NCAA Men’s and Women’s Swimming Committee Use NCAA Online Link
Diving Subcommittee Use NCAA Online Link
Major Rules Changes for 2003-04 (Reproduced below click here)
Official NCAA Swimming Rules
Rule 1—Pool Dimensions and Equipment Use NCAA Online Link
RULE 2—Description of Events and Procedures (Reproduced below click here RULE 2)
Rule 3—Competitors Use NCAA Online Link
RULE 4—Officials and Their Duties (Reproduced below click here RULE 4)
Rule 5—Lanes, Seeding and Qualifying Procedures Use NCAA Online Link
Rule 6—Diving Competition (Reproduced Diving Page click here Diving)
Rule 7—Scoring (Reproduced below click here Rule 7 )
Rule 8—Conduct of Competition (Reproduced below click here Rule 8)
Rule 9—Records Use NCAA Online Link
Time Standards (Reproduced below click here Time Standards)
Rules Interpretations (Reproduced below click here Situations & Rulings)
Index to Rules Use NCAA Online Link
 

1-3-8 Backstroke Flag-Line Anchors
Backstroke Flag-Line Anchors
ARTICLE 9. Permanent provision must be made to anchor backstroke flag lines with minimum sag. At least three pennants must be evenly spaced left, right and center in each lane located 5 yards from each end of a 25-yard racing course [5 meters from each end of a 25- or 50-meter racing course] and approximately 7 feet [2.13m] above the water surface.
These pennants should be 6 to 12 inches [15.24 to 30.48cm] in width and 12 to 18 inches [30.48 to 45.72cm] in length. In any event where the backstroke is swum, failure to provide these pennants shall result in disqualification of the host competitors.

4-6-2b3 Referee
3. Failure of the swimmers to rapidly assume a motionless starting position after the command "Take your mark" (e.g., "All swimmers must hold a steady position promptly on command"). This type of instruction is needed only if the swimmers have been released from the starting position because of a delayed response on the part of one or more swimmers and/or because of general movement along the starting line.

4-14-5 Dual Human Confirmation
Dual Human Confirmation
ARTICLE 5. In a non-NCAA championships meet, when dual human confirmation is required for a relay takeoff disqualification, an infraction of the takeoff rule that is observed by a lane takeoff judge shall be recorded immediately in writing, but no indication by hand shall be given. An infraction that is observed by a side takeoff judge also shall be recorded immediately in writing; however, the side takeoff judge shall wait until the last competitor is on the last length of the race and then shall raise a hand overhead with open palm. In an NCAA championships meet, each human judge who observes an alleged rules violation shall record it immediately but shall wait until the last competitor is on the last length of the race and then shall raise a hand overhead with open palm.

4-14-6 Electronic Takeoff Equipment
c. If the electronic relay takeoff equipment detects an exchange differential (takeoff pad time minus finish pad time) of –0.09 through +0.09 second inclusive, the decision(s) of the human judge(s) shall not be considered. The determination of the electronic relay takeoff equipment shall be official, with values of –0.09 through –0.01 seconds indicating a rules violation and values of
0.00 through +0.09 seconds indicating a legitimate relay exchange.
d. If the electronic relay takeoff equipment records an exchange differential outside of the range –0.09 through +0.09 seconds, a disqualification shall occur if there is dual confirmation of a rules violation: by the electronic relay takeoff equipment and either a lane takeoff judge or a side takeoff judge; by a lane takeoff judge  and a side takeoff judge; or by two side takeoff judges.

4-23-4 Integration of Official Results
ARTICLE 4. When the referee confirms that there is a malfunction of the primary (automatic) timing system, the backup time(s) shall be adjusted for the timing system difference before integrating them with the accurate primary times in establishing the integrated official times and determining the order of finish. The adjustment shall be determined by calculating the consistent average difference between the primary system and the backup system used in that heat.

6-1-4 Equipment Failure
ARTICLE 4. If a diving board breaks or is unusable, the home team must provide another or each visiting team shall be awarded the maximum number of points any one team could score in an individual event for each affected diving event. In a triangular, quadrangular, or invitational meet, the total points in each event shall be divided equally among the number of visiting teams. No points shall be awarded to the home team.

6-3-2b Diving List
b. Competitors shall submit a list of their dives by the scratch deadline. This list of dives shall be signed by both the competitor and his or her coach. Each dive shall include the international dive number, position letter, and degree of difficulty. The meet referee may request that the written description be added to the sheet to aid the announcer during the diving competition.

Time Standards
The new time standards can be located on this page.  Click here.

2003-04 MAJOR RULE CHANGES INFORMATION

The NCAA Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Rules have been designated as either administrative rules or conduct rules. Typically, administrative rules are those dealing with preparation for competition. Conduct rules are those that pertain directly to the competition.

Conduct rules may not be changed by mutual consent. All NCAA member institutions are required to conduct their intercollegiate contests according to these rules. In the 2004 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Rules, the conduct rules are 1-4-8, 2, 3-1-1,3-1-2, 3-1-3, 6-4 and 7. All other rules are administrative rules.

Some administrative rules may be altered by the mutual consent of the competing institutions. Others, as indicated, are unalterable. In the 2004 Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Rules, administrative rules 1-2-1, 1-2-4 and 3-1-5 are unalterable.
 

ARTICLE 1.

In all swimming races with the exception of backstroke and medley relay races, upon a preliminary signal by whistle from the referee, the swimmers shall line up behind or beside their respective starting platforms.

The referee may give brief instructions deemed necessary. The referee then shall turn control of the competitors over to the starter.

After receiving clearance from the referee, the starter verbally shall direct the swimmers to "Step up," at which time each swimmer shall step onto his or her starting platform and shall stand, without excessive noise or movement, with both feet on the top of the platform. The starter may give brief instructions deemed necessary. Then, upon the starter’s verbal command "Take your mark," each swimmer, with no unnecessary noise or movement, immediately shall assume any desired starting position with at least one foot on the front edge of the starting platform. (With prior approval of the referee, a swimmer may start in the water but must have at least one hand on the wall or starting platform.) Sufficient time shall be allowed to enable each swimmer to assume a motionless starting position; however, all swimmers are expected to take their starting positions at approximately the same time, and unnecessary noise, movement or delays shall not be permitted. When the starter sees that the swimmers are motionless, the starter shall start the race with a pistol shot and/or an electronic-sound device. A track-type starting block may not be used.

ARTICLE 2.

In the backstroke start, upon a preliminary signal by whistle from the referee, the swimmers shall line up in the water within their respective lanes. Each swimmer shall be facing the starting mark and shall have both hands in contact with the end of the pool or the starting platform. The feet may be located at the discretion of the swimmer. The referee may give brief instructions deemed necessary. The referee then shall turn control of the competitors over to the starter.

After receiving clearance from the referee, the starter verbally shall direct the swimmers to "Place your feet," at which time, without excessive noise or movement, 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 or her feet on the wall so that both feet, including the toes, are under the surface of the water. The starter may give brief instructions deemed necessary. Then, upon the starter’s verbal command "Take your mark," each swimmer, with no unnecessary noise or movement, immediately shall assume any desired starting position that does not remove either foot, including the toes, from the water; that does not remove either foot from contact with the end of the pool; and that does not remove either hand from the starting grips. Sufficient time shall be allowed to enable each swimmer to assume a motionless starting position; however, all swimmers are expected to take their starting positions at approximately the same time, and unnecessary noise, movement or delays shall not be permitted. When the starter sees that the swimmers are motionless, the starter shall start the race with a pistol shot and/or electronic-sound device. 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. A backstroke starting block may not be used.

ARTICLE 3.

a. After the command "Take your mark" and before the starting sound, the starter may release the swimmers from the starting position with the command "Stand up." This allows each swimmer in the forward start to move away from the front edge of the starting platform and, if desired, to step off the platform. In the backstroke start, each swimmer also is released from the starting position but must remain in the starting area.

b. After the command "Take your mark," all swimmers entering the water or otherwise leaving their marks, before the starting sound or before being released from the starting position, shall be charged with a false start. All other swimmers must be released immediately from the starting position by the starter.

c. Swimmers entering the water or otherwise leaving their marks in reaction to the command "Stand up," subject to the discretion of the referee and/or starter, shall not be charged with a false start.

d. When the starting sound has been given and an unfair advantage has been obtained by one or more swimmers, all swimmers shall be recalled at once with a pistol shot and/or electronic-sound device by the starter, recall starter or referee. The starter, recall starter and/or referee then shall indicate the swimmer(s), if any, to be charged with a false start.

Swimmers not obtaining an unfair advantage, even though they have entered the water, shall not be charged with a false start.

e. A swimmer who unnecessarily delays in assuming and holding a motionless starting position after the command "Take your mark" shall be charged with a false start.

f. Any swimmer responsible for an unnecessary delay after the referee’s preliminary command or signal shall be charged with a false start.

g. In non-NCAA championships and NCAA championships meets, dual confirmation is required to confirm a false start. A swimmer may be charged with a false start only if the violation is observed and confirmed by at least two of the following officials: starter, recall starter, referee. Dual confirmation of false starts is recommended for non-championships meets whenever there is an adequate number of officials.

h. In non-NCAA championships and NCAA championships meets, a swimmer may withdraw from a preliminary heat or swim-off by electing to take a declared false start. A swimmer who elects to take a declared false start shall have his or her coach notify the referee before the heat or swim-off in question is announced, shall not report to the assigned lane when the heat or swim-off is announced and shall not physically perform a false start, but shall suffer the consequences of a false start under the circumstances prevailing. A declared false start in a given event shall count as participation in that event.

In non-NCAA championships and NCAA championships meets, a declared false start in an event for which the swimmer has achieved the time standard may satisfy the requirement that a swimmer who participates in one or more events on an optional-entry basis must compete in at least one individual event for which he or she has achieved the time standard.

The option of a declared false start is not available for timed-final events.

i. Any swimmer charged with one false start must be disqualified and shall not swim the race. In the case of a disqualification during a swim-off, the competitor who is disqualified shall be relegated to the lowest position being contested. (See Rule 5-3-3.) If false starts in a swim-off result in a single competitor or relay team remaining in the swim-off, that competitor or relay team shall be awarded the highest position being contested and shall not be required to complete the swim-off.

For each meet there shall be a sufficient number of officials to properly conduct the meet. More than one duty may be assigned to an individual, and two or more individuals may share a duty. Duties may include, but shall not necessarily be limited to, those of: the meet committee (championships meets), meet coordinator (championships meets), awards chair (championships meets), meet manager, referee, assistant referee, starter, recall starter, stroke judges, head stroke judge, turn judges, head turn judge, takeoff judges, head takeoff judge, finish judges, head finish judge, timers, principal lane timers, head timer, officials coordinator, assistant officials coordinator, head judge, recorders, head recorder, scorers, records keeper, officiating machine operators, computer operators, announcer, marshals, head marshal, clerks of course, meet physician and diving officials.

In neither a championships nor a non-championships meet may a swimming official be a member of the coaching staff of any of the competing institutions unless that person is approved by all of the head coaches involved in the meet. This restriction does not apply to diving officials.

A meet committee shall be designated for each championships meet. This committee shall be responsible for the conduct of the meet, shall have authority to act in any situation not specifically covered by the rules of procedure and shall have discretionary power to set aside the application of a rule when there is apparent unfairness. An appeal before, during or immediately after a race should be resolved before the next event; and the decision of the meet committee shall be final.

For a championships meet, a meet coordinator may be appointed to implement established policies related to the conduct of the meet.

For a championships meet, an awards chair may be appointed to obtain appropriate awards and to supervise the distribution of those awards.

A meet manager shall be designated for each meet. This person shall be the director of athletics of the host institution or a designee of that director of athletics. The meet manager shall be responsible for conducting the business details of the meet according to approved administrative policies and procedures, and for making all local arrangements necessary for the efficient conduct of the meet.

ARTICLE 1.

The referee shall have full jurisdiction over the meet and shall see that all rules are enforced. In other than championships meets, the referee shall decide all questions arising during the conduct of the meet, the final settlement of which is not otherwise covered by the rules and shall have discretionary power to set aside the application of a rule when there is apparent unfairness.

In all meets, judgment decisions of other officials may be reconsidered only by the referee, who shall have final authority to overrule any decision pertaining to an action that he or she personally has observed.

The referee shall:

a. See that all required equipment for the proper conduct of the meet is in place.

b. Prohibit the use of any bells, sirens, horns or other artificial noisemakers during the meet.

c. Be given a list of the officials and their assigned duties. The referee shall make sure appropriate procedures are followed to ensure that all officials understand their responsibilities as indicated by the rules. The referee shall have authority to change any assignment of duty at any time.

d. 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.

e. In the case of a rules infraction resulting in disqualification, make every reasonable effort to ensure that notification of the infraction is given to the disqualified swimmer(s) and/or to the coach of the swimmer(s) as soon as possible after the race in question. The referee shall report the disqualification and the nature of the infraction to the head judge and/or to the head recorder.

f. Have authority to allow a swimmer to repeat a race (foul occurring during a heat) or to order a race swum over (foul occurring during a final) if sufficient unfairness prevailed. (See Rule 2-5-1-a.)

g. See that the results of each event are announced as quickly as possible at the completion of the event and that the next event starts promptly thereafter. A disagreement before, during or immediately after a race shall be resolved before the next race; and in non-championships meets the decision of the referee shall be final.

h. In the case of a stalling delay, order the event to start without waiting further for any competitors who have not reported and shall impose the penalties provided for in Rule 3-1-4.

i. After the conclusion of the last event of a meet, verify the scorer’s tabulation of the results of each event and, if the tabulation is found to be correct, shall sign such tabulation thus establishing the official score. A meet score is subject to review and may be corrected by the meet committee within 30 subsequent days for championships competition or by the meet referee within seven subsequent days for other competition.

j. Make every reasonable effort to accommodate competitors with disabling conditions and to apply the recognized procedures (which can be found in the current USA Swimming Rules and Regulations book, Article 105) when such procedures are appropriate.

k. Inspect the start system installation in order to ensure that the correct circuitry is connected for the type of timing console being used at a given meet. A designee can be appointed by the referee.

ARTICLE 2.

a. Before turning control of the competitors over to the starter, the referee may give brief instructions concerning, but not limited to, the following topics:

1. Spectator control (e.g., "May we have quiet for the start, please").

This type of instruction is needed only if the background noise is such that one or more competitors may have difficulty hearing the starter’s commands.

2. Clearing of watches (e.g., "Timers, please clear your watches"). This type of instruction usually is needed only at the start of a session, after an intermission, or when the starting sound has been given and the swimmers have been recalled.

3. Lap counters (e.g., "May we please have a counter for lane one"). This type of instruction is needed only before individual freestyle races of 400 meters or 500 yards or longer when a lap counter is not present by the time the referee’s preliminary signal by whistle is given. The problem often is addressed before the referee’s preliminary signal by whistle.

4. False starts (e.g., "There are no false starts"). This type of instruction is needed only when a situation that might result in a false start has occurred, but no false start is charged.

5. Clearing the starting platforms (e.g., "Clear the starting platforms, please"). This type of instruction is needed only when swimmers have mounted the starting platforms before the starter’s command "Step up."

6. Clearing the starting area or the racing course (e.g., "Please clear the starting area"; "Please clear the pool"). This type of instruction is needed only when there is an unusual delay between races in clearing the starting area or the racing course. Such problems often are addressed before the referee’s preliminary signal by whistle.

7. Time or record attempts at initial distances (e.g., "Please be aware that the swimmer in lane one is attempting to achieve a time standard over the first 100 yards of this race"). This information usually is communicated individually to each of the other swimmers in the race before the referee’s preliminary signal by whistle.

8. Turning control of the competitors over to the starter (e.g., "Mr. starter"; "Madam starter"; "All ready for the start"). A hand signal or a signal by whistle may be used in place of a verbal signal. In some dual meets one person may serve as both the referee and starter. In such cases, no signal is needed; the official simply assumes the roles of the referee and starter in succession.

b. Before the command "Take your mark," the starter may give brief instructions concerning, but not limited to, the following topics. Within any given meet, the wording of optional instructions given by the starter(s) should remain consistent in all similar situations.

1. Event (e.g., "200-yard individual medley"). This type of instruction sometimes is used to help establish and maintain a starting rhythm and to alert the swimmers to the sound of the starter’s voice.

2. Gun lap (e.g., "A gun, bell or air horn will be sounded when the leading competitor has two lengths plus five yards to swim"; "This is a gun-lap event").

3. Failure of the swimmers to rapidly assume a motionless starting position after the command "Take your mark" (e.g., "All swimmers must hold a steady position promptly on command"). This type of instruction is needed only if the swimmers have been released from the starting position because of a delayed response on the part of one or more swimmers and/or because of general movement along the starting line.

4. Excessive noise or movement by one or more swimmers after the starter takes control (e.g., "There can be no unnecessary noise or movement while on the starting blocks"). This type of instruction is needed only if, at any time after the command "Step up" (or "Place your feet") and before the starting sound has been given, there is behavior (noise or movement) which is designed or likely to startle, intimidate, disturb or cause concern to other competitors and thus which may tend to hinder the achievement of a fair start. The phrase "excessive noise or movement" usually is interpreted to include actions such as hand claps, yells, taunts between competitors, major body movements and deliberate feints toward the water. It should not be interpreted to include actions such as deep breathing, positioning goggles, adjusting caps or suits, or mild shaking of the head, arms or legs.

An assistant referee may be appointed to assist the referee in all duties designated by the referee.

The starter shall have control over the competitors after they have been assigned to the starter by the referee and until a fair start has been achieved.

The starter shall:

a. Be responsible for carrying out the provisions of Rule 2-1.

b. Discharge a sound device such as a gun, bell or air horn when the leading swimmer has two lengths plus five yards or meters to swim in freestyle events of 400 meters or 500 yards or longer.

c. When using automatic judging and timing equipment, immediately discharge a pistol and/or activate a sound device if the automatic equipment does not function properly at the start of a race.

A recall starter may be appointed to assist the starter in all duties designated by the starter.

Within the limits of the responsibilities assigned to the stroke judges by the referee, each stroke judge shall report to the head stroke judge, or directly to the referee or assistant referee, any violation of Rule 2. To indicate a rules infraction, a stroke judge must raise a hand overhead with open palm immediately after the infraction.

A head stroke judge may be appointed to instruct and supervise the stroke judges. Rules infractions reported by the stroke judges to the head stroke judge shall, in turn, be reported immediately by the head stroke judge to the referee or assistant referee.

Within the limits of the responsibilities assigned to the turn judges by the referee, each turn judge shall report to the head turn judge, or directly to the referee or assistant referee, any violation of Rule 2. To indicate a rules infraction, a turn judge must raise a hand overhead with open palm immediately after the infraction.

A head turn judge may be appointed to instruct and supervise the turn judges. Rules infractions reported by the turn judges to the head turn judge shall, in turn, be reported immediately by the head turn judge to the referee or assistant referee.

ARTICLE 1.

Within the limits of the responsibilities assigned to the takeoff judges by the referee, each takeoff judge shall report to the head takeoff judge, or directly to the referee or assistant referee, any violation of the takeoff rule.

For all relay events there should be at least one judge assigned to observe the relay takeoffs in each lane. The takeoff judge’s attention should be focused on the front edge of the starting platform, not on the swimmer in the water. When the second, third or fourth swimmer leaves the starting platform, the takeoff judge should determine whether or not the previous swimmer has completed his or her leg of the race.

ARTICLE 2.

Each lane takeoff judge shall assume a position, adjacent to the starting platform in the lane to which he or she has been assigned, that will afford a simultaneous view of the front edge of the starting platform and the end of the racing course below.

ARTICLE 3.

Each side takeoff judge shall assume a position, on the side of the racing course, that will afford a clear view of the relay exchanges in the lane(s) to which he or she has been assigned.

When side takeoff judges are used in non-NCAA and NCAA championships meets, there shall be a sufficient number of such judges so that no side takeoff judge shall be assigned to observe relay exchanges in more than three lanes. For example, if four side takeoff judges are used with eight lanes, the side takeoff judges shall be stationed and assigned lanes as follows: Judge A on lane one side of the pool shall observe lanes one and two; Judge B on lane one side of the pool shall observe lanes three and four; Judge C on lane eight side of the pool shall observe lanes five and six, and Judge D on lane eight side of the pool shall observe lanes seven and eight.

ARTICLE 4.

To indicate an infraction of the takeoff rule when only one takeoff judge is used for each lane, a takeoff judge must raise a hand overhead with open palm immediately after the infraction.

ARTICLE 5.

In a non-NCAA championships meet, when dual human confirmation is required for a relay takeoff disqualification, an infraction of the takeoff rule that is observed by a lane takeoff judge shall be recorded immediately in writing, but no indication by hand shall be given. An infraction that is observed by a side takeoff judge also shall be recorded immediately in writing; however, the side takeoff judge shall wait until the last competitor is on the last length of the race and then shall raise a hand overhead with open palm. In an NCAA championships meet, each human judge who observes an alleged rules violation shall record it immediately but shall wait until the last competitor is on the last length of the race and then shall raise a hand overhead with open palm.

When both lane and side takeoff judges are used, a disqualification will result only if there is dual confirmation of an infraction of the takeoff rule by both a lane takeoff judge and a side takeoff judge.

When only side takeoff judges are used, a disqualification will result only if there is a dual confirmation of an infraction of the takeoff rule by two side takeoff judges.

ARTICLE 6.

When electronic relay judging equipment is used:

a. In non-championships meets, at least one human takeoff judge must be assigned to observe the relay exchange in each lane. In championships meets, two human takeoff judges must be assigned this responsibility.

b. A person who is positioned as a lane takeoff judge may be assigned to observe relay exchanges in no more than one lane. A side judge may be assigned to observe relay exchanges in no more than three lanes.

c. If the electronic relay takeoff equipment detects an exchange differential (takeoff pad time minus finish pad time) of –0.09 through +0.09 second inclusive, the decision(s) of the human judge(s) shall not be considered. The determination of the electronic relay takeoff equipment shall be official, with values of –0.09 through –0.01 seconds indicating a rules violation and values of 0.00 through +0.09 seconds indicating a legitimate relay exchange.

d. If the electronic relay takeoff equipment records an exchange differential outside of the range –0.09 through +0.09 seconds, a disqualification shall occur if there is dual confirmation of a rules violation: by the electronic relay takeoff equipment and either a lane takeoff judge or a side takeoff judge; by a lane takeoff judge and a side takeoff judge; or by two side takeoff judges.

e. An alleged rules infraction that is observed by either a lane takeoff judge or a side takeoff judge shall be recorded immediately in writing.

Each human takeoff judge who observes an alleged rules violation shall wait until the last competitor is on the last length of the race and then shall raise a hand overhead with open palm.

f. An alleged rules infraction that is recorded by the electronic relay takeoff equipment shall be made public only after the race is completed and then only if there is a resulting disqualification. A coach may have access to all electronic relay takeoff equipment records that have been generated by his or her team.

A head takeoff judge may be appointed to instruct and supervise the takeoff judges. Rules infractions reported by the takeoff judges to the head takeoff judge shall, in turn, be reported immediately by the head takeoff judge to the referee or assistant referee.

ARTICLE 1.

When semiautomatic judging and timing equipment is used, one to three finish judges shall be assigned to each lane. Each judge who is assigned to a given lane shall be stationed at the finish end of that lane and shall be instructed to press his or her finish button simultaneously with the finish of the swimmer in the lane at the end of each race.

ARTICLE 2.

The ballot system may be used as a backup system for automatic or semiautomatic judging and timing equipment or as a primary system whenever automatic or semiautomatic judging and timing equipment is not available. If the ballot system is used, two finish judges shall be assigned to each lane. The judges for each lane shall be stationed on opposite sides of the pool at the finish line.

Judges’ cards shall be provided for each lane as follows: lane one, blue; lane two, red; lane three, white; lane four, orange; lane five, green; lane six, yellow; lane seven, brown; and lane eight, gray.

At the conclusion of each race, each judge shall determine independently the finish place of the contestant in his or her lane and shall record that place on the card. Judges must not record ties. Each judge shall record the highest place the contestant in his or her lane actually may have attained.

For example, if a judge determines that the contestant in his or her lane has finished in a tie with another contestant for first place, the judge shall record a first place (1) for his or her lane. The same procedure applies to similar situations involving other place positions. All judges’ cards pertaining to a given race shall be delivered to the head finish judge or designee immediately after the race.

ARTICLE 3.

A modified ballot system may be used in dual meets as a backup system for automatic or semiautomatic judging and timing equipment or as a primary system when automatic or semiautomatic judging and timing equipment is not available, and when a full complement of finish judges cannot be obtained for the ballot system.

If a modified ballot system is used, two finish judges, one on either side of the finish line, shall each record the complete order of finish of each race by lane numbers. Judges’ cards shall be provided for this purpose. The two judges’ cards pertaining to a given race shall be delivered to the head finish judge or designee immediately after the race.

A head finish judge may be appointed to instruct and supervise the finish judges.

ARTICLE 1.

One to three designated timers shall be assigned to each lane for non-championships and non-NCAA championships meets. At NCAA championships meets, three timers shall be assigned to each lane. If a full complement of three timers per lane cannot be obtained, first-place timers may be designated to time the winner of each race. Alternate timers also may be named. Alternate timers shall be called upon to replace designated timers whenever circumstances require. In such cases, alternate timers become designated timers.

When semiautomatic judging and timing equipment is used, an official may serve both as a finish judge and as a timer on a given lane. However, such simultaneous dual assignments should be avoided and are acceptable only when a full complement of officials cannot be obtained.

At the beginning of each race, all timers shall start their watches instantly at the flash of the starter’s gun or at the flash and/or sound of the electronic starting device. At the conclusion of each race, the timers shall individually stop their watches simultaneously with the finishes of the swimmers they are timing.

ARTICLE 2.

Regardless of the availability of automatic and/or semiautomatic timing equipment, a minimum of one human timer per lane and one manual watch per lane is required for all non-NCAA championships meets and is recommended for all non-championships meets. In addition, for an NCAA championship qualification standard, three human timers, each with a manual watch, are required if there is a malfunction with priority level one or two equipment (4-23-2-a, b, c and d).

ARTICLE 3.

When reading a dial watch, it is to be held so that the hand of the watch is in the position of 12 o’clock. If the hand is exactly centered on a mark, the reading shall be that of the mark it is touching. If the hand is not exactly centered on a mark, it shall be considered to be in the space between two marks and the reading shall be that of the slower of those two marks.

ARTICLE 4.

All watch times shall be recorded to a hundredth of a second as follows:

a. If only dial watches are used across all lanes, a zero shall be added after the tenths (e.g., 21.1 becomes 21.10).

b. If a mixture of dial watches and digital watches are used across the lanes, the dial watch time shall be recorded as previously described.

The times on the digital watches shall be rounded up to the next full tenth of a second (e.g., 21.11 becomes 21.20).

c. If only digital watches are used across all lanes, the times shall be recorded to a hundredth of a second. Units smaller than a hundredth of a second are to be disregarded without rounding (e.g., 58.151 and 58.159 both become 58.15).

ARTICLE 5.

If the times of two or more designated timers agree for a given lane or place, their time shall be the composite time for that lane or place.

If three times disagree, the intermediate time shall be the composite time.

If two times are available for a given lane or place, the composite time for that lane or place shall be the average of the two times to a hundredth of a second. When this calculation results in a value that is expressed in thousandths of a second, the final digit will be dropped without rounding (e.g., 53.175 becomes 53.17).

If only one time is available for a given lane or place, that time shall be the composite time for the lane or place. Secondary and tertiary times must not be mixed.

A principal timer shall be designated for each lane. In conjunction with each race, the principal timer shall:

a. Ascertain that the proper contestant is in the lane.

b. Ensure that appropriate split times are taken and recorded.

c. Report if the swimmer delayed touching the finish pad at the end of the race (when automatic judging and timing equipment is used).

d. Verify and record the final times of all watches assigned to the lane. (See Rules 4-18-2 and 3.)

e. Determine and record the swimmer’s composite watch time. (See Rules 4-18-4 and 5.)

A head timer may be appointed to instruct and supervise the timers and the principal lane timers.

An officials coordinator may be appointed to assume the combined duties of the head takeoff judge, the head finish judge and the head timer. The appointment of an officials coordinator is recommended especially for championships meets in which secondary information is provided by semiautomatic judging and timing equipment, and tertiary information is provided by watches.

An assistant officials coordinator may be appointed to assist the officials coordinator in all duties designated by the officials coordinator.

ARTICLE 1.

The head judge shall coordinate all timing and judging systems, and ultimately shall be responsible for ensuring that each swimming event is timed and judged in as honest and unbiased a manner as possible.

The following principles and procedures shall apply to the duties of the head judge.

ARTICLE 2.

a. Three levels of judging and timing equipment (primary, secondary and tertiary) are required for all championships meets. A minimum of two levels of judging and timing equipment should be used for all non-championships meets.

b. For clarification: primary = automatic equipment; secondary = semiautomatic equipment; tertiary = manual watch.

c. The following priority list shall be used to designate levels of judging and timing equipment:

1. Automatic equipment.

2. Three-button semiautomatic equipment.

3. Three manual watches per lane.

4. Two-button semiautomatic equipment.

5. Two manual watches per lane.

6. One-button semiautomatic equipment.

7. One manual watch per lane.

8. One or more alternate watches for the field, except in championships meets where at least one watch per lane is required.

d. For a time to be considered for entry into an NCAA championship it must have been achieved using priority level one equipment (automatic equipment).

If a malfunction is confirmed by the head judge with priority level one equipment, then priority level two equipment (three-button semiautomatic equipment) is acceptable.

If a malfunction is confirmed by the head judge with priority level two equipment, then priority level three equipment (three manual watches per lane) is acceptable.

No other priority level is acceptable for NCAA championships time qualification.

For a time to be considered for entry into a non-NCAA championships or non-championships meet, any priority level equipment is acceptable provided the conference rules accept all levels of equipment.

ARTICLE 3.

The head judge is responsible for confirming a malfunction at any priority level of judging and timing equipment. Any discrepancy of 0.3 seconds or more between or within primary, secondary and/or tertiary information warrants investigation by the head judge to attempt to determine the cause of the discrepancy. If the problem is found to be the result of equipment failure or officials’ error, any affected information must be declared invalid. Immediate action then must be taken to avoid the problem in subsequent races. Non-affected information must be certified as valid and must be retained. All invalid information as a result of a timing malfunction in any priority level must be retained for one academic year by the institution hosting the meet.

ARTICLE 4.

When the referee confirms that there is a malfunction of the primary (automatic) timing system, the backup time(s) shall be adjusted for the timing system difference before integrating them with the accurate primary times in establishing the integrated official times and determining the order of finish. The adjustment shall be determined by calculating the consistent average difference between the primary system and the backup system used in that heat.

a. Malfunction on a Lane. When a malfunction is confirmed on a lane, the backup times for that lane shall be adjusted by calculating the average difference between valid primary and valid backup times of the other lanes in that heat. This shall be done by adding, or subtracting when appropriate, that average difference to the valid backup time of the lane where the malfunction occurred. (See table on next page.) In doing the calculations, any backup time with a discrepancy of greater than 0.3 shall be dropped.

Calculations: (1) Add the differences between the pad and backup times (total equals .81); (2) Divide .81 by the number of valid lanes to determine the average (.81 divided by 7 equals .11571); (3) Drop the digits after hundredths, leaving a timing difference of .11; (4) Add the difference to the valid backup times for lanes (51.35 plus .11 equals 51.46).

b. Malfunction for a Heat. When, because of an early or late start or other equipment or operator malfunction, the time of the automatic or semiautomatic system is equally incorrect for all lanes in a heat, but the order of finish and thus the absolute difference of time between the swimmers is accurate, the times of the primary system shall be adjusted by calculating the average difference between the primary times and the valid backup times and adding, or subtracting when appropriate, that difference to the primary times of every lane in that heat. (See table below.)

Calculations: (1) Add the differences between the pad and backup times (total equals 24.50); (2) Divide 24.50 by the number of lanes to determine the average (24.50 divided by 8 equals 3.0625); (3) Drop the digits after hundredths, leaving a heat adjustment of 3.06; (4) Add the adjustment of 3.06 to the primary pad time to obtain an integrated official time.

One or more scorers shall be appointed to keep an accurate record of the cumulative point score of the meet.

A records keeper may be appointed to register all records and to process all record applications.

When automatic or semiautomatic judging and timing equipment is used and/or automatic relay takeoff judging equipment is used, one or more officiating machine operators shall be appointed to maintain and operate the equipment in conformity with all pertinent rules.

One or more computer operators may be appointed to help conduct the meet in conformity with all pertinent rules. A well-designed computer program may be of value in performing various tasks related to entries, scratches, seeding, heat sheets, preliminary results, qualifiers, final programs, final results, meet summaries and records. To be of value, a computer program must be flexible enough to accommodate disqualifications and judges’ decisions.

The announcer shall keep the audience and the participants appropriately informed about the conduct and the progress of the meet. In conjunction with the referee, the announcer shall control the overall pace of the meet.

Marshals may be appointed to maintain order and to control all deck traffic.

ARTICLE 1.

A head marshal may be appointed to instruct and supervise the marshals.

One or more clerks of course may be appointed to ensure that the contestants report to their assigned lanes when their events are announced.

A meet physician or designated health official must be in attendance at all sessions of championships meets. It shall be the duty of this person to determine the fitness for competition of competitors in case of illness or injury and to provide emergency medical care as needed during the meet.

ARTICLE 1.

Use of six lanes or more, the scoring of place values in dual meets shall be: Relays, 11-4-2-0, with only the best two relays from each team scoring; individual events, 9-4-3-2-1-0, with only the best three contestants from each team scoring.

ARTICLE 2.

Use of five lanes or fewer, the scoring of place values in dual meets shall be: Relays, 7-0; individual events, 5-3-1-0, with only the best two contestants from each team scoring.

ARTICLE 3.

The numerical score to be recorded for a dual meet that is forfeited is 11-0.

ARTICLE 1.

Use of nine lanes or more, the scoring of place values in double-dual meets shall be: relays, 11-4-2-0, with only the best two relays from each team scoring; individual events, 9-4-3-2-1-0, with only the best three contestants from each team scoring.

ARTICLE 2.

Use of eight lanes or fewer, the scoring of place values in double-dual meets shall be: relays, 7-0; individual events, 5-3-1-0, with only the best two contestants from each team scoring.

The scoring of place values in triangular meets shall be: relays, 11-4-0, with only the best relay from each team scoring; individual events, 9-4-3-2-1-0, with only the best two contestants from each team scoring.

The scoring of place values in quadrangular meets shall be: relays, 11-4-2-0, with only the best relay from each team scoring; individual events, 9-4-3-2-1-0, with only the best two contestants from each team scoring.

The scoring of place values in relay meets shall be 14-10-8-6-4-2 for all events.

The scoring of place values in invitational meets shall be established and published in advance by the host institution.

When a concurrent men’s and women’s non-championships or relay meet is conducted, separate team scores shall be maintained for the men’s and women’s events.

ARTICLE 1.

When six competitors qualify for the finals of a championships meet, the scoring of place values shall be: relays, 14-10-8-6-4-2; individual events, 7-5-4-3-2-1.

ARTICLE 2.

When eight competitors qualify for the finals of a championships meet, the scoring of place values shall be: relays, 18-14-12-10-8-6-4-2; individual events, 9-7-6-5-4-3-2-1.

ARTICLE 3.

When 12 competitors qualify for the finals of a championships meet, the scoring of place values shall be: relays, 32-26-24-22-20-18-14-10-8-6-4-2; individual events, 16-13-12-11-10-9-7-5-4-3-2-1. Except in time final events (see Rule 5-2-4-a), points for first through sixth place shall be awarded solely on the basis of a championships final.

Points for seventh through 12th place shall be awarded solely on the basis of a consolation final.

ARTICLE 4.

When 16 competitors qualify for the finals of a championships meet, the scoring of place values shall be: relays, 40-34-32-30-28-26-24-22-18-14-12-10-8-6-4-2; individual events, 20-17-16-15-14-13-12-11-9-7-6-5-4-3-2-1.

Except in time final events (see Rule 5-2-4-a), points for first through eighth place shall be awarded solely on the basis of a championships final.

Points for ninth through 16th place shall be awarded solely on the basis of a consolation final.

ARTICLE 5.

When 18 competitors qualify for the finals of a championships meet, the scoring of place values shall be: relays, 52-44-42-40-38-36-32-26-24-22-20-18-14-10-8-6-4-2; individual events, 26-22-21-20-19-18-16-13-12-11-10-9-7-5-4-3-2-1.

ARTICLE 6.

When 24 competitors qualify for the finals of a championships meet, the scoring of place values shall be: relays, 64-56-54-52-50-48-46-44-40-34-32-30-28-26-24-22-18-14-12-10-8-6-4-2; individual events, 32-28-27-26-25-24-23-22-20-17-16-15-14-13-12-11-9-7-6-5-4-3-2-1.

ARTICLE 7.

If more than 24 competitors qualify for the finals of a championships meet, the scoring of place values shall model the pattern reflected in Rules 7-8-3, 7-8-4, 7-8-5 and 7-8-6.

ARTICLE 8.

A competitor in a consolation final cannot advance, either by time or by disqualification in the championships final, to any place higher than the highest place being contested in the consolation final.

ARTICLE 9.

When a four-day-format, common-site championships meet is conducted, separate team scores shall be maintained for the men’s and women’s events.

ARTICLE 1.

If one or more disqualifications occur during an event in a non-championships meet, the disqualified competitor(s) shall not score in that event.

All other competitors may advance in position and shall score according to the places they achieve with the disqualified competitor(s) removed from consideration.

Any remaining places and points shall be lost from the meet.

ARTICLE 2.

If one or more disqualifications occur during either the consolation or the championships final of an event in a championships meet, the disqualified competitor(s) shall not score in that event. All other competitors may advance in position (but no higher than the highest place being contested in that final) and shall score according to the places they achieve with the disqualified competitor(s) removed from consideration.

The remaining places and points shall be lost from the meet.

In the case of ties within an event, the points involved shall be equally divided among the tied competitors.

If a team’s individual or relay entries are unopposed, they still must complete the event, except when false starts in a swim-off result in a single swimmer or relay team remaining in the swim-off. (See Rule 5-3-3.)

No competitor may score points in an event in which the competitor does not compete or in which he or she is disqualified, except as in Rules 5-3-3 and 6-2-4.

ARTICLE 1.

Exhibition swims shall not be scored in any event. All competitors who are not designated by their coaches to be exhibition swimmers shall score according to the places they achieve with the exhibition swimmers removed from consideration.

ARTICLE 2.

Time-standard trials shall not be scored in any meet.

The team accumulating the greatest number of points shall be declared the winner of the swimming meet. If the final total number of points for each team is the same, the meet is declared a tie.

A meet score is subject to review and may be corrected by the meet committee within 30 subsequent days for championships meets or by that meet’s referee within seven days for other competition.

ARTICLE 1.

Men’s and/or women’s dual, double-dual, triangular and quadrangular meets may be conducted in racing courses measured in either yards or meters. There are six established programs.