2007-08 Swimming and Diving Rule Changes

1-3-4 Further defines that a race officially begins when the swimmers are called to the blocks by the referee’s long whistle under both verbal and whistle commands.

Rationale: Rule 1-3-4 although defining the start of the race was unclear as to the actual start based on which preparatory command protocol is being used in the competition. The use of the referee’s long whistle will be standard under both styles of preparatory commands.

3-3-4 Clarifies how illegal attire and jewelry shall be handled by the official and more clearly describes the wearing of a medical alert item and a religious medal. The NOTE includes the procedure the official follows when illegal attire or jewelry is observed being worn during a heat/round of competition.

Rationale: Clearly prohibits the wearing of jewelry and illegal attire by a competitor and identifies medical and religious medals as not being jewelry. Wording is clearer as to what is not jewelry and procedure to follow if the event is in progress and the wearing of jewelry is observed. This is similar to other NFHS rules on jewelry.

3-5-3 States a specific penalty of disqualification for a competitor in

Penalty 2 diving who enters the water without the diving referee’s

New c permission.

Rationale: Previously there was not a clearly defined penalty for a competitor entering the water without permission from the diving referee in the event of diving. This penalty is more appropriate for the event of diving rather than having the swimming event penalty apply.

5-1-1 Changes the metric race equivalent of the 500 yard freestyle to 400 meters.

Rationale: The standard length for high school swimming is 500 yards. When converting to meters the 400 meter race is closer to the actual distance of 500 yards. 500 meters is actually a longer race than 500 yards. This change now gives relevance to the metric distance.

8-1-3 Changes the current order of infractions and false starts to reflect the

Penalties order in which the action would occur and revises the penalties to

1 and 2 accurately reflect the no recall false start in nonchampionship and championship meets.

Rationale: With the adoption of the no recall false start the language in penalties 8-1-3 needed to be revised to indicate when a swimmer who is disqualified for a false start shall not compete and when the race shall continue and notice of the disqualification to be at the end of the race.

8-1-6 Dual confirmation may be used in any meet for a false start; therefore,

Penalty the phrase, “In championship meets,” was deleted.

Rationale: The no recall false start has been adopted for all meets. The second PENALTY portion of 8-1-6 was not previously updated to reflect this adoption.

8-2-2c Clarifies the dolphin kick may be executed after the initiation of the arm stroke and before the breaststroke kick.

Rationale: The wording clarifies the original application of the rule that the dolphin kick can be executed at any point after the initiation of the arm stroke but before the breaststroke kick.

9-3-6, Restricts a change in the position of a voluntary dive if the change would

9-3-6 New make the true DD total for the five voluntary dives exceed 9.0 and

Penalty 1 should the change not be detected before the next dive(s) being performed a potential of a failed dive exists.

Rationale: This change serves to prevent an oversight during competition by a diver changing positions to a higher DD that would result in a total exceeding 9.0. It also prevents a diver from listing a lower DD then changing position to receive higher scores even though scored at the original degree of difficulty.

9-5-1 Allows the diver to have the arms in the position of his/her choice for the forward starting position.

Rationale: Many divers, when using a forward start, prefer to have their arms in a variety of positions when they assume the starting position. What is important to officials is not where the arms are but, rather, having the arms in a set position so that the officials know when the starting position is achieved. This change in other rule codes has proven to be advantageous for the diver to be able to start from a more comfortable position.

9-6-3b, Eliminates the announcer displaying awards given by the diving judges

and Note and includes the option when an electronic scoreboard is used, with all

judges’ awards displayed, for the announcer to announce only the total

Award received for the dive.

Rationale: The announcer should not have the responsibility to display scores. When all the judges’ awards are displayed electronically and plainly visible for all to see, it is not required to announce each individual award for every dive and will assist in efficiency of the event administration.

Protocol for Changes when the relay takeoff judge is to signal an observed violation

Automatic to coincide with the requirement in 4-6-4c, “last competitor is in the

Relay water before signaling…”

Judging

Rationale: The rule change aligns the protocol with requirements and language in NFHS Rule 4-6-4c.