Can artistic swimmers touch the bottom of the pool?
I · Intermediate · Judging and results · 6 of 7No.
How it works
- To propel: an eight-point penalty "if an athlete has made deliberate use of the bottom of the pool during a routine to propel themself".
- To assist: eight points if an athlete deliberately uses the bottom "to assist another athlete".
- Self-protection: "No penalty will be applied when the contact with the bottom of the pool results from the swimmer's self-protection from injuries by impact."
- Stopping or the wall: if one or more athletes stop swimming or make "clear support use of the pool wall before the routine is completed, the routine will be disqualified".
- Beyond their control: the Referee assesses whether the stop was caused by circumstances beyond the athletes' control, and "may allow the routine to be re-swum during the session".
- Who watches: officials are appointed for every routine to monitor use of the bottom.
- The camera: underwater video must be available for checking.
The glossary has use of the bottom and the routine penalties.
Tricky cases
A swimmer's foot brushes the floor by accident. Is it eight points?
No, not for an accident. The penalty is for "deliberate use" to propel or assist.
A swimmer thrown in a lift lands badly and pushes off the floor to protect herself. Is that penalised?
No. Contact that results from self-protection against injury carries no penalty.
A swimmer gets cramp and stops. Is the team disqualified?
It depends on the Referee. A stop disqualifies the routine unless the Referee finds it was beyond the athlete's control and allows a re-swim.
Can swimmers push off the wall at the start?
It depends on what counts as support. The rule bars "clear support use of the pool wall" before the routine is completed, and routines may start in the water. The rules read for this page say no more about the start.
Why the rule exists
The sport's difficulty is that everything is done without a floor. A push from the bottom under a lift would make it far higher and far easier, and nobody in the stands would see it. The underwater camera and the eight points are there for that reason.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Solo routines | The penalty for using the bottom to propel. No clause on assisting | AS 18.1.6 |
| Duets, teams and acrobatic routines | Both penalties, and the self-protection exception | AS 18.2.6; AS 18.2.7 |
| Pool depth | At least 3 metres where routines are swum at the top events | AS 27.2.3 |
From the rule book
World Aquatics, Competition Regulations, Part Seven: Artistic Swimming Rules (in force as from 1 January 2025), Articles 16.6, 18.1.5, 18.1.6, 18.2.5 to 18.2.7, 24.1.11 and 27.3.9. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Aquatics Competition Regulations (PDF).