USA Rule 102.2.3 notes "the feet must be turned outward during the propulsive part of the kick".

We have a swimmer with a pronounced pronation of the feet. During her breaststroke kick her feet do not turn out, however all of the propulsion is with the plantar surface of the feet. Unortodox, clearly no butterfly kick, nor sissors nor flutter. Perplexed about the DQ calls.

Anyone have a similar situation?

The USA website added an extensive discussion of how to apply the rules for swimmers with disabilities.  The links are located off the page:
http://www.usaswimming.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabId=1509&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en
Look under Situations and Resolutions; the links are "Article 105 Case Studies...," and "Disability Swimmers."

In another thread, some poster linked to the old USA website, and I found the training resources there extremely helpful.  So one of the reasons I wanted to respond to this old thread was to put up a link to the new site.

FWIW, I think the original poster likely meant that the feet were in-turning.


Edited by daolson - Jan/11/2011 at 3:22pm

Ed, look at some images of pronation (e.g. google "pronation" and there is a link to a number of images).  It refers to the angle between the leg and foot, the inward "bend" at the ankle, as viewed from behind.   Pronation or supination, by themselves, should have little effect on whether someone is able to turn their toes outward during a breaststroke kick.

If someone had in-turning feet, "pidgeon-toed," , "in-toed," toes pointed inward as viewed from above, it might limit their ability to turn their toes outward during the kick.  It is possible that their range of motion might not be sufficient for them to move their toes outside their ankles.

I think that Case #3 - Michelle, with a range of motion issue, would be relevant, as would Case # 8 - Tom, who cannot physically perform a legal breaststroke kick.