2006-07 Swimming and Diving Rules Interpretations

2006-07 NFHS SWIMMING AND DIVING RULES INTERPRETATIONS

Corrections to Case Book: Page 51, delete Case 8.2.1 Situation E.

SITUATION 1: The referee calls the swimmers to the blocks. As they step up/in, the starter sees that the swimmer in Lane 3 is wearing a suit with 15 small Speedo logos across the front. RULING: The swimmer is allowed to compete since the race has started with swimmers called to the blocks. At the conclusion of the race, the referee shall instruct the swimmer to alter his/her attire, and shall advise the swimmer's coach of the warning. (1-3-4)

SITUATION 2: The referee arrives at the pool 30 minutes before the meet and begins to check all equipment and pool as to readiness for the competition. As the referee is standing at the midpoint of the deck on the side, the official observes the clarity of the water is such that the end-line markings are not clearly seen. The referee contacts host management and indicates competition shall not begin until water clarity meets the standards in Rule 2-6-1. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: For purposes of risk minimization for the competitors, Rule 2-6-1 requires that the clarity of the water shall be so that the, "Bottom and end lane lines markings can be clearly seen…" The referee has the authority to be certain conditions are in compliance with the rules and suspend competition or delay the start of the meet if correction is needed. Prior mutual consent of competing teams may not override the referee's decision, as this is a safety consideration. (2-6-1)

SITUATION 3: At the conference meet, the schools agreed that in order to provide maximum opportunities for participation, that exhibition swims would be included in the conference meet. The host school contacts the state association office to gain information as to where the exhibition swims should be included within the competition. RULING: Rule 3-2-1a does not specify where exhibition swims should be placed within the order of competition. COMMENT: The state association first confirmed that exhibition swims are permitted and had no set policy for placement. There is no rule governing where exhibition swimmers are placed in any meet; it is therefore permissible to integrate them with scoring swimmers, or to have them compete in a second heat. Consideration should be given as to how many exhibition swimmers per event will participate as those numbers may influence placement. An exhibition swim/dive shall count as one of four allowable entries, does not score points, is subject to disqualification and may count as a qualifying time. (3-2-1a)

SITUATION 4: Before swimmers are called to the blocks, the referee observes a swimmer with jewelry or a watch or a cap with two logos or a suit that is illegal. The referee instructs the swimmer to remove/alter the item to correct the problem. RULING: Proper procedure. COMMENT: In the first three instances, the remedy can be accomplished quickly. In the case of the suit, however, the swimmer may not have sufficient time to make the change and be ready for his/her event. In that case, since the event has not started, the coach would be able to make a substitution (and the offending swimmer would not be charged with an event). Rule 3-2-4 permits entry changes prior to the start of the race. (3-2-4)

SITUATION 5: A swimmer, in either an individual event or as part of a relay team, is observed wearing illegal attire/jewelry while that swimmer is competing in an event. RULING: The swimmer is permitted to complete the event. Attempting to correct this situation during the race would be unfair. The swimmer shall not participate thereafter until the illegal attire/jewelry is removed. (3-3-4)

SITUATION 6: The referee reminds swimmer A during the warm-up period to remove his watch. Swimmer A subsequently comes to the blocks for the 200 freestyle still wearing the watch. The referee removes Swimmer A from the meet for unsporting conduct. RULING: Incorrect procedure. COMMENT: Although jewelry is not to be worn in warm-ups, a penalty will not carry forward into competition from preventive officiating during warm-ups. The penalty phase begins with start of the competition. (3-3-4)

SITUATION 7: The swimmers in Lanes 3 and 5 are on the same school team. The referee notices before taking the blocks that their uniforms are different colors – one black and one green. The referee talks to the swimmers to determine which color is the school color and proceeds to instruct the other swimmer that he may not compete until wearing a legal uniform, one of identical color and pattern to his teammates. RULING: Incorrect procedure; both uniforms are legal. COMMENT: Rule 3-3-1 only recommends that uniforms are identical in color and pattern. It is legal for teammates to wear different colors and patterns. The referee should not have ruled the uniform illegal and interrupted competition. (3-3-1)

SITUATION 8: At the starting signal, the referee observes that the swimmer in Lane 7 is moving, but also determines that his/her movement was the result of one of the timers in Lane 7 sneezing. RULING: The referee should activate a recall device and recall the heat. The swimmer in Lane 7 should not be charged with a false start. COMMENT: If neither the referee nor the starter is able to recall the heat in this situation, the swimmer in Lane 7 should not be charged with a false start and the result of the heat should be recorded as official. If, in the judgment of the referee, the start was unfair, she/he may order the race re-swum. (4-1-2)

SITUATION 9: A severe thunderstorm is passing through and the National Weather Service is cautioning of heavy lightning with the storm. Prior to the meet, which is being held in an indoor pool, the host management informs the referee it is their school policy to clear the pool under the same conditions that are required for outside events to clear the field. As the storm approaches, the referee is aware of 30 seconds or less flash-to-bang count and makes the decision to suspend competition with acknowledgement of the host school policy. A varsity coach from an opposing school objects to a premature suspension, in his opinion, by the referee. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: Rule 4-2-2o provides the referee with the authority to suspend competition. The referee used proper risk management by knowing host policies and procedures on inclement weather, utilizing contact and information from the National Weather Service and following the NFHS Guidelines on Handling Lightning Disturbances. (Page 7 of the NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Book; 4-2-2o, 7-2-4)

SITUATION 10: In the first length of the swim in the butterfly, the swimmer in Lane 4 breaks the surface of the water with his/her head at the 15-meter mark. Two strokes later a wave of water passes over the swimmer's body including the head. The officials do not consider this re-submerging and impose no penalty. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: The stroke rules for the backstroke, butterfly and freestyle events require that some part of the swimmer's head must break the surface of the water at or before the 15-meter mark. Being completely submerged thereafter constitutes a stroke violation, except for the final reach to the wall. It is not a violation for a wave of water to pass over the body or for a momentary inadvertent submerging to occur. (8-2-1, 8-2-3, 8-2-4)

SITUATION 11: In a dual meet the referee observes a competitor in the breaststroke executing an upward, vertical kicking motion at the end of each breaststroke kick. The referee does not disqualify the swimmer. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: Rule 8-2-2 specifies strict conditions for a single downward butterfly (dolphin) kick. However, the upward motion in a powerful breaststroke kick frequently occurs and is not a motion developed from flexing/extending the knees. (8-2-2c & f)