Looking for advice on judging backstroke turn, specifically how to distinguish a delayed or noncontinuos turn from a really slow or sloppy turn that might still be legal.  Any suggestions on objective criteria to apply especially when multiple lanes are turning at the same time?

I'd like to continue the conversation regarding BS turns.  I've always found conflicting interpretations about whether 'kicking into the wall' during a BS turn is legal and my questions pertain to that.

The question is once a swimmer turns from his/her back to the breast, and while the swimmer is executing the continuous single or double arm pull allowed by the rules, can the swimmer must continue to kick up until s/he begins the flip? 

The way I interpret the rules is since they only speak to a continuous single or double arm pull and are silent on the matter of "continuous turning motions" and "kicking" (101.4.3), the swimmer can continue to kick after s/hes on the breast and either executing the arm pull or after.  In other words, the 2012 rules dont limit a swimmers ability to kick all the way up to the flip.  Is that the right interpretation?

Another way I think it's commonly interpreted is once a swimmer turns from his/her back to the breast, and while the swimmer is executing the continuous single or double arm pull, the swimmer must not continue to kick.  In other words, once a swimmer flips on the breast during the execution of a backstroke turn, the only motive force they can put into the water until the completion of the turn is the single or double arm pull.  When I ask "why?" the response is usually something like ". . . it's not a continuous turning motion if kicking through . . ." I don't think this the correct interpretation of 101.4.3. 

When I look at the rules and ask myself "which one prevents a swimmer from kicking after turning on the breast during the backstroke turn?" I can't point to any of them.  Appreciate your help clearing this one up!

Edited by jeff_roey - Dec/16/2012 at 9:02pm