The following rule changes were adopted by the ASA from 1st October 2013
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FINA Rule Changes (Oct 2013) |
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Further Clarification from FINA (Jan 2014) |
SW 6.3 Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water
throughout the race. It is permissible for the swimmer to be completely
sub-merged 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.
In other words - do not completely submerge when finishing.
SW 6.4 When executing the turn there must be a touch of the wall with some part of the swimmer’s body in his/her respective lane. During the turn the shoulders may be turned over the vertical to the breast after which an immediate continuous single arm pull or an immediate continuous simultaneous double arm pull may be used to initiate the turn. The swimmer must have returned to the position on the back upon leaving the wall.
So - arm pull has to be done straight away - no gliding
Breaststroke
SW 7.2 From the beginning of the first arm stroke after the start and after each turn, the body shall be on the breast. It is not permitted to roll onto the back at any time except at the turn after the touch of the wall where it is permissible to turn in any manner as long as the body is on the breast when leaving the wall. From the start and throughout the race the stroke cycle must be one arm stroke and one leg kick in that order. All movements of the arms shall be simultaneous and on the same horizontal plane without alternating movement.
SW 7.5 The feet must be turned outwards during the propulsive part of the
kick. A scissor, Flutter
Alternating movements or downward butterfly kicks
is are not permitted except
as in SW 7.1 (After the start and after each turn, the swimmer
may take one arm stroke completely back to the legs during which the swimmer may
be submerged. A single butterfly kick is permitted during the first arm stroke
followed by a breaststroke kick). Breaking the surface of the water
with the feet is allowed unless followed by a downward butterfly kick.
SW 7.6 At each turn and at the finish of the race, the touch shall be made with both hands separated and simultaneously at, above, or below the water level. At the last stroke before the turn and at the finish an arm stroke not followed by a leg kick is permitted. 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.
Hands have to be apart when touching the wall
Butterfly
SW 8.1 From the beginning of the first arm stroke after the start and each turn, the body shall be kept on the breast. Under water kicking on the side is allowed. It is not permitted to roll onto the back at any time, except at the turn after the touch of the wall where it is permissible to turn in any manner as long as the body is on the breast when leaving the wall.
SW 8.2 Both arms shall be brought forward
together simultaneously over the water and brought
backward simultaneously under the water
through-out the race, subject to SW 8.5 (At
the start and at turns, a swimmer is permitted one or more leg kicks and one arm
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)
SW 8.4 At each turn and at the finish of the race, the touch shall be made with both hands separated and simultaneously, at, above or below the water.
Again like Breaststroke - hands have to be apart when touching the wall
Swimwear
GR 5.2 All swimsuits shall be non-transparent. It is permissible to wear two (2) caps.