As discussed at practice, you may NOT be submerged on backstroke finishes effective IMMEDIATELY. Some part of your person must break the surface of the water from the 15 meter mark after the start and each turn and a body part must be above the water at all times other than the 15 meter distance for start and turn(s).
101.4 BACKSTROKE Effective September 23, 2013
.2 Stroke — The swimmer shall push off on his back and continue swimming on the back throughout the race. Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the race, except it is permissible for the swimmer to be completely submerged during the turn, at the finish and for a distance of not more than 15 meters (16.4 yards) after the start and after each turn. By that point, the head must have broken the surface of the water.
.3 Turns — Upon completion of each length, some part of the swimmer must touch the wall. During the turn the shoulders may be turned past the vertical toward the breast after which an immediate continuous single arm pull or a immediate continuous simultaneous double arm pull may be used to initiate the turn. The swimmer must have returned to a position on the back upon leaving the wall.
