2006-07 Swimming and Diving Rules Changes

Rationale: Previous rule contained contradictory definitions of triple dual and triangular meets. This clarifies the nature of a triangular meet of all teams competing for the same points.

3-3-3 Note: A competitor with a disability requesting specific accommodation(s) in the start, strokes, turns, etc. who does not require equipment, must seek written approval from the state association, which may be granted providing the accommodation(s) does not fundamentally alter the sport and/or no advantage is gained. Written approval shall be presented to meet referee.

Rationale: The current rule addresses only situations where a disabled competitor uses artificial equipment. This note clarifies that reasonable accommodations are considered for a competitor who cannot perform the strokes legally due to a disability that does not require artificial equipment.

4-2-2: Notify the competitor's coach of a violation of Rule 3-3-4 observed during competition. This may be accomplished with a verbal announcement if the competitor's coach cannot be reached without delay of the meet.

Rationale: Duties of the referee to include notification to the coach of an athlete warned for wearing jewelry/illegal attire during competition. This emphasizes the coach's responsibility to assure that competitors are properly attired and to avoid major subsequent penalties for the competitor(s) if found in violation.

4-6-4c: "…without consulting each other, report in writing any violations to the referee…"

Rationale: This requires written reporting of violations observed by any relay takeoff judge, clarifying the proper procedure for documenting such violations for dual confirmation.

7-1-2f: Triangular: two or more entries per team per event; scoring shall follow 7-1-3a.

Rationale: The previous rule appeared to permit only two entries per team in triangular meets. The increased availability of larger pools (more than six lanes) or the desire to allow greater participation (multiple heats in each event) required modification of the two-entries only parameter. Triangular meets may now accommodate as many entries as the host school deems appropriate, with scoring determined by the existing table of Rule 7-1-3a.

8-1-6 : ART. 6…When one or more swimmers have obtained an unfair advantage at the start, the race shall continue without recall.
NOTES:

1. If the recall signal is activated inadvertently, the race is recalled and the referee/starter (referee and starter in championship meets) may disqualify the swimmer(s) leaving the mark before the start of the signal.

PENALTY: The swimmer or relay team is disqualified from the event.

2. The referee/starter may recall the entire heat when he/she is not satisfied that the race was properly begun. It is not necessary to charge any swimmer with a false start under these conditions.

PENALTY: In championship meets, when there is dual confirmation of false start by the referee and starter, the swimmer or relay team is disqualified from the event.

Rationale: Based on the committee-authorized experiment in 2005-06, the rule was eliminated requiring recall of all swimmers when one or more swimmers gained an unfair advantage at the start. Because the first start is generally the swimmer's best start, the rest of the heat is disadvantaged by the action of one. The offending swimmer is disqualified at the completion of the race. All other violations in an event are penalized at the completion of the race, i.e. stroke violation, relay takeoff, etc., so this change has penalties administered in like fashion.

8-2-2c: On the start or turn, one arm stroke beyond the hipline followed by one breaststroke kick may be made while the swimmer is underwater; except that after such arm stroke and before the breaststroke kick, a single downward butterfly kick is permitted. Some part of the head must break the surface before the hands turn inward at the widest part of the second stroke after the start and after each turn.

Rationale: A single downward dolphin kick at the start and each turn is now permitted in the breaststroke with all further stroke cycles of the swim using the breaststroke kick. This is a more natural movement for all swimmers. The same rule has been updated (late 2005) by NCAA and USA Swimming.

8-2-2f: "…except as provided in 8-2-2c above"

Rationale: Clarifies the only instances when the single downward butterfly kick is permitted in conjunction with the breaststroke.