How to Not Get Disqualified when Swimming Freestyle

Last Updated: February 12, 2021

Freestyle is the fastest stroke in swimming, and the most difficult to get disqualified in. However, here are some things you shouldn't do in your race, because you will get DQ'ed!

Steps

1
Don't false start. It is better to be the last to leave the blocks, and not get disqualified than to be first off the blocks and have the embarrassment of getting out of the water either halfway through your event, or at the finish. If you do a false start, you are automatically disqualified in most competitions, unless the official says otherwise.
2
Don't go past the 15 metre mark underwater. In any event you cannot pass this marker underwater, you have to have surfaced before this. In a 50 metre pool, this seems closer to you, so always watch where you are.
3
Do the right stroke. In freestyle, you can do any stroke you like, but most people do front crawl strokes as it can be faster. Work on your freestyle technique before the race to get the most out of your pull, and to maximise your lead with your kick.
4
Touch the wall with your feet on your turn. If you fail to touch the wall during a flipturn then you will be disqualified. Sometimes, if you are lucky, the official won't notice and you will get away with it, but this is almost never the case. You might want to work on your turns before your race, just make sure you are close enough to the wall to push off, but far away enough to give you space to flip over and so you don't hit your head.
5
Don't push off the floor. If you need to stop for any reason during the race, tread water, or stand, but do not push off the bottom. Don't pull on lane rope either, for this will also get you disqualified.
6
Touch at the finish. On freestyle and backstroke, you may touch with one hand. On fly and breast stroke, you finish with two hands.
7
Stay in your allocated lane. If you accidentally swim under the lane rope during your race, you will be disqualified, and you may disturb the other swimmer.
8
Do the correct amount of lengths. 50 metres is equivalent to 2 lengths in a short course pool, and one length in a long course pool. Remember to count your laps as you swim.
9
Only wear one swimsuit. Whether this be a regular training suit or a kneeskin (for women), it is up to you, although it is said that a knee skin makes you faster and more streamlined and they also make you look the part!

Community Q&A

Question

Will you get disqualified if you don't do a flip turn?

Community Answer

You do not get disqualified if you do not do a flip turn. But you must touch the wall.
Question

Will I get disqualified if I don't breathe at all while swimming something a 50 yard free?

Community Answer

No. It is actually better to not breathe, as it makes you faster, but you still may need to once or twice.
Question

Can I be disqualified for doing the dolphin kick in freestyle for the full lap?

Community Answer

Yes. The farthest you can go for underwater dolphin kick in freestyle is about 3 quarters of the way, which is right before the flags at the other end of the pool.
Question

Will I get disqualified if I don't dive off the block?

Community Answer

No; if you need to, you can dive off the side of the pool.
Question

Can I get disqualified if I do a freestyle kick and then a breaststroke kick in the same race?

Community Answer

Yes. If you're doing breaststroke, it is illegal to do a flutter kick. However, in freestyle swimming, you are allowed to swim whatever you want as long as you keep it consistent throughout the race.
Question

If I stop anywhere in the swimming pool, would I be disqualified?

Community Answer

Yes, stopping at all will get you disqualified at most meets. Try to keep going if you can.
Question

Will I get disqualified if I touch the finish with my elbow or arm instead of my hands?

Community Answer

Yes, you should just follow the rules and guidelines so that you will not be disqualified.

Warnings

Make sure that you can do a flip-turn in a training session before the race, you can get disqualified, it would slow you down and you could also seriously injure yourself.

Thanks!
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