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DISQUALIFICATION (DQ) IS YOUR
FRIEND
One of the most misunderstood work
roles on our swim team is that of the stroke and turn official. New
swimmers, as well as seasoned ones, do not quite know what to make
of that person who walks the deck, watches every move they make,
and sometimes lets them know that they need a little more work on a
particular stroke or turn.
What is the stroke and turn official’s role? As many of us
can attest, the art and skill of swimming can be very complex.
Swimmers must integrate many moves to attain the most effective and
"legal" technique for a given stroke. The fact of the matter is
that there are correct and incorrect ways to swim each stroke. It
is everyone’s job... the coaches, the swimmers, and the
stroke and turn official... to help swimmers know when their
strokes are right on or when their strokes can use some more
practice. During a meet, the stroke and turn official watches the
swimmer’s techniques and judges whether it is "legal".
Their job ensures that swimmers who have mastered the correct
stroke receive the proper recognition.
Stroke and turn officials are asked on a regular basis, "How can
you disqualify (DQ) someone?" When I am that stroke and turn
official, I reply that the DQ can be a swimmer’s "best
friend". I think it is the role of fellow swimmers and parents to
put the issue of DQ’s in the proper perspective. A DQ is not
a bad thing... it provides a piece of valuable information that can
make a swimmer a better competitor. If you talk with our senior
swimmers, they all vividly recall their experiences with the DQ.
Each of those experiences is a learning opportunity for the
swimmers. A DQ at a minor swim meet can prevent a disappointment at
a later, more important swim meet. The goal is to provide early and
prompt feedback to swimmers so they will have an opportunity to
make necessary modifications for their next race.
What about our younger swimmers? Some young swimmers do not
understand DQ’s and others have wisdom beyond their years.
DQ’s can be a touchy subject with the little ones as many are
just learning to put together the gross motor skills needed to make
the stroke work. It is most unusual for many younger swimmers to
not master the more complex strokes in that first or second year.
This handbook outlines the special rules we have for 6 and under
swimmers. The key difference is that we are looking for the stroke
to be done correctly about 70% of the race. Because the young
swimmers are evolving in their motor skill development, they may
not have the ability to alter their stroke based on the feedback
from a stroke and turn official. For that reason, rarely will the
official talk with a young swimmer directly about a DQ. That
conversation is more appropriate to have with the coach or parent.
The goal for the younger ones is to keep the playing field fair,
but most importantly to have fun. So... the next time you get the
opportunity to talk with your favorite stroke and turn judge...
smile! It is really okay. The stroke and turn official is trying to
help you be the best swimmer you can be.
How to Avoid Disqualification
FREESTYLE
Avoid false starts.
Feet must touch wall on turn.
No part of the body may touch the bottom of the pool any time
during the race.
BACKSTROKE
Avoid false starts.
Both feet must be entirely in water at start of race.
Must stay on back entire race except on flip turn.
Once the swimmer turns onto the stomach for the turn the arm and
body must be in continuous turning action.
BREASTSTROKE
Avoid false starts.
Head must break surface after each pull before hands turn upward at
widest part of the stroke.
Hands start backward progression.
Two hand touch at turn and finish.
Hands cannot touch one at a time.
BUTTERFLY
Avoid false starts.
Feet must stay together on kick.
Two hand touch at turn and finish.
Hands cannot touch one at a time.
No underwater recovery (breaststroke pull into wall).
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