If you were to swim any freestyle event, you would be able to swim freely with any stroke: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, or freestyle. Although competitors can do whatever they please during the freestyle stroke, it is not common to see someone doing dog paddle, or sidestroke during a race or competition. This stroke is usually the fastest and is also the most common and has longer distances, such as 1500 meter or the 1650 yard swim.
These are the freestyle events that are swum in a 50 meter, 25 meter, or 25 yard pool:
- 50 m freestyle
- 100 m freestyle
- 200 m freestyle
- 400 m freestyle (500 yards for short course yards)
- 800 m freestyle (1000 yards for short course yards)
- 1500 m freestyle (1650 yards for short course yards)
- 200 m freestyle relay
- 400 m freestyle relay
- 800 m freestyle relay
Younger swimmers (8 years old and younger) have the option to swim a 25 yard/meter freestyle event.
If rules are broken, the swimmer will get disqualified (DQ). The main rules:
If rules are broken, the swimmer will get disqualified (DQ). The main rules:
- The wall has to be touched at every turn and finish.
- Any part of the swimmer must be above water at any time, except for the first 15 meters after the start and every turn.
- The swimmer cannot push off the bottom, or hang on the wall, or pull on the lane lines during the course of the race.
- False starts are not allowed
- In individual medley (IM) or medley relay events, the freestyle portion is the front crawl only.
Can a 12 years old swimmer compete in the 25 yard or meter event? If No, why not?
ReplyDeleteNo, a 12 year old swimmer cannot compete in a 25 meter or yard event because this short event is made for swimmers who can't handle long harder events. As you age up, you have more strength and the ability to sustain your energy. Also, if younger swimmers were required to swim longer distance events, the meet will take even longer to finish.
DeleteWhen should one start learn how to swim?
ReplyDeleteSwimming is not mandatory. It is a sport that people practice for fun, or to get in shape. You do not need to learn how to swim, but I highly recommend learning how to. If you would like to succeed in swim competition, I would say to start lessons young (about 5-6 years old) at a good club, and work your way up into a swim team. If you want to know just enough to prevent drowning, I would start at any age. Keep in mind that not everybody is made to be a swimmer, and always try your best.
DeleteOh! Now I know why the swimmers stayed under water a long time after each start and each turn!
ReplyDelete