Flags are an important part of competitive swimming. They allow officials to communicate with swimmers during a race and indicate proper stroke technique. Understanding the meaning behind the different colored flags is crucial for any swimmer looking to compete.
Conclusion
In summary, flags play a vital role in regulating competitive swimming events. Officials use them to signal everything from false starts to improper strokes. Swimmers must pay close attention to flags or risk disqualification. The colors and patterns of flags have specific meanings:
- Yellow flag – false start
- Red flag – stroke infraction
- White flag – one lap to go
- Checkered flag – end of the race
Knowing how to properly execute turns and finishes when flags are waved is also important. Overall, these simple signals help maintain order during busy swim meets. They allow swimmers to clearly understand when they have committed infractions so they can adjust their techniques. Paying attention to the flags allows competitive swimmers to improve their times, avoid penalties, and race their best.
Why are flags used in swimming?
Flags play several key roles in competitive swimming events:
Signal false starts
One of the main reasons flags are used is to indicate false starts. A false start occurs when a swimmer leaves their starting position too early, before the starting signal. This gives the swimmer an unfair head start, so false starts are not allowed. If the race starter sees a swimmer flinch or jump early, they will wave a yellow flag to signal a false start. This tells the swimmers to stop and get back into position before re-starting the race.
Indicate stroke infractions
Officials also use flags to indicate when swimmers commit stroke infractions. Each swimming stroke (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly) has specific rules on how it must be performed. If a swimmer violates these stroke rules, such as taking an extra kick in butterfly or not surfacing properly in breaststroke, officials will wave a red flag. This alerts the swimmer they committed a foul and could face disqualification if they do it again.
Mark turns and finishes
Flags help guide swimmers through proper turns and finishes. For turns, officials position flags 5 meters from each end wall to mark the appropriate place to start a flip turn. Swimmers know they must initiate their turn when they reach the flags. For finishes, checkered flags are waved as a swimmer completes their final stroke into the wall to signal the race is over. This helps the swimmer time their finish properly.
Communicate with swimmers
Finally, flags allow officials to non-verbally communicate with swimmers during a race. For example, when a swimmer has one lap left in a multi-lap race, officials will wave a white flag near the start/finish wall. This lets the swimmer know they are on their last lap without the distraction of hearing verbal cues. Swimmers may also see flags directing them to specific lanes or signaling emergencies requiring them to stop.
What do the different colored flags mean?
Here is an overview of what each colored flag used in swimming competition signals:
| Flag Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Yellow | False start – Return to starting position |
| Red | Stroke infraction – Warning of potential disqualification |
| White | Last lap of race |
| Checkered | Finish of race |
Yellow flag
A yellow flag indicates a false start. In swimming competitions, swimmers must remain completely still until the starting signal. If an official sees a swimmer flinch or leave the starting block early, they will wave a yellow flag. This signals the swimmers to stop and return to their starting positions before restarting the race. A swimmer who false starts may be disqualified if they do it again, so the yellow flag serves as an important warning.
Red flag
A red flag signals a swimmer has committed a stroke infraction. Each swimming stroke has specific rules on the proper form and techniques required. Any violation of these stroke rules will prompt an official to mark the swimmer with a red flag. Common stroke infractions include using an improper kick, taking extra strokes, or not surfacing at required intervals. The red flag serves as a warning to the swimmer to correct their stroke. If they continue performing it illegally, they may face disqualification.
White flag
A white flag indicates the swimmer has begun their final lap in a multi-lap race. Races of 200 meters or longer require swimmers to keep count of their laps on their own. Officials will wave a white flag when the swimmer has one lap remaining to help them prepare for the finish. This prevents swimmers from miscounting laps and swimming too short or too long of a distance. The white flag signals the swimmer to put everything they have into their final lap.
Checkered flag
A black and white checkered flag marks the completion of the race. Officials will wave this flag as the swimmer makes their final stroke into the finish wall at the end of the race. Unlike when touching the wall in turns, swimmers should finish races by hitting the touchpad hard at full extension to stop the electronic timing system. The checkered flag helps signal the proper moment for swimmers to make their final lunge and finish the race strong.
When are flags used in swimming events?
Flags play an important role throughout competitive swimming events:
Start
At the start of each race, the referee or starter will wave a flag to indicate all swimmers should step onto their starting blocks and prepare to race. For backstroke events, swimmers enter the water first and then line up with their hands on the starting grips to await the start.
False start
If any swimmer false starts by flinching or moving early, the starter will wave the yellow false start flag to stop the race. Swimmers will have to return to the starting position.
Lengths
During multi-lap races, officials at the turn end use flags to guide swimmers into the wall at the proper spot and ensure they complete the proper distance. Counters use tally counters to track completed laps.
Last lap
When the lead swimmer has one lap remaining, officials wave the white flag to signal the final lap. In longer races, they may hold up a card number to indicate how many laps are left.
Finish
The checkered flag waves as swimmers complete their final stroke into the wall to signal the end of the race. Timers stop their watches when any part of the swimmer touches the wall or timing pad.
Relays
In relays, a swimmer leaving early on an exchange will prompt officials to wave a red flag. Teams passing outside of the exchange zone will also be flagged with red.
What are other flag signals in swimming?
In addition to the colored lap counting and technique infraction flags, officials use other flags and signals to direct swimmers during meets. These include:
Orange send off flags
These flags help guide relay swimmers entering the pool for their exchanges. Officials wave the flag above the correct lane to indicate which swimmer should go next.
Green/white diagonal flags
These mean the swimmer should move to the lane indicated by the official. This helps organize swimmers into the proper lanes.
Red cross flags
If a swimmer is distressed or needs emergency assistance, officials will wave a red cross flag to summon medical aid. Swimmers are taught to stop immediately if they see this signal.
Black disqualification flags
Officials will raise a black flag at the end of a race if a swimmer is disqualified for a safety or rule violation. This confirms a DQ to the swimmer and their coach.
How should swimmers react to flags in the pool?
It’s important for competitive swimmers to properly react when officials use flags for signaling during a race. Here is how swimmers should respond to key flag cues:
False start (yellow flag)
Immediately stop swimming and return to the starting position. Wait for the starter to signal when to get ready again before resuming the start.
Stroke infraction (red flag)
Continue swimming but adjust your stroke technique to comply with the rules. A second infraction could lead to disqualification.
Turn warning (flags 5 meters out)
Start your flip turn when you reach the flags so you don’t miss the wall or turn too soon.
One lap to go (white flag)
Prepare to finish the race with your best effort and fastest sprint to the finish.
Finish (checkered flag)
Swim all the way through the finish wall and touch the pad firmly to register an accurate finish time.
Disqualification (black flag)
Stop swimming immediately at the end of the race. Check with the official to learn what mistake resulted in your DQ.
What are the flag signals for backstroke swimming?
The flags used in backstroke races are slightly different than those used for the freestyle, butterfly, and breaststroke races where swimmers start in the water. Here are the flag signals officials use during backstroke events:
Enter the water (thumbs up)
After the referee’s short whistle, swimmers will get thumbs up from officials granting them clearance to enter the pool. Swimmers step in feet first and get into position.
Grab the grips (honk signal)
Once standing in the lane, officials will give an audible honk or horn blast to signal swimmers to grab the backstroke grip handles and prepare to start.
False start (yellow flag)
As with other strokes, a yellow flag waves to indicate a false start. Swimmers return to the grips and wait for the restart.
Too long underwater (yellow flag)
If a swimmer stays underwater off the start or turns for too long, the yellow flag will also wave to indicate a surfacing violation.
One lap to go (finger or bell)
Since backstrokers can’t see the white one lap flag, officials will ring a bell or hold up a finger to signal the last lap.
Finish (checkered flag)
The checkered flag drops toward the lane of the finishing swimmer, which they likely cannot see but provides visual confirmation to spectators and officials that the race has ended.
What are some common swimmer mistakes involving flags?
While most competitive swimmers understand the meaning of basic flag signals, the pressure of racing can sometimes lead to mistakes in how they react to flags. Here are some common mistakes swimmers make:
Ignoring the early takeoff flag
An official’s yellow flag means stop and return to the start immediately. Newer swimmers sometimes continue swimming through the first lap despite an early takeoff.
Missing the turn warning flag
It’s easy to be focused on the swimmer next to you and not see the 5 meter flag alerting a flip turn is coming up. Missing the flag can cause swimmers to miss the wall and run out of distance.
Forgetting to count laps
In longer races, losing track of lap counts and not preparing for the finish when the white flag waves is a frequent error. Always count laps yourself even when officials are tracking.
Swimming through disqualification
Continuing to swim hard despite seeing a red flag is often fruitless since a second infraction leads to DQ. Better to ease off and see if the issue will be resolved with just a warning.
Coasting to the finish
Knowing a checkered flag signals the finish seems simple, but swimmers often glide or coast too early assuming the race is done. Make your final lunge only after seeing the flag drop toward your lane to guarantee your fastest possible time.
Can a coach call for a review of an official’s flag signal?
Yes, it is possible for a coach to request a review by the referee if they feel an official incorrectly flagged their swimmer for a rule infraction during competition. The process works like this:
- Coach sees their swimmer flagged for an infraction they don’t believe occurred.
- After the race, coach immediately approaches the deck referee to politely ask for a review.
- Referee gathers officials involved to discuss the situation and check applicable rules.
- If evidence clearly shows the flag was used in error, the referee can overturn the call.
- If uncertain, the referee will typically uphold the initial ruling as called by the officials.
Coaches must be respectful when asking for reviews and accept the final decision. The referee has authority over the meet, but overturning an official’s call is rare unless there is overwhelming evidence it was incorrect. Arguing calls simply delays the meet.
What are some tips for swimmers to better understand flag signals?
Here are some useful tips for competitive swimmers to fully grasp the meaning of all flag signals used by officials during races:
- Study the flag color meanings and memorize what each color represents.
- Practice starts and finishes using flags during training to get comfortable with visual cues.
- Mentally prepare for races by visualizing sighting key flags at turns and finishes.
- If you commit an infraction, don’t panic. Adjust your strokes based on the flag signal.
- When officials wave flags, make eye contact to acknowledge you understand their signal.
- Ask your coach if you don’t understand why a particular flag waved during your race.
- Stay calm and maintain focus if you see your competitors getting flagged – control what you can.
Learning to quickly interpret and adapt to the flags officials use takes time. But familiarity will help every swimmer race cleaner, avoid penalties, and swim up to their full potential.
Conclusion
In competitive swimming, flags are crucial for managing fair and well-run races. The colored flags help signal false starts, stroke violations, the completion of laps, and the end of races. Proper flag use by officials and understanding by swimmers ensures events follow rules and determine true winners and losers. By learning the meanings of standard flag signals and what to do upon seeing them, swimmers can focus, avoid penalties, and have their best races possible.