| NCAA (YMCA) | USS | National Federation |
Forward Start | ||
| After receiving clearance form the referee, the starter verbally shall direct the swimmers to "Step up." (2.1(1)) | The starter, upon receiving clearance from the Referee... directs swimmers to step onto the starting block. (102.14.2A) (Note that the back surface is no longer required.) | During the meet, the responsibilities of the referee are to ...check that each swimmer takes the proper lane, call them to step onto the starting platform or pool deck, announce the event and signal the starter the starting commands may begin (4-2(2a)) |
| Swimmers shall stand without excessive noise or movement, with both feet the same distance behind the front of the platform. (2.1(1)) | The Starter ... directs swimmers to step onto the starting block with both feet the same distance from the front and remain there. (102.14.2A) | Swimmers shall assume any position with at least one foot at the front edge of the starting platform or pool deck. (8-1(1)) |
| Take your mark: | ||
| immediately shall assume any desired position with at least one foot at the front edge of the starting platform. (2.1(1)) | Swimmers... must immediately respond by assuming a starting position by moving at least one foot to the front of the starting block or platform. (102.14.2B) | swimmers shall promptly assume a motionless position with their foot/feet at the front edge of the of the platform or pool deck. (8.1(1)) |
| In championship meets, dual confirmation is required to confirm a false start. A swimmer may be charged with a false start only if the violation is confirmed by at least two of the following officials: starter, recall starter. referee. Dual confirmation ...is recommended for non-championship meets where there is an adequate number of officials. (2-1(3g)) | A swimmer can be charged with a false start by the starter or recall starter only if the Referee or an officially designated Assistant Referee has observed the violation and confirms that the violation occurred. (102.14.4E). | Subject to the discretion of the referee/starter (referee and starter in championship meets) a false start occurs when a swimmer a)unnecessarily delays in reporting or assuming a starting position, b) leaves the mark before the starting signal, c)does not remain motionless immediately prior to the start (8.3) |
Backstroke (starts) | ||
| After receiving clearance from the Referee, the starter verbally shall direct the swimmers to "Place your feet," at which time ... each swimmer if not already in position shall use both hands to grasp the starting grips (including the gutter, the end of the pool, or any part of the starting platform) and shall place his...feet on the wall so that both feet, including the toes, are under the surface of the water. (2.1(2)) | The swimmers shall line up in the water facing the starting end, with both hands placed on the gutter or the starting grips. (101.2.1A) Prior to the command "take your mark" and until the feet leave the wall at the starting signal, the swimmers feet, including the toes shall be placed under the surface of the water. (102.2.1B) Optional instructions... "Place your feet." (102.13.1E) | For the backstroke start, swimmers shall face the starting end with both hands grasping any part of the starting platform or pool end wall in their assigned lance and with both feet in contact with the wall of the starting end. Upon the starter's command "Take your mark," swimmers may assume any motionless position which does not remove them completely from the water nor both hands nor both feet from the pool end. (8.1(2)) |
| Standing in or on the gutter or curling the toes over the lip of the gutter is no permitted at any time after the command "Place your feet" and before the first length of the race is completed. A backstroke starting block may not be used. (2.1.2) | Standing on the gutter or curling the toes over the lip of the gutter is not permitted at any time before the start. A Backstroke starting block may not be used (101.2.1B) | |
| Stroke | ||
| Standing in or on the gutter or curling the toes over the lip of the gutter is not permitted at any time after the command "Place your feet" and before the first length of the race is completed. | Standing in or on the gutter or curling the toes over the lip of the gutter immediate after the start is not permitted. (101.3.2) | |
| Some part of the swimmer's person may break the surface of the water at all times, except that the swimmer may remain wholly submerged when turning and for a distance of not more than 15 meters after the start and after each turn by which distance the swimmer's head must break the surface of the water. (2-2(1b)) | 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 shall be permissible for the swimmer to be completely submerged during the turn and for a distance of not more than 15 meters after the start and each turn. By that point, the head must have broken the surface of the water. (101.3.2) | The body shall remain on the back to the degree the shoulders do not turn over beyond the vertical plane except when executing a turn. (8-2.1b) |
| Backstroke Turns | ||
| Some part of the swimmer's person must touch the end of the racing course during each turn. After any part of the swimmer's head has passed the backstroke flags (20-yard mark) the swimmer 's upper shoulder is allowed (but not required) to rotate past the vertical toward the prone position before the touch is completed provided such rotation is accompanied by an immediate initiation of the turning action The immediate initiation of the turning action shall be accomplished by a single-arm or double-arm pull, or in the absence of such pulls, by a downward, underwater movement of the head. (2-2.1c) | Upon completion of each length, some part of the swimmer must touch the wall. During the turn, the shoulders may turn past the vertical toward the breast, after which a continuous single arm pull or a continuous double arm pull may be used to initiate a turn. Once the swimmer has left the position on the nack, ther eshall be no kick or arm pull independent of a continuous turning action. The shoulders must be at or past the vertical toward the back when the swimmer leaves the wall.
(101.3.3) reference to floatation has been removed. | The swimmer may be completely submerged during the turn or for a distance of not more than 16.4 yards (15 meters) after the start and each turn. By that point, the head must have broken the surface of the water.
The turn requires that some part of the swimmer's body contact the end wall. After the swimmer's head has passed the backstroke flag (20 yard mark), the swimmer's upper shoulder may …rotate past vertical toward the breast before the touch as completed, provided such rotation is accompanied by an initiation of the turning action or continuation into the wall. The initiation of the turning action shall be accomplished by a single-arm or simultaneous double-arm pull, or in the absence of such pulls, by a downward, underwater movement of the head. (8-2(1e,f)) |
| After the initiation of the turning action, no additional arm pulls may be started; (sculling is not permitted) however, kicking and gliding actions are permitted. (2-2.1c) | After the initiation of the turning action, no additional arm pulls may be started; however, kicking and gliding actions are permitted. The swimmer shall assume a position on the back before the feet leave the wall. (8-2(1f)) | |
| If the swimmers' upper shoulder does not rotate past the vertical toward the prone position before the touch is completed, the swimmer may then turn in any manner desired. (2-2.1c1) | ||
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| The hands shall be pushed forward together on, under or over the surface of the water. A butterfly style recovery is not permitted. (2-2d) | The hands shall be pushed forward together from the breast, on, under, or over the water and shall be brought back on or under the surface of the water. The elbows shall be under the water except for the last stroke at the finish of the prescribed distance. (101.2) | The stroke requires both hands be pushed forward from the breast simultaneously on, above or under the surface of the water. Elbows must remain under the water. (butterfly recovery is not permitted) (8-2(2e)) |
| At some time during each complete or incomplete stroke cycle, except the first cycle after the start and after each turn, a part of the swimmer's head must break the surface of the water. After the start and after each turn, the swimmer may take one complete stroke cycle while wholly submerged; however, the swimmer's head then must break the surface of the water by the time the swimmer's hands reach the widest part of the second arm stroke after the start and after each turn. (2-2g) | Some part of the swimmer's head shall break the surface of the water at least once during each complete cycle of one arm stroke and one leg kick in that order, except that after the start and each turn, the swimmer may take one arm stroke completely back to the legs and one leg kick while wholly submerged.
(101.1.2) | On the start or turn, one armstroke beyond the hipline and one leg kick may be made while the swimmer is underwater. The head must break the water surface prior to the arms beginning the recovery part of the second armstroke which is the forward movement of the hands. Thereafter, (1) hands shall not be brought back beyond the hipline, (2) some portion of the head must break the water surface sometime during each stroke cycle (one arm pull followed by one leg kick) except after the final pull to the turn or finish. (8-2-2c) |
| The head must break the surface by the time the hands reach the widest part of the second arm stroke after the start and after each turn (2.2g) | The head must break the surface of the water before the hands turn inward at the widest part of the second stroke. (101.1.2) | The head must break the surface prior to the arms beginning the recovery part of the second arm stroke which is the forward movement of the hands. (8-2-2c) |
| There shall be no sculling at end of the first armstroke following the start and each turn.(2.2d) | There shall be no sculling with the hands at the end of the armstroke. | |
| Turns | ||
| At each turn and at the finish, the touch shall be made with both hands simultaneously at, above or below the water surface. Before the touch, the shoulders must remain in a horizontal plane. (2-2f) | At each turn, the touch shall be made with both hands simultaneously at, above or below the water surface. (101.1.3) | The turn requires a simultaneous touch with two hands, not necessarily on the same plane, provided shoulders are horizontal after which any manner of turn is permitted. The shoulders shall be at or past the vertical toward the breast when the feet leave the wall. The legal body position shall be regained prior to the first arm pull. (8-2-2g) |
| (see above) | At the finish, the touch shall be made with both hands simultaneously at, above, or below the water surface. The body shall be on the breast and the shoulders in line with the water surface. (101.1.5) | The finish requires contact with the finish end or the finish pad, with both hands simultaneously, not necessarily on the same plane, and shoulders horizontal (8-2g) |
| Kick | ||
| A dolphin kick is not permitted. That is, propulsive movements of the feet resulting from flexion with subsequent extension of the knees in a vertical plane while the feet are in a plantar flexed position are prohibited. (2-2-2e) | A scissors, flutter or downward butterfly kick is not permitted. (101.1.3) | No scissors, flutter or downward butterfly kick (developed from a flexing and extending of the knee) is permitted. (8-2-2f) |
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| All forward and backward components of motion of the two arms shall be simultaneous; and, at any given time except when the swimmer is turning, corresponding points on both hands shall be at the same horizontal level. The arms shall be brought forward over the water and pulled backward on or under the surface of the water. (2-2-3d) | After the start and after each turn, the swimmer's shoulders must be at or past the vertical toward the breast. ...From the beginning of the first arm pull, the swimmer's shoulders shall be in line with the water surface. Both arms must be brought forward over the water and pulled back simultaneously. (101.2.2) | The stroke requires that both arms simultaneously pull backward under the water and then simultaneously recover over the water. (8-2-3c) |
| At each turn and at the finish, the touch shall be made with both hands simultaneously at, above or below the water surface. Before the touch, the shoulders must remain in a horizontal plane. (2-2-3f) | At each turn the body shall be on the breast and the shoulders in line with the water surface. The touch shall be made with both hands simultaneously at, above, or below the water surface. (101.2.4) | The turn requires a simultaneous touch with two hands, not necessarily on the same plane provided shoulders are horizontal, after which any manner of turn is permitted. The shoulders shall be at or past the vertical toward the breast when the feet leave the wall. The legal body position shall be regainsed prior to the first arm pull or leg kick. (8-2-3e) |
| Although at any given time the feet may be at different horizontal levels, there shall be no alternating movement of the legs and/or feet. A breaststroke or scissor-kicking movement may not be used. (2-2-3e) | The position of the feet need not be on the same level but they shall not alternate in relation to each other. A scissors or breaststroke kicking movement is not permitted. (101.2.3) | The kick requires that both legs and feet move up and down simultaneously in the vertical plane. Scissors, breaststroke and alternating up and down movements of the legs are not permitted. (8-2-3d) |
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| The swimmer shall swim the prescribe distance as follows: the first 1/4 butterfly, the second 1/4 backstroke; the third 1/4 breaststroke, and the last 1/4 freestyle. The swimmer must comply with the rules of the stroke designated for each 1/4 of the race. (2-2-6b) In a freestyle event, any style or combination of styles may be used. However in medley relay or individual medley events, the term "freestyle" means any stroke other than butterfly, backstroke or breaststroke. (2-2-5b) | The swimmer shall swim the prescribed distance in the following order: the first 1/4 butterfly, the second 1/4 backstroke, the third 1/4 breaststroke, and the last 1/4 freestyle. (101.5) Freestyle means that in an event so designated the swimmer may swim in any style; except that in a medley relay or individual medley event, freestyle means any style other than butterfly, breaststroke or backstroke. (101.4.2) | Competitors shall swim the butterfly for the first 1/4 of the required distance of the race, the backstroke for the second 1/4, the breaststroke for the third 1/4 and any other stroke than backstroke, breaststroke or butterfly for the last quarter. (8-2-5) |
| Transition turns between strokes shall conform, before the touch, to the finish rules for the stroke being completed and, after the tough, to the run rules for the stroke about to be swum. (2-2-6d) | The turns when changing from one stroke to another shall conform to the finish rules for the stroke just completed... (101.5.3B) | Turns at the end of the first three strokes are considered turns. The finish is the end of the final lap of the race.( 8-2-6
5) |
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| Each succeeding... swimmer is allowed ...to use a step-forward start,... however, all velocity in the start must be generated after the swimmer is on the platform. 2-2-7c1 | ||
| The leadoff swimmer may not be interchanged with any teammate once the referee has called the swimmers to stand behind their blocks. (2-2-7d) | First and last names of competing relay swimmers, their ages, and their order of swimming shall be declared to the clerk of course (if use) or to the head lane timer immediately prior to the start of the relay head in which such team is entered. No changes will be permitted thereafter. (102.4.9) | The first swimmer of a relay team, once called to the platform by the referee, shall not change his swimming order with any teammate. (8-3-4) |
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| A swimmer must swim in the lane assigned. Failure to do so will result in disqualification (3-1-4b). | The Head Lane Timer shall determine whether the swimmer or relay team is present and in the correct lane, heat and event and that relay swimmers are swimming on the order listed. (102.17B(1)) | Swimmers shall swim in their assigned lanes throughout the race and shall not interfere with a swimmer in another lane. (3-5-4) |
| Conversion tables for converting LCM and SCM times to YDS are provided. (p 121 ff) | ||
| An exhibition swim is a swim for time that is performed by a competitor who has been designated ...to be a nonscoring contestant... (3-5-1) | Exhibition competitors are permitted. A exhibition swim/dive shall count as one of the 4 allowed entries, does not score points but may count as a qualifying time and are subject to disqualification. (3-2-1a) | |
| An honest effort in all competition is required. Failure to make an honest effort shall result in disqualification from the event. (3-1-4d) | ||
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| In championship meets, a swimmer may withdraw from a preliminary heat or swim-off by electing to take a declared false start. [It] shall count as participation in that event. (2-1-3h) | Meet announcements and advance information shall specify check-in and scratch procedures for individual and relay events and penalties for violation of those procedures. (102.3) | A competitor may withdraw from a preliminary event or timed final with a declared false start ...The event shall still count as an entry for the competitor. (3-2-2) |
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| A visual count of the lengths completed by each swimmer must be given above and/or below the water every two lengths in individual races of 400 meters or 500 yards or longer…The visual count may be supplemented with a verbal count. (2-3-1) | A swimmer in any individual swimming event of 400 yards or meters or more, except the IM, may appoint one counter to call lengths or indicate lengths by visual sign. (102.6A) | The Referee shall order an event to start without delay when a contestant or lap counter fails to report promptly.(4-2-2f).
One person shall be designated …in the 500 yard/meter freestyle to operate the visual lap counting system… The visual count may be supplemented by a verbal count. (3-4-1) |
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| Shall prohibit the use of bells, horns, sirens or artificial noisemakers during the meet. (4-6b) | He may at his/her discretion prohibit the use of any bell, siren, horns or artificial noisemaker during the meet. (102.13.6) | ...the responsibilities of the referee are to: prohibit the use of bells, horns, sirens or artificial noisemakers during the meet. (4-2-2j) |
| The referee shall: signal by whistle that all officials and competitors should be ready, give any appropriate instructions and turn control of the competitors over to the starter. (4-6d) | (Referee) shall signal the starter that all officials are in position, that the course is clear, and that the competition can begin, before each race; (102.13.2) | the responsibilities of the referee are to: check that each swimmer is in the proper lane, call them to step onto the starting platform or pool deck, announce the event and signal the starter the starting commands may begin. (4-2-2a) |
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| shall have the discretionary power to set aside the application of a rule when there is apparent unfairness. (4-2) | ||
| Touchpad Finishes | ||
| When automatic judging and timing equipment is used, swimmers must touch the pads in their lanes at the end of the racing course to have finished the race or their leg of the relay. (2-4-3) | The head lane timer shall ...determine and report if the swimmer has delayed in touching or has missed the touchpad at the finish. (102.17B(4)) | To finish the race, the swimmer shall contact the finish end in the manner prescribed. When automatic timing/judging equipment is used, the swimmer must contact the touch pad to finish the race. (8-1-7) |
| Correction of Timing Errors | ||
| When the Referee determines that there is a malfunction of the primary timing system, the backup time(s) shall be adjusted for the timing difference before integrating them with the accurate primary times in establishing official times and determining the order of finish. (4-23-5) | When the Referee determines that there is a malfunction of the primary timing system, the backup times shall be adjusted for the timing system difference prior to integrating them with accurate primary times (102.17D ff) | The backup system...shall be used only for lanes in which the automatic equipment malfunctions. The relative order of finish...shall not be changed. (6-3-3) |
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| The water shall be between 79 and 81 degrees F. Air ...shall be not more than 4 degrees cooler than the water where possible. (1-3-13) | Water [shall be] between 78 and 80 degrees F... Air ...shall be not lower than 76 deg F with 60% relative humidity and air velocity about 25 feet/min. (103.6.1,.2) | It is recommended that the water temperature be no less that 78 degrees F and no more than 82 degrees F. (2-6-2) |
| Water depth may be no less than 4 ft at the starting end. Platforms must be < 2'6" (1-3-7) | If >= 4 ft, platforms <= 2'6" If 3'6'" to 4', platforms <18" If < 3'6" start from deck (103.2.3b, 103.11) | If >= 4 ft, platforms <= 2'6" If 3'6'" to 4', platforms <18" or start from deck or in water. If < 3'6" start in water (2-7-2) |