The Strokes
 
The rules below are the USA Swimming Rules as modified for use in the Colonial Swim League. Teams in other leagues may have slightly different rules.
  • Freestyle. Freestyle is defined as any means of swimming across the pool. Any stroke and kick are acceptable. However, a swimmer cannot push off or walk on the bottom of the pool or pull himself along using the lane lines. In a 50-meter race (two pool lengths) the swimmer must touch the wall at the 25-meter end before touching the wall at the 50-meter end. 
  • Backstroke. Like Freestyle, almost anything goes in Backstroke as long as the swimmer stays on his back. Backstroke starts are different from all others because the swimmer starts in the water with feet planted against the wall, hanging on to either another swimmer's legs or the lip on the pool awaiting the starter's signal. "Legs" must be grabbed below the knee. Persons serving in an official capacity (such as timers or coaches) may not serve as legs. 
  • Breaststroke. Breaststroke has two components; the kick and the arm pull. The pull and its recovery must both be under the breast and cannot extend further back than the waist area except on the first pullout stroke at start and turns. The head must break the surface of the water before the arms reach the widest part of the second arm pull. The kick is a "frog" kick, and the toes must be pointed outward during the propulsive part of the kick. The arm pull and kick must be in an alternating sequence and the elbows must stay below the water except for tagging the wall at the finish. Breaststroke turns and finishes require a simultaneous two-hand touch.
  • Butterfly. Butterfly (“Fly”) has two components, the kick and the arm pull. The arm pull must be an over the water recovery (elbows breaking the surface of the water) with the arms moving simultaneously. The kick is a dolphin style kick with both legs moving simultaneously. Unlike Breaststroke, there is no requirement to alternate the kick and pull. In Butterfly it is not permissible for the swimmer to be submerged for more than 15 meters. Turns and finishes require a simultaneous two-hand touch at the wall.
  • Individual Medley (IM). The Individual Medley (or IM) is when an individual swims each of the four strokes in the sequence Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Freestyle. One pool length, 25 Meters/Yards of each stroke is swum. In a 100 Meter IM, every turn is a stroke change and stroke finish rules apply.  This means no Backstroke Flip Turns.
  • Relays. There are two kinds of Relays, the Freestyle Relay and the Medley Relay. Both involve a team of four swimmers, each swimming one-quarter of the total distance. In the freestyle relay, each swimmer swims the freestyle. In the medley relay, the sequence of strokes is Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and Freestyle. In all relays, each swimmer must wait until the previous swimmer touches the wall prior to leaving the deck.
Disqualifications (DQs) and False Starts 
 
At each A and B meet, there are four Stroke and Turn Judges who observe the swimmers to ensure they are performing the stroke legally. If a judge observes a violation of a rule, then he/she will raise one hand and complete a Disqualification or DQ slip. The Referee will question the Judge regarding observed infraction and either accepts or rejects the DQ. 
 
Once a DQ has been signed by the Judge and Referee, the coach and the computer operator receive a copy. At an A meet, a DQ means that the swim does not qualify for a time, a ribbon, or points for the team. 
 
The Team Rep is the only person who can officially question a disqualification or any other call by an official. If something happens involving a swimmer that you do not think is right, talk to the coach or the Team Rep. The Team Rep will initiate action in accordance with CSL rules if thought to be appropriate. 
 
A false start is when a swimmer enters the water before the light and sound go off to start the race. False starts are rarely charged to swimmers during summer league swimming, however if a false start is observed by both the Starter and the Referee, then the swimmer will be disqualified.