What are the backstroke rules?

Under Article 101.4 (as amended for 2026):

• Start: in the water facing the starting end, with both hands on the gutter or starting grips. Standing in or on the gutter, or curling the toes over the lip, is prohibited before or after the start. On a backstroke ledge, at least one toe of each foot must touch the wall or touchpad face, with no toes over the top of the touchpad.
• Stroke: push off and swim on the back throughout. Some part of the swimmer must break the surface, except during the turn and for up to 15 meters after the start and each turn. By that point the head must have broken the surface.
• Turns: some part of the swimmer must touch the wall each length. During the turn, the shoulders may rotate past vertical toward the breast. After that, an immediate continuous single-arm pull or double-arm pull may start the turn. The swimmer must be back on the back when leaving the wall.
• Finish: touch the wall while on the back. New: once some part of the head has passed the final 5-meter or 5-yard mark before reaching for the finish, the swimmer may be completely submerged.