroke

Movement of hands and feet must be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane. At some point during each stroke the head must break the surface of the water. At the start and turn only one complete stroke may be made under the water (i.e. one arm pull followed by one leg kick) before the head breaks the surface. At the turns and at the finish, the two hands must touch at the same time. Elbows should remain in the water at all times except on the turn.

Butterfly

Movements of hands and feet must be simultaneous. Arms must be brought forward above the surface, and back on or below the surface. At the turns and at the finish, hands must touch at the same time at the same level. One or more leg kicks and one arm pull are permitted under the water at the start and turns.

Backstroke

Swimmers must remain on their back during the race except when executing a turn. During the turn the shoulders may turn over the vertical to the breast but the swimmer must have returned to a position on the back when leaving the wall. Gliding into the turn is disqualifiable. At the turn a touch must be made by some part of the swimmers body. At the finish, the touch may be made by hand, arm, shoulder or head and some part of the swimmers body must be above the water and the swimmer must remain on their back.

The flags across the pool are to assist backstroke swimmers and indicate 5m to the wall.

Individual Medley

Order of the swim - Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Freestyle

All of the above stroke rules apply. In addition, during the Backstroke to Breaststroke Turn swimmers must touch the wall on their backs and then can push off on their front.

The Finish

Stay in the water and hold onto the lane ropes until advised to leave by the side by an official.

Who are the officials and what do they do?

The Swim England laws and rules dictate the number and type of officials that should be officiating at a gala. All these officials ensure that galas are run smoothly and fairly. Officials are readily identifiable by the kit they wear - all white.

The following list describes briefly the role of the various officials.

Referee

Has complete control of the competition, the venue and other officials in all matters of the swimming laws and conduct.

The Referee's decision is final.

Starter

Starts each event.

Stroke Judge

Patrol the side of the pool to observe the swimmers conform to the Laws of Strokes.

Place Judge

Stand at the finish of each event to decide the official places, may also act as a Turn Judge

Turn Judge

Observe the swimmers conform to A.S.A. Law regarding turns and relay take-overs.

Chief Timekeeper

Records official time from each Timekeeper, if necessary adjusts them to suit the places with the supervision of the Referee

Timekeeper

Take and record the time of the swimmer in the lane allotted. This is the official time, which may be adjusted in accordance with A.S.A. Law to suit suit the official places, which takes precedence over times.

Announcer

Announce results after they have been recorded, provides security awareness and any other relevant information.

Marshalls

Arranges the swimmers in each event into appropriate heats.

Technical Desk

Manages the data entry of the meet events, heats and results into the computer.  After the meet, the meet information is processed and sent off to British Swimming for publication in their swimming results database.