Freestyle Rules

101.5 FREESTYLE

.1 Start — The forward start shall be used.

.2 Stroke — In an event designated freestyle, the swimmer may swim any style, except that in a medley relay or an individual medley event, freestyle means any style other than butterfly, breaststroke or backstroke. Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the race, except it shall be permissible

for the swimmer to be completely submerged during the turn and for a distance of not more than 15 meters (16.4 yards) after the start and each turn. By that point the head must have broken the surface.

.3 Turns — Upon completion of each length the swimmer must touch the wall.

.4 Finish — The swimmer shall have finished the race when any part of his person touches the wall after completing the prescribed distance.