SUBURBAN SWIM CLUB LEAGUE

RULES AND REGULATIONS

FOR

COMPETITIVE SWIMMING

This set of Rules and Regulations are modifications necessary for age group competition. 

Bylaws adopted   ______2/10/13______________

CONTENTS

 

 

SUBURBAN SWIM CLUB LEAGUE

BYLAWS

 

I - Name

The name of the organization shall be called the Suburban Swim Club League, herein referred to as the SSCL.

 

II - Mission Statement

The mission of the SSCL shall be to offer a summer swim league for competitive swimming and diving that stresses both individual and team improvement while teaching swimmers to compete with responsibility, respect, honesty, caring and good sportsmanship.

           

 III – League Organization

3.1    Swim and dive teams that currently make up the SSCL are:  Hilliard Swim and Dive Team (Hilliard), Muirfins Swim Team (Dublin), Sea Dogs from the Swim and Racquet Club (Upper Arlington) and Tangy Tornadoes from the Olentangy Swim Association (Powell), Grandview Gators Swim Team.   Each team is eligible for membership in the SSCL upon payment of the annual membership fee as assessed by the SSCL Board of Directors (BOD).  Upon approval of the BOD additional teams may be added to the SSCL.

3.2     Commissioner: The SSCL shall have a Commissioner to oversee the League. 

A. The responsibilities of the Commissioner shall be: 1) Hold all meet results 2) resolve conflicts/discrepancies as they arise 3) determine eligibility status according to By-Laws 4) attend SSCL meetings 5) attend Champs meet 6) Be available for communication during all dual meets, developmental meets and invitational 7) Involvement in revision of By-Laws as necessary 8) Make the final decision on a vote resulting in a tie. 

B. Compensation for these duties shall be $500 per season, paid from the SSCL to the Commissioner at the commencement of the season. 

C.  Term of Office:  The Commissioner has the right to resign office at any time in off season.  The Commissioner shall notify the President of the SSCL of their resignation.  The BOD has the right to terminate the position of the Commissioner at any time in the off season, as long as it is a majority vote by the Board to do so. 

 

 

IV – Board of Directors (BOD)

4.1:  Members.  The voting members of the BOD shall be comprised of the following officers:  President (Team Representative hosting the Championship Meet), Vice President (following year Team Representative hosting the Championship Meet), Secretary (President appointed), Treasurer (President appointed), Swim Representative (Individual Team Representative), Dive Representative (Individual Team Representative), Swim Coach (Individual Team Representative and Dive Coach (Individual Team Representative).

4.2:  Term of Office.  BOD members shall serve a one year term, except for a team representative who can serve successive years as determined by their individual team bylaws except for the President and Vice President which are positions based on the Championship Meet rotation.

 

4.3:  Board of Directors Positions and Responsibilities.

A.  President.  The President shall be the principal executive officer of the SSCL, shall supervise and facilitate all the activities of the SSCL.  The President will preside at all of the meetings of the SSCL BOD.  The President is responsible for the interpretation of the SSCL Rules and has the full authority to interpret and enforce SSCL rules when a meeting of the SSCL BOD is not an option or is not requested.  The President will appoint a Secretary and Treasurer to the SSCL BOD.  The President will appoint a person responsible for obtaining and distributing all necessary materials to be used during the season (lane cards, scoring sheets, etc.)  The President will collaborate and distribute new league rules each year as warranted.  The President is responsible for the coordination of all activities involved to effectively and efficiently host the Championship Meet.

B.  Vice President.  The Vice President, in the absence of the President, shall perform the duties of the President.  The Vice President will preside at any SSCL meeting in the absence of the President and assumes any additional responsibilities as delegated by the President.  The Vice President is responsible for ribbon and label ordering and distribution for all swim clubs as deemed necessary for the swim season.

C.  Secretary.  The Secretary shall keep and maintain complete records including a current electronic copy of the SSCL bylaws and take minutes of all proceedings of the BOD meetings and report accordingly.  The Secretary will attend to all correspondence and communicate information relative to the SSCL meetings.  The Secretary is responsible for updating the SSCL roster including each team’s swim representative, dive representative, swim coach and dive coach. 

D.  Treasurer.  The Treasurer shall have charge of and be responsible for all funds of the SSCL.  The Treasurer will receive and disburse monies as directed by the President or BOD in accordance with the budget adopted by the BOD.  The Treasurer shall keep a full and accurate account of all receipts and expenditures as required by Ohio Revised Code.  The Treasurer shall present a written financial report at each SSCL meeting and at other times as requested by the President or by the BOD. At the end of the season a financial audit will be done by a member from each of the teams not represented by the President or Vice President of the League.

E.  Swim Representative.  Shall attend all SSCL meetings.

F.  Dive Representative.  Shall attend all SSCL meetings.

G.  Swim Coach.  Shall attend all SSCL meetings.

H.  Dive Coach.  Shall attend all SSCL meetings.

V – League Policies and Procedures

5.1:  League Meetings.  SSCL meeting shall be called by the President or at the request of a SSCL member.  There shall be a minimum of four meetings dispersed throughout the year.  The recommended meeting schedule is 1) in the fall with the new BOD, 2) in the early winter where the BOD will review the upcoming schedule, bylaws, forms, etc., 3) prior to the league Championship meet, and 4) after the league Championship meet.  It is expected that all team representatives and head coaches be present from each swim club at each SSCL BOD meeting.  The SSCL meetings are open to all swim and dive members and encourage active participation from all swim and dive clubs.

5.2:  League Voting.  Each member swim and or dive club will have one (1) vote on any issue and an adult member of his/her representative Club must cast the vote.  The President shall vote only in the case of a tie. 

5.3:  Proxy.  Any BOD member or team representative is encouraged to send a proxy to the SSCL meeting whenever possible.  A proxy member is in good standing with their individual swim or dive club.

5.4:  League Assessments.  Each swim and dive teams will be assessed dues.  Assessments are payable in full at the final pre-season meeting.  The money is to be used for developmental meet ribbons, dual meet ribbons, championship awards, and other expenses.  The individual clubs will pay for non-SSCL intra-squad ribbons and special ribbons.  The vice-president, in a single lot (to take advantage of quantity discount), will purchase all meet ribbons.  The swimming and diving Championship awards will be handled by the hosting Club and billed to the SSCL. The cost of League Assessments shall be voted on each year and recorded within Attachment #1.

5.5:  League Schedule.  The SSCL schedule will be reviewed and revised each year prior to a new season.  The schedule is a reversal of the previous year as to place of meet and the last week becomes the first week of the schedule with all others falling into place from there.  The schedule should be decided at the post season wrap-up meeting and recorded in Attachment #2.

 

5.6:  Developmental Meets (Swim).  2 meets a year.  Team hosting swim championships does not host a developmental meet. Swimmers must be aged 12 and under for developmental meets.

-6 & under swimmers will be limited to freestyle and backstroke events only

-10 & under swimmers can be entered in up to 3 entries

-11 and 12’s can be entered in up to 4 entries

5.7 Eligibility for participation

Age determination: A swimmer and / or diver’s age as of June 1st will determine his age group for the summer. The last summer season for participation is the summer immediately following their high school graduation.

Athlete’s affiliation: Swimmers and divers that are members of a Club, or children of Club employees who have pool privileges are eligible to represent the Club regardless of outside affiliations. A swimmer/diver can only represent one Club within the League. AFFILIATIONS MUST BE DECLARED BEFORE THE FIRST DUAL MEET.

Championship eligibility: Each swimmer/diver must participate in at least two (2) league meets  (dual meet, developmental meet, Intrasquad meet)to be eligible to compete in the SSCL Championships.  Eligibleswimmersand divers who are entered in a meet, which is canceled due to weather, get credit for that meet. Violations to the above will result in disqualification of a swimmer/diver and points achieved by that athlete for all meets.

5.8 League Alcohol Policy:  Alcohol is not permitted at any swim or dive meet in the SSCL, regardless of the location of the meet.  Alcohol may not be brought onto the premises or consumed during any SSCL meet.  This rule applies to all persons: Coaches, parents, swimmers, visitors, officials, volunteers.  Violation of this rule will result in removal of the Offender(s) immediately from the property and disqualification of the athlete from that meet.  Any points acquired by the swimmer/diver at the meet will not be counted in that swimmer’s team total. 

 

5.9 Parent Code of Conduct

All parents within the league will be required to sign the Parent Code of Conduct.

SSCLPARENT CODE OF CONDUCT

As a Parent or guardian of a swimmer or swimmers and a member of the SSCL, Suburban Swim ClubLeague, I agree to abide by the following guidelines and obligations:

1. I WILL practice teamwork with all parents, swimmers and coaches by supporting the values of discipline, commitment and hard work.

2. I WILL NOT degrade my team or any other team’s swimmers, officials, coaches or volunteers, or interfere with coaches and officials on the pool deck.

3. I WILL demonstrate good sportsmanship by conducting myself in a manner that earns the respect of my child or children, other swimmers, parents, officials and coaches at meets and practices.

4. I WILL exercise self control at all times and know my role: swimmers swim, coaches coach, officials officiate and parents parent.

5. I UNDERSTAND that criticizing, name-calling, and using abusive language or gestures directed toward coaches, officials and/or swimmers will not be permitted or tolerated.

6. During meets, I will direct questions or concerns regarding decisions made by meet officials to a member of our coaching staff, not to the officials.

7. I WILL enjoy involvement with the SSCLby supporting the swimmers, coaches and other parents with positive communication, actions, and volunteering.

8. I WILL abide by the alcohol policy of the SSCL, which states that no alcohol is permitted to be carried onto the premises or consumed by any person attending, volunteering, or participating in a meet held by the SSCL, regardless of the location of the meet.  I understand that violation of this policy will result in immediate removal from the premises and disqualification of my swimmer or diver from that entire meet.

9. I WILL be responsible for informing any guest I bring to a swim meet of this Code of Conduct and be responsible for insuring that my guest also follows the Code.

 

Printed name of Parent or Guardian:  ______________________________________________

 

Signature of Parent or Guardian:  _________________________________________________

 

Printed name of Parent of Guardian: _______________________________________________

 

Signature of Parent or Guardian: __________________________________________________

 

Name of swimmer (s):  __________________________________________________________

 

Date ________________________________Team____________________________________

 

5.10 Required equipment for swim and dive meets

The home/host team will provide:

Racing lane markers

Starting blocks

Backstroke flags

 Recall rope

Starting Gun or strobe/buzzer

Computer and printer

 

5.11 Required Personnel for swim and dive meets

A. Swimming

Dual Meets - Swim clubs should have a Meet Director in charge of all home meet arrangements. The Meet Director should select individuals for the following positions:

Head Timer

Award Chairperson Computer Assistant Computer Operator Announcer

Stoke and Turn Judges

 

Head Timer: Instructs all individuals in proper timing duties. Prior to home meets, the chief timer or a designee should consider a timer's clinic for the purpose of stopwatch instruction, proper viewing location at poolside, and other duties, which may be unfamiliar to volunteer timers. On meet days, the HeadTimer should distribute stop watches, familiarize volunteers with timing responsibilities, answer questions, and assign 3 timers for each lane, one of which will be the Head Lane Timer. The Head Lane Timer records the times on the swimmer's card. If electronic equipment is being used, the Head Lane Timer should attend the "back-up" button. Provided by Home / Host Team.

Timer: Under direction of theHeadTimer, these individuals will start the watch at the beginning of the race and stop the stopwatch when the swimmer touches the wall (or touch pad). The Head Lane Timer records the times on the swimmer's card. There should be 3 timers per lane. If necessary, 2 timers per lane are adequate. Two timers per lane (12/16) are provided by the Home / Host Team. The Visiting Team provides One Timer per lane (6/8). Each team provides their stopwatches.

Head Scorer: Checks computer scores against times provided by timers to ensure accurate records. Provided by Home / Host Team.

Computer Operator: This person is trained in the use of the Meet Manager & Team Manager software. He/She will enter the timer's results in to the computer & score the meet in the computer. Provided by the home/host team. He/She will also generate the score sheets for the announcer & posting & labels for the ribbons.

Computer Assistant: Under direction from the Head Scorer, this person will verify team times. The visiting team will provide one assistant.

Awards Chairperson: Oversees the Awards table and workers. Separates the ribbons (or medals) by team, so they can be easily distributed to the coach or team representative. This applies to swimming and diving.   Provided by the Home / Host Team Awards: The awards worker applies the labels provided by the computer person and sorts the ribbons by team.

Each team will provide 1 awards person.

Referee and/or Starter: Has full authority for running the swimming events and making decisions and enforcing rules. The Starter uses an electronic signal to start each race. The Starter can also serve as a stroke and turn judge, if needed. Provided by Home / Host Team.

Announcer:The announcer uses a P .A. system near the scorers' table, so that the score may be announced periodically. The Announcer also announces upcoming events, who is swimming/diving in each lane (if time allows), and any information pertinent, such as new records, etc. An extra score sheet should be provided for the announcer. Provided by Home / Host Team.

Stroke and Turn Judges: Stroke and turn judges are responsible for watching for compliance of the USA swimming rules. They watch the swimmers for illegal strokes or turns and mark a slip on any swimmer who breaks a rule. This slip is marked "DQ" (disqualified) with an explanation and it is sent to the scoring table. Three Stroke and Turn Judges are needed for a dual meet, two from the host team and one from the visiting team.

Championship Meet- In addition to the positions listed under dual meet (above) the following positions are required for the Championship Meet.

CLERK OF COURSE: Primary person. Must line up contestants, with the help of the bullpen, for preliminary, consolation, and final swim events. Provided by Host Team.

BULL PEN: Each team is responsible to organize their own swimmers in their designated area. Helps clerk of course with swimmer line up in main area. The Visiting Team will provide at least 2 workers.

 

B. Diving Dual Meets

 

JUDGES: Three- (3) diving judges are needed to score dual diving meets. If one team coach is judging, the other team coach will be offered the opportunity to judge also. The Home / Host Team will provide 2 Dive Judges. The Visiting Team will provide 1 Dive Judge.

 

SCORER: These individuals record the points awarded by each Dive Judge on the Score Sheet. The cumulative score for the individual and each team is calculated. The Home / Host Team will provide 2 Scorers. The Visiting Team will provide 2 Scorers.

AWARDS: Using the score sheets, award workers place the diver's name, dives meet information and total score on the ribbon label. The Home / Host Team will provide 2 Awards workers. The Visiting Team will provide 1 Awards worker.

Championship Meet

JUDGES: A total of five (5) dive judges are needed, one from each team. The fifth judge servesas the referee. All five judges score each dive. The high and low scores are "thrown out' and the remaining three scores are used for final calculation. Each Team must provide one Dive Judge. The Host team will provide the referee.

MEET REFEREE: The Dive Referee will interpret the rules and their application to the Dive Meet. The chosen Referee will not be affiliated with any SSCL Club. The host Club will provide a dive Referee.

 

5.12 Dual Meet Requirements

Swimming: Electronic submission of meet entries must be received by the host team by 24 hours before   the start of developmental and dual meets. There will be no deck entries.  Scratches are ok to make during the meet. Changes of currently entered swimmers may be made up until six (6) hours prior to the meet.

There is no requirement to reschedule “weather” canceled meets.

Lane assignments will be:

Host/Home Team: Even (2, 4, 6, and 8)

 

6 and under age group may be added in a dual meet upon prior concurrence with the meet directors and the coaches.

Developmental meets will consist of individual events only. There are no relays. Additionally, a 6 and under age group for individual events will be added. The coaches prior to the season will determine developmental times. No cut off times for 6 and under age group. 

Diving: Diving sheets must be in the hands of the diving officials 1 hour prior to the start of the meet. After the dive meet begins, entry changes may occur with the approval of the head diving judge and with the concurrence of both diving coaches.

There will be a dive judge’s meeting 10 minutes prior to each dual meet to discuss scoring issues. There is no requirement to reschedule “’weather” canceled meets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.13 Order of Events

ORDER OF EVENTS FOR SWIM MEETS

Sixty-six events (66)comprise the dual meet / championship meet schedule for 5 age groups of girls and 5 age groups of boys:

 

 

5.14 Official Time

Official Time:

There will be three (3) timers per lane. When only two times are recorded, the average of the two times will be the official time. When three times are recorded, the middle time will be the official time. If two of the three times are identical, that time will be the official time.

 

5.15 Dual Meet / Championship Meet Stroke and Turn Rules

The U. S. A. Swimming (USA) rulebook is the official guide for the League, except as hereafter modified:

Starts:

Eachheatwill be allowed one false start before disqualification.

Breaststroke:

For ages 10& under, the swimmer may use the Save Yourself Stroke for 15 yards/meters. 

Butterfly:

10 & under – shoulder must rotate but an under water recovery is permissible and they may use the Save Yourself Stroke for 15 yards/meters

 

Buoyancy Aids:

SSCL will follow the guidelines established in the USA swimming and diving rules, Article 105, Guidelines for Officiating Swimmers with a Disability in USA Swimming Meets, withone exception.  SSCL will permit aids to buoyancy for an affected limb(s) of a swimmer who may need it due to a disability. President of the SSCL league shall inform referee of this exception prior to meets.

The coach of the swimmer with a disability shall be responsible for informing the other coaches, referee and league president.  

5.16 Swim Meet Participation Rules for Events and Relays

In dual meets and championship meets, each swimmer is entitled to compete in a maximum of :

10 and unders- three (3) events including relays

11 and overs – four (4)  events including relays.

In the championship meet, 4 swimmers shall be designated as relay alternates. The alternate position should NOT be included as one of the 3/4 participation events. In the event of emergency, the alternate may participate in a 4th event. The meet referee must evaluate the situation on a case-by-case basis and the meet referee will have the final decision.

In dual meets, a club can enter swimmers to compete in 1 heat of all relays, 4 heats of freestyle, and 3 heats of all other strokes unless mutually agreed upon by the coaches. In championship meets, a club is entitled to unlimited entries in all individual events and 2 relays per event; however an individual can still only compete in:  10 and unders- three (3) events including relays

           11 and overs – four (4)  events including relays.

If fewer than 4 swimmers per age group participate in dual meets and championship meets, all clubs are permitted to swim one or two individuals "up" one age group to complete the relay, but not improve the relay. If3 swimmers in the same age group participate in the meet, one swimmer can swim "'up". If two (or fewer) swimmers in the same age group participate in the meet, swimmers from younger age groups can swim ""up". If, however, there are 4 or more swimmers per age group participating in a dual meet or championship meet, swimmers from one age group may not complete a relay for another age group.

 

5.17 Dive Meet Participation Rules for Required Dives

DIVE MEET PARTICIPATION RULES FOR REQUIRED DIVES

The Degree of Difficulty (DD) will be in accordance with US. Diving rules. Required Dives:

                101        Forward Dive,

                201        Back Dive,

                301        Reverse Dive,

                401        Inward Dive,

                511        Forward Dive, with ½ twist

Dual Meet required dives:

8 & Under Girls and Boys – Two (2) dives must be performed. The required dive is #101 Forward Dive, plus dive of choice.

9& 10 Girls and Boys – Two (2) dives must be performed. The required dive is # 101 Forward Dive, plus dive of choice.

11 & 12 Girls and Boys – Three (3) dives must be performed. The required dive is #101 Forward Dive, plus two dives of choice.

13 & 14/15-18 Girls and Boys – Four (4) dives must be performed. The required dive is #101 Forward Dive plus one other dive from the required group.

The divers will perform four dives from a total of at least three different categories. The diver will also perform two other different dives of choice.

Championship Meet required dives:

The dives listed for each age group in dual meets (above) PLUS one optional dive for age group. EXCEPTION: 8 & under remain a two dive requirement only.

For Dual meets:

Coaches may allow divers to “”dive-up” one age group

All clubs may have unlimited entries in each age group. Jumps from the board are not allowed and will not be scored.

 

For Championship meets:

Coaches may allow divers to “dive-up” one age group to complete a maximum of 3 divers per age group.

Unlimited entries in all age groups are allowed only when divers participate in their age group as determined on June 1st of the current summer season.

Jumps from the board are not allowed and will not be scored.

 

5.18 Scoring – Dual Meet

SCORING

 

Swimming

Scoring will be done using Meet Manager. Copies of scores will be posted & provided to the announcer during the meet, and to each team at the conclusion of the meet. Final results and a meet backup will sent to each team electronically by the Meet Manager as soon as possible after the conclusion of the meet. (No later than 1 business day)

Dual Meet:

I                              Individual Events: Team points are awarded to a team when their swimmer finishes in the top three in an event.

 

1st Place               5 points

2nd Place             3 points

3rd Place              1 point

 

Relay Events: Team points are awarded to a team when their relay team finishes in the top two (2). Only one relay per team per event may score points.

 

lst Place                8 points

2nd Place             4 points

 

 

 

 

Diving:

Dualmeets - a diver receiving the highest cumulative points for all dives performed in their age group will be awarded first place and scores 5 team points.

In order to score team points, the diver must actually place first, second, or third in their age group.

Team points for dual meets are:

                 1st place                               5 points

                2nd place                              3 points

                3rd place                               1 point

 

 

5.19 Scoring – Championship Meet

 

Championship Meet:

Championship fee: A separate fee (determined by the board) will be charged per swimmer &

diver.