Quick Dip: What Does a Disqualification Mean?

A short read for the car journey

Category: Racing  | Read time: Under 2 minutes

A disqualification is usually shortened to DQ. It means part of a swim did not meet the rules of the race, so the swim does not count as a valid result and the time cannot be used for rankings or qualification.

Officials watch different parts of the race, including the start, stroke, turns and finish. A DQ might come from a small mistake such as using the wrong touch, making a movement that is not allowed or leaving the block before the starting signal.

A DQ does not mean you are a bad swimmer. In most age-group races, it simply records that one part of the swim did not meet a rule.

Your coach can find out the reason for the DQ and explain what happened. Ask your coach before deciding what went wrong because a movement can feel correct in the water but look different from poolside.

Once you understand the reason, you and your coach can decide what to practise. You may need to work on one part of a turn, finish or stroke rather than change the whole swim.

One DQ does not remove the progress you have made. It gives you and your coach a clear skill to check before your next race.

Ask your coach: What was I disqualified for and what can I practise?

Created by Basingstoke Bluefins Coaching Team