COMPETITIVE STROKES
Starts
Freestyle
Backstroke
Breaststroke
Individual Medley
STARTS
6 & Under through 11/12’s are allowed one false start and given a second chance
13 & Up swimmers are disqualified if they false start.
In relays, a legal touch must be completed before the next swimmer’s big toe leaves the starting block.
FREESTYLE
A one hand, fingertip touch is all that is needed when finishing
It is legal if the swimmer unintentionally slaps the lane rope or wall repeatedly.
It is legal if the younger swimmer deliberately hangs on lane rope or wall up to 3 times.
It is legal if the younger swimmer touches the bottom but does not use it to push off in a forward direction. (Must come straight up vertically.)
A Disqualification will occur for the following::
A 4th hang on the lane rope or wall (Swimmer will be retrieved from pool)
Using the lane rope or wall to propel forward
Pushing off the bottom of the pool to propel forward.
If the older, 11 & up, swimmer misses the wall while trying to execute a flip turn.
BACK STROKE
Any part of the body may hit the wall and qualify as a legal touch when finishing
It is legal if the swimmer unintentionally slaps the lane rope or wall repeatedly.
It is legal if the younger swimmer deliberately hangs on lane rope or wall up to 3 times.
It is legal if the younger swimmer touches the bottom up to 3 times. (Must come straight up vertically.)
A Disqualification will occur for the following::
7/8’s & 9/10’s -- Turns over onto breast at any time while swimming (must touch while on back)
(Special rules apply to the 11/12’s & up because they are swimming a 50yd/m race and often use a special flip turn for backstroke.)
If older swimmer takes a second stroke after turning over to execute flip turn
If older swimmer ‘s position off wall exceeds 90 degrees from back after flip turn.
BREASTSTROKE
It is legal for swimmer to pull once, all the way down to the hipline, followed by one, breaststroke, kick under water after start
A two hand, fingertip touch, above or below the surface, qualifies as a touch when finishing
A Disqualification will occur for the following::
Kicking or pulling more than once under the water after start
Head does not break surface upon recovery of second stroke after start
Bringing hands below hipline for remaining strokes
“Fluttering”, or “scissoring” legs during stroke (must move symmetrically on same horizontal plane)
“Wind milling” arms (breaking symmetry) during stroke
INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY
IM begins with a forward start
Order of strokes is butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and any other stroke other than the first three
Each stroke must be finished in accordance with the rule that applies to the stroke concerned.
Backstroke must be completed on the back
Breaststroke and Butterfly must be completed with two– hand simultaneous touch before beginning the next stroke
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Swim Strokes 
