Swimming officials news
14 Nov 2012
Swimmers can sometimes perform the unexpected and
Officials do need to be in the correct position to observe and be able to
report precisely what the swimmer did or did not do.
One such situation occurs during the backstroke to
breaststroke turn in the Individual Medley.
There are a variety of ways in which a swimmer can touch the wall upon completion of the backstroke and leave the wall to commence the breaststroke which are all perfectly legal. The crossover turnØis one such turn which is becoming more common however when viewed from the side of the pool may be considered to be illegal.
As for all turns it is important for the official to
observe the swimmer from above. From
this position it is possible to see the shoulders at the point when the hand
touches the wall at the end of the backstroke. If the shoulders are in vertical alignment or not past vertical towards
the breast then the backstroke touch is legal. If the shoulders are past vertical towards the breast then the touch is
illegal and a report should be made.
What happens during the turn is irrelevant providing the
swimmer is past vertical towards the breast when the feet leave the wall.
Always remember if you are unsure then the swimmer gets
the benefit of the doubt.