Section 7: Violations & Penalties
7.1 False Start (SW Rule SW 4.4)
A swimmer who moves from the stationary starting position before the starting signal is given has committed a false start. Under the current World Aquatics rules, any swimmer committing a false start shall be disqualified. There is no "one warning" system at the international level; a single false start results in immediate disqualification for the offending swimmer. The recall rope is dropped to stop the remaining swimmers, and the offending swimmer is removed from competition. The race is then restarted.
7.2 Freestyle Violations (SW Rule SW 5)
- Failure to touch the wall at the completion of each length: Disqualification (DQ)
- Remaining completely submerged beyond 15 m after start or turn: DQ
- Walking on the bottom of the pool (permitted, but use of the bottom to gain an advantage is prohibited): DQ at the Referee's discretion
- Pulling on the lane rope for advantage: DQ
7.3 Breaststroke Violations (SW Rule SW 6)
- Alternating arm or leg movement: DQ
- Failure to bring both hands forward from the breast simultaneously: DQ
- Arms pulled back beyond the hip line (except first stroke after start/turn): DQ
- Scissors kick, flutter kick, or downward butterfly kick: DQ
- Feet not turned outward during propulsive phase: DQ
- One-handed touch at the wall: DQ
- Head failing to break the surface within each complete cycle: DQ
- Head submerged after the first arm stroke on the pullout (underwater breaststroke): DQ, unless the head broke the surface before or at the widest point of the second arm stroke
7.4 Butterfly Violations (SW Rule SW 7)
- Arms not brought forward simultaneously over the water: DQ
- Alternating leg movement (flutter kick): DQ
- Breaststroke kick during butterfly: DQ
- One-handed touch at the wall: DQ
- Remaining submerged beyond 15 m after start or turn: DQ
7.5 Backstroke Violations (SW Rule SW 8)
- Rotating past vertical (90°) toward the breast, except during a legal turn: DQ
- Finishing on the breast (not returning to back position after the turn): DQ
- Remaining submerged beyond 15 m after start or turn: DQ
- Toes placed over the gutter lip at the start: DQ (determined by the Starter)
7.6 Individual Medley Violations (SW Rule SW 9)
- Failure to complete each stroke segment in the correct order: DQ
- Using a different stroke than required for the applicable leg: DQ
- Any stroke-specific violation applicable to the segment being swum: DQ
7.7 Relay Violations (SW Rules SW 10, SW 11)
- Relay swimmer leaves the starting block before the incoming swimmer touches the wall: DQ (entire team)
- Swimming in the wrong order (medley relay): DQ (entire team)
- Any swimmer other than the four designated swimmers entering the water during the race: DQ (entire team)
- Failure to submit a valid declaration of relay team members: DQ (entire team) at the meet director's discretion
7.8 General Conduct Violations (SW Rule SW 4)
- Wilful delay of the start after the command "Take your marks": The swimmer may be reported to the Referee for delaying the start; the Referee may disqualify the swimmer at their discretion.
- Interfering with another swimmer during the race (e.g., grabbing lane ropes): DQ of the interfering swimmer.
- Obstructing or impeding another swimmer: DQ.
- Use of non-approved swimwear: DQ and removal from competition. The athlete may be allowed to change and re-enter if time permits at the Referee's discretion.
7.9 Disqualification Procedure
All disqualifications must be reported in writing by the official who observed the violation to the Chief Inspector of Turns (for turn/stroke violations) or directly to the Referee (for start violations). The Referee makes the final ruling. Disqualification reports must specify the exact rule violated and the nature of the infraction. Disqualifications are posted officially as "DQ" with the applicable rule number.