Understanding Disqualifications
A false start or any violation of the stroke rules, witnessed by an appropriate official, results in the disqualification (DQ) of the swimmer.
DQs are a crucial part of swimmers’ development. They strictly enforce proper stroke technique and should be considered educational not punitive.
Officials and Procedures
Stroke and Turn Judges are responsible for the enforcement of stroke rules. A DQ slip (form) is written up and signed by the Judge. One copy of the form is submitted to the Data Table for recording and one copy is submitted to the Team Representative who subsequently informs the Coach.
The Starter has responsibility for ensuring a fair start to each race. A false start occurs whenever a swimmer starts prior to the starting signal.
Stroke Judges ensure that relay exchanges are fair. A fair exchange occurs when the departing swimmer is in contact with the pool deck when the incoming swimmer touches the end of the pool. Two Judges are assigned to each end of the pool and both Judges must independently observe a violation (dual confirmation) for a disqualification to be declared.
Officials are trained always to give the benefit of the doubt to the swimmer. Any violation called by an official is an "I saw" not an "I think I saw."
Freestyle
Failure to touch the wall at the turning end of the pool.
Walking on the bottom or pulling on the lane lines.
DQs are rare in freestyle.
Backstroke
Not staying on back.
Improper flip turn.
Breaststroke
Non-simultaneous 2-hand touch, or 1-hand touch at turn or finish
Incorrect kick such as scissor or flutter kick
Arm pull past waistline.
Two arm pulls without intervening kick.
Two kicks without intervening arm pull.
Butterfly
Arm(s) under water during recovery, judged at the elbows.
Non-simultaneous 2-hand touch, or 1-hand touch at turn or finish
Incorrect kick, flutter kick, breaststroke kick, non-simultaneous leg movements during kicks
Non-simultaneous arm movement.
Relay Races
Any stroke violation above
Swimmer leaves the deck before the previous swimmer touches the wall.
Running start, or swimmer is pushed at start.
False Start
Swimmer starts the race before starting signal is given.
