fina synchronised swimming manual for judges, coaches & referees

2009 – 2013 FINA SYNCHRONISED SWIMMING MANUALFOR JUDGES, COACHES & REFEREESSECTION IIIany extraneous arm actions to execute the figure or hybrid movement.Indeed, when the swimmer has achieved this, very difficult figures will bemade to look easy. The ultimate is to ‘finesse’ the movement.c. Precision of PatternsThe accuracy of the patterns is extremely important in the team event.When the patterns are executed with precision, the overall effect will besharpness and clarity of purpose. The spatial relationships between theswimmers will be exact. When the position is asymmetrical, it will beclearly demonstrated.A lack of precision in the execution of patterns will create a ‘fuzzy’impression not only of the pattern but the routine as a whole.2. Judging SynchronisationSynchronisation is the act of swimming or executing movements inunison, one with the other and the accompaniment.a. One with the other - members of a team and/or duet should beperfectly synchronised from the start to the finish, including movementsunder water. All body positions, movements, and transitions should beperfectly synchronised. The swimmers should be synchronised above, atand below the surface of the water.b. With the accompaniment - synchronisation with the music should beevident within the latitudes described in the Interpretation of Musicsection.There are two types of synchronisation errors. The first is when aswimmer is very obviously off the beat of the other swimmers. Thesecond is when the swimmers are basically but not sharply synchronised,often throughout the routine.3. Judging DifficultyDifficulty is the quality of being hard to achieve.This area of routine judging is complex. It is very important for the judge tounderstand all the factors affecting difficulty.a. Figure movements may be difficult because of the strength,kinaesthetic awareness, and/or technique proficiency required toexecute the figure.2009 – 2013 FINA Synchronised Swimming Manual for Judges, Coaches & Referees 146