How must a medley swimmer finish one stroke and begin the next?
B · Beginner · The event · 2 of 5Each stroke section of a medley must be finished under the rules for that stroke. Butterfly and breaststroke each end with a touch by both hands at the same time. Backstroke ends with a touch while still on the back. After each touch the swimmer leaves the wall in the position the next stroke needs.
How it works
- The rule: "Each stroke section must be finished in accordance with the applicable rules for that stroke."
- Butterfly to backstroke: both hands touch, separated and at the same time. The swimmer then pushes off on the back.
- Backstroke to breaststroke: the backstroke section finishes like a backstroke race, with a touch on the wall "while on the back". The swimmer then pushes off on the breast.
- Breaststroke to freestyle: both hands touch, separated and at the same time. The swimmer then pushes off for freestyle.
- Within a section: in a 400 m medley in a 50 m pool each stroke has a turn inside it. That turn follows the ordinary turn rule for the stroke.
- Leaving the wall: each new section starts under its own stroke rule. Butterfly and breaststroke need the body on the breast from the first arm stroke. Backstroke needs the swimmer on the back.
The touch in butterfly and breaststroke is the two-hand touch of an open turn.
Tricky cases
At the end of the backstroke section, can the swimmer roll onto the front before touching, as in a backstroke turn?
No. That roll is allowed for a turn within backstroke. The end of the backstroke section is a finish, and the touch must be made on the back.
At the end of the butterfly section a swimmer touches with one hand. What happens?
They are disqualified. The butterfly section must finish with both hands touching at the same time.
After touching on the back, may the swimmer turn any way they like to start breaststroke?
Yes. Once the touch has been made on the back, the rules ask only that the body is on the breast from the first breaststroke arm stroke.
Does the breaststroke pullout apply in a medley?
Yes. The breaststroke section is swum under the breaststroke rules, including the one long pull and single butterfly kick after the wall.
Why the rule exists
A change of stroke is the end of one race and the start of another, swum by the same person. Treating each finish as a real finish stops a swimmer from blending two strokes at the wall, which is where time could most easily be gained.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Aquatics rules | As above | SW 9.4; SW 6.5; SW 7.7; SW 8.5 |
| A turn within backstroke | The swimmer may roll onto the breast before the wall | SW 6.4 |
| Medley relay | Each swimmer finishes their stroke under its rule, and the next starts from the platform | SW 9.4; SW 10.4.4 |
From the rule book
World Aquatics, Competition Regulations, Part Two: Swimming Rules (in force as from February 2026), Articles 6.4, 6.5, 7.1, 7.2, 7.7, 8.1, 8.5 and 9.4. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Aquatics Competition Regulations (PDF).