Freestyle is the least regulated stroke in swimming. While other strokes have specific rules for how the arms and legs should move, freestyle does not. The technical rules for freestyle are found in Article 101.5 of the rulebook.

The stroke subsection states “the swimmer may swim any style.” Though this is true, most swimmers use the front crawl or Australian crawl during freestyle events.

The only exception to swimming any style: during the individual medley or medley relay event.

At that time, the swimmer must do something other than the 3 strokes of butterfly, breaststroke or backstroke when swimming the freestyle leg.

So, what *is* required for freestyle?

First, a forward start. This involves an entry made while facing the course or pool. Once in the water, you will observe the swimmers in your jurisdiction. In freestyle, some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water. 

This means - throughout the race - some part of the swimmer must be above the water at all times.

The only exception is after the start and each turn. At that time, the swimmer can be completely submerged during the turn and for a distance of up to 15 meters. At the 15-meter mark, the swimmer’s head must have broken the surface. It is the responsibility of the stroke judge to observe this. You should observe that the swimmer does not pull on the lane lines or push off the bottom of the pool. These are violations as well.

For turns, the requirement is simply a touch on the wall at the completion of each length. This can be with any part of the body. If the swimmer misses the wall while turning, they can go back and touch the wall prior to finishing the next length. To finish, it’s the same requirement - a touch on the wall with any part of the person after completing the required distance. The swimmer cannot touch the wall while totally submerged at the finish.

While freestyle is the least regulated stroke in swimming, it still has some specific rules to enforce. To review, the rules require:

● Swimming in any style

● The head breaking the surface by the 15 meter mark after the start and turn

● Turning in any manner

● Touching the wall after each length and at the finish

Remember - if you're not sure what you have observed, the benefit of the doubt always goes to the swimmer.

What are some of the common infractions that warrant a disqualification?

Let’s take a look at typical rule violations for freestyle:

● staying underwater past the 15 meter mark after the start or turn

● walking on or springing from the bottom of the pool

● pulling on lane lines

● not touching the wall at the turn

A few other notes:

● Swimmers are allowed to touch the bottom of the pool during freestyle but cannot walk or push off.

● They can touch the lane lines, but not pull on them to propel them forward.

● While there may be evidence a swimmer didn't touch - such as being slow off the wall or frantic kicking - that doesn't mean they didn't just barely touch. It may be they just didn't get good propulsion off the wall.

● They can go back to a wall in any way - either by reaching back with the hand or sculling back to touch with the feet - in order to make a touch on the wall. The athlete may return to the wall for a missed touch only if they have not already touched the wall on the other end of the course after completing the next lap.