The front crawl is the swimming technique typically used during the freestyle event in the Olympics. The Federation Internationale de Natation is the organization that sets the standards and rules for swimming in the Olympics and other swimming competitions. FINA rules dictate everything from the type of swimsuit allowed to the techniques required during a race.
The Start of a Freestyle Race
The FINA rules provide instructions for how to start a freestyle swimming race. The start of the freestyle event must be a dive. When the starting official says "take your marks," all swimmers must move one foot to the front of the starting block in a starting position. The starting official will give a starting signal when all of the swimmers are still. If you start the race before the starting signal, you will be penalized.
Rules for Type of Stroke in Individual Freestyle Swimming Events
The individual freestyle event is unusual because you can swim any stroke. Typically, swimmers use a front crawl technique because it is the fastest stroke. In the front crawl, you kick your feet in a flapping motion and move your arms like a windmill.
Rules for Type of Stroke in Medley Swimming Events
FINA rules regarding what stroke can be used differ when freestyle is included as part of a medley event. In medley events, the freestyle event is combined with the other three strokes -- backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. A medley event can be a team race, with four swimmers each swimming one type of stroke in one lane, one after another. Or it can be an individual medley event, in which one swimmer swims all four types of competitive swimming strokes. When assigned to swim freestyle in a medley event, you can swim any stroke except backstroke, breaststroke or butterfly.
Rules for Swimming During a Freestyle Event
In addition to rules about the start and the type of stroke, FINA has other rules that you must follow during the freestyle event. What you are swimming during the freestyle event, some part of your body must touch the wall at the end of each length of the pool and at the end of the event. Also, some part of your body must break the surface of the water at all times during the event. The only exception to this rule is at the start of the race and during turns at the end of each length of the pool. At the beginning of the race (the start) and when turning at the end of a length of the pool, you can remain underwater for up to 15 m.
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