What must a freestyle swimmer do at the wall?
B · Beginner · The stroke · 5 of 6At the end of every length and at the finish, some part of the freestyle swimmer's body must touch the wall. It can be a hand, a foot or anything else. A swimmer who misses the wall on a turn has not completed the length and is disqualified unless they go back and touch.
How it works
- The rule: "At least one part of the Athlete's body must touch the wall upon completion of each length and at the finish."
- Any part: in a flip turn only the feet touch. That is legal.
- Contact: when turning, an athlete "must make physical contact with the wall at the end of the pool".
- Not off the bottom: the turn must be made from the wall. The swimmer must not take a stride or step from the bottom of the pool.
- Under water at the turn: the swimmer may be completely submerged during the turn and for up to 15 m after it.
- The finish: any part of the body. The clock stops when the touch panel is pressed.
- Ducking for the wall: the swimmer may be fully submerged once the head has passed the 5 m mark before the finish.
Each end-to-end swim is a length, and the contact with the wall is the touch.
Tricky cases
A swimmer flips too early and their feet miss the wall. What must they do?
Go back and touch it. A length is complete only when some part of the body has touched the wall.
Can a freestyle swimmer finish by touching with one hand?
Yes. Any part of the body counts.
Can a swimmer push off the bottom of the pool at the turn in a shallow pool?
No. A stride or step from the bottom at a turn is not allowed, even though standing is permitted in freestyle.
Does the swimmer have to touch above the water line?
No. The rule asks for a touch on the wall. Touch panels extend below the surface.
Why the rule exists
The touch is the proof that the full distance was swum. Freestyle asks for nothing more than that, which is why a turn with the feet alone is enough. In the three defined strokes the touch is also a check on the stroke, so they ask for more.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Aquatics rules | As above | SW 5.2; SW 5.4; SW 10.2.3 |
| Breaststroke and butterfly | Both hands, separated, at the same time | SW 7.7; SW 8.5 |
| Backstroke | The finish must be touched while on the back | SW 6.5 |
From the rule book
World Aquatics, Competition Regulations, Part Two: Swimming Rules (in force as from February 2026), Articles 5.2 to 5.4 and 10.2.3. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Aquatics Competition Regulations (PDF).