Which rules are races swum under, and what gets a swimmer disqualified?

Under Swim England Technical Rule 501, swimming competitions in England are normally held under the World Aquatics Swimming Rules (the current version came into force in February 2026), plus Swim England's own regulations and the promoter's meet conditions. Para-swimming events use the World Para Swimming Rules.

Common reasons for disqualification include:

• Start: starting before the starting signal.
• Freestyle, backstroke and butterfly: head not breaking the surface by the 15m mark after the start or a turn.
• Backstroke: leaving the back except when turning, or not finishing on the back.
• Breaststroke: more than one downward butterfly kick before the first breaststroke kick; arms or legs not moving simultaneously; not touching with both hands together at a turn or finish.
• Butterfly: alternating leg kick, or not touching with both hands together.
• Any race: not touching the wall at a turn, standing on the bottom (except in freestyle, and even then no walking or pushing off the bottom), pulling on the lane rope, or obstructing another swimmer.

A permanently disabled swimmer with a recorded classification or a valid Certificate of Exception is not disqualified when their disability prevents them complying with a stroke rule.