NCAA Rules Process:

• Waiver Requests – Institutions requesting a waiver of the NCAA Swimming and Diving playing rules must submit the request in writing to the NCAA Secretary-Rules Editor, Greg Lockard (greg@swimdiverules.com). Waiver requests must include the name(s) of the student-athlete, rationale for requesting a waiver of the specific playing rule and any other pertinent documentation (e.g. medical documentation), if necessary.

The NCAA Swimming and Diving Rules change process occurs every two years, and will begin in January 2025, with a call for suggested items for consideration. A non-binding survey will be distributed to the entire NCAA membership, and the results will be discussed at the College Swimming Coaches Convention, followed by consideration for adoption by the Swimming and Diving Rules Committee, in May. The suggested rule changes will be considered by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel (PROP); and if approved, will be included in the 2025-2026, 2026-2027 rulebook that will be released on September 1, 2025.

The current rules book is available to be downloaded or purchased from NCAA publications (www.ncaapublications.com).

NCAA Officials Program:

• All officials that wish to be NCAA registered officials are required to take the new test, which was updated and released on September 1, 2023
• Most conferences mandate the use of NCAA registered officials, and only registered officials can be selected to officiate at the NCAA Championships, in the three divisions.

Rule Reminders:

Required Levels of Timing (Rule 4-21-2-a, b, c, d)

b. For clarification: primary = automatic equipment; secondary = semiautomatic equipment; tertiary = manual watches.

c. The following priority list shall be used to designate levels of judging and timing equipment:

1. Automatic equipment.

a. When stationary overhead cameras recording 100 images per second and that are fully integrated into the primary electronic system are in place at a competition, it is permissible to use the system as the primary back-up system, and no other back-up system is necessary.

2. Two-button semiautomatic equipment.

3. Two manual watches per lane.

d. For a time to be considered for entry into an NCAA championship it must have been achieved using priority level one equipment (automatic equipment).

Artificial Aids (Rule 3-1-4-a)
ARTICLE 4.a. No swimmer is permitted to wear or use any device or foreign substances, including kinesiology tape, to help their speed, pace, buoyancy, or body compression in competition.

1. The use of tape, kinesiology tape, and compression sleeves is permitted to treat a documented medical condition, but not to gain an advantage over the remainder of the field. The prescribed course of treatment must describe a minimally invasive plan identifying the necessary placement of tape, kinesiology tape or compression sleeves to support the athlete’s medical condition. Documentation must be presented to the referee and must come from a physician or certified athletic trainer to be considered.

Note:  Requests for use of any form of tape must be presented to the referee and do not require approval from the Secretary-Rules Editor in advance.

Invitational Meets (Participation Limits, Scoring & Format)

(Rule 5-3-1-c)
The host institution shall establish and publish in advance, limits on the numbers of individual, relay and/or total events in which each contestant is allowed to compete in a relay or invitational meet.

(Rule 7-4)
The scoring of place values in invitational meets shall be established and published in advance by the host institution.

(Rule 8-3)
The established program for an invitational meet shall be established and published in advance by the host institution.

Bona Fide Competition (Rule 9-1-1)
Non-collegiate athletes may not participate in collegiate meets in any form. Non-collegiate athletes may compete in exhibition events conducted outside of the meet program.

Note:  These exhibition events may occur in breaks, during the regularly contested collegiate competition.  Non-collegiate athletes may not compete against collegiate athletes.

2025 NCAA Championships:

• Division II Men and Women – Indianapolis, IN (March 12-15, 2025)
• Division III Men and Women – Greensboro, NC, (March 19-22, 2025)
• Division I Women – Federal Way, WA (March 19-22, 2025)
• Division I Men – Federal Way, WA (March 26-29, 2025)

I look forward to working closely with the membership throughout the year.  If you have questions or need to request an interpretation, please contact me via email at greg@swimdiverules.com or by phone at (973) 486-5501.
Greg Lockard, secretary-rules editor
NCAA Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Rules Committee.