ASCA ASCA Competitive Swimming Rules & Regulations 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to USA Swimming rules, how many false starts are allowed before a swimmer is disqualified in a sanctioned race?
- Zero — any false start results in disqualification (Correct answer)
- One false start is allowed before DQ
- Two false starts before DQ
- Three false starts before DQ
Correct answer: Zero — any false start results in disqualification
Under current USA Swimming rules, any swimmer who false starts is immediately disqualified with no warnings.
Question 2: What is the minimum pool length required for a USA Swimming sanctioned long-course competition?
- 25 yards
- 25 meters
- 50 meters (Correct answer)
- 100 meters
Correct answer: 50 meters
Long-course sanctioned meets require a 50-meter pool, which is the Olympic standard distance.
Question 3: In competitive swimming, what constitutes a legal breaststroke turn?
- One-hand touch at the wall
- Simultaneous two-hand touch at the wall (Correct answer)
- Any part of the body touching the wall
- A flip turn with a single hand touch
Correct answer: Simultaneous two-hand touch at the wall
Breaststroke rules require a simultaneous two-hand touch on the same horizontal plane at the turn and finish.
Question 4: Which official is responsible for observing swimmers' strokes and turns during a USA Swimming meet?
- Starter
- Stroke and Turn Judge (Correct answer)
- Referee
- Timer
Correct answer: Stroke and Turn Judge
Stroke and Turn Judges (also called Inspectors of Turns) patrol the pool deck to enforce stroke and turn rules.
Question 5: What is the maximum depth requirement for starting blocks in USA Swimming competitions?
- At least 1.0 meter of water depth directly beneath the block
- At least 1.35 meters of water depth directly beneath the block (Correct answer)
- At least 2.0 meters of water depth directly beneath the block
- No minimum depth is specified
Correct answer: At least 1.35 meters of water depth directly beneath the block
USA Swimming requires a minimum water depth of 1.35 meters (approximately 4.4 feet) under starting blocks for safety.
Question 6: In a relay event, when must the incoming swimmer touch the wall for the exchange to be legal?
- Before the outgoing swimmer leaves the block
- After the outgoing swimmer is fully airborne
- The touch must occur before the outgoing swimmer's feet leave the block (Correct answer)
- The touch has no timing requirement for relays
Correct answer: The touch must occur before the outgoing swimmer's feet leave the block
A relay exchange is legal when the incoming swimmer's touch occurs before the outgoing swimmer's feet leave the starting platform.
ASCA ASCA Competitive Swimming Rules & Regulations 1
According to USA Swimming rules, how many false starts are allowed before a swimmer is disqualified in a sanctioned race?