How to have a perfect finish technique for a swimming race
Like any other sport, the way we start and finish a race greatly contributes to the final time we clock for the race.
In swimming, finishing the stroke properly is not only crucial for efficient swimming but also you can avoid disqualification in competitive races.
Remember that different swimming competitions may have specific rules regarding the start, flip turn, and finish, especially in competitive events. Always familiarize yourself with the rules of the race you’re participating in to ensure a proper and legal finish.
Freestyle finish technique might vary from a backstroke finish technique or for that matter butterfly or breaststroke, but the main rules remain more or less the same.
The swim should be synchronized with how you finish the race. Here we would discuss some tips as to how to finish your race properly.
Swim finish technique
Here are some tips on how to achieve a smooth and coordinated finish with your strokes. We discuss mainly the freestyle finish technique and also dwell upon other strokes like backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.
Maintain Your Stroke
This is the most important for all swimmers. Your stroke should be synchronized from the dive to the finish. Avoid rushing or altering your stroke significantly, as this can lead to inefficiencies and loss of momentum.
As you approach the end of the race, it’s essential to stay focused on your stroke technique.
Be prepared to execute your final arm pull and leg kick before the touch or turn.
Timing
As you approach the wall, make sure to take your final arm pull just before touching the wall. This helps maintain your forward momentum until the last moment.
For backstroke, swimmers need to be aware of backstroke flags, which are typically placed about 5 meters (16.4 feet) from the wall to help them gauge their distance from the finish. The flags act as a visual cue for the swimmer to prepare for the finish.
Experienced backstroke swimmers often count their strokes as they approach the wall to ensure they take the appropriate number of strokes before initiating the finish. Know about the common backstroke mistakes that swimmer make and the ways to take care.
The timing of the finish is crucial.
Breathing
If you need to take a breath before the finish, do so during the final stroke. Exhale underwater and take a quick breath to avoid disrupting your rhythm.
Head Position
Tuck your chin slightly toward your chest during the finish to help maintain a streamlined body position and avoid any collision with the wall. This helps to ensure your head doesn’t make contact with the wall during the finish.
For breaststroke, keep your head aligned with your body, looking forward and slightly down as you approach the wall. Avoid lifting your head up, as it can create resistance and disrupt your streamline. You would ensure the same thing for butterfly
Arm Placement
For freestyle, reach your hand as far forward as possible on the final arm stroke. Fully extend your arm, and as your hand enters the water, start to bend your elbow to initiate the arm recovery.
For breaststroke, during the final arm pull, sweep your arms out wide and push the water backward to generate forward propulsion. Fully extend your arms forward, aiming to catch as much water as possible.
Rotation
For freestyle, in the last strokes before the finish, maintain a balanced rotation of your body, allowing your pulling arm to move freely through the water.
Leg Position
Keep your legs together and extend them fully as you approach the wall. This reduces drag and helps maintain your speed.
For breaststroke, complete a strong leg kick at the end of the stroke. Bring your heels toward your buttocks, and then quickly extend your legs for the next kick. The kick should provide an additional push as you approach the wall.
Kick
Give a strong and powerful kick as you approach the wall. This kick should help propel you forward until your hands touch the wall.
Touch
For freestyle, aim to touch the wall with your fingertips or the front of your hand, depending on what feels most comfortable for you. Make sure to touch the wall simultaneously with both hands.
For breaststroke, reach for the wall with both hands simultaneously. You can touch the wall with your fingertips, palms, or wrists, as long as both hands make contact at the same time.
Glide
After touching the wall, take a brief moment to glide before starting your turn. This allows you to maximize your forward momentum and set up for a powerful turn.
For both breaststroke and butterfly, after completing the last arm pull and leg kick, glide for a brief moment. Extend your arms fully forward, and streamline your body to minimize resistance and maximize distance per stroke.
Synchronizing your swim finish with your strokes requires consistent training and practice. As with any swimming technique, practice is key. Work on your finish during training sessions and pay attention to your timing, technique, and body position.
When does a stroke finish technique disqualify a swimmer?
Here are the things to take care of during finish if you do not want to get disqualified at the end of the race.
In most swimming competitions, you should touch the wall with both hands simultaneously during the finish. This rule applies to all four competitive strokes: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. The reason for touching with both hands is to ensure a fair and accurate finish.
Touching the wall with both hands simultaneously helps eliminate any potential advantage that could be gained by touching with only one hand. It also ensures that the timing of the finish is precise, as the touchpad or timing system registers the finish when both hands make contact with the wall.
Double Touch
Touching the wall with both hands at different times is not allowed. Swimmers must touch the wall simultaneously with both hands during the finish.
One-Handed Touch
Reach for the wall with one hand as you approach the wall for the finish. Only one hand is used to touch the wall during the backstroke finish.
Swimmers must touch the wall with at least one hand during the finish. Failing to touch the wall with any hand or touching the wall with only one hand can result in disqualification.
Head First Touch
During the finish, swimmers should not touch the wall with their head or face. Proper technique involves touching with the hands, not the head.
Incomplete Touch
Swimmers must touch the wall using an appropriate part of the hand, usually the fingertips or palm. Failing to make full and proper contact with the wall may result in disqualification.
Early Movement
Complete the finish before initiating any turn or push-off from the wall. Avoid starting the turn or push-off before the touch is completed.
Arm Pull or Kick after the Touch
After touching the wall, swimmers are not allowed to execute additional arm pulls or leg kicks. The touch should be the final movement before starting the turn or push-off.
Goggles or Cap Displacement
In some cases, if a swimmer’s goggles or swim cap fall off during the finish, the swimmer may be disqualified for equipment-related reasons.
Underwater Dolphin Kicks (Except Butterfly)
For all strokes except butterfly, underwater dolphin kicks are not allowed after the first stroke following the start and each turn. Avoid performing underwater dolphin kicks during the finish of these strokes.
