Backstroke Finish With reference to queries, received, regarding the "lunge" at the wall by Swimmers at the finish of a BACKSTROKE race we confirm the following: SW 6.3 Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the race, except it shall be permissible for the swimmer to be completely submerged during the turn and for a distance of not more than 15 metres after the start and after each turn. By that point the head must have broken the surface. The relevant part of the Rule in which we are interested, concerning the finish of a BACKSTROKE race, is of course, "Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water during the race". This applies to the FINISH as well as any other portion of a BACKSTROKE race, with the exceptions being the 15 metres after the start and after each turn. Nowhere does the Rule imply that a swimmer may be totally submerged, when "lunging" at the wall, immediately prior to touching the finishing end of the pool, or during the action of touching the finishing end of the pool at the finish of a BACKSTROKE race, at the finish of the BACKSTROKE leg of an Individual Medley or at the finish of the BACKSTROKE leg of a Medley Relay. Remember that the Official/Officials must view the swimmer in total. "Always remember, in all situations, when applying the Rules, the swimmer must always be given the benefit of the doubt."

Backstroke Turn The second sentence in the FINA rule SW 6.4 "Once the body has left the position on the back, there will be no kick or arm pull that is independent of the continuous turning action" Some people seem to think that this means that there is no kicking on the breast. This is not correct.. Kicking is acceptable if it is part of the continuous turning action. The swimmer must be observed in total. Turning from back to breast too far from the wall and kicking to make up distance to begin the turn is illegal. Kicking as part of the turn in legal.