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ATTENTION: 2024 Pre-Season Note from NCAA Rules Editor

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NCAA Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Preseason Reminders

With the new playing season upon us, I would like to wish the entire membership the best of luck during the coming season.

The NCAA swimming and diving rules book was published on September 1, 2023, and is effective for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.

The items presented in this communication include reminders of key pre-season items and deadlines that may be applicable to you or your institution, as well as several highlights of rule changes from last year.

I look forward to working closely with the membership to continue to improve and elevate the sport of swimming and diving. If you have any questions throughout the year, or if you need to request an interpretation, please contact me via email at greg@swimdiverules.com or by phone at (973) 486-5501.

Listed below are key pre-season items and deadlines that may be applicable to you or your institution.

Deadlines
September 1: Deadline for host institutions to notify opponents that they are required to eliminate diving at home meets because of a facility that does not conform to minimum depth standards (Rule 6-1-3-c). Under these circumstances, diving must be eliminated from all home competitions during the current academic year, and no points will be awarded for diving events.

September 1: If an institution not having three-meter equipment does not wish to compete in three-meter events at away meets, it must notify each host institution at the time of contract or not later than Sept. 1 of that academic year (Rule 6-1-2-b).  In this case, two one-meter events shall be held as prescribed in Rule 6-1-2-a.

September 1: If a host institution has no three-meter equipment available, it must notify all opponents of the facility limitations at the contracted time of the agreement, or not later than Sept. 1 of the academic year (Rule 6-1-2-c).  In this case, two, one-meter events shall be held as prescribed in Rule 6-1-2-a.

Please Note:  If the host institution fails to notify the visiting team as prescribed (by September 1) that it does not have a one-and/or three-meter facility, then the visiting team shall be awarded the maximum number of points any one team could score in both events had both events been held.  The host institution shall receive no points for either the one-meter or three-meter events (Rule 6-1-2-d).

Additionally, the choice to not have divers or a diving program is an individual institutional decision but does not automatically eliminate the diving events when an institution travels to an away contest or at a conference championship meet. The events are still conducted for any institutions with divers entered.

Seven Days Prior to First Competition: Per rule 3.1.1.d.6, swimmers or divers with physical disabilities or with a need for a religious exception from the swimsuit rule may request a waiver for customization from the NCAA swimming and diving secretary-rules editor at least one week before the individual’s first competition.

Rules Reminders:
Listed below are several reminders for the rules that changed effective September 1, 2023.

  1. The use of underwater cameras is permitted to confirm swimming infractions (stroke and turn violations) called by an official on deck;
  2. Permit the use of tape, kinesiology tape, and compression sleeves to treat documented medical conditions, but not gain an advantage over the remainder of the field.  This requires documentation from a physician or certified athletic trainer identifying the necessary placement of the support;
  3. Clarified criteria for uniforms and swimsuits for swimmers and divers;
  4. Established rules regarding the number of swim caps that may be used by swimmers and the permissible identifying marks that may appear on the cap;

NCAA Championships:

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

Greg Lockard, secretary-rules editor
NCAA Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Rules Committee.
This email was sent to NCAA men’s and women’s swimming and diving conference commissioners and head coaches in all three divisions based on contact information in the NCAA Directory; as well as the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Rules Committee and selected NCAA staff members.

Welcome returning members and new officials to the Collegiate Swimming Officials Association (CSOA) and the 2024-25 Season

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Hello everyone!  Hard to believe another new season is nearly upon us!  I hope everyone is enjoying the hot summer so far.  I wanted to reach out to membership and provide some updates.

 

  1. Officials who were certified last year DO NOT NEED TO TAKE THE NCAA EXAM THIS SEASON.  You need only register with CSOA once your current membership expires and a certificate will be sent to you via email!   If you are a new official, you’ll need to register with the USS site and take the NCAA officials exam.  If you are a USS official, you need only take the supplemental test.  A copy of your results should be sent to me at brday2900@gmail.com.
  2. We are planning on additional informational articles this fall, but please go to the Learning Center tab and check out Gary’s articles on officiating mechanics.  Two great articles are there; one on how to “paint a picture” when explaining a disqualification and how to most effectively officiate the backstroke to breaststroke turn in the individual medley.  These are really insightful articles.

 

Pass the word about CSOA!  We want more members!

 

Let me know if you have any questions!

 

Brian Day

President, CSOA

October 2023 Newsletter from the NCAA

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On October 20, 2023, Greg Lockard, NCAA Swimming and Diving Committee Secretary-Rules Editor, issued a newsletter to all Conference Commissioners and Head Coaches.

Key points include:

1. Waiver requests of playing rules require a written request to and approval from Mr. Lockard.

2. New this year, requests for use of any form of tape by swimmers DO NOT require approval from Mr. Lockard in advance. Requests must be presented to the Referee and must come from a Physician or Certified Athletic Trainer.

3. Non-collegiate athletes may not compete against collegiate athletes. Exhibition events/heats for non-collegiate athletes may occur in breaks during regularly contested collegiate competition or outside of the meet program.

The complete newsletter can be viewed at the following link:

https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/championships/sports/swimdive/rules/Oct2023PRXSW_Newsletter.pdf

NCAA Position on Revised FINA Backstroke Finish Rule

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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:

  1. 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

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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

2023 Pre-Championships Rules Review and Breaststroke Rule Interpretation from the NCAA

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On February 3, 2023, Greg Lockard, NCAA Swimming and Diving Committee Secretary-Rules Editor, issued the 2023 Pre-Championships Rules Review.

On Page 2, a rules interpretation is provided regarding a recent change made by FINA and USA Swimming to the stroke and kick rules for Breaststroke.  Effective January 1, 2023 movements of the arms and legs are no longer required to be “on the same horizontal plane.”  Please make the following edits to your 2021-22 and 2022-23 NCAA Rule Book. With these edits, the Breaststroke rules for FINA, USA Swimming, and NCAA are identical.

Current Stroke Rule (2-2-2-b):  All movements of the arms shall be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane without alternating movement.

Revised Stroke Rule (2-2-2-b):  All movements of the arms shall be simultaneous without alternating movement.

Current Kick Rule (2-2-2-c):  All movements of the legs shall be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane without alternating movement.

Revised Kick Rule (2-2-2-c):  All movements of the legs shall be simultaneous without alternating movement.

The FINA rationale for this change is presented in 2022 FINA Swimming Rules – Explanatory Memorandum which states:  “Whether a swimmer’s arms (and legs) are on the same horizontal plane is very difficult to judge. The more important aspect is the arm (and leg) movements being simultaneous without alternating movement.”

Other topics covered in the 2023 Pre-Championships Rules Review include:

  1. NCAA Rules Process and Waiver Requests, including Kinesiology Tape
  2. Proper positioning and use of Backstroke Ledges
  3. Priority of Timing Equipment
  4. Acceptable USA Swimming Meets
  5. Initial Distance Time Standard Rules
  6. Prohibition on Mixing Genders in any Heat or Event
  7. Referee responsibilities regarding Suits and Logos
  8. Minimum requirements for Backup Timers
  9. Penalties for Failure to Compete
  10. Requirements for Medical Scratches
  11. Declared False Start vs. Scratching Review
  12. Relay Entries and Changes
  13. Seeding and Reseeding processes
  14. Appeal Procedure
  15. Requirements for hosting End-of-Season Competitions with the last 10 days of the qualifying period

The complete 2023 Pre-Championships Rules Review document can be reviewed on the NCAA website using the following link:

https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/championships/sports/swimdive/rules/2023PRXSW_PreChampionshipRulesReview.pdf

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

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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

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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