Swimming Officials News
02 Nov 2012
Breaststroke-November 2012
I have been requested to remind everyone again about the
Butterfly kick in Breaststroke.
FINA issued the 2 interpretations on the 14th March 2012.
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.
Interpretation: The first arm stroke begins with the separation of the hands.
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. 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.
Interpretation: A pause after the separation of the hands is not a violation of the rule
From this information we can see that the swimmer may
perform a butterfly kick at any time from the point that the hands move, from
the streamline position after the start or turn, outwards and or backwards all
the way to the point at which the hands are completely back to the legsØ. Once the arms are completely
back to the legs the first arm stroke has been completed. (SW 7.1).
1. A
swimmer does not have to perform a butterfly kick
2. There
can only be one butterfly kick.
3. The
butterfly kick must take place during the first arm stroke.
4. The
butterfly kick must be followed by a
breaststroke kick
Always remember that if you are not sure then the swimmer
always gets the benefit of any doubt.