Swimming and Diving Rules Changes - 2024-25     By NFHS on April 16, 2024

4-1-4: Removes the word “clerical” from the description of the official’s authority over a meet through the completion of any reports that are responsive to actions occurring while the referee has jurisdiction. Rationale: The referee will do what is necessary to ensure meet outcomes and related details are appropriate and accurate. The authority of the referee in this context is broad and is not limited to clerical authority only.

4-2-2e: Removes language that permits an announcement of a disqualification on the basis of a Rule 3- 2-2 violation to be made by the public address announcer if the coach cannot be located. Rationale: This change in language brings Rule 4-4-2e in line with notification protocols when violations of Rule 3-3-2 are detected. When the violation involves improper suit coverage, a public announcement is not appropriate.

2024-25 SWIMMING AND DIVING EDITORIAL CHANGES
2-7-5 PENALTY, 3-2-2, 3-2-3, 3-3 NOTE, 3-6-1f, 4-1-8, 4-2-2, 5-1-3, 6-4-1b (2), 8-1-1, 9-3-4, 9-4, APPENDIX A, APPENDIX D

2024-25 SWIMMING AND DIVING POINTS OF EMPHASIS

1. Athlete Well-Being 

2. Electronic Devices 

3. Risk Minimization – Backstroke Ledges

Risk Minimization Focus of 2023-24 High School Swimming and Diving Rules Changes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sandy Searcy

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (April 13, 2023) — Swimming stroke changes and a new penalty for close diving board proximity stand out among the high school swimming and diving rules changes approved for the 2023-24 school year.

Risk minimization was a top priority, leading to eight rules changes brought forth by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Swimming and Diving Rules Committee, which held its annual meeting March 19-21 at the Conrad Hotel in downtown Indianapolis. The NFHS Board of Directors approved all eight rule change submissions.

Several technical rules changes were made to breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly. “We removed rules that do not present a competitive advantage, are rarely seen today, and make sense for high school swimmers,” said Sandy Searcy, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Committee.

            Backstroke swimmers are now permitted to submerge at the backstroke flags and be completely underwater at the finish due to changes in Rule 8-2-1g. The change allows the official to concentrate on the finish at the wall and aligns with national trends. The rule applies to all backstroke finishes including the medley relay and the individual medley.

            Changes to breaststroke (Rule 8-2-2d-h) and butterfly (Rule 8-2-3c, e, g) provide clarity, consistency and remove elements of the turn and finish which were difficult to officiate. Alterations are not expected to provide a competitive advantage for athletes.

            “Factors at the forefront of our discussions were fair play, risk minimization and awareness of national trends,” said Rod Garman, chair of the NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Committee and assistant executive director of the Kansas State High School Activities Association.

            A penalty will now be imposed if the diver’s head is too close to the diving board according to changes in Rule 9-7-4C. A penalty was already in place for when a diver hit the board. Diving referees will determine the new penalty call and should sit in line with the end of the board to see where divers enter the water in relation to the board.

“We wanted to make it clear that safety is paramount and that we have a penalty in place that elevates the divers’ and coaches’ awareness of entering the water from an appropriate distance from the board,” Searcy said. “It is important that the NFHS provide educational resources to illustrate what is too close and specify the referee’s vantage-point.”

Three diving positions were removed with changes to Rule 9-5. The committee determined that performing these dives in the straight position was too dangerous at the high school level due to the close placement of the diver’s head in relation to the board. The difficulty level was such that divers were not typically performing the dives, according to Searcy.

Finally, an editorial change was made to Rules 3-3 and 3-3-2 to clarify uniform accommodations related to suit permeability, compression and buoyancy.

A complete listing of the swimming and diving rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Activities & Sports” at the top of the home page and select “Swimming and Diving.”

According to the 2021-22 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, swimming and diving is the 10^th-most popular sport for boys with 123,208 participants in 7,831 schools, and the eighth-most popular sport for girls with 149,751 participants in 8,079 schools. 

NEWS RELEASE

Pool Markings Focal Point of 2022-23 High School

Swimming and Diving Rules Changes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (April 19, 2022) — A collection of new markings for pool facilities constructed or renovated after January 1, 2023, stands out among the high school swimming and diving rules changes approved for the 2022-23 school year.

The markings, placed in a Table within Rule 2-4, were the most notable of the three rules changes brought forth by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Swimming and Diving Rules Committee, which held its annual meeting March 20-22 at the Conrad Hotel in downtown Indianapolis. The NFHS Board of Directors accepted all three rule change submissions.

The table includes four new measurements that constitute changes of the width of the line along the pool bottom, longer cross lines, shorter end wall targets below the water, and an exact listing for the distance between the end of the line on the pool bottom and the end wall.

The width of that line can now be anywhere from 8 to 12 inches rather than the previous range of 10 to 12 inches. The cross line has been extended from 36 inches to 3 feet, 4 inches (1 meter); the end wall targets below the water have been reduced from 3 feet, 6 inches to 3 feet, 4 inches (1 meter); and the space between the end of the pool line and the end wall should now be 6 feet, 7 inches (2 meters).

“Nationally recognized standards for newly constructed or renovated facilities after January 1, 2023, provides consistency for high school swimming,” said Sandy Searcy, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Committee. “Facilities constructed prior to this date will remain in compliance in accordance with current specifications and will not require prior mutual consent of the competing teams unless state association regulations determine otherwise.”

Updated dimensions pertaining to the non-slip surface on the end wall were written into Rule 2-3-1. In addition to reaching 0.8 meters (2 feet, 7½ inches) below the water level, the non-slip surface should also extend at least 2 inches above the water beginning with the 2022-23 season. Additional new language in Rule 2-3-1 reads: “for pools constructed or renovated after January 1, 2023, it is recommended the end walls extend no less than 0.8 meters (2 feet 7½ inches) below and no more than 0.3 meters (12 inches) above the water surface.”

Finally, an editorial change was made to Rule 2-4-4, as it no longer includes the information referencing end wall height above the water now found in Rule 2-3-1.

A complete listing of the swimming and diving rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Activities & Sports” at the top of the home page and select “Swimming and Diving.”

According to the most recent NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, swimming and diving is the 10^th-most popular sport for boys with 136,638 participants in 7,704 schools, and the eighth-most popular sport for girls with 173,088 participants in 8,007 schools. 

Publisher’s Note: The National Federation of State High School Associations is the only source of official high school interpretations. They do not set aside nor modify any rule. They are made and published by the NFHS in response to situations presented. 
Dr. Karissa L. Niehoff, Publisher, NFHS Publications © 2023

SITUATION 1: Prior to the beginning of the meet, a coach presents to the meet referee a female competitor wearing a wetsuit because of a modesty issue. The referee does not permit the swimmer to compete wearing the wetsuit. RULING: Correct procedure. An accommodation may not fundamentally alter the sport, heighten risk to the athlete/others or place opponents at a disadvantage. Any approved suit accommodation must be constructed with a woven/knit textile material, permeable 100% to air and water, and not aid speed, buoyancy or body compression. (3-3 NOTE)

SITUATION 2: In a dual meet, an infraction/ false start is observed by both the referee and the starter. The false start is identified in writing by the referee but not the starter. No infraction/ false start is charged. RULING: Incorrect procedure. In championship meets, dual confirmation in writing by the starter and referee is required. Dual confirmation in writing is not required during dual meets unless it is specified in the meet announcement that the meet is being conducted under championship meet rules. (8-1-3d PENALTY 2)

SITUATION 3: As the backstroke swimmer approaches the wall to finish the event, the swimmer’s head passes the flags and the swimmer submerges and dolphin-kicks to the wall. The meet referee disqualifies the swimmer because of the forward propulsion caused by the underwater kick. RULING: Incorrect ruling. Once some part of the swimmer’s head has passed the backstroke flags, the swimmer may partially or completely submerge and continue kicking until touching the wall. (8-2-1g)

SITUATION 4: In the 200-yard individual medley, a swimmer approaches the wall to finish the backstroke leg. After the swimmer’s head passes the backstroke flags, the swimmer submerges and dolphin-kicks to the wall. The swimmer is disqualified because of re-submerging at the backstroke flags. RULING: Incorrect ruling. Each leg of the 200-yard individual medley must be finished in accordance with the finish rule that applies to each stroke. Once some part of the swimmer’s head has passed the backstroke flags, the swimmer may partially or completely submerge and continue kicking until touching the wall. (8-2-1g, 8-2-5)

SITUATION 5: During the 100-yard breaststroke, the meet referee notices that the swimmer’s arms are not in the same horizontal plane while executing the initial arm pull after the start. The meet referee disqualifies the swimmer. RULING: Incorrect ruling. NFHS rules no longer require that a competitor’s arms move in the same horizontal plane while swimming the breaststroke or the butterfly. However, arm movements must still be simultaneous. (8-2-2d)

SITUATION 6: Prior to the diving event, the diving referee asks to be seated in line with the end of the diving board. The host coach refuses to allow this to happen, stating that their diving coach always sits in that position. The diving referee insists on being seated in line with the end of the diving board. RULING: Correct procedure. The diving referee is responsible for determining if the diver’s head is too close to the board as it passes the horizontal plane, and therefore, it is strongly recommended that the diving referee shall be seated in line with the end of the board to have an accurate line of site for judging this new requirement. (9-7-4c)

Swimming & Diving Comments on the Rules - 2024-25

By NFHS on April 19, 2024

4-1-4: The meet referee is the head official and is responsible for a wide variety of tasks involving the technical rules of swimming and diving. The meet referee’s authority begins at least 30 minutes prior to the contest and ends with the signing of the official scoresheet within one hour after the meet. However, this rule includes the expectation that the referee will correct any errors that may be discovered within 48 hours of the completion of competition. In order to avoid any confusion over the types of errors to be addressed, the term “clerical” has been eliminated. The understanding and expectation here is that the referee will do what is necessary to ensure that meet outcomes and related details are appropriate and accurate. The authority of the referee in this context is broad, and state associations may rely upon that official to mitigate such errors. This makes for a more efficient and effective process for fixing problems that may arise. State associations may intercede in the event of unusual incidents before, during and after the referee's jurisdiction has ended.

4-2-2e: Referee notification of violations to swimmers and/or coaches may be accomplished by several means, including public announcement (4-2-2d) if neither the competitor nor coach can be located without delaying the meet. When the violation involves improper suits, however, public announcement is not appropriate. The NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Committee has worked carefully over the past several years to ensure clear understanding of the expectation that any discussion of suit issues occurs ONLY between the referee and the coach. If there is a violation of Rule 3-3-2, the meet referee must contact the coach. The rule change addresses the context when PENALTY 2 of Rule 3-3-2 is invoked. If the meet referee determines an athlete is to be disqualified for violation of the suit coverage requirement of 3-3-2, the coach must be notified directly; no alternative method is permissible.

Swimming & Diving Points of Emphasis - 2024-25

By NFHS on April 19, 2024

Athlete Well-Being
The NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Committee is particularly conscious of athlete safety, physical and mental well-being, and overall good health of high school students. With that in mind, the committee discussed at length the issue of photography behind the blocks. Guidelines for photographer access should be clearly defined prior to the swimming and diving event. It is recommended that state associations and event hosts consider the areas, and specifically the angles, for photography of swimmers and divers, and that appropriate and reasonable guidelines are established. Due to swimmer attire and the starting positions in the sport, media access in the starting area may not be appropriate. The committee addressed Rule 3-2-2 by adding language ensuring continued involvement of health-care professionals. Rule 3-3 was also edited to align language with current national trends in reference to individuals with disabilities and continuing encouragement of participation of those individuals in swimming and diving. And finally, the committee codified consistent language for all NFHS rules books prohibiting the use of alcohol, tobacco, and controlled or illicit substances by participants, team personnel, and officials, beginning with arrival at the competition site until departure following the completion of the contest. State associations are encouraged to continue examining additional ways to ensure student well-being within the framework of swimming and diving.

Electronic Devices
Swimming, like many other high school athletic endeavors, is significantly affected by continuing developments in technology. These developments, if not carefully monitored, have the potential to alter the nature of high school swimming and diving competition and drastically affect the competitive environment. Several factors should be kept in mind as the rules committee continues to evaluate the use of electronic devices by swimmers. Devices that collect and transmit data from the swimmer to an external recipient are permissible because they are potentially beneficial in terms of both athlete performance and well-being. Devices that provide information to the athlete during competition are not permitted and, when detected, result in severe penalties for both the competing athlete and team personnel. Detection of such devices is often difficult, and evaluation of performance often requires advanced technical knowledge. Officials should approach the enforcement of prohibitions on illegal devices with restraint and impose sanctions on team personnel only when it is abundantly clear that a device is being used improperly and is creating an unfair competitive advantage. State associations are empowered to address and regulate the use of electronic devices beyond those established by NFHS rules.

Risk Minimization - Backstroke Ledges
The NFHS serves as the national authority on competition rules while promoting fair play and seeking to minimize risk of injury for student participants in education-based high school athletic and activity programs. On an ongoing basis, the rules committee assesses and minimizes risks, to the extent consistent with the sound traditions of the sport. The NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Committee continues to evaluate information regarding the use of backstroke starting ledges and the development of this equipment. At present, there is a considerable lack of reliable data assessing the safety and risk-minimization issues surrounding the use of ledges. It is anticipated that the results of a study currently underway at DePauw University will be available next year for the rules committee to consider whether to permit such equipment to be used as part of the high school swimming competitive environment. The primary concern will be, of course, athlete safety. Additional factors that must be assessed include fiscal/budgetary constraints, impact upon the flow of competition resulting from the installation and removal of the devices for a specific event, and effects on competitive equity resulting from availability of the equipment.

Pool Access ADA Compliance in High School Today--Feb. issue pg. 14

High Performance Swim Suits/NFHS Rule Compliance  (010912)

Voluntary Dive Schedule

Tournament Competition Information

Comparisons - Pool Depth & Rules

Diving Scoresheet

Instructions for Diving Judges

Diving Card

WIAA Adaptations to NFHS Rules - Please print and place in your rule book for future reference.

Question:

Swimmer two in the 200 freestyle relay started with one foot behind the wedge and one foot in front of the wedge, stepping over the wedge with her back foot as she moved forward for a legal relay exchange. The wedge was 2/3 of the way to the back on the block.  Neither foot was on the wedge and both feet were on the surface of the starting block.  Rule 8-3-4c, page 68, does not seem to prohibit this action.  But some of our officials thought it was an unsafe act, and therefore should result in disqualification.  According to the girl who did this at our clinic, it was allowed at the state USA (club) meet.  Because were use NFHS rules, that don't address this action, is it legal?

Response:  

Starting wedges are permitted by rule 2.7.2. Relay exchanges are governed by rule 8.3.   8.3.4 provides that moving from the back to the front of the starting platform is permitted.  8.3.4 c requires the swimmers in relay starts to have at least one foot in contact with the surface of the starting platform in front of the wedge during takeoff.

While the use of wedges may be unsafe, the rules permit wedges to be installed. There is no rule prohibiting the movement of the contestant from the back to the front of the starting platform during relay exchanges/starts.

There are many risky components in a swim and dive meet. Use of starting platforms may be considered ‘high risk’ in some one’s opinion. We don’t prohibit use of these platforms since the rules provide for its use.

While risk minimization is paramount in high school sports, we permit coaches and athletes to determine the safest practices in the pool arena. 

We cannot prohibit use of starting platforms or wedges that are allowed by rule. 

Meet Official Responsibilities and Communication Clarified in High School Swimming and Diving Rules

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE         Contact: Sandy Searcy

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (April 11, 2024) — Language in the 2024-25 NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Book will be changed in an effort to ensure consistent notification protocols when violations regarding swimming attire are detected.

This revision was one of two changes recommended by the NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Committee at its March 17-19 meeting in Indianapolis. All changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

The change comes in conjunction with one of the committee’s fundamental goals, which is to increase communication between coaches and officials to promote the flow of a swim meet.

“One thing I love about the committee is all the different perspectives, from coaches representation to officials representation and even administrative representation,” said Rod Garman, chair of the NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Committee and assistant executive director of the Kansas State High School Activities Association. “I think our sport is in a great spot.”

In Rule 4-4-2e, language was changed to bring the rule in line when violations of Rule 3-3-2 are detected. Rule 3-3-2 describes the types of legal suits for males and females. According to the new language, the referee shall advise the coach that the swimmer may not compete until their suit is made legal.

This change ensures that the referee directly communicates with the head coach of the athlete if there is a violation and will bring less disqualifications if an athlete has an illegal uniform. Previously, if the coach of the athlete was not able to be reached without delaying the meet, a verbal announcement of the violation sufficed.

Sandy Searcy, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Committee, said the committee believes that the consistency of language between rules will help bring a better meet experience.

In Rule 4-1-4, the word “clerical” was removed to help clarify the authority of a meet official. This change is intended to create a more efficient and effective process for fixing problems that may arise during a swim meet.

“The committee believes that the majority of problems that arise during a meet are minor and can be easily fixed if the official’s authority stays consistent with the scope of their authority during the actual competition – without having to be addressed by outside entities, including state associations,” Searcy said.

A complete listing of the swimming and diving rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Activities & Sports” at the top of the home page and select “Swimming and Diving.”

According to the 2022-23 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, swimming and diving is the 10^th-most popular sport for boys with 116,741 participants in 7,831 schools, and the ninth-most popular sport for girls with 140,711 participants in 7,937 schools.

The NFHS is providing FREE Rules Revisions Posters for the new high school swimming and diving season. If you are a coach, administrator, or state association representative, click the link below to download the PDF file.

Print as many as you need. Hang them up in the locker room, hallway, office or anywhere else the student-athletes can see these posters!

Download the Poster (11”X 17”) PDF here.