1. Rules Changes Major Editorial Changes Points of Emphasis
Swimming and Diving
Rules Changes
Major Editorial Changes
Points of Emphasis

2. 1. Head Coach to be CPR Certified.
SCISA requires:
1. Head Coach to be CPR Certified.
2. All coaches to complete an annual concussion course.
All coaches of fall sports teams shall complete annually the National Federation
of High Schools (NFHS) Free online Course:
A Guide to Heat Acclimatization and Heat Illness Prevention
  Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment
Sportsmanship - This course will be taken at least every two years by all SCISA coaches.
Beginning with the school year, all New SCISA Head Coaches shall
complete the NFHS online course: Fundamentals of Coaching
This a Core Course in the NHFS Coach’s Certification Program. A fee exist for
this course.

3. Rules Changes

4. Inclusion of Students with Disabilities Guidelines for Schools and State Associations for Consideration of Accommodations
To assist state associations in working with schools for the inclusion of students with disabilities the following guide prepared by the NFHS Task Force on the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities is being provided for your review.
These guidelines will assist in the individual student assessment by the student and the school.
Coaches should work with their school and the state association as early as possible in the sport season.
Contest officials shall defer decisions on rule accommodations to the respective state association.
Refer to Swimming and Diving Rule NOTE for further information.

5. Coaching Swimming Developed with NISCA
The NFHS is pleased to partner with the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association to present the online Coaching Swimming course.
Go to to view the trailer, description and outline for this course.
Encourage your coaches to sign-up today!

6. Competitor’s Uniform - Jewelry Former Rule 3-3-5
The prohibition of wearing jewelry has been removed from the rules for swimming and diving competition
As in previous years, the wearing of a medical-alert with the alert visible continues and is encouraged for the purpose of risk minimization
The wearing of jewelry ordinarily presents little risk of injury to either the competitor or opponents.
Elimination of the rule allows officials to focus on meet administration directly related to competition.
Coaches continue to have the obligation to see that competitors are properly equipped.
A state association may determine to retain the prohibition of wearing jewelry and would thus establish the penalty for violation of the state rule.
The wearing of jewelry ordinarily presents little risk of injury to either the competitor or opponents.
Elimination of the rule allows officials to focus on meet administration directly related to competition.
Coaches continue to have the obligation to see that competitors are properly equipped.
A state association may determine to retain the prohibition of wearing jewelry and would thus establish the penalty for violation of the state rule.

7. Competitor’s Uniforms Medical Alert
Medical alerts are permitted
Alert should be visible for risk minimization
The requirement for taping the alert is no longer mandatory, unless desired by the competitor and/or the competitor’s coach.
Competitors having need for the wearing of a medical alert are strongly encouraged to wear such item for reasons of risk minimization.
The medical alert itself should be visible.
The requirement for taping the alert is no longer mandatory, unless desired by the competitor and/or the competitor’s coach.

8. Officials Uniform Rule 4-1-7
Officials are required to dress in the same uniform attire as set forth by the state association
White is no longer the default uniform
Due to the many variations in the officials uniform, it is more practical that the state association determine the appropriate swimming and diving uniform for officials.

9. Officials Responsibilities Rules 4-3-1a, b
The starter may designate another individual to sound a device for the lead swimmer during the 500-yard/400-meter freestyle when the lead swimmer has two lengths plus 5 yards remaining in the race
During the 500-yard/400-meter freestyle event, the starter may have multiple tasks occurring at the same time.
To assist in administrative responsibilities, the starter may designate another individual to sound a device for the lead swimmer during the 500-yard/400-meter freestyle with two lengths plus 5 yards remaining to swim in the race.

10. Editorial Changes and Points of Emphasis
Swimming and Diving
Editorial Changes
and
Points of Emphasis

11. Suggested Meet Warm-up ProceduresEC
Editorial
Change
SUGGESTED MEET WARM-UP PROCEDURES
The term “suggested” provides a stronger connotation of importance of warm-up procedures
The NFHS Rules Book, on page 5, provides suggested procedures for warm-ups.
Some of the recommendations in this section are more direct than just a guideline.
Changing to “Suggested” gives a stronger meaning.
The focus is upon risk minimization and efficient administration of warm-ups.

12. American Flag and Commemorative/Memorial Patches Rule 3-3-2EC
Editorial
Change
One American flag, not to exceed 2 inches by 3 inches, may be worn or occupy space on each item of uniform apparel
By state association adoption, to allow for special occasions, commemorative or memorial patches, not to exceed 4 square inches, may be worn on the uniform without compromising its integrity
This editorial change clarifies that an American flag, with a size restriction, may be placed on the uniform and a commemorative or memorial patch requires state association approval before being placed on the uniform.
In swimming and diving, the uniform consists of the suit and, when worn, the cap.
If these items are placed in the suit post construction and not permeable, as stipulated by rule, Rule is an allowable exception providing size restrictions are met.

13. Other Editorial ChangesEC
Editorial
Change
2-NOTES
2-4-5
2-7-3 NOTE
3-2-2
Separated NOTE into two separate notes regarding pool, board, equipment and diving
Visible markings on the pool deck, preferred, or on each…
Remove “capable of discharging live ammunition”
Added “appropriate health-care professional”
Rule 2-4-5, added language to clarify it is preferred that the 16.4 yards/15-meter mark is visible on the deck.
Based on last year’s change in Rule 3-3-3, this language is no longer necessary in NOTE.
For clarity in application of the rule, “appropriate health-care professional” is added.

14. Other Editorial ChangesEC
Editorial
Change
9-4-1b
9-6-1
No more than Only one optional dive…
…three or five judges for other meets shall be used
Rule 9-4-1b improves language regarding only one optional dive from the same group permitted in semifinals.
Rule 9-6-1, language added for clarity.

15. Uniform Responsibilities Making Sure You Have it Right
Coach has the ultimate responsibility for athletes to be in legal attire regardless of school purchased or athlete purchased
Construction, design, size and number of manufacturer’s logo and any post-construction logo are all part of requirements for a legal suit
Coach and athletes have responsibility that the athlete not wear jewelry that takes away from the integrity of the sport
The ultimate responsibility of having all athletes in legal and appropriate suits and caps rests with the coach regardless of school purchased or athlete purchase.
Construction and design is of concern as well as the size and number of a manufacturer’s logo, size of any post construction logo, size of American flag and size and permission for any commemorative patch.
Suits not manufactured in the United States many times will exceed the allowable size of a manufacturer’s logo and students and their parents may not be aware of this potential problem.
Jewelry is no longer prohibited and religious and medical-alert medals are still legal.
Coach and athletes have the responsibility that jewelry is not worn that takes away from the integrity of the sport or pose a high likelihood of coming lose during competition.
A review of what is legal and required by rule should be reviewed by the coach and with the athletes before the competitive season begins.

16. Focus on Risk Minimization in Development of Warm-up Procedures
There should be an established warm-up procedure with risk minimization as a focus
Suggested warm-up procedure is located in front of NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Book
Warm-up procedures should be reviewed for all teams before athletes enter water
It is very important that each school has a well established warm-up procedure that focuses on risk minimization.
Likewise, state associations may want to consider establishing a warm-up procedure similar to the suggested procedures in the front of the NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Book.
Prior to any contestants entering the water to begin warm-ups, there should be a meeting that includes head coaches and captains from each participating team as well as key officials. For larger meets, the warm-up procedures should be provided to schools in the pre-meet information s/materials.
The information to be reviewed should include, but is not limited to, the warm-up procedures for the venue.
Coaches should insist that his/her athletes always follow the rules for warm-ups to provide an environment free of unnecessary risk for injuries.

17. Coaching Starts and Turns Can Prevent Injuries
Coaching proper techniques for starts and turns
Prevents injury
Assists in swimmer’s success
Component for good coaching includes coach observing and being certain each swimmer masters the start and turns for his/her events
Coaching the proper techniques for starts and turns plays an important role in preventing the swimmers from incurring an unnecessary injury in addition to assisting in their success in these two components of the race.
Coaches should take the time to properly instruct and to review with all swimmers.
It is important for coaches to observe the swimmers to be certain they master the start and the turns for their respective events.

18. 4. Ensuring the 16.4 yards/15-Meter Mark is Clearly Visible
The 16.4 yards/15-meter mark must be clearly visible.
It is preferred the mark is placed on the deck on each side of the pool painted, bright tape or a bright cone, although it is easy to move a cone unintentionally.
The 16.4 yards/15-meters should also be marked on the lane lines.
The mark on the pool deck is the most definitive and should the lane markers not be consistent with the mark on the deck, the deck marking takes priority.
The 16.4 yards/15-meter mark must be visible
Preferred location on deck on each side of pool
Bright paint or tape

19. 4. Ensuring the 16.4 yards/15-Meter Mark is Clearly Visible
The lane lines should also be marked
Deck marks take priority over lane markers as they may not all be consistent

20. Preparing the Lap Counter Rule 3-4
Individuals serving as lap counters must be adequately trained by the school personnel
Time should be taken prior to start of the competition season for training
Reminders for lap counters:
Shall not enter the water
Stationed on deck between boundaries of counter’s lane
Change visual count and extend the visual count in water as competitor makes turns at starting end and remove as swimmer approaches for turn
Orange shown for final length
Each school has the duty to adequately train the individuals to serve as lap counters at their school.
The hosting school is required to provide a visual lap counting system for the visiting teams as well as for their own lap counters.
The lap counters shall not enter the water, must remain on deck within the boundaries of their respective lanes and know when to change the visual count.
This takes place by changing to the next higher odd number as the competitor makes each turn at the starting end.
The solid orange card is shown to indicate the final length of the race.
The lap counter may also give a verbal count but is not there to cheer on a teammate.

21. Injury Surveillance Report Swimming and Diving
boys lowest and girls second lowest injury rate in 20 sports in High School RIO survey
Trends 2008/ /14
Overall boys’ swimming and diving had a relatively small number of reported injuries (n = 116) with 89.7% occurring in practice and 55.2% of all injuries were overuse/chronic injuries.
Overall, although girls’ swimming and diving had a relatively small number of injuries, girls’ had more injuries (n = 203) than boys’ swimming and diving. Practice injuries accounted for 81.8% of all injuries. Overuse/chronic injuries accounted for 48.8% of all injuries, followed by no contact injuries (21.7%).
The NFHS is the only organization systematically collecting injury data for high school-aged students engaged in organized sports.
Swimming and diving continues to have a very low rate of injury.

22. Injury Surveillance Report Swimming and Diving
The majority of injuries in boys’ swimming and diving were to the shoulder (48.3%) followed by the head/face (11.2%) and lower back/L-spine/Pelvis (7.8%).
The majority of injuries in girls’ swimming and diving were to the shoulder (42.9%) followed by the knee (9.4%) and head/face (11.3%).
Muscle strain was the most common injury type (31.0%) followed by tendonitis (21.6%) and concussion (9.5%).
Muscle strain was the most common injury type (30.2%) followed by tendonitis (17.8%) and concussion (10.4%).

23. Injury Surveillance Report Swimming and Diving
For boys’ swimming and diving, diving accounted for 7.8% of all injuries, swimming for 68.1% and flip turn off wall for 12.1%.
For girls’ swimming and diving, diving accounted for 8.7% of all injuries, swimming for 63.6%, flip turn off wall for 9.2% and “other” for 13.8% Other includes both dry land training injuries as well as injuries in the pool environment (i.e., slipped and fell on the pool deck).
In boys’ swimming and diving, 36.7% of injuries returned to play within 2 days and 55.2% of injuries returned to play in less than 1 week.
In girls’ swimming and diving, 19.7% of injuries returned to play within 2 days and 48.2% of injuries returned to play in less than 1 week.
Although swimming has a very low injury rate, we can observe through trends over time that greater attention to the turns by coaches and athletes may reduce the percentage of injuries to swimmers.

24. Injury Surveillance Report Swimming and Diving
If you are interested in more information on the High School RIO™ Study or a certified athletic trainer interested in becoming a reporter for swimming and diving, please visit for summary reports.
The NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Committee closely monitors the injury data.
To maintain the value of RIO™, we need schools to participate. This participation can be sport-specific.
For information on getting your school signed up, use the provided link.

25. All NFHS courses can be accessed at www.nfhslearn.com
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Just a reminder, there are several new and/or updated coaching courses located at nfhslearn.com.
Check them out!
All NFHS courses can be accessed at

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