Common Disqualifications in Competitive Swimming

Introduction

Disqualification (DQ) is every competitive swimmer’s challenge to avoid, as even a minor mistake can cost a race. While rules vary by stroke, most disqualifications result from incorrect starts, turns, and stroke techniques. This guide highlights the most common disqualification reasons across strokes, offering tips to help swimmers avoid errors and perform clean races.

1. Disqualifications in Starts

A smooth, legal start sets the tone for the race, but timing or positioning errors can lead to disqualification.

False Start

• Definition: Leaving the blocks or initiating a movement before the starting signal.
• Cause: Jumping the gun due to nervousness or trying to anticipate the starting signal.
• Avoidance Tip: Focus on reacting to the starting sound rather than guessing. Practice calm, balanced starts during training to build consistent reaction timing.

Backstroke Start Violation

• Definition: In backstroke, swimmers must keep their toes below the water surface at the start.
• Cause: Lifting toes above the water line before pushing off the wall.
• Avoidance Tip: Position your feet carefully during backstroke starts, practicing in competition pools to know where the water line usually sits.

2. Disqualifications in Turns

Improper technique during turns can quickly lead to disqualification, especially for strokes requiring specific hand placements.

Incorrect Wall Touches in Breaststroke and Butterfly

• Definition: Both hands must touch the wall simultaneously during turns in breaststroke and butterfly.
• Cause: Rushing the turn, which can lead to a one-handed touch or uneven hand contact.
• Avoidance Tip: Practice a wide approach to the wall, focusing on a controlled two-hand touch. Regular drills on two-handed touches can build consistency.

Rotational Violations in Backstroke Turns

• Definition: Swimmers must remain on their backs approaching the wall, allowing only a single arm pull while rotating onto their stomach for the flip.
• Cause: Staying on the stomach too long or rotating too early before reaching the wall.
• Avoidance Tip: Perfect your stroke count from the backstroke flags to the wall, and practice the flip turn to smoothly rotate with minimal time spent on the stomach.

Failure to Touch Wall in Freestyle Flip Turn

• Definition: Not making contact with the wall during a flip turn in freestyle.
• Cause: Misjudging the distance from the wall, leading to a missed or shallow touch.
• Avoidance Tip: Use the “T” marker at the bottom of the pool to gauge distance and time your flip turn accurately. Counting strokes to the wall can also help avoid misjudging distance.

3. Disqualifications in Stroke Techniques

Each stroke has specific technical rules, and even small deviations can result in disqualification.

Freestyle Violations

• Definition: In freestyle, any stroke is permitted, but swimmers must touch the wall with some part of their body at each turn and at the finish.
• Common Mistake: Failing to touch the wall at turns.
• Avoidance Tip: Practice consistent wall touches during training. Using your head, hand, or shoulder at the wall will ensure compliance without losing speed.

Backstroke Violations

• Definition: Swimmers must remain on their backs throughout the race, except during the permitted rotation for turns.
• Common Mistake: Turning too early or rotating too much while swimming toward the wall.
• Avoidance Tip: Practice staying within the allowable rotation range (90 degrees) and develop awareness of body position. Count strokes to time rotations and avoid early turns.

Breaststroke Violations

• Simultaneous Arm and Leg Movements: Swimmers must move their arms and legs in a simultaneous motion. Alternating movements lead to disqualification.
• Underwater Stroke Violations: Swimmers are allowed only one pull-down (one arm pull and one dolphin kick) during the underwater phase after the start and each turn.
• Avoidance Tip: Practice the arm-leg coordination and avoid mixing freestyle flutter kicks with breaststroke. Work on the underwater pull to avoid any extra or incomplete strokes.

Butterfly Violations

• Definition: Both arms must move together, and both hands must touch the wall simultaneously at each turn and the finish.
• Common Mistake: Alternating arm movements or failing to touch with both hands simultaneously.
• Avoidance Tip: Practice consistent two-hand touches at each wall, focusing on simultaneous arm movement during each stroke.

4. Common General Disqualifications Across All Strokes

Certain errors can lead to disqualification regardless of the stroke being swum.

Delay in Resuming Stroke after Turn

• Definition: Swimmers must resume the stroke immediately after the turn without delay.
• Common Mistake: Pausing too long in the glide or streamline position after the turn.
• Avoidance Tip: Practice timing your push-off into the first stroke to reduce pauses. Work on the rhythm of turns to transitions, which helps avoid hesitation.

Failure to Complete the Stroke Cycle

• Definition: All strokes must be completed before transitioning to the next stroke in individual medley or medley relays.
• Common Mistake: Transitioning too soon, especially in medley events, such as initiating the freestyle before completing the butterfly.
• Avoidance Tip: Practice smooth transitions during medley swims, focusing on fully completing one stroke cycle before switching.

5. Tips for Avoiding Disqualification

Consistent practice, understanding stroke-specific rules, and focusing on technique can help reduce the risk of disqualification.

Tip: Practice Legal Touches

• Regularly practice two-hand touches in breaststroke and butterfly to ensure that they become automatic, even under pressure.

Tip: Work with a Coach on Turns and Finishes

• A coach can spot common mistakes during turns and finishes that swimmers might overlook, helping to correct errors early.

Tip: Develop Stroke Awareness

• Spend time on body awareness drills to help you remain in proper position for each stroke. This can prevent early rotations and illegal motions during the race.

Tip: Avoid Mixing Techniques Between Strokes

• Mixing in a freestyle kick during breaststroke or flutter kicks in butterfly can result in a DQ. Practice maintaining consistent movements unique to each stroke.

Conclusion

Disqualifications in competitive swimming are often due to minor errors in starts, turns, and stroke techniques, but understanding the rules for each stroke can help swimmers avoid these mistakes. By focusing on body positioning, timing, and legal wall touches, swimmers can confidently perform each stroke and avoid disqualification. Regular practice, focused drills, and feedback from coaches will help swimmers master the techniques needed to ensure a clean, successful race.

FAQs

1. What’s the most common cause of disqualification in swimming?
   • False starts and improper turns, such as failing to touch the wall correctly or early takeoffs, are among the most common causes of disqualification.
2. How can I improve my timing on two-hand touches?
   • Practice a controlled approach to the wall, focusing on maintaining balance and a full extension. Consistency in practice builds muscle memory.
3. Why is rotating too early a problem in backstroke?
   • Rotating early can place the swimmer on their stomach, which is not allowed. Staying within the 90-degree rotation limit helps avoid disqualification.
4. Are there specific drills to prevent disqualification?
   • Yes, drills like two-hand touch drills for butterfly and breaststroke, turn-and-go drills for backstroke, and streamline push-offs help reinforce legal movements.
5. Can practicing with a coach help reduce disqualifications?
   • Absolutely. A coach provides feedback on common mistakes, corrects technique, and helps swimmers master the rules for each stroke and turn.