How does the one-start rule work?
Rule- South Africa
- Swimming South Africa
- World Aquatics rules
- Starters
- All ages
- 2025/26
- Officials
World Aquatics uses a one-start rule: any swimmer who starts before the starting signal may be disqualified (Part Two, Article 4.4). There is no warning or second chance.
What happens next depends on timing:
| When the false start is declared | What happens |
|---|---|
| After the starting signal has been given | The race continues, and the swimmer is disqualified when the race finishes |
| Before the starting signal is given | The signal is not given. The other swimmers are stood down with the command "stand down please", and the Referee restarts the procedure from the long whistle |
Added 22 Oct 2026