Backstroke Start Change to Conform to FINA

Following is a verbatim transcript of the USA Swimming notice.

Approved by the Rules and Regulations Committee
Under authority granted under 514.1 to conform to FINA Technical Rules
Effective Date: June 1, 2002

The change is considered minor. The toes or foot may come out of the water while moving up the pad or wall after the starting signal, provided the toes do not curl over the lip of the gutter and no part of the foot stands in the gutter.

There is no change in guttered pools in which the water level is right at the lip of the gutter. This change has potential application in flat wall pools with no gutters or in guttered pools in which the water level is below the lip of the gutter.

Standing in or on the gutter or curling the toes over the lip of the gutter is still not permitted.

The change is consistent with a prior Committee interpretation, dated May 30, 1998.

101.3 BACKSTROKE

The change in legislative format

.1 Start

 A   The swimmers shall line up in the water facing the starting end, with both hands placed on the gutter or the starting grips.

 B   Prior to the command "take your mark" and until the feet leave the wall at the starting signal, the swimmer’s feet, including the toes, shall be placed under the surface of the water. Standing in or on the gutter or curling the toes over the lip of the gutter is not permitted at any time before the start.  A backstroke starting block may not be used.

The change in final form

.1 Start - The swimmers shall line up on the water facing the starting end, with both hands place on the gutter or on the starting grips. Prior to the starting signal, the swimmer’s feet, including the toes shall be placed under the surface of the water. Standing in or on the gutter, or curling the toes over the lip of the cutter is not permitted at any time. A backstroke starting block may not be used.

Current FINA language

(FINA) SW 6.1 Prior to the starting signal, the swimmers shall line up in the water facing the starting end, with both hands holding the starting grips. The feet, including the toes shall be under the surface of the water. Standing in or on the gutter, or bending the toes over the lip of the gutter is prohibited.

Referees, please inform your meet officials of this change at your next and all subsequent meets. This change is now in effect for all USA Swimming sanctioned meets. Address any questions to Linda Bailey, MVS Officials Chair, at vcbailey@cox.net.