Strokes

Stroke Information

Start	Forward start off the blocks.
Body Position	No restriction on the body position except if submerged at start and turns. Head must break water surface at the 15 meter mark.
Stroke	Any stroke style may be used.
Kick	Any style of kick may be used.
Turn / Finish	Some part of the body must touch the end of the racing course at turn and finish, normally one hand touch.

Freestyle

Backstroke

Start	Start in the water with back to the course. Feet or toes may not be in or bent over edge of the gutter, if one is present. Feet have to be on the wall.
Body Position	Must swim "on the back" except for turns. If submerged at the start and turns, head must break the water surface by the 15 meter mark.
Stroke	Any stroke style may be used, as long as swimmer is on their back.
Kick	Any kick style may be used.
Turn / Finish	Some part of the body must touch the end of the racing course at a turn and finish, normally a one hand touch. The swimmer MAY turn onto their breast while executing the turn if turning motion is continuous, may be submerged at the finish touch. (No swimmer should do a backstroke flip-turn unless the coach and swimmer has practiced this turn during practice.)

Breaststroke

Start	Forward start from the block.
Body Position	Must swim "on the breast". May have one pull and kick while fully submerged. Also MAY use one "downward" butterfly kick with or following the pull, and prior to the breaststroke kick. MAY be submerged (not required). Head must break the water surface before hands turn inward at widest part of the second stroke.
Stroke	Arms shall move simultaneously and in the same horizontal plane, not alternating. Hands recovered under, on or over from the breast. Elbows under the water except at touch of turns and finish. Head must break surface during each "stroke cycle".
Kick	All vertical and horizontal movements must be simultaneous with feet turned OUT. Scissors, flutter or butterfly is NOT allowed.
Turn / Finish	Body must be on the breast, the touch is made with both hands simultaneously. Head must 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 cycle preceding the touch.

Butterfly

Start	Forward start off the blocks.
Body Position	Must swim "on the breast". If submerged at start and following turns, head must break surface by the 15 meter mark.
Stroke	One "arm pull" under the water is allowed which must bring the swimmer to the surface. Arms must be brought forward over the water and recover simultaneously.
Kick	All up and down movement of the feet and legs must be simultaneous. Feet and legs may NOT alternate. Scissor or breaststroke kick is NOT permitted.
Turn / Finish	Body must be on the breast, the touch is made with both hands simultaneously.

Individual Medley

Start	Forward start off the blocks.
Body Position	Rules for each stroke apply.
Stroke	Rules for each stroke apply. Stroke Order: Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Freestyle
Kick	Rules for each stroke apply.
Turn / Finish	Intermediate turns confirm to rules for that stroke. Transition turns conform to the finish rules of that stroke.