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. Robert F. Kanaby, Publisher, NFHS Publications © 2008
Corrections to Rules Book: Page 30, NOTE, change to "non-championship meets"
SITUATION 1: Swimmer A just completes the 50-yard freestyle as his/her first event. When the swimmer gets out of the pool, the referee observes the individual is wearing an illegal suit. The coach and the swimmer are notified by the referee of the violation of Rule 3-3-5 and the swimmer is not eligible for further competition until the illegal suit is corrected. Swimmer A corrects the problem, but in the 200-yard freestyle relay, after completing her leg of the race and taking off her cap near the starting platform, the swimmer is observed wearing jewelry. At the completion of the race, the referee disqualifies Swimmer A for a subsequent violation of 3-3-5 and the relay team from the 200-yard freestyle relay. Swimmer A and her coach are advised she is not eligible for any further participation in the meet unless in a legal suit and is not wearing jewelry. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: Rule 3-3-5 addresses illegal attire and jewelry in the same rule and the same penalty. If a participant violates one part of the rule, he/she is held accountable to be legal in all respects under 3-3-5 for all further competition. Thus, Swimmer A had a subsequent violation during actual competition that results in a disqualification from that event. Had Swimmer A reported to the starting platform and before stepping up removed the jewelry, she would have been legal. (3-3-5)
SITUATION 2: The referee/starter observes a competitor wearing illegal jewelry while the swimmer is walking to the starting platform prior to the start of the swimmer's event. The swimmer is directed by the referee/starter to remove the illegal jewelry and shall not be permitted to participate in the event until the illegal jewelry is removed. The referee notifies the competitor's coaching staff of the violation and restriction and documents the violation. RULING: Correct procedure. (3-3-5)
SITUATION 3: The starter observes a competitor wearing illegal jewelry after the swimmer has been called (long whistle is blown) onto the starting platform and the starter is ready to begin the race. This is the swimmer's first violation. RULING: The swimmer is allowed to compete in the heat. Following the heat, the competitor and competitor's coach are notified that the competitor will not be permitted to participate in another event until the jewelry is removed and document violation. (3-3-5) COMMENT: Officials should be as preventative as possible and check swimmers before having them step onto the starting platform. Ask swimmers wearing jewelry to remove it; inform competitor and coach; document notification. The race begins when the swimmers are called to the blocks (long whistle blown)--NFHS Rule 1-3-4.
SITUATION 4: Following the starting device sound, an official observes a competitor wearing jewelry during the event. This is the swimmer's first violation. RULING: The competitor is allowed to complete the event, the referee will direct the competitor to remove the jewelry and the competitor will not be permitted to participate in any subsequent events until jewelry is removed. Notify competitor's coaching staff of the violation and restriction from further competition unless legal and document violation. (3-3-5)
SITUATION 5: An official observes a diver wearing jewelry after the diver steps onto the board, but before the diver assumes a starting position. This is the diver's first violation. RULING: Preventative officiating practices need to be applied. The diver should be asked to step down off the diving board and asked to remove the jewelry. Notify competitor's coaching staff of the violation and restriction from further participation unless legal and document violation. (3-3-5)
SITUATION 6: A diver in Round 3 takes her starting position on the diving board. The official notices that she has on earrings. The same diver had been notified in Round 1 and had removed the earrings to compete. After the dive, the referee rules the dive as failed and notifies the diver and her coach of the diver being ineligible for any further competition unless she removes the illegal item. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: When a subsequent violation is discovered after the initial notification to the coach and competitor, the dive is a failed dive and notification of ineligibility to compete unless the jewelry is removed. (3-3-5)
SITUATION 7: An official observes a competitor in the stands wearing jewelry. RULING: Jewelry allowed. COMMENT: The competitor is not on the way to an event and currently not involved in the meet. (3-3-5)
SITUATION 8: During the meet a swimmer is disqualified. Due to the pool configuration, the starter is nearer the chief timing system operator (CTS). Thus, the starter notifies the CTS operator and a verbal announcement is issued. This procedure of communication was discussed and outlined prior to the beginning of competition. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: There are times when the pool configuration makes it extremely difficult for the referee to meet all of his/her responsibilities. Under these circumstances the referee may designate the starter to assume additional responsibilities based solely on the configuration of the pool. This should all be reviewed and communicated prior to the beginning of the competition. (4-2-2d)
SITUATION 9: The starter issues the command "Take you mark" and all swimmers except the one in Lane 6 promptly assume a stationary position. The Lane 6 swimmer is late in coming down to assume the starting position. The starter has the swimmers stand up and instructs the swimmer in Lane 6 to respond promptly to the starter's command when directing the swimmers to take their marks. RULING: Correct procedure. (8-1-1)
SITUATION 10: School A is constructing a new outdoor pool. When reviewing the pool construction requirements in Rule 2-3, the question is raised as to whether or not the recommended lighting of "one hundred foot candles of lighting at water level" applies to an outdoor pool. RULING: The recommendation generally applies to only indoor pools. COMMENT: Each individual school would address any desired lighting for the outdoor pool based on the local circumstances. (2-3-3)
SITUATION 11: In a meet using automatic timing, the chief timer instructs all back-up timers to activate their timing devices when the swimmer in their lane touches the finish end wall or touch pad. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: When automatic timing is used, the official time is when the swimmers contact the touch pad, unless the touch pad has moved, fallen off the gutter or does not cover the outline width of the lane. (4-9-1, 4-9-2, 6-2-1, 8-1-7)