OFFICIALS - Rules Changes 2025
Please note the updated rules and jurisdiction verbiage that were approved at that time. The
GREEN highlight is the specific Rule Change and the
YELLOW is the verbiage changes. Please review and let me know if you have any questions!
RULE UPDATES:
Backstroke Starts —
To modify the jurisdiction of the starting position from the Starter to the Starter or Stroke and Turn Judge.
101.1 Starts
101.1.2 —
A swimmer shall be disqualified for an illegal starting position at the start if the swimmer moves from a legal starting position to an illegal starting position
immediately prior to or after the “take your marks” command provided that the illegal starting position exists when the signal to start the race is given.
Enforcement of the correct starting position is the responsibility of the Starter or the Stroke and Turn Judges.
Entry Limit Clarification and Process to Correct —
To provide uniform procedures for Administrative Officials, based on current practices, when it is found that swimmers have been over-entered and/or competed beyond allowable limits.
General Rules 102.2
102.2.7 — The above limitations on individual events apply regardless of the classification mixture or if separate meets or time trials are being conducted. These, and additional limitations on entries which may be established by the LSC’s sanction or approval, shall be clearly stated in the meet announcement.
A. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, a swimmer found, prior to seeding, to have exceeded the session, daily, or overall meet entry limit shall be scratched from any and all events that occur beyond the allowable limit, in the order that events are contested.
B. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, a swimmer found to have competed in events beyond entry limits shall be administratively disqualified from any and all events that were swum beyond the allowable limit.
Counters —
To provide a swimmer the option of a counter in the 16 length 400 SCM freestyle race. This would especially benefit younger and newer swimmers.
Counters 102.6
102.6 A. A swimmer in the 500/1000/1650 yard or
400/800/1500 Short Course Meter or 800/1500 Long Course Meter freestyle or other long distance pool event (see 102.1.4) may appoint one counter to call lengths or indicate lengths by visual sign.
4-Hour Session Rule Clarification 12&U —
To clarify that 12 & Under athletes shall only swim in one preliminary session and the related finals when preliminaries and finals are contested.
205.3 Program and Events
205.3.1 F — With the exception of championship and open water meets, the program in all other age group competition shall be planned to allow the events for swimmers twelve (12) years and younger to be completed in four (4) hours or less per session (prelims, finals, timed finals). Events for the same 12 & under swimmers shall be limited to one session per day, except for prelim/final meets where events for 12 & under swimmers may be offered in
both single prelim session and the related finals.
Backstroke Start Position —
To conform to World Aquatics regulations and to clarify that at least one toe from each foot must be in contact with the end wall or touchpad.
101.4 Backstroke
101.4.1 Start — The swimmers shall line up in the water facing the starting end, with both hands placed on the gutter or on the starting grips. Standing in or on the gutter, placing the toes above the lip of the gutter, or bending the toes over the lip of the gutter, before or after the start, is prohibited. When using a backstroke ledge at the start, at least one toe of
each foot must be in contact with the end wall or face of the touchpad. Bending the toes over the top of the touchpad is prohibited.
102.21 Disqualifications — Start and Finish In Same Lane Rile CHANGE - Swimmers must now REMAIN in the Same Lane. To
conform to World Aquatics regulations.
102.21.5 DISQUALIFICATIONS — The swimmer must
remain and finish the race in the same lane in which they started.
