World Swim Coaches Association Urges Rejection of FINA Swimming Rules Proposals

TO: FINA Bureau members
FROM: L. A. (Buddy) Baarcke ([email protected])
SUBJECT: Proposed FINA rule changes

I ask you to reject these proposed swimming rule changes for
breaststroke and backstroke:

Rule No. SW 7.1:
Allowing multiple butterfly kicks after the start of a breaststroke race
would completely change breaststroke into a hybrid, mongrelized
butterfly-breaststroke which would not be any better for our sport than
the old pre-1953 frog-fly (butterfly arm stroke with a breaststroke
kick). It would destroy breaststroke by blurring the distinction between
the two strokes. FINA has already made the concession of allowing one
butterfly kick after the start and each turn. Do not change that but
just enforce the rules as now written. If officials claim they can't see
if someone is violating the one-butterfly kick rule, they just need
further training.

Rule No. SW 7.6:
Why does it matter if a breaststroke touch is made with the hands
together or separated? Wouldn't this rule change put an undue burden on
officials to determine if hands are a millimetre apart or are together?

Rule No. SW 6.3:
Backstrokers (like breaststrokers) should be allowed to submerge their
heads on the last stroke at the end of a race. Picture a short course
200 metre backstroke: It is legal to submerge the body and head for 15
metres after the start and after the seven turns (8x15 = 120 metres) and
for about one metre before each turn (7x1 = 7 metres) - 127 of 200
metres underwater - so why shouldn't a backstroker be able to stretch
for the finish and perhaps submerge a few centimetres on the final
stroke? Breaststrokers are allowed to submerge their heads when
finishing; why not backstrokers? If the rule is changed and submersion
at race's end is not allowed, there will be many disqualifications and a
great number of problems for officials.

Rule No. SW 6.4:
This rule change would unnecessarily complicate the job of officials and
put an undue burden on swimmers. Unless a backstroke swimmer - who
cannot see the wall - begins his turn at exactly the right time, he may
have to glide a few centimetres on his stomach before somersaulting and
putting his feet on the wall. Because gliding is slower than swimming,
no swimmer will glide on purpose. If an immediate continuous single-arm
pull or immediate continuous double-arm pull is required, even a slight
error in judging the distance to the wall may put the swimmer too far away.


Are there any good reasons for these proposed rule changes? I don't
think so. These changes would greatly harm swimming, not help it.

PLEASE VOTE NO!