Freestyle Races: Any Stroke Allowed?

In a freestyle race, swimmers are allowed to use any swimming stroke they choose. However, the front crawl is the most widely used stroke in freestyle competitions as it is the fastest and most efficient. The term 'freestyle stroke' is often used as a synonym for 'front crawl'. The front crawl involves an alternating overhand motion of the arms and a flutter or scissor kick. While freestyle means any stroke, there are still some rules that swimmers must follow. For example, swimmers must touch the wall at the end of each length and upon completion of the race, and they cannot push off the bottom of the pool or pull on the lane lines.

Freestyle means any stroke

Freestyle swimming is a category of competition in which competitors are subject to only a few limited restrictions on their swimming stroke. The term 'freestyle' implies that any stroke can be used, and any form or variation of strokes is considered legal during the race.

In practice, however, the front crawl is the most common stroke used in freestyle competitions, as it is the fastest and most efficient. The front crawl is characterised by an alternating overhand motion of the arms and a flutter or scissor kick. It is also the most widely used stroke during freestyle competitions, so much so that it is practically synonymous with the term 'freestyle'.

The rules of freestyle races do allow for any stroke to be used, with some exceptions. For example, in an individual medley or medley relay event, freestyle means any style other than backstroke, breaststroke, or butterfly. Additionally, swimmers are not permitted to stay underwater for the duration of the race and must surface after 15 metres from the start and turn. This rule also applies to the butterfly and backstroke but not the breaststroke.

While freestyle technically means any stroke, the reality is that the front crawl is the most effective stroke for competitive swimmers, and so it is overwhelmingly the most popular choice for freestyle races.

Rules for medley races

Medley races in swimming combine four different swimming styles (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly) into one race. This can be done either by a single swimmer as an individual medley (IM) or by four swimmers as a medley relay.

• In an individual medley, a single swimmer covers equal distances using the four strokes within one race. The strokes are swum in the following order: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle. Each stroke comprises a quarter of the overall distance.
• In a medley relay, four swimmers form a team, with each swimmer covering one-fourth of the prescribed distance using one of the four strokes. The strokes are swum in the following order: backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle.
• The freestyle stroke in a medley race refers to any style other than backstroke, breaststroke, or butterfly. Swimmers typically use the front crawl for freestyle.
• When transitioning between strokes, swimmers must follow specific rules for each stroke. For example, when transitioning from butterfly to backstroke, the swimmer must touch the wall with both hands simultaneously and can turn in any manner, but the shoulders must be vertical or towards the back when leaving the wall.
• In both individual medley and medley relay events, each section must be completed following the rules of the respective stroke.
• The underwater phase during transitions is allowed for up to 15 meters, after which swimmers must resurface and continue with proper technique.
• For medley relays, the starting swimmer may already be in motion when the incoming teammate touches the wall, saving time.
• World Aquatics rules require that a foot of the second, third, or fourth swimmer in a medley relay must be touching the platform while the incoming teammate touches the wall.
• False starts or disqualifications by any swimmer in a medley relay will result in the team's disqualification.
• In individual medley events, the swimmer's body position during turns has specific requirements. For example, during a freestyle turn, the swimmer's body must return to the breast before any kick or stroke.

Front crawl is fastest

Freestyle swimming is a category of competition in which competitors are subject to only a few limited restrictions on their swimming stroke. In freestyle races, swimmers are allowed to use any style of swimming they choose. However, the front crawl is the fastest surface swimming stroke and is the most common stroke used in freestyle competitions.

The term 'freestyle stroke' is often used as a synonym for 'front crawl'. The front crawl is characterised by an alternating overhand motion of the arms and a flutter or scissor kick. Athletes use their arm motion to pull themselves through the water, while the kicking tempo provides additional propulsion.

During a race, the competitor circles their arms forward in alternation, kicking their feet up and down. The front crawl is most commonly chosen by swimmers as it provides the greatest speed. The first Olympics to include swimming events featured open water swimming, but soon after, closed water swimming was introduced, with front crawl as the first event.

While other strokes are permitted in freestyle races, the front crawl is the fastest stroke at the Olympic level.

Rules for each stroke

Freestyle swimming is a category of competition in which competitors are subject to only a few limited restrictions on their swimming stroke. Freestyle races are the most common type of swimming competition, with distances ranging from 50 meters (55 yards) to 1,500 meters (1,600 yards). The term 'freestyle stroke' is often used interchangeably with 'front crawl', as it is the fastest surface swimming stroke and the most common stroke used in freestyle competitions.

During a freestyle race, competitors are allowed to use any stroke, except in the case of individual medley or medley relay events, where freestyle means any stroke other than backstroke, breaststroke, or butterfly. Swimmers must touch the end of the pool during each length, cannot push off the bottom in the direction of the race, and cannot pull on the lane lines.

Freestyle Rules

• Any style of swimming is permitted, except for in individual medley or medley relay events, where swimmers cannot use backstroke, breaststroke, or butterfly.
• Swimmers must touch the wall at the end of each length and upon completion of the race.
• Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the race, except for the first 15 meters after the start and each turn, during which swimmers are permitted to be completely submerged. By the 15-meter mark, the swimmer's head must have broken the surface.

Backstroke Rules

Not specifically outlined in the provided sources.

Breaststroke Rules

Not specifically outlined in the provided sources.

Butterfly Rules

• The forward start shall be used.
• After the start and after each turn, the swimmer’s shoulders must be at or past the vertical.
• The swimmer is permitted one or more leg kicks, but only one arm pull under the water, which must bring the swimmer to the surface.
• Swimmers are permitted to be completely submerged for a distance of up to 15 meters after the start and after each turn, but by that point, the head must have broken the surface.
• The swimmer must remain on the surface until the next turn or finish.
• Both arms must be brought forward over the water and pulled back simultaneously.
• All up and down movements of the legs and feet must be simultaneous, but they do not need to be on the same level.
• The breaststroke or whip kick may be used exclusively or interchangeably with the dolphin kick.
• Only one breaststroke or whip kick is permitted per arm pull, except before a turn or the finish, where a single kick is allowed without an arm pull.
• A scissor-kicking movement is not permitted.
• At each turn, the touch shall be made with both hands simultaneously at, above, or below the water surface.
• Once a touch has been made, the swimmer may turn in any manner desired.
• At the finish, the touch shall be made with both hands simultaneously at, above, or below the water surface.

These rules outline the specific techniques and movements required for each stroke, ensuring fair competition and consistency in swimming races.

Rules for general swimming

Freestyle swimming is a category of swimming competition in which competitors are subject to only a few limited restrictions on their swimming stroke. Freestyle races are the most common type of swimming competition, with distances ranging from 50 meters (55 yards) to 1,500 meters (1,600 yards), also known as the mile. The term 'freestyle stroke' is sometimes used interchangeably with 'front crawl', as it is the fastest surface swimming stroke and the most common stroke used in freestyle competitions.

During a freestyle race, swimmers are allowed to use any stroke they wish, including front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke, or butterfly. However, there are a few important rules that swimmers must follow:

• Swimmers must touch the end of the pool during each length and upon completion of the race.
• Swimmers cannot push off the bottom of the pool in the direction of the race or pull on the lane lines.
• Swimmers must stay at the surface after 15 meters from the start and after each turn. They can be completely submerged during the turn and for a distance of up to 15 meters, but some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the rest of the race.
• Swimmers cannot walk on the bottom of the pool.

In addition to these rules, there are also specific guidelines for different types of strokes within a freestyle race. For example, in backstroke, the swimmer must push off and swim on their back throughout the race, except when executing a turn. In breaststroke, all movements of the arms must be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane without alternating movement. In butterfly, the feet must be turned outwards during the propulsive part of the kick, and a scissors, flutter, or downward kick is not permitted.

It's important to note that these rules may vary slightly depending on the governing body and the specific competition.

Frequently asked questions