Backstroke Start Change to conform to FINA
1. This 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.
2. 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 wiht no gutters or in guttered pools in which the water level is below the lip of the gutter.
3. Standing in or on the gutter or curling the toes over the lip of the gutter is still not permitted.
4. This change is consistent with a prior Committee interpretation, dated May 30, 1998.
| .1 - Start - The swimmers shall line up in the water facing the starting end, with both hands placed 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 gutter is not permitted at any time. A bacstroke starting block may not be used. |