Swimming and Diving Rules Changes - 2023-24 By NFHS on April 26, 2023
3-3 Note: Moves the note to the beginning of Section 3 and adds language prohibiting accommodations altering compression, buoyancy, or competitive advantage.
Rationale: The section will make it clear this provision applies to all articles in Section 3.
3-3-2: Removes language which specifies that a competitor shall only be able to compete in a suit that is of decent appearance.
Rationale: Eliminates the subjectivity of “decent appearance” for an official when making an illegal suit determination.
8-1-3d PENALTY 2, 8-1-6 PENALTY: Added the requirement of a written record for dual confirmation of a false start.
Rationale: The change aligns language with the current requirement that when dual confirmation is used, the relay takeoff judges are required to report in writing any violations to the referee.
8-2-1g: Removes the language about some part of the body at or above the surface during a backstroke finish.
Rationale: The change aligns with national trends, allows the official to concentrate on the backstroke finish (wall touch), and may prevent lunging at the wall which reduces risk.
8-2-2d-h: Requires the arms and legs to move simultaneously but does not require the arms and legs to be in the same horizontal plane. Also requires separation of the hands during the touch at turns and finish.
Rationale: Changes provide clarity, consistency, and alignment with national trends and do not provide a competitive advantage.
8-2-3c, e, g: Requires the separation of hands and a simultaneous touch with the hands during the turns and finish.
Rationale: Changes provide clarity, consistency, and alignment with national trends and do not provide a competitive advantage.
9-5 Diving Table: Removes dives 104A, 304A and 402A from the Diving Table.
Rationale: When each dive is performed slightly short of vertical, the diver’s head may be precariously close to the diving board. The risk of hitting the board in these cases is far greater than other dives on the table.
9-7-4c: Adds a penalty for when a diver’s head is too close to the diving board. The diving referee shall make the determination and inform diving judges to score the dive as unsatisfactory.
Rationale: Minimizes the risk factor of the diver performing the dive in a way that brings the diver’s head too close to the board.
2023-24 SWIMMING AND DIVING EDITORIAL CHANGES
2-4-2, Table 2-1, 5-2, 5-3-6, Appendix B
2023-24 SWIMMING AND DIVING POINTS OF EMPHASIS
- Risk Minimization
- National Trends
- Participant and Spectator Unsporting Conduct
- Designated Areas for Photographers
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 10th-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.
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 10th-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.
Swimming and Diving Rule Interpretations - 2022-23
By NFHS on July 28, 2022
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 © 2022
Clarifications
3.4 SITUATION E: During the 500- yard freestyle, the team member designated as lap counter for Lane 5 (a) is shouting splits to the Lane 5 swimmer; (b) is encouraging the Lane 5 swimmer to “pick it up”; (c) tells the Lane 5 swimmer, “you’ve got to catch Lane 4.” The referee disqualifies the Lane 5 swimmer in all three instances. RULING: Incorrect procedure. In (a), (b) and (c), the counter is providing no physical assistance to the swimmer and is behaving appropriately. COMMENT: “Aid” to the swimmer requires some sort of physical action that creates a competitive advantage. Verbalization of information that is concurrently displayed in the venue is not a violation.
4.1.6 SITUATION A: At the conclusion of a relay event, a coach brings a recording device to the meet referee to show that the opposing team’s third swimmer left the block prior to the second swimmer touching the end wall. RULING: Electronic devices, including video, shall not be used to review officials’ decisions made during the meet. The use of video review is not permitted.
SITUATION 1: By league policy each school may enter two teams in the prelims of each relay event in the league championship meet (3-1-1), with only the faster of the two advancing to finals. One of the swimmers who was declared for and competed on Team B in prelims has an exceptionally fast split, causing the coach to move that swimmer to Team A, which had the fastest overall time, for the finals. RULING: Improper. COMMENT: The swimmer may not move to the new relay team as this would be considered an additional event. A swimmer cannot participate in the same event on two different relay teams. The same conclusion would apply if relay entries are identified by listing eight names per team and the same swimmer is listed on both teams. Once a swimmer competes in the event as part of one relay team, the swimmer is limited to that relay team only during that event. (3-1-1)
SITUATION 2: The coach of Team A requests the following accommodations by the meet referee prior to the start of the meet: (a) the wearing of full-body-coverage attire for religious reasons, (b) starter’s use of hand signals for forward and backstroke starts to assist hearing impaired; (c) use of a “tap pole” at each end of the lane of a blind swimmer to notify the swimmer of the proximity of the turning walls; (d) use of an artificial hand by an amputee. In all cases, the referee refuses without a specific letter from the state association permitting such accommodation. RULING: In (a), incorrect procedure. If the referee believes the attire creates a competitive advantage for the swimmer, his/her opinion should be communicated directly to the state association AFTER the competition is concluded. In (b), (c) and (d), correct procedure. COMMENT: Current NFHS rules (see Appendix B, pages 105-106) provide for accommodations requiring written state association approval which should be provided to the meet referee, describing the specific accommodation the state association will permit to assure that no advantage is gained thereby. (3-3-5)
SITUATION 3: A diver performs 301C using an undeclared standing forward takeoff. In the process of performing the dive, the diver hits the board with the diver’s toes. Upon completion of the dive, the referee instructs the scorer that the score for the dive is zero. RULING: Correct. The diver’s undeclared standing forward takeoff reduces the score to a maximum of two points (unsatisfactory dive); hitting the board further reduces the score by two points, resulting in no score. This is NOT considered to be a failed dive for purposes of implementing Rule 9-8-3. COMMENT: Other examples of zero-sum dives include a failure to come out of a somersault after committing a balk, doing a dive clearly in the wrong position on an undeclared standing forward takeoff, failing to come out of a twist with a balk or undeclared standing forward takeoff. (9-3-7)
SITUATION 4: In the eighth round of diving during a championship meet, the announcer reads the dive for the ninth round, and the diver performs that dive. The error is immediately discovered, the diver chooses to accept the scores and the referee instructs the scorer to record the awards for the dive performed and to announce the diver’s eighth dive in the next round. The coach informs the referee that switching these two dives would place the diver out of compliance per NFHS diving order requirements with respect to diving sessions in a championship event. RULING: The referee should verify that acceptance will not create a violation of a legal order of dives, causing an unfair competitive advantage (and possibly result in a penalty in a later round). Before allowing the diver to accept the scores, the referee needs to check the diver’s list to verify that no rules are being violated. Within these limitations, the diving referee has broad discretion to assure the least possible negative impact upon the diver for the official’s error. If it is necessary for the diver to perform Dive #8 before competition continues, the diver should be provided an adequate time to rest, and then should perform dive #8. (9-6-4)
Swimming and Diving Points of Emphasis - 2022-23
By NFHS on April 20, 2022
Sportsmanship
Good sporting behavior is one of the fundamental ingredients to the continued success and enjoyment of education-based high school sports and activities. In fact, in the 103-year history of organized high school sports in the United States, good sportsmanship has been one of the most important outcomes of high school activity programs. NFHS playing rules are written to encourage sportsmanship. Participation in these programs should promote respect, integrity and sportsmanship. However, for these ideals to occur, everyone involved in these programs must be doing their part. The NFHS is concerned that unsporting behavior in education-based athletics has increased across all sports. As a result, the NFHS has made sportsmanship the No. 1 Point of Emphasis for the 2022-23 school year. Sportsmanship, or good sporting behavior, is about treating one another with respect and exhibiting appropriate behavior. It is about being fair, honest and caring. When these types of appropriate behavior occur, competitive play is more enjoyable for everyone. Coaches set the tone at athletic contests with their display of sportsmanship. If these individuals act in a sportsmanlike manner, their behavior sets the tone for players, spectators and others. If coaches, however, are complaining constantly about the decision of contest officials, spectators are more likely to do the same. There must be a collaborative, working relationship between contest officials and game administration to promote good sportsmanship and safely conduct the contest. Everyone has their roles to play in creating a positive, sportsmanlike atmosphere at contests. Officials should focus on the actions of players, coaches and other bench/sideline personnel. A positive, open line of communication between officials and coaches ultimately results in a better contest for everyone involved. Contest officials, however, should never engage with spectators who are exhibiting unsporting behavior. Once the contest begins, school administration is responsible for dealing with unruly spectators. A proactive approach by school administration includes monitoring the behavior of spectators and intervening as needed. If spectators are using demeaning or profane language at officials – or at others in the stands – those individuals should be removed from the contest by school administration. In recent years, a heightened level of unsportsmanlike behavior has been occurring by spectators at high school sporting events, and it must be stopped. The use of demeaning language, or hate speech, by students, parents and other fans must cease. High school sports and other activities exist to lift people up, not demean or tear people down. The goal is to treat everyone fairly and treat each other with respect. Any speech or harassment that is insulting, demeaning or hurtful will not be tolerated. High schools must establish a culture that values the worth of every single person – both players on the school’s team and players on the opposing team. There must be a no-tolerance policy regarding behavior that shows disrespect for another individual. Good sports win with humility, lose with grace and do both with dignity. It takes the efforts of everyone every day to ensure that sportsmanship remains one of the top priorities in education-based activity programs.
Diving Announcer Error
Announcer errors occur most frequently in dual meets but may occur in championship meets as well. When errors do occur, they should be corrected to prevent divers from being penalized by doing dives that they are not prepared for, or repeating dives already performed. In all cases the diver should be given time to be properly prepared to perform the dive. When an announcer error occurs:
(a) during a dual meet or a championship format meet without cuts, the diver performs the dive announced and chooses to accept the scores. The referee should instruct the table to record scores for the dive actually performed and in the appropriate round on the scoresheet. The dive that was not performed will then become the next dive and the rest of the dives will be performed in the appropriate order. Additionally, the announcer and table should note the adjustments on the scoresheet;
(b) during a championship meet which includes cuts, when the diver chooses to accept the scores, the referee should verify that acceptance will not create a violation of a legal order of dives, causing an unfair competitive advantage (and possibly result in a penalty in a later round). Before allowing the diver to accept the scores the referee needs to check the diver’s list to verify that no rules are being violated. Changes can be made if both dives occur in the prelims, both occur in the semifinals, or if both occur in the finals without creating a penalty;
(c) if accepting the scores will cause a violation of the NFHS Championship meet dive order, or the diver does not accept the scores, or the dive announced was not written on the score sheet, the announcer shall announce the correct dive and the diver shall perform that dive when they have had proper time to prepare. A referee should never allow a change that will result in penalties later in the meet. Within these limitations, the diving referee has broad discretion to assure the least possible negative impact upon the diver for the official’s error.
Relay Entries
A competitor becomes a participant in an event when the official entry card is delivered to the meet director, or designee, at a specified time and place. For relays, eight individuals may be designated, if the state association requires. The penalty for submitting an inaccurate entry card, one that does not bear the name of the event, coach’s signature, school name, and submitted time if one exists, is disqualification from the event. Four swimmers declared on the relay card, submitted at the designated time and place prior to the start of the event, are permitted to report to the blocks and compete. The coach shall submit the name of the lead-off swimmer at the specified time and place prior to the start of the event, although there is no penalty for incorrectly listing that name. There is no NFHS mandate to list the order of swimmers, which is not a required part of the entry process.
Provide Deck Space for Officials
NFHS swimming and diving officials work in swimming facilities with a wide variety of pool configurations which sometimes necessitate creative ways to officiate strokes. Schools are reminded of the importance of officials to be provided space on the deck that allows for free movement during the swimming event. It is recommended that a minimum of 3 feet be established for officials on the deck. In addition, adequate space should be provided for coaches and competitors to safely move about on deck. The referee shall determine the positioning and jurisdiction of all deck officials, which depend on the number of officials being used and the pool configuration. Officials may need to ask meet management for assistance in keeping a clear path to move up and down the sides and ends of the pool.
Diving Area Safety
Rule 9-1-1 states the diving pool may be separate from or part of the swimming pool and the following standards for clearance are recommended for one-meter diving, with the measurement from the center of board to pool side wall a distance of 10 feet. Risk minimization and athlete safety should be a high priority. Divers, by rule are required to dive in front of the diving board and judges are instructed to reduce scores accordingly when they fail to do so. In addition, it is recommended that facilities management and officials remove any obstacles that may pose a risk (lane lines, backstroke flags, other athletes, etc.) as best practices and to minimize risk.
The NFHS along with the WIAA offices continue to receive questions regarding the application of NFHS Rule 3-3-2b(2), school logo restrictions, to swimsuits with logos and mascots applied to the suit during construction.
A process known as "sublimation" allows colors, designs, prints, etc. to be dyed into the fabric to be used for suits in a pre-construction phase. Using "sublimation," colors or designs, such as a school mascot, are dyed into the fabric and the textile material remains 100% permeable.
The restriction of a single, post-construction, impermeable school name or logo, not to exceed 9 square inches, does not apply to suits using sublimation for the process to include a school mascot, name and/or logo on the suit. This means that if a school desires more than one logo, or a logo and school initials on their sublimated suits, this is legal and allowable.
The single, post-construction, impermeable school name or logo, not to exceed 9 square inches, only applies to post-construction logos which render the material to no longer be 100% permeable.
If you have any questions regarding this interpretation, Tom Shafranski, WIAA Assistant Director and Swimming/Diving Liaison, can be contacted at
tshafranski@wiaawi.org.
Tom Shafranski, WIAA
Assistant Director
Printable Copy - 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.