If any of your swimmers are experiencing frustration with their progress in the pool, you may want to present them with an alternative-- something to spice up their swimming until they get their mojo back. Something new to focus on is always a great way to keep things fresh. The open water and long distance season is upon us, and you can learn all about our national championship events on the Open Water and Long Distance page at usms.org.

Frank Marcinkowski, head coach of Curl Burke Masters in Washington DC, has been selected as the head coach for Worlds 2012 in Italy. Although USMS swimmers will be representing their own USMS club teams, a USMS coach is on hand to offer support and coaching to all USMS athletes.

Marcinkowski began competitive swimming at the age of 16 and went on to swim and play water polo at the University of Notre Dame. He has been coaching since 1977 and serves on the Open Water Committee and is active on both the clinics and the safety subcommittees. He also chairs the coaches committee for the Potomac Valley LMSC. Marcinkowski worked with the USMS Coaches Committee and the Club Development representatives in developing and teaching the pilot course for the new Masters Levels 1 and 2 coaching certification.  

The Coach Asks: A couple of my swimmers have been arguing over the interpretation of the rule for the breaststroke underwater pullout with a butterfly kick.  One says the arm pull begins as soon as the hands separate and the other says that the arm pull doesn't begin until the hands are at the widest part of the stroke.Please define exactly when that arm pull begins thus allowing a butterfly kick.

Answer: The USMS rule for the breaststroke pullout with the dolphin kick (101.2.3) states that a single butterfly kick is permitted during or at the completion of the first arm pull. The official interpretation of when that first arm pull begins is:

"For purposes of Article 101.2.3, as it relates to what constitutes the initiation of the first arm pull and the allowed single downward butterfly kick, the following applies: After the start and after each turn, any downward or outward lateral movement of the hands or arms is considered to be the initiation of the first arm pull."

The confusion is caused because that first arm pull begins as soon as there is any downward or lateral movement of the hands or arms (allowing a butterfly kick), but for the second arm pull, the head must break the surface at least by the widest part of the arm pull before the hands turn inward (101.2.2, last sentence) not as soon as the hands separate.

For any questions about rules contact Kathy Casey, USMS Rules Chair, rules@usms.org