From the Officials Chair...
I hope you found the last article informative as to the responsibility of being there when your heat starts to the process of starting the heat.
I would like to discuss the stoke and turns for the four stokes. Below is the first article, for breaststroke.
Article 101.2 Breaststroke
101.2.1- The Start
The forward start shall be used. From on the blocks, edge of the pool or in the water. However in the rulebook it states only that "the forward start shall be used."
101.2.2- stroke (from the beginning of the first arm stoke after the start and after each turn)
The body shall be kept on the breast. The arms shall move simultaneously and in the same horizontal plane with out any alternating movement. The hands shall be pushed forward together from the breast on, under, or over the water. The elbows shall be under the water except for the final stoke at the finish of the prescribed distance. The hands shall be brought back on or under the surface of the water. The hands shall not be brought beyond the hip line, except during the first stroke after the start and each turn. Some part of the swimmer's head shall break the surface of the water at least once during each complete cycle of one arm stroke and one leg kick, in that order, except after the start and each turn the swimmer may take one arm stroke completely back to the legs and one leg kick while wholly submerged. The head must break the surface of the water before the hands turn inward at the widest part of the second stroke. This all sounds rather clear; however, if you have any questions please ask.
101.2.3-Kick
All vertical and lateral movements of the legs shall be simultaneous. The feet must be turned outward during the propulsive part of the kick movement. A scissors, flutter, or downward butterfly kick is not permitted. Breaking the surface of the water with the feet shall not merit disqualification unless followed by a downward butterfly kick. Please understand that all propulsion shall come from the bottom of the feet. When the legs have completed the kick and are extended and have come together, they may move upward only. Once again, getting propulsion from the top of the feet should be a DQ.
101.2.4- Turns
At each turn, the touch shall be made with both hands simultaneously at, above, or below the water surface. The head may be submerged after the last arm pull prior to the touch, provided it breaks the surface of the water at some point during the last complete or incomplete stroke cycle preceding the touch. Once the touch is made, the swimmer may turn in any manner desired. The shoulders must be at or past the vertical toward the breast when the swimmer leaves the wall, and form prescribed in article 101.2.2 must be attained from the beginning of the first arm stoke.
101.2.5- The finish
At the finish, the body shall be on the breast and the touch shall be made with both hands simultaneously at, above, or below the surface of the water. The head may be submerged after the last arm pull prior to the touch, provided it breaks the surface of the water at some point during any part of the last complete or incomplete cycle preceding the touch.
I hope you all get a chance to read and understand the rule. I hope this will give you a chance to refine your stoke and become as fast as you can. If you have any questions, please let me know! Happy swimming and Happy new Year!