Match the number shown after DQ to the guide below. Extra letters or marks may be added by the results system or officials. This is a quick-reference explanation and not a substitute for the full World Aquatics Rules.
The start
- 4.4
- Initiating a start before the signal.
Freestyle
- 5.2
- Did not touch the wall at the turn or finish.
- 5.3
- Head did not break the surface at or before 15m after the start or turn.
- 5.4
- Completely submerged during the stroke, except within 5m while reaching for the finish.
Backstroke
- 6.2
- Left the position on the back except while executing a turn.
- 6.3
- Head did not break the surface at or before 15m after the start or turn.
- 6.4
- Turn infringement: incorrect turn initiation, wall contact or position leaving the wall.
- 6.5
- Completely submerged during the stroke outside the permitted finish allowance, or did not finish on the back.
Breaststroke
- 7.1
- Start/turn infringement, including more than one downward butterfly kick or the head not surfacing by the required point.
- 7.2
- Body not on the breast during the stroke.
- 7.3
- Stroke cycle or arm movements were not performed as required or simultaneously.
- 7.4
- Arm or hand movement infringement.
- 7.5
- Head or leg movement infringement during the stroke cycle.
- 7.6
- Feet or kick infringement, including an illegal downward butterfly kick.
- 7.7
- Did not touch at the turn or finish with both hands separated and simultaneously.
Butterfly
- 8.1
- Body not on the breast during the stroke.
- 8.3
- Arms were not brought forward over or backward under the water simultaneously.
- 8.4
- Leg or foot movement infringement, including alternating or breaststroke kicking.
- 8.5
- Did not touch at the turn or finish with both hands separated and simultaneously.
- 8.6
- Start/turn or underwater infringement, including more than one underwater arm pull, surfacing after 15m, or remaining submerged outside the permitted finish allowance.
Medley
- 5.1
- Backstroke, breaststroke or butterfly was swum in the freestyle section.
- 9.1
- Incorrect individual medley stroke order.
- 9.2
- Incorrect medley relay stroke order.
- 9.3
- In the freestyle section, did not return to the breast before a kick or stroke.
- 9.4
- A section was not finished in accordance with the rule for that stroke.
The race
- 10.2.1
- Did not complete the whole distance.
- 10.2.2
- Did not remain in the same lane.
- 10.2.3
- Turn/end contact infringement or took a stride or step from the pool bottom.
- 10.2.4
- Stood on the bottom of the pool outside freestyle.
- 10.2.5
- Pulled on the lane rope.
- 10.2.6
- Obstructed another swimmer.
- 10.2.7
- Entered the water during a race not entered in.
- 10.2.9
- Used a device or plan for pace-making.
- 10.4.2
- Relay team did not swim in the listed order.
- 10.4.4
- Relay exchange did not commence from the starting platform.
- 10.4.5
- Feet left the platform before the preceding team member touched.
- 10.4.6
- Relay swimmer re-entered before all teams finished.
- 10.4.7
- Failed to leave the pool promptly after a race or relay section.
- 14.2-14.4
- Use of a non-approved device, swimsuit, adhesive substance or body tape.
