Disqualification - DQ

In swimming, the rules must be followed in total or a disqualification, or DQ, is committed. This can be traumatic the first time a swimmer is DQ'd for just one mistake, but it isn't fair to other swimmers who swim the entire race per the rules to do otherwise.

Cobb County supplies the Referees who make the disqualification decisions.  There will be more disqualifications as we get closer to the end of the season.

The full rulebook that governs our league can be found on the USA Swimming Web-site.  Here is a link if you want to know everything:

USA Swimming Mini-Rule Book

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here are some videos that officials use as training tools:

USA Swimming Officials Training Videos

Some of the more common reasons for DQ’ing are as follows.

DQ - Freestyle

• Failure to touch the wall at the turning end of the pool
• Walking on the bottom or pulling on the lane ropes or pushing off / jumping forward after standing
• Exiting the pool before swimming the specified distance

DQ - Backstroke

• Past vertical towards the breast at any time except during a flip turn
• Leaving the wall after a turn past vertical towards the breast
• Improper flip turn (older swimmers)

DQ - Breaststroke

• Incorrect kick, such as a scissors kick or freestyle/flutter kick or butterfly/dolphin kick
• Non-Simultaneous two hand touch or one hand touch at turn or finish
• Toes not pointed outward during the propulsive part of the kick
• More than one stroke underwater with arms fully extended at start or turn
• Arm recovery past waist except on first stroke after start or turn
• Head didn't break surface by conclusion of second arm pull underwater after a start or turn​

DQ - Butterfly

• Non-Simultaneous or one handed wall touch at the turn or finish
• Non-Simultaneous leg movement during kicks
• Arms don't break water surface during recovery (judged at the elbows)
• Non Simultaneous arm movement during recovery

DQ - Relay Races:

• A swimmer leaves the deck before the previous swimmer touches the wall or deck
• Must adhere to rules of the stroke being performed in the relay

DQ - False Start

• A swimmer starts the race early
• A swimmer moves after the Referee’s long whistle
• Note:  Swimmers are allowed one false start in the regular season meets but by County and State you will be DQ'ed on the first false start.

How will I know a DQ occurred?

When a Referee observes a violation, a hand is raised to signify that a violation has occurred and then writes it up on the swimmer’s entry card. Another clue that a DQ has occurred is a Referee writing and a longer than normal pause between events.