NCAA Position on Revised FINA Backstroke Finish Rule

Posted on March 15, 2023March 15, 2023 by Gary Matyko

Effective February 21, 2023, World Aquatics, formerly known as FINA, implemented a change to the Backstroke finish rule, allowing the swimmer to fully submerge prior to reaching for the finish.

Here is the revised World Aquatics Rule 6.3:

“6.3 Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the race, except that once some part of the head of the swimmer has passed the 5 metres mark immediately prior to reaching for the finish, the swimmer may be completely submerged. It is also permissible for the swimmer to be completely submerged during the turn, and for a distance of not more than 15 metres after the start and each turn. By that point the head must have broken the surface.”

Effective March 10, 2023, Derek Paul, Chair USA Swimming Rules & Regulations Committee implemented the same rule revision as follows:

USA Swimming Rule USA Swimming Rule 101.4.2 (pp 24) – To Comply with World Aquatics SW6.3

Stroke — The swimmer shall push off on his back and continue swimming on the back throughout the race. Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the race, except it is permissible for the swimmer to be completely submerged during the turn and for a distance of not more than 15 meters (16.4 yards) after the start and after each turn. By that point, the head must have broken the surface of the water. Additionally, once some part of the head of the swimmer has passed the 5 meter mark (long course and short course meters) or 5 yard mark (short course yards) immediately prior to reaching the finish, the swimmer may be completely submerged prior to the touch.

With NCAA Division III and Division I Championship meets upcoming this week and next week, CSOA President Brian Day reached out to Greg Lockard, NCAA Swimming and Diving Rules Committee Secretary-Rules Editor, to obtain an NCAA position regarding these rule changes. Mr. Lockard stated that a rule change will not be implemented before the upcoming championship meets. Mr. Lockard contacted the respective Referees for the upcoming championship meets to inform them of the NCAA Rules Committee position on this recent World Aquatics and USA Swimming rule change. It is expected that the Backstroke finish rule will be revised in the upcoming NCAA rules change process.

If interested, use the following link for the World Aquatics Competition Regulations

https://resources.fina.org/fina/document/2023/03/03/b460304b-c4fb-4a78-9307-31452ccb95ee/Final-Competition-Regulations.pdf

If interested, use the following link for USA Swimming Rules and Policies information:

https://www.usaswimming.org/about-usas/governance/rules-policies?utm_campaign=MarketingCloud&utm_medium=email&utm_source=3-9-23+Rule+Changes+-+Backstroke+Finish+and+Take+Your+Marks&utm_content=Rules+%26amp%3bamp%3b+Policies+Page

NCAA Position on Arena Powerskin Carbon Duo Female Competition Suit

Posted on February 17, 2023February 17, 2023 by Gary Matyko

Arena has obtained FINA approval of new two piece female competition suit. Some of you might see this suit during the 2023 conference championship season. The suit consists of a bottom piece, similar to a mens jammer style swimsuit, that covers the swimmer from the waist to above the knees. The second piece is similar to a standard female swimsuit and is worn over the bottom piece. Both pieces of the Arena Powerskin Carbon Duo are marked with a FINA approval logo.

In response to an email from the CSOA, Greg Lockard, NCAA Swimming and Diving Rules Committee Secretary-Rules Editor, issued the following position on the Arena Powerskin Carbon Duo Female Competition Suit:

There is no prohibition against a two piece suit in the NCAA Rules. As stated in Rule 3-1-1-d-5: “The suit should contain the International Certification Trademark from FINA and said logo is exempt from the above logo restriction.”

If you would like to familiarize yourself with this new suit design, go to the following link:

Arena Powerskin Carbon Duo Competition Suit

If you would like to search the FINA website to find information on any other approved swimsuit, use the following link:

FINA Approved Swimwear

Clarification of Waiver Process for use of Athletic or Kinesiology Tape for Swimmers

Posted on January 31, 2023January 31, 2023 by Gary Matyko

In response to questions on the November 2022 Rules Newsletter, on January 30, 2023 the Rules Committee provided clarification on the waiver process for addressing injuries or medical conditions that occur on the day of competition. There is no change to the waiver process for long-term or short-term needs that are known prior to leaving for the meet location.

In the event a waiver is needed for use of athletic tape or kinesiology tape for an injury or medical condition that occurs during a competition or immediately preceding the event, and time is of the essence, the documentation from the medical personnel may be presented directly to the Meet Referee for approval.

With this clarification, the Meet Referee is now authorized to act for the NCAA Swimming and Diving Secretary-Rules Editor to approve waivers for use of athletic or kinesiology tape for injuries that occur on the day of competition, when time is of the essence. Waivers presented to the Meet Referee must include the name of the swimmer, rationale for the requested waiver, and medical documentation.

The complete communication is provided here:

Rules Clarification for Use of Kinesiology Tape

Rules Review from the NCAA

Posted on November 10, 2022November 10, 2022 by Gary Matyko

On November 8, 2022, Greg Lockard, NCAA Swimming and Diving Secretary-Rules Editor, issued a rules review memo to all Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Conference Commissioners and Head Coaches.

The process for requesting approval for swimmers to use kinesiology tape (Rule 3-1-4) is defined. All requests must be submitted in writing to Greg Lockard with a letter from a designated health official. Upon approval, the Coach/swimmer shall present the Referee with Mr. Lockard’s approval document before each meet. This is the same process that Mr. Lockard established for the 2021-2022 season and requires actions over and above Rule 3-1-4 requirements. It is not acceptable for a swimmer to compete with kinesiology tape solely with a note or letter from a team trainer or health official. The swimmer must obtain an approval letter from Mr. Lockard. There are no changes to Rule 3-1-4 for divers.

There are no COVID-19 Waivers approved for the 2022-2023 season. Last season, there were four rules waivers issued due to COVID-19. These waivers are not in effect for the 2022-2023 season. Leaving empty lanes between swimmers or relay teams is no longer permitted, consistent with Rule 5-7 Note.

A rule interpretation applicable to swimsuits for swimmers and divers (Rule 3-1, Articles 1 and 2) is presented. In summary, the rule interpretation states that swimmers and divers must wear the swimsuit that is gender specific for the respective competition. That is, a women’s suit must be worn in women’s competition and a men’s suit must be worn in men’s competition, inclusive of all warmups, trials, finals, and any time trial sessions. Waivers may be granted for medical issues that require coverage due to a medical condition. This is the same rule interpretation communicated in Mr. Lockard’s August 24, 2022 memo.

The process for requesting waivers of NCAA Swimming and Diving playing rules is defined.

The complete communication from Greg Lockard is provided here

https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/championships/sports/swimdive/rules/2022PRXSW_NovemberRulesNewsletter.pdf