This page has been designed as a quick reference guide to any new rule changes and interpretation of rules already in use. They have been divided into the individual strokes, individual IM and relays for easier access to the interpretation that you might have a question on. Also included are miscellaneous rule interpretations that come down from USA Swimming.
INTERPRETATION OF USA SWIMMING RULES AND REGULATIONS
USA Swimming Rules & Regulations Committee
Interpretions prior to 01/01/13
BACKSTROKE
BREASTSTROKE
Interpretation of Article 101.2.3 (03/13/12)
Head not up (11/18/12)
BUTTERFLY
Interpretation of Article 101.3.2 (06/07/10)
FREESTYLE
INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY
Article 101.6 rule change effective 09/21/17 (09/21/17)
FALSE STARTS
RELAYS
Article 102.24.1 Requirements for Official Time for a Relay (09/14/19)
- From HOD at convention
- 102.24.1 Requirements for Official Time - For a relay lead-off time to count, there must be four eligible swimmers on the relay. A lead-off swimmer’s time shall not be nullified by a subsequent disqualification of his/her team members. (In other words, a team can’t field a relay team with less than 4 eligible swimmers and get the lead-off time to count.) Special relays for fun and not for an official team time would not be impacted by this rule.
SWIM OFFS
SWIMSUITS
Interpretation of USA Swimming Rules & Regulations Article 102.8.1 (formerly 102.9.1 01/19/09)
Approved Swimwear (06/25/09)
Important rules regarding swimsuits (09/21/09)
Change to Swimwear Advertising Rule - 102.8.3 A (1) (04/13/15)
"(1) Swimsuits - A total of two separate advertising logos of a maximum size of 30 square centimeters (4.65 square inches) each, as measured as applied, shall be permitted."
Open Water - Wetsuit Legality (05/11/17)
12&Under Tech Suits (Effective 09/01/20)
FINA Approved 12&U Tech Suits (03/01/21)
TAPING
MEMBERSHIP
CHANGES TO TECHNICAL RULES
Changes adopted to conform to FINA Changes (09/23/13)
