How to Keep From Getting Disqualified Swimming Backstroke

Follow proper procedure to avoid being disqualified when swimming the backstroke in competitions.

U.S. and international regulations require swimmers to follow proper procedures when executing the backstroke during competitions. Many swimmers have completed remarkable times in a backstroke race only to get disqualified by a stroke and turn official for turning over a moment before they touch the wall. Coaches, parents and swimmers need to be familiar with the rules for swimming backstroke in a meet to prevent unnecessary disqualifications. The USA Swimming rulebook outlines the disqualification rules that apply to the backstroke, as set by the bylaws of the Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA), the international organization that governs the sport of swimming.

Things You'll Need

• Pool
• Practice
• More Practice

Instructions

1. Execute proper start position. Line up in the water, facing the starting end. Place both your hands on the starting grips. You can't stand in or on the gutter, place your toes above the lip of the gutter or bend your toes over the lip of the gutter before or after the start.

2. Maintain proper stroke counts. You cannot remain entirely under water after 15 meters (16.4 yards). After the start and after each turn, if your head has not broken the water by that point, you can be disqualified.

3. Complete proper turns. At the turn, some part of the body must touch the wall before you start the next length. To maneuver the turn, you can roll past vertical onto the stomach and perform a partial flip turn as long you come off the wall on your back. After your torso moves past the vertical to initiate the turn, complete one continuous arm pull or a double arm pull (the arms must move simultaneously).

4. Execute a proper finish. Touch the wall with some part of your body on your back. Your torso must not go past vertical.

Tips & Warnings

• Stroke count is integral to the backstroke flip turn, the part of the stroke that most often causes a swimmer to get disqualified.

• Practice your backstroke starts, turns and finishes as much as possible. The more comfortable you are in the water, the less you will worry about getting disqualified.

• Never stop swimming, even if you think you may have gotten disqualified. You may not be the swimmer getting disqualified. Focus only on swimming your race.

References

• FINA: Backstroke Swimming Rules

Resources

• FINA: Homepage
• USA Swimming: Homepage