This discussion of partial samba raises again the question: what is a samba or an LMC?
When I first heard the term "samba," I learned it described a diver who's loss of motor control caused a jerking motion that looked like the samba dance. Certainly, anyone shaking that visibly has lost motor control.
However, the term "loss of motor control" also suggests "controlled motor loss" wherein a diver might experience minor sensations from the autonomic nervous system which happen but do not cause the diver to lose control of what they are doing. Such uncontrolled reactions include contractions, flatulations, twitches, and even an isolated shake. A contraction of the diaphram is more of loss of motor control than an eyelid twitch.
Trying to get an official definition of what constitutes an LMC I found to be impossible. The old AIDA rules were very subjective and did not address what constitutes an LMC and what does not. The final answer to me was:
take a judging course if you want to know if a twitch is an LMC or not. In north america, judging courses end up costing thousands of dollars by the time one factors in airfare, lodging, fees, equipment. That does not seem right for fair competition or for growth of the sport.
The best analysis that I have seen on the subject is by Sebastian Näslund in this thread:
http://forums.deeperblue.net/showthread.php?t=63196&highlight=lmc+rules+sebastian
and on this website:
http://www.fridykning.se/rules
The problem for the sport is explaining to a spectator who sees nothing from 10 feet away why a diver was DQ'd. Some of these things don't even show up in videos or above water. So, some compromise must happen.
The Swedes have tried to address the subjectivity of LMC this way:
Swedish LMC-rule:
In addition to international SP requirements Sweden will DQ athletes according to the following LMC-rule:
If there are any CLEAR and visible signs of LMC ABOVE water the athlete will be disqualified.
Signs of a clear LMC include:
- More than one "epeleptic" head jerk or sway.
- More than one "epeleptic" body jerk or sway.
- More than one "epeleptic" jerk in arm/shoulder or sway.
- Any two jerks in combination of the above will be judged as a clear LMC.
- Athletes mimicking any of the above mentioned movements will be disqualified.
Signs that will not be judged as LMC or penalized:
- No facial movements will be penalized.
- No hand/finger movements will be penalized.
Personally, I think AIDA has done its best to come up with objective rules this year.
So having said all that, I personally practice to avoid an LMCs altogether. I have found that discomfort is my friend when it comes to sambas. If it feels uncomfortable, stop and come up. Interestingly, all my personal bests have been totally clean. And without explanation, mild sambas and twitches would occur on attempts that were 80% to 90% of PB. Stuff happens.
Another 2¢.
Peace,
Glen