At the recent House of Delegate meetings at both the national and LSC levels a few rule changes to the technical rules have happened. These are in effect now. This is meant as a brief summary, so for clarifications, please see the link to the national changes at the end, or please reach to your District or State Officials Chair
National R-2, Starts:
The guidance on the call is that this was really written for backstroke. The Stroke and Turn judge may now call a disqualification for an illegal starting position IF they observe a movement from a legal to an illegal position from just prior to the take your marks until the swimmer starts and leaves the wall. The guidance on the call is that this was really written for backstroke. We often use a protocol of check the toes, then look up. For this we can then observe again for changes in starting position.
National R-4, Overentries:
This allows an administrative DQ for swimmers who swim more events than are allowed. Note that it also allows for positive check-in so that overentries can be cured by scratching PRIOR to seeding.
National R-5, Counters:
Counters are now allowed for SCM 400 meter events.
National M-1, stay in lane
Swimmers may not swim in the wrong lane. Benefit of the doubt goes to the swimmer, so an arm over the lane line during fly, or a leg poking under it during breaststroke is OK. Completely changing lanes is not. This is a change from start and finish in the same lane.
National M-2, backstroke ledge:
Mostly a facility issue. The ledge can be used in the range from 4 cm above to 4 cm below the waterline.
USA Modification to Rule 101.2
The old rule 102.2
Stroke — After the start and after each turn when the swimmer leaves the wall, the body shall be kept on the breast. It is not permitted to roll onto the back at any time except at the turn after the touch of the wall where it is permissible to turn in any manner as long as the body is on the breast when leaving the wall. Throughout the race the stroke cycle must be one arm stroke and one leg kick in that order. All movements of the arms shall be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane without alternating movement.
102.
.3 Kick — After the start and each turn, at any time prior to the first breaststroke kick, a single butterfly kick is permitted. Following which, all movements of the legs shall be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane without alternating movement.
All movements of the arms shall be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane without alternating movement.
The NEW Rule 102.2 and 102.3 strikes the language of "in the same horizontal plane" however, it should be noted that the provision in the rule that prohibits alternating movement of the arms and hands and the requirement that they be simultaneous has NOT changed.
This rule change is affective January 1st 2023
TECH SUIT INFORMATION FOR OFFICIALS
This rule change is affective September 1st 2020
