Biomechanics of Swimming

STROKE: physical movement through the water -measured in rate and length START: dive position, hand grip on block, breathing pattern in preparation, Dive depth TURN: use of inverted positions, pressure off the wall, underwater Preparatory time/depth OFFICIALS:

There are several types of officials,[4] which are needed to manage the Competition.[5] Referee: The referee has full control and authority over all officials. The referee will enforce all rules and decisions of FINA and shall decide all questions relating to the actual conduct of the meet, and event or the competition, the final settlement of which is not otherwise covered by the rules. The referee takes overall responsibility for running the race and makes the final decisions as to who wins the competition. Starter: The starter has full control of the swimmers from the time the referee turns the swimmers over to him/her until the race commences. A starter sends the swimmers off the blocks and may call a false start if a swimmer leaves the block before the starter sends them. Clerk of Course: The clerk of course assembles swimmers prior to each event. Timekeepers: There are three (3) timekeepers for each lane. Each timekeeper takes the time of the swimmers in the lane assigned to him/her. Unless a video backup system is used, it may be necessary to use the full complement of timekeepers even when Automatic Officiating Equipment is used. A chief timekeeper assigns the seating positions for all timekeepers and the lanes for which they are responsible. The chief timekeeper collects from the timekeepers in each lane a card showing the times recorded and, if necessary, inspect their watches. Inspectors of Turns: One inspector of turns is assigned to each lane at each end of the pool. Each inspector of turns ensures that swimmers comply with the relevant rules for turning as well as the relevant rules for start and finish of the race. Inspectors of turns shall report any violation on signed cards detailing the event, lane number, and the infringement delivered to the chief inspector of turns who will immediately convey the report to the referee.

Judges of Stroke: Judges of stroke are located on each side of the pool. They ensure that the rules related to the style of swimming designated for the event are being observed, and observe the turns and the finishes to assist the inspectors of turns. Finish Judges Finish Judges determine the order of finish and make sure the swimmers finish in accordance with the rules (two hands simultaneously for breaststroke and butterfly, on the back for backstroke, etc.) If an official catches a swimmer breaking a rule concerning the stroke he or she is swimming, that swimmer is said to be disqualified (commonly referred to as a "DQ") and the swim is not considered valid. The referee can disqualify any swimmer for any violation of the rules that he personally observes. The referee may also disqualify any swimmer for any violation reported to him by other authorized officials. All disqualifications are subject to the decision of the referee.

New strokes
Over the past few years two strokes have emerged as possible alterations or additions to the current strokes. The first of which is Bree which is a combination between the front crawl (freestyle) and breaststroke. In Bree swimmers move their arms as they would in the front crawl, but on every other stroke they include a single breaststroke kick. This technique is especially beneficial to swimmers who excel at breast stroke kick. It is a very energy efficient stroke that allows for constant movement while kicking breaststroke. Swimmers treat walls and dives like they would in a breaststroke race. The second stroke is the Clayton's Crawl. Developed at a local swimming pool in Nashville, TN the Clayton's Crawl uses the front crawl (freestyle) arm motion and a dolphin kick. This stroke combines the Butterfly kick and the front crawl. Swimmers treat their turns and finish as if they were swimming Freestyle. The Clayton's Crawl was developed and perfected by Clayton Webb and Patrick Wehby at their local swimming pool, the JCC. These events are unlikely to ever feature as competition events although many swimmers include them during their warm ups or as drills during training.

SCORING FOR SWIMMING:

it depends on the scoring system you use and the type of meet that you are at. Generally, in a six lane pool at a duel swim meet scoring is as follows: Individual Events: 1st - 6 pts, 2nd - 4 pts, 3rd - 3 pts, 4th - 2 pts, 5th - 1 pt Relay Events: 1st - 12 pts, 2nd - 8pts, 3rd - 6 pts If the meet is a championship, then the points start at 16 for first place overall and then 14 for second and then decrease by ones until zero.

SWIMMING POOL
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest and deepest is the Olympic-size swimming pool.[citation needed] A pool can be built either above or in the ground, and from materials such as concrete (also known as gunite), metal, plastic or fiberglass. The innovation of a composite construction of fiberglass, with an epoxy coating and porcelain ceramic tiles has led to the Pre-form, Composite-type with significant advantages over older methods; however, it also has increased sensitivity to metal staining. Pools that may be used by many people or by the general public are called public, while pools used exclusively by a few people or in a home are called private. Many health clubs, fitness centers and private clubs have public pools used mostly for exercise. Many hotels and massage parlors have public pools for relaxation. Hot tubs and spas are pools with hot water, used for relaxation or therapy, and are common in homes, hotels, clubs and massage parlors. Swimming pools are also used for diving and other water sports, as well as for the training of lifeguards and astronauts. Chemical disinfectants such as chlorine, bromine or mineral sanitizers, and additional filters are often used in swimming pools to prevent growth and spread of bacteria, viruses, algae and insect larvae. Alternatively, pools can be made without chemical disinfectants by using a biofilter with additional carbon filters and UV disinfection. In both cases, pools need to be fitted with an adequate flow rate.[1]

Olympic-size Swimming pool - Multieventi Sport Domus

The big Olympic-size swimming pool can be equipped with eight lanes to swim freely or equipped to host water polo competitions; used for synchronized swimming, it is also suitable for indoor sailing. This swimming pool gives the possibility to practice dives from the platform and also underwater activities. Its infrastructures (changing rooms hosting more than 500 swimmers, special spaces for umpires and instructors and an equipped infirmary) give the opportunity, beyond the normal routine use by the leagues, the sport companies and other people spending their leisure time there (always possible throughout the opening hours of the plant), to undergo various competitions which are highly professional and competitive. The electronic scoreboard, connected with a sophisticated control and timing panel, gives the opportunity to undergo every kind of competition at international level. The air-conditioned tiered public galleries can host up to 1500 spectators. The big press room is used during the most important events. The Olympic-size swimming pool is situated at the ground floor of the Palazzo Multieventi Sport Domus and fills a volume of 22m x 50m for a minimum height level of 2m. It offers not only activities such as swimming, synchronized swimming, water polo, underwater

activities and swimming with flippers, but is now available as a way to spend leisure time throughout its opening hours and depending on the arranged competitive activities. To enter the swimming pool people have to wear mules and bathing caps. REGULATIONS FOR THE USE OF THE PISCINA MULTIEVENTI 1. To enter the swimming pool people have to wear a bathing cap.

2. To enter the changing room or the edge of the swimming pool people have to wear mules or shoe covers. 3. It is forbidden to run around the swimming pool and to enter it with swimming trunks, wounds, plasters and chewing gums. 4. The entrance is admitted only after the customary shower.

5. It is forbidden to enter the swimming pool with bags, rucksacks and other nonsterilised materials. 6. The swimming with flippers is only possible when there is little affluence and the final decision is up to the rescue staff; however, it is always forbidden from 17.00 to 21.00 7. It is forbidden to practice underwater activities with equipments such as sinkers, ballasts and wetsuits and to make dives and prolonged diving in the spaces reserved to people swimming freely. 8. The underwater activities can be carried out only in the hours and spaces reserved to the appropriate League, to the Underwater Companies and to other bodies with the supervision of a responsible having a valid rescue license.

9.

It is compulsory to accurate disinfect all the underwater equipments (flippers, masks, bottles, jackets and so on), canoes, balls, boards and other materials.

How many players are in swimming competitions?

There aren't any players in a race unless it is a relay, in a relay there are 4 people. In a race there can be anywhere from 6-10 people racing it just depends on how many lanes there are.

THE DIMENSIONS OF THE POOL

Length Most pools in the world are measured in metres, but in the United States pools are almost always measured in feet and yards. In the United Kingdom most pools are in metres, but older pools measured in yards still exist. In the US, pools tend to either be 25 yards (SCY-course yards), 25 metres (SCM-short course metres) or 50 metres (long course). US high schools and theNCAA conduct short course (25 yards) competition. There also exist many pools 33 m long, so that 3 lengths = 100 m. This pool dimension is commonly used to accommodate water polo. USA Swimming (USA-S) swims in both metric and non-metric pools. However, the international standard is metres, and world records are only recognized when swum in 50 m pools (or 25 m for

short course). In general, the shorter the pool, the faster the time for the same distance, since the swimmer gains speed from pushing off the wall after each turn at the end of the pool. Width Most European pools are between 10 m and 50 m wide. Depth The depth of a swimming pool depends on the purpose of the pool, and whether it is open to the public or strictly for private use. If it is a private casual, relaxing pool, it may go from 1.0 to 2.0 m (3.3 to 6.6 ft) deep. If it is a public pool designed for diving, it may slope from 3.0 to 5.5 m (9.8 to 18.0 ft) in the deep end. A children's play pool may be from 0.3 to 1.2 m (1.0 to 4 ft) deep. Most public pools have differing depths to accommodate different swimmer requirements. In many jurisdictions, it is a requirement to show the water depth with clearly marked depths affixed to the pool walls.