2. Agenda Welcome - Introductions TISDO Swimming Board and Mission Your Representatives TISDO Web site: Information / Registration / Testing Process Basics - Attire & Equipment Working Meets What’s in it for you? Review of 2016-2017 Rules Book Stroke videos via YouTube – note HS change on backstroke Interpretations / Situations from State Interpreter

3. TISDO Swimming & Diving Board Mission The purpose of the Texas Interscholastic Swimming and Diving Officials (TISDO) is to: Aid in the education and development of officials through local chapters Identify problem areas and offer positive solutions Enhance the communications among the officials, UIL, and member schools

4. TISDO Swimming & Diving 2016 - 2017 Board Representatives’ AreasCurrent Rep CentralGloria Schuldt – Current Chair South PlainsChris Lysinger – Current Vice-Chair San AntonioRog Graham - Webmaster Houston NorthBrian Walls – Current treasurer Houston /Gulf SouthJanet Cranmer - Current Secretary ValleyBill Green Dallas/Ft. WorthBob Lang El PasoOpen DivingOpen Swimming Rules Interpreter/State Swimming Meet Referee Jim Holcomb – appointed position Diving Rules Interpreter / State Diving Meet RefereeOpen – appointed position

5. TISDO Website Use the website www.tisdo.org to: Find Contact Information for Board Representatives Read Announcements and Board Minutes Check for Clinics and Up-dates Get Forms Registration and Testing is still located on Arbiter so link on www.tisdo.org will take you there. Registration and testing began Sept. 1 – ends Nov. 1 at 11:59PM.

6. Using the TISDO Website Registration and Testing Administered by Arbiter part of our $50 fee  Go to www.tisdo.orgwww.tisdo.org  This will go to Arbiter to register by electronic check or credit card $50 this year  Go to www.tisdo.org and click link to go to testing on Arbiter. Pass Technical Rules Test by Nov 1 closing date 11:59PM – Open Book/Noteswww.tisdo.org  SWIM & DIVE Information now on www.tisdo.orgwww.tisdo.org  Information and announcements  All info can be found on TISDO rather than going through UIL site. Locate minutes, clinics, announcements, forms, interpretations, application to officiate the State Meet, etc. Contact Board Representatives FIRST – not the UIL Office

9. The Basics Attire Prelims and one-day meets -> white polo shirt, khaki pants/shorts or skirts Finals and some Invitational Meets -> navy polo shirt, khaki pants/skirts Be prepared – take both Always check with the meet referee if in doubt Mostly white tennis shoes/non-slip Equipment Whistle – you could be the deck ref Bell if you have one (check school supply stores) – check with the pool Forms – Deck Assignments, DQ, Relay Take Off Ballots, 500 Free - all on TISDO Website Clip Board – do not carry on deck Measuring tape / Electrical tape – mark 15 meter mark when necessary

10. Working Meets –How to Get Your Name Out There Contact coach(es) - provide your contact information Contact TISDO Rep in your area to volunteer to work meets Contact Team Coach or Meet Referee if you desire to work a specific meet/school. Most coaches have a main referee for their team, but almost always need help On occasion, TISDO Reps are asked to find officials for meets. If so, we will send a BLAST email. If it does not pertain to you, just delete. It is your choice to contact the COACH or attend a meet. Learn on the job from more experienced officials Experienced officials –> mentor those with less experience What if you are the only official who shows up??? Do the best you can – Stay calm, blow whistles, announce, start, view from center of pool at start end.

11. What’s In It For You Where does your registration money go? Membership to National Federation Insurance Rules Book Arbiter Testing, Registration, and Communication Website TISDO Yearly Name Tag TISDO Board Administration Fees to Represent You Provides: Clinics, Consistency of Rules / Communication, Pay Scale UIL Passed a required pay schedule for TISDO Registered Officials working meets with 4 teams or more. The Pay schedule can be found on the TISDO website.

12. 2016 -2017 Rules Book The current Rules Book is free with the payment of your registration fee and can be obtained at a clinic or you can contact the Board Member closest to you. Use it –> highlight, make notes, bend pages, but don’t read on-deck during meets if possible. Rule changes are always in the front and highlighted in gray in the book: The Rules Test is Open Book. Use it to answer test questions.

13. NFHS and TISDO Provides the Yearly Rule Changes and Interpretations for Texas

14. 2016 – 2017 Swimming Rule Changes found in beginning of Rules Book 1-5-2 (Definitions) Deck changes are defined as changing into or out of a swimsuit when wearing just one suit in an area other than a permanent or temporary locker room, bathroom, changing room or other space designated for changing purposes. 3-6-1d (Conduct) Deck changes are prohibited, and will be penalized as unsporting conduct. 6-4-1b (Timing and Judging) The protocol for determining an official time when a touch pad malfunctions on a lane was changed. Backup buttons and/or watch times, as outlined in the protocol, will now determine the official time. New subsections (1,2,3,4) have been added. 8-2-4c (Form of Events) The final leg of the individual medley and the medley relay requires the swimmer to be at or past vertical toward the breast before any stroke, kick or propulsive motion. 2016-17 Swimming and Diving Points of Emphasis Pg. 90 1. Backstroke ledge - The backstroke ledge is currently prohibited in high school competition. 2. Swim suit fastening systems - Swim suits that use a “fastening system” for closure, such as the tie back suit, are not permitted during competition (may be worn in warm ups). 3. Designated areas for photographers – Guidelines for photographer access should be clearly defined prior to the swimming and diving event by the Meet Referee and Meet Director.

15. THINGS TO THINK ABOUT Things to remember: According to the UIL, a meet is when there are 4 or more teams. All meets (whether dual, tri, or invitationals) follow the same rules. All meets (regardless of the number of teams) are really for training purposes and practice. In many places, coaches have to be the officials because we do not have officials to work their meets. DISTRICT, REGIONALS, and STATE are the meets these coaches and athletes work towards all year! Use COMMON SENSE -> we are not looking reasons to DQ swimmers. Be sure of what you see / be sure you see what you call. If in doubt, there is no call! The benefit of the doubt goes to the swimmer!

16. DEFINITIONS Meet - Teams may swim an unlimited number of dual and tri-meets per season (provided there is no loss of school time), but only 7 invitational meets (meets with 4 or more teams participating per UIL Definition). These are the paid meets for officials in most cases. Session - Any portion of a meet distinctly separated from other portions by locale, time or type of competition, i.e., preliminaries and finals; morning and evening. A lane is a designated course of water which is perpendicular to starting and finish ends. A heat is one of a series of races within an event. Race officially begins when swimmers are called to step on starting platform by the referee’s long whistle. Race officially ends when the last swimmer finishes the race. A scratch is the withdrawal of a competitor from the remainder of his/her events in the meet. Coaches often misuse this to mean DFS or take a swimmer out of one event. A declared false start (DFS) is the withdrawal of a competitor from a specific event and counts as one of the 2 events for the swimmer.

17. Before the Meet Begins The Referee Warm Up Procedures – Gray page Meet Referee should arrive early (30 minutes before meet starts) to check on the following: Water condition and starting platforms must meet rule specifications pg. 12 Back stroke flags – must have 3 pennants over each lane or the home team is disqualified from the backstroke events, no backstroke events are swum (back and IM and Medley Relay) and the visiting team receives all the points. pg. 13 Check 15 meter markings – can be tape on deck, cone on deck, or on the lane line. If staggered and not straight across the pool, use the float farthest out (advantage to the swimmer). Lap counting cards for 500 – Must have enough working cards for visiting team or the event is swum but only the visitors score points. pg. 13 - 14 Officials ‘ Meeting – review jurisdiction, procedures and rules for new officials pg 35 - 42 Coaches’ Meeting – (Invitationals / Championships) Introduce yourself, ask if there are any special situations you need to be aware of (handicapped swimmers), ask for tape/suit letters, review meet format (determine number of breaks and their duration) and inform coaches of relay take off procedures being used (one official, dual confirmation or take-off pads). For invitational or championship meets, review scratch/DFS procedures and deadlines for submitting relay entry cards. Ask if there are any questions.

18. Rule 3 - Team Personnel Entries pgs. 15-23 Each competitor is permitted 4 entries, with no more than 2 individual events Prelims and finals are same meet – can’t exceed entries due to relay changes Penalty for swimming too many events is disqualification from both that event and further competition except swimmer (In Championship finals – swimmer is not disqualified for any finals event they have already qualified for in prelims.) No Show at Non-Championship Meets – DQ in that event No Show at Championship Meet – Swimmer DQ in that event and out of the rest of the meet (if swimmer is in the block area but at wrong block or does not step up – swimmer may be DQ’d for delay of meet in that event and not be out of the meet.) In a championship meet, once entered in an event, a competitor may not scratch an individual event to swim a relay -> Invitationals, District, Region, State

19. Swim Suits / CAPS See pages 23 – 29 No zippers, ties, or fasteners on competition suits. 1 suit includes no drag suits, t-shirts, sports bras, etc.. Special circumstances require letter of approval from UIL (ie. religious reasons). CAPS may have athlete’s name and/or number, school name or mascot and one manufacturer’s logo (not State Qualifier, SWAG, National Team, Summer League or USA Team, etc.) See 3.3.2 Situation H pg. 26. Wearing more than one cap is legal. If the top cap comes off, however, the cap on must be legal. For 2 suits or illegal attire observed while swimmer is on the block or in the water: DQ swimmer after the race. The official must see it to call it. Pg. 26 Sit A Try to watch for these violations early to advise swimmers to make it legal BEFORE the swimmer gets to the block.

20. BLOOD OR CONCUSSION 3.2 ART.6 & ART 7 pg 18 If it is detected that a swimmer is bleeding, has an open wound, has blood on their suit or has blood on their person, the swimmer must leave the competition until the bleeding has stopped, the wound is covered, the suit is changed or the suit and/or body is cleaned. If blood is discovered on a swimmer before the start of a relay, the start of the relay is delayed until swimmer receives proper treatment or is replaced by another eligible swimmer. If blood is discovered in the starting area or on a competitor after the start of a relay, the race should be stopped. After the area and/or swimmer has been properly treated, the race should be re-swum. Any competitor who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion shall be immediately removed from the meet and shall not return to the meet until cleared by an appropriate health-care professional.

21. Tape In the coaches’ meeting, ask if they have any swimmers will be wearing tape and request the letter from the athlete’s state certified physician, licensed physician’s assistant, registered advanced practice nurse, chiropractor or school trainer – NOT A PARENT. Even with letter, tape is not allowed if tape gives swimmer an advantage (such as taping all fingers together forming a paddle or is obviously excessive such as a whole leg or arm) Tape applies to any kind of tape. Tape may only be used for treatment of an injury There is no regulation requiring a dated letter.

22. Lap Counters for 500 Free Pg. 29 - 30 One person counting on turn end per lane Must count UP from 1-20 (red at 19). Turn card as swimmer turns at starting end. Rule Book says “head timer in each lane” counts number of laps – normally the starter/deck ref uses count sheet to count laps. Starter or designee rings bell when swimmer is on way back on lap 17 – ring from backstroke flags in and back out to backstroke flags. Paper Form for starter for counting laps can be found on TISDO SWIM and DIVE Page under Forms

23. Section 6 Conduct Use good judgment DQ (unacceptable conduct) vs Ejection (unsporting conduct) pg. 31 - 35 Please read all situations carefully! Do what makes sense. These kinds of calls CAN go to Meet Committees Clapping on blocks before the “Take Your Mark” command is common and allowed. Clapping on blocks after the “Take Your Mark”: warning only for first time; DQ if done a second time – see pg 33 - 3.6.1 Situation D. Showing disgust not directed at anyone is a DQ. pg 33 - 3.6.1 Situation E Showing disgust with officials’ decision is unsporting resulting in ejection. Just prior to the backstroke or medley relay, a swimmer jumps into the water without the referee’s approval. The swimmer is DQ’ed from their NEXT event. Pg. 33 – 3.6.5 Situation A

24. Other Conduct Penalties Entering the water without permission pg 32 1.Non-participating team member – person disqualified from further competition and all participants from team in that specific heat are disqualified (pg 34, 3.6.5. Situation E) 2.Entering or re-entering water before or during a race – swimmer disqualified from that specific event. (pg 33, 3.6.5 Situation D) Ex. Relay swimmer going twice. 3.After a race – Disqualified from next scheduled event (pg 34, 3.6.5. Situation C and D) No on-site shaving - Official must see swimmer shaving. Penalty – out of meet. Pushing off the bottom - Swimmer may not contact or walk on bottom of pool for purpose of gaining an advantage. Note that it is legal to push off the bottom (pg 35, 3.6.7. Situation A & B)

25. Officials and Their Duties Meet Committee pg. 35 Art 2 For Championship meets or large invitational meets the meet referee should appoint a meet committee: Select odd number of people. Generally – 1 Official (experienced), Coach (1 Boy’s team and 1 Girl’s team), and Swimmers (a Boy and a Girl) The Meet Committee makes decisions on matters not specifically covered by the rules and on the misapplication of a rule during the meet. Judgment calls are not subject to review by this committee (ex. one hand touch on breaststroke). Videos may not be used to verify or review officials’ decisions made during the meet – just do not agree to look! The decision of the Meet committee is final.

26. The Meet Referee See pgs. 35 - 40 The meet referee retains clerical authority over the contest through the completion of any reports. The meet referee is the head official and has responsibility for making decisions on matters which may or may not be specifically covered by the rules and may set aside application of a rule in the name of fairness. The meet referee has general supervision of the other officials. The meet referee’s decisions are final ( misinterpretation of rules may be appealed to meet committee) The meet referee’s authority begins once on deck (at least 30 minutes prior to meet) The meet referee should check or assign people to check water condition, blocks, flags, lane lines, 500 free counting cards and starting system. Determine DQ procedure used at pool (write on timer sheets or use DQ slips), appoint meet committee, conduct officials’ meeting, conduct coaches’ meeting, etc.. Within hour after meet, the meet referee should check scorer’s tabulations. Record time and sign score sheet. Only clerical errors may be corrected within 48 hours of meet completion time.

27. REFEREE DURING THE MEET Pages 37 - 40 Assure that competition is conducted according to the rules. Confirm that no swimmer violates the entry limitation. Verify swimmers in proper lane. Call swimmers in next heat to get ready to swim ( short whistles ). Call swimmers to step up on starting platform ( long whistle ). Signal starter that start commands may begin ( raise arm ). Assure there is a fair start and notify swimmer who is disqualified for a false start once verified with starter. Determine disqualifications and notify swimmer and/or the coach of infractions. Determine if there is a need for the use of backup times

28. STARTER Pg 40 and follow procedures in 8.1.1 and 8.1.2 pgs. 56 – 60 Use a conversational tone At start command, “Take Your Mark” For forward start verify foot/feet on front edge of platform For backstroke start verify toes not above or curled over lip of gutter. Activate the starting device when all swimmers have assumed a stationary position Use of “Stand Please” Command Foot/Feet not in proper starting position Swimmer(s) do not promptly become stationary Swimmer(s) leave stationary position before start (whether they enter the water or not) and starting device not activated Other reasons that may prevent a fair start ( excessive noise, camera flash, problems)

29. STARTER False start Swimmer leaves stationary position (initiate start) immediately before starting device is activated Starting device not activated, but swimmer leaves stationary position or never becomes stationary and enters the water. (Not a false start if swimmer enters water as reaction to stand command) Swimmer does not enter the water feet first for an in water start Starter records the false start and confirms with the deck referee. Starter records order of finish for each heat. Starter counts laps for 500 freestyle using counting sheet found on TISDO webpage Starter or designee should ring bell for the final lap of the 500 free.

30. STROKE INSPECTORS Pg. 40 Jurisdiction is end-wall-to-end-wall. Raise hand immediately when a rule violation is observed. Report violation to Referee or Chief Judge ASAP Can use wording of DQ Slip on TISDO Web Page to describe disqualification – be specific. Observe 15 meter mark for heads-up violations for all strokes except breast stroke

31. TURN / FINISH JUDGES Pg. 41 Judge position should have unobstructed view of swimmers Judge should observe last arm stroke prior to the turn/finish plus the touch/turn thru first full arm stroke after the turn Step forward as swimmers in your lanes enter your jurisdiction of the pool ; step back as swimmers in your lanes leave your jurisdiction of the pool. All freestyle events observed from the side If there are not enough officials to walk stroke, jurisdiction will be from the middle of the pool to the end wall. Raise hand immediately when rule violation observed Report violation to Referee or Chief Judge ASAP Can use wording of DQ Slip on UIL Web Page to describe disqualification – be specific

32. RELAY TAKE- OFF JUDGES Pg. 41 - 42 Use Dual Confirmation in all championship meets and in other meets when there are enough officials. When using Dual Confirmation: one judge is positioned on the outside facing the pool and one judge is positioned on the inside next to the lane facing the outside judge. If Dual Confirmation not used, one relay takeoff judge should be positioned on each side of the starting end facing the pool/swimmers. Relay Take Off Judges should first observe the feet of the departing swimmer and then the touch of the incoming swimmer. For Dual Confirmation: Use Relay Take Off Slips: X for early take off - Circle for good take off For dual confirmation, when an early take off is observed, only the outside judge raises their hand after the last swimmer in the heat enters the water. Sign/initial the take off slip and give it to chief judge/referee

33. INDIVIDUAL EVENTS – BACKSTROKE pg. 59 Must enter water feet first At start, must face starting end and both hands must be in contact with end wall or starting platform Toes may not be above or curl over the lip of the gutter Any arm stroke and any leg kick may be used as long as swimmer remains on back At start and after each turn, may be fully submerged for a distance of not more than 15 meters at which point the head must break the surface of the water Must remain on surface until turn When head at flags for turn, shoulders may rotate past vertical towards the breast Some portion of body must touch end wall May kick or glide into wall without initiating turn – high school rule! Turn may be initiated by a single arm pull or a simultaneous double arm pull Shoulders must be at or past vertical toward back when feet leave the wall If wall is missed, sculling back to the wall is permitted as long as the swimmer remains on the back Finish requires contact with finish pad and some portion of body must be at or above water surface

34. Backstroke https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hwj7zPQ4D00 COPY AND PASTE INTO BROWSER TO VIEW VIDEO – USA VIDEO SHOWS TURN DQ WHICH IS LEGAL in HS SWIMMING!

35. What is different in High School Backstroke than what is shown in this video? TURNS: No continuous turn rule in High School Swimmer may turn over, kick or glide into wall and then touch wall without doing flip turn. Swimmer may scull back to the wall if turn is missed but must remain on back.

36. INDIVIDUAL EVENTS – BREASTSTROKE pg 60 Forward start Body must remain on the breast except at the turn. Stroke cycle is one arm pull and one leg kick in that order. Arms must move simultaneously in the same horizontal plane. After the start and each turn one arm stroke permitted beyond the hipline which must be followed by one breaststroke kick. Arm stroke not permitted beyond the hipline except as stated above. Feet must be turned outward during the propulsive part of the kick. Anytime before the breaststroke kick a single butterfly kick is permitted. Head must break the surface of the water when the hands turn inward at the widest part of second arm stroke. No scissors, flutter or butterfly kick permitted except as stated above. Turn requires both hands to touch wall simultaneously not necessarily on the same plane. Shoulders must be at or past vertical towards breast when feet leave the wall. Legal body position must be regained before first arm pull. Finish requires both hands to touch finish pads simultaneously not necessarily on the same plane.

37. Breaststroke https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkbvAOwt7oM

38. INDIVIDUAL EVENTS – BUTTERFLY pg. 61 Forward start. Body must remain on breast except at turn. Swimmer may be fully submerged for a distance of not more than 15 meters at which point some portion of the head must break the surface of the water. Multiple leg kicks permitted underwater at start and turn but first arm pull must bring swimmer to surface of water. Must remain on surface except for turns and finish. Arms must be brought forward over the water and pulled back simultaneously. Legs and feet must move up and down simultaneously in the vertical plane. Scissors, breaststroke and alternating up and down movement of legs not permitted. 2015 INTERPRETATION: Ankles may cross during the kick as long as the legs are moving in the same direction. Turn requires both hands touch the wall simultaneous not necessarily on the same plane. At turn shoulders must be at or past vertical towards breast when feet leave the wall. Legal body position must be regained before first arm stroke. Finish requires simultaneous touch of finish pads with both hands not necessarily on the same plane.

39. Butterfly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYLaAq7puHU

40. INDIVIDUAL EVENTS – FREESTYLE pg. 61 Forward start. Any stroke and kick permitted. May be fully submerged at start and turn for a distance of not more than 15 meters at which point the head must break the surface of water. Must remain on surface of water except at turn and finish. Turn requires some portion of body contact the end wall. Finish requires some portion of body contact the finish pads (unless pads move out of position).

41. Freestyle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79pdZgcJWSw

42. INDIVIDUAL EVENTS – INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY Forward start Swim events in order butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and any stroke other than a legal butterfly, backstroke or breaststroke Stroke, kick, intermediate turn and finish rules for each stroke apply. The final leg of the Individual Medley and the medley relay requires the swimmer to be at or past the vertical towards the breast before any stroke, kick, or propulsive motion. (see rule changes)

43. RELAYS FREESTYLE RELAY Freestyle rules apply. Each swimmer must swim ¼ of the total distance. Swimmers feet/foot must remain in contact with starting platform until in-coming swimmer makes contact with finish pads or wall. MEDLEY RELAY Rules pertaining to each stroke apply. Each swimmer must swim ¼ of the distance as prescribed stroke in the order backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and any stroke but backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. Swimmers feet/foot must remain in contact with starting platform until incoming swimmer makes contact with finish pads or wall. See Rule Change for freestyle turn for swimmer to be at or past the vertical towards the breast before any stroke, kick, or propulsive motion on the freestyle leg turn. General Rules: 8 swimmers listed on relay entries, once the long whistle blows the lead off swimmer may not be changed, swimmers 2-4 may change order, if a relay has a swimmer go twice the relay is disqualified. It is not a re-entering the pool since that pertains to swimmers NOT participating in the event.

44. IM and Relays https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpk6YboSLsQ

45. Suggested Position on Pool Deck One Official Two Officials Three Officials Four Officials –Minimum Recommended for Invitationals Six Officials Ideal – 9 Regionals X X X X X X X X X Freestyles Move inside for other strokes XX X X X  - -  Give Up Side Stroke for Dual Confirmation for Relays X X X  wall to wall  X X X X X Dual confirmation on Relays

46. Desired Deck Positions at State Meet X X X X Turn Judges every 2 lanes X X X X Turn/Finish Judges every 2 lanes X X X X Inside Relay take off judges every 2 lanes with outside take off judges XX X end wall to end wall and 15 meter marks Deck Ref and Starter X X X end wall to end wall and 15 meter marks Off deck ref and starters serve for relay take off judges in near lanes

47. Interpretations / Situations Suits and Uniforms No longer requires the field to “step down” if a swimmer observed wearing an illegal suit. Swimmer should be disqualified at completion of the heat. NFHS does not publish a listing of approved suits. However, a suit on the FINA list is considered legal for NFHS competitions with regard to construction and design. As the FINA list is updated, those suits are also considered legal for NFHS competitions. However, the list is not all inclusive and suits not specifically listed can also be in compliance with the NFHS rules. The FINA insignia does not constitute a logo. Suits with patterns woven into the fabric are legal. A question has been raised with regard to markings on swim apparel. The specific issue is the addition of marking on swim caps identifying the athlete as a State or Championship Meet qualifier. The interpretation on Rule 3-3-2b of the National Federation Rule Book is such that markings as described above are not allowed: “Competitors shall not be permitted to compete in attire (suits and caps) which includes advertising or a name other than the name and/or number of the competitor, school or mascot.” Not “State Qualifier, State Finalist, Region Winner, etc.

48. Interpretations / Situations TAPE A determination as to whether or not a swimmer will be allowed to compete wearing tape will be made on an individual basis by the Meet Referee and should be brought to the referee’s attention prior to the start of the session. Tape ( Including kinesio tape) may be used to treat an injury if it does not provide a competitive advantage and if the referee is presented with signed documentation from an appropriate health care professional. (Per Section 1205 (a) (1) of the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules, recognized health care professionals are as follows: a physician, a physician assistant licensed by a State Board of Physician Assistant Examiners, a registered nurse recognized as an advanced practice nurse by the Board of Nurse Examiners, a doctor of chiropractic medicine or the school athletic trainer.)

49. Interpretations / Situations Relays The established UIL protocol for the use of electronic relay take off pads is the NFHS SUGGESTED PROTOCOL listed in Appendix B on page 94. An early take off registered by the electronic equipment must be confirmed by at least one take off judge. The take off is legal regardless of what the take off judges show if the electronic equipment registers the take off between 0.00 thru 0.09. If the electronic equipment registers the take off as 0.10 or above, then the relay can still be disqualified with a confirmed early take off recorded by the take off judges. In Championship meets, relay take off judges may not judge more than 4 lanes. The relay swimmers may be changed by the coach prior to the start of the heat at which time there shall be no changes. The order of the relay swimmers may be changed at any time up until the completion of the heat, except the leadoff swimmer may not be changed once the referee calls ( long whistle) the swimmers to the starting platform. In Championship meets, any relay swimmer who fails to report to the starting blocks should be disqualified from further competition. In invitational meets where A & B relays are allowed per team, swimmers may not change relays between prelims and finals. If a swimmer swims the B relay in prelims, the swimmer can only swim the B relay in finals. A substitute who did not swim may be placed on the relay as long as it does not cause the swimmer to exceed the maximum number of event rule.

50. Interpretations / Situations The pad time is the official time UNLESS a malfunction is determined by the meet referee. The touch pads are to be centered in the lane and it is recommended that they cover the entire width of the lane (8.1.7 Situation B). If the touch pads are not centered or do not cover the width of the lane and the swimmer contacts the end wall outside the width of the touch pads, the meet referee has the discretion to integrate the backup times into the results.

51. Changes to Qualifying for the Texas State Meet The first and second place swimmers in each Region Championship are automatic qualifiers. The next 8 fastest times in the State round out the qualifiers at 24 total Alternates for State Meet are limited: For one relay entered – may take 2 alternates For two relays entered – may take total of 3 alternates For maximum of 3 relays entered – may take a total of 4 alternates At all other meets, the Meet Director determines the number of alternates allowed but they must be on the team roster.

52. TESTING Testing closes at 11:59PM on Nov. 1, 2016. No exceptions! Passing = 80% You may take the test 5 times. Use your Rules Book. Questions pertain to the interpretation of the 2016-2017 NFHS Rules. 50 Random Swimming Questions – Diving questions should be eliminated.

53. NFHS Officals’ Code of Ethics As an official at an Interscholastic Athletic Event, you are a participant in the development of our high school student athletes. The purpose f this Code is to establish guidelines for ethical standards of conduct for all Interscholastic Officials: Master the Rules and exercise authority in an impartial, firm, and controlled manner. Work with each other and the State Association in a constructive and cooperative manner. Uphold honor and dignity in all interactions Be prepared mentally and physically, dress neatly and professionally. Be punctual and professional. Be aware of the risk of injury and report hazardous situations. Educate yourself in the recognition of emergency conditions that may arise. Maintain and ethical approach while participating in all aspects of officiating. See page 105 of the Rules Book for a complete printing of the Code of Conduct.

54. WELCOME TO TISDO! Thank you for joining us! Perception is everything – pay attention, no phones on deck, watch your stance. Do not OVER officiate. If you wish to watch your own swimmer, ask to be relieved from deck. State Meet – You may not work a session where your child is a participant. See the application on the TISDO Website to apply. State Meet is a paid meet. A group rate for officials will be available for a hotel in Austin Thursday – Sunday morning. Be sure to fill out W9 and all forms for payment in order to be paid. Be professional.