Section 5: Rules of Play
5.1 The Start (SW Rule SW 4)
All individual freestyle, butterfly, breaststroke, and individual medley events start with a dive from the starting block. The start procedure is as follows:
- The Referee blows one long whistle, directing swimmers to step onto the starting block (or enter the water for backstroke).
- The Starter gives the command "Take your marks". Swimmers immediately assume a stationary starting position with at least one foot at the front edge of the starting block.
- When all swimmers are stationary, the Starter gives the starting signal (audible and visual simultaneously via speakers in each starting block per SW Rule SW 4.2).
The starting signal is transmitted through speakers in or below each starting block to eliminate sound travel delay across lanes.
5.2 Backstroke Start (SW Rule SW 8.1)
For backstroke events and the backstroke leg of the medley relay, swimmers shall line up in the water facing the starting end before the starting signal. Swimmers grasp the starting handles with both hands and place their feet (including toes) below the water surface against the wall. Toes may not be placed over the lip of the gutter. The use of the backstroke ledge is permitted but not mandatory.
5.3 Freestyle Rules (SW Rule SW 5)
In freestyle events, a swimmer may swim any style. The following apply:
- SW 5.1: In individual events designated "Freestyle," the swimmer may swim any style. In the freestyle leg of a medley relay, the swimmer must use a style other than backstroke, breaststroke, or butterfly.
- SW 5.2: Some part of the swimmer must touch the wall upon completion of each length, including the finish.
- SW 5.3: Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the race, except that a swimmer is permitted to be completely submerged during the turn and for a distance of not more than 15 m after the start and each turn. By that point, the head must have broken the surface.
5.4 Breaststroke Rules (SW Rule SW 6)
Breaststroke is the most technically prescribed stroke. Key rules include:
- SW 6.1: After the start and each turn, one full arm stroke and one leg kick may be taken while the swimmer is wholly submerged. The head must break the surface before or at the widest point of the second arm stroke.
- SW 6.2: Throughout the race, the body shall be kept on the breast (no rolling onto the back).
- SW 6.3: All movements of the arms shall be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane without alternating movement.
- SW 6.4: Hands shall be pushed forward together from the breast on, under, or over the water. Elbows shall be under water except for the final stroke at the finish. Hands shall not be brought back beyond the hip line, except during the first stroke after the start and each turn.
- SW 6.5: At each turn and at the finish, the touch shall be made with both hands simultaneously, at, above, or below the water surface.
- SW 6.6: The legs shall be drawn up simultaneously and symmetrically. The feet shall be turned outwards during the propulsive part of the kick. A scissors, flutter, or downward butterfly kick is not permitted.
- SW 6.7: During each complete cycle of one arm stroke and one leg kick, some part of the swimmer's head shall break the surface of the water.
5.5 Butterfly Rules (SW Rule SW 7)
- SW 7.1: Both arms must be brought forward simultaneously over the water and pulled back simultaneously throughout the race.
- SW 7.2: All up and down movements of the legs and feet must be simultaneous. The legs and feet need not be at the same level, but they shall not alternate relative to one another. A breaststroke kick is not permitted.
- SW 7.3: At each turn and at the finish, the touch shall be made with both hands simultaneously at, above, or below the water surface. The shoulders shall be in line with the water surface when the touch is made.
- SW 7.4: Some part of the swimmer must break the surface throughout the race, except that the swimmer is permitted to be wholly submerged during the turn and for a distance of not more than 15 m after the start and each turn.
5.6 Backstroke Rules (SW Rule SW 8)
- SW 8.2: The swimmer shall push off from the wall and swim on the back throughout the race, except at turns as provided in SW 8.4.
- SW 8.3: Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the race, except the swimmer may be wholly submerged during the turn and for a distance of not more than 15 m after the start and each turn.
- SW 8.4: At the turn, the swimmer may leave the back position in order to execute the turn. The swimmer must have left the back position before the touch on the wall. The swimmer must return to the back position upon leaving the wall.
- Any part of the swimmer may touch the wall during a backstroke turn (including contact with the feet without touching with the hands first, in a flip turn).
5.7 Individual Medley (SW Rule SW 9)
In Individual Medley events, the swimmer performs the four strokes in the following order:
- Butterfly
- Backstroke
- Breaststroke
- Freestyle
Each stroke covers one quarter of the total distance (e.g., 50 m of each stroke in a 200 m IM). Stroke rules for each section are the same as for the individual event for that stroke. The freestyle leg must not be backstroke, breaststroke, or butterfly.
5.8 Medley Relay (SW Rule SW 10)
In the Medley Relay, four swimmers each swim one quarter of the total distance in the following order:
- Backstroke
- Breaststroke
- Butterfly
- Freestyle
5.9 Relay Exchanges (SW Rule SW 11)
In relay events, a swimmer may not leave the starting platform before the preceding swimmer has touched the wall. Any swimmer other than the designated swimmer who enters the water before the completion of the race by all swimmers is grounds for disqualification. Once a team is disqualified by the Referee, the disqualification takes effect immediately and cannot be reversed by the AOE result.
5.10 Turns — General (SW Rule SW 6.5, SW 7.3, SW 8.4)
At all turns, the swimmer must touch the wall. After a legal touch, the swimmer may turn in any manner, push off, and resume the prescribed stroke. The swimmer may be fully submerged during the turn sequence, but must resurface within 15 m of leaving the wall (the 15 m rule).