What are the touch rules in para swimming?
I · Intermediate · Starts and strokes · 4 of 6Breaststroke and butterfly swimmers stay on the breast and touch with both hands, separated and together, at each turn and finish. In breaststroke arms and legs move together, with feet turned out in the kick; in butterfly arms recover over the water and no breaststroke kick is allowed. Swimmers with one working arm or leg follow coded exceptions.
How it works
- On the breast: in both strokes.
- Touch: both hands, separated, at the same time.
- Breaststroke: one arm stroke then one kick; feet turned out.
- After the start: one arm stroke and one butterfly kick allowed in breaststroke.
- Butterfly arms: together, over the water.
- Butterfly legs: up and down together; no breaststroke kick.
- One arm: touch with it; drag or stretch the other forward.
- One leg: the other drags without propelling.
The glossary has the breaststroke (para swimming), the butterfly (para swimming), the touch, the one-arm stroke, the leg drag and the codes of exception.
Tricky cases
Must the hands show a gap at the touch?
No, but they cannot be stacked.
A one-armed butterflier swims on their side. Legal?
No. The body must stay in line with the surface.
Can a breaststroker with one usable leg trail the other?
Only with a code; otherwise they must show intent to kick.
Is one dolphin kick allowed in breaststroke?
Yes, one after the start and each turn.
Why the rule exists
These strokes demand symmetry, so the touch and kick rules keep them distinct. Exceptions let swimmers with asymmetric impairments compete.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Two arms | Two-hand touch | 11.4.6, 11.5.4 |
| One arm | One-hand touch with code | CR |
| Leg impairment | Leg codes | CR |
From the rule book
World Para Swimming, Rules and Regulations, February 2026, sections 11.4 and 11.5, with World Para Swimming, Classification Rules and Regulations, August 2022. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the World Para Swimming Rules and Regulations, February 2026.