Florida Swimming, Inc. - Rules Info.

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Rules News: 

6/2009 - New Doping Rules for 2009- Anti-Doping rules have changed drastically for 2009.  Not all athletes require an approved Therapeutic Use Exemption form (for Beta-2 Agonists and Glucocorticosteroids) prior to competition.   See the attached handout for more information.  Click Here for complete information.

6/2009 - Distinguishing Approved Swimsuits vs Unapproved Swimsuits at Meets- The message below and attached document are from Jim Sheehan. If you have any questions, please contact Jim at jim.sheehan@marshpm.com.   To USA Swimming Coaches,   Late last night, the attached email message was sent to all officials regarding the new rule covering swimsuits.  I wanted you to know what has been suggested for implementing this rule so that coaches and officials continue to work together for the benefit of our athletes.  I know that we will all use our common sense and good judgment in dealing with suit issues and questions.  I thank you for your cooperation.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.   Thanks, Jim   Click Here to download email message sent to Officials.

6/2009 - USA Swimming Rule Change: Approved Swimwear- On May 19, 2009, FINA issued a list of swimsuits approved for competition. The approved list, which was effective immediately and is attached, includes 202 swimsuits. The Rules and Regulations Committee, under the provisions of Article 511.1, has the authority to alter or amend any provision of Part One of our rules to conform to the rules of FINA. Accordingly, effective immediately, Article 102.9 is amended as follows...  Complete Information

4/2009 - Submitting Amendments to the Rules and Regulations- Article 511, pages 124 and 125 of the 2009 USA Swimming Rules and Regulations, provides information about submitting proposed amendments to the USA Swimming Rules and Regulations Committee. Deadline date for submitting written proposals is May 15.  All proposed amendments should be submitted to Bruce Stratton, Chair of the Rules and Regulations Committee...  Click Here for more information.

4/2009 - Special Notice Regarding National Championship Meets (www.usaswimming.org)- The Rules & Regulations Committee has issued an interpretation that only one suit swimsuit is allowed during competition. A further clarification provided an exception and allowed that a second suit worn for modesty or support purposes would be allowable and would not be considered a second suit.  However, under FINA rules, as currently written, there is no exception for the wearing of a modesty or support type apparel as a second suit.  For the purposes of our National Championship Meets (US Open, National Championships, Junior National Championships and Trials Class Meets) and our Grand Prix Meets, in order to strictly conform to current FINA rules, no additional swimsuits or apparel may be worn during the actual competition (a race) at those meets.  The use of only one swimsuit of any kind during a competitive race will be enforced at all National Championship Meets.

3/2009 - Clarification of Restriction on Wearing More Than One Swimsuit- On March 18, 2009, an interpretation of Article 102.9 was issued which stated that the use of more than one swimsuit during competition is prohibited. Based upon the significant number of questions received since issuing the interpretation, it has become apparent there is a great deal of confusion about the intent and purpose of the restriction. The following is meant to clarify the intent of the interpretation and the manner in which it should be enforced...  Click Here to download the full clarification of restriction on wearing more than one swimsuit.

3/2009 - New Interpretation Re: Use of Two Swimsuits- There have recently been a number of questions regarding the use of two swimsuits during competition.  Bruce Stratton, Chair, Rules and Regulations Committee asked that we send you the "New Interpretation regarding the use of more than one swimsuit during competition" effective March 18, 2009.  Click Here to Download.

3/2009 - Amendment to Article 103.2.2 of the USA Swimming Rules - Effective 5/1/09- Effective May 1, 2009, USA Swimming’s Board of Directors has modified the racing start rule, 103.2.2 (which already provides that racing starts should only be taught in at least six feet of water) to further clarify that racing starts should only be taught under the direct supervision of a USA Swimming member coach, and to expand the definition of teaching racing starts to make clear that no swimmer who has not been certified as proficient by his or her coach should be performing racing starts into less than six feet of water.         103.2  WATER DEPTH .1   /NC/2 meters (6 feet 7 inches) deep throughout the course. .2   /M/Teaching Racing Starts – Minimum water depth for teaching racing starts in any setting from any height starting blocks or the deck shall be 6 feet (1.84 meters) measured for a distance of 3 feet 3 ½ inches (1.0 meter) to 16 feet 5 inches (5.0 meters) from the end wall.  (effective February 15, 2007)    “Teaching racing starts” shall include: 1)   all racing start instruction until a swimmer has been certified by his or her USA Swimming member coach as proficient in performing a racing start, and 2)   all instruction, subsequent to certification, which seeks to alter a swimmer’s basic technique in performing a racing start.    Teaching racing starts shall only take place under the direct supervision of a USA Swimming member coach.   Below are the following documents: 1.    Amendment to Article 103.2.2 of the USA Swimming rules, which was adopted by the Board of Directors as per the provisions of Article 504.8 2.    Racing Start Certification Checklist 3.    USA Swimming Safety Notice to all member clubs and coaches 4.    USA Swimming Safety Notice to Parents 5.    FAQ   All coach members of USA Swimming will receive these attachments from their Sport Development Consultant.  A hard copy will be mailed to all club contacts (one copy per club).  The information will also be available on the USA Swimming website (www.usaswimming.org) under the Coaches and Volunteers tabs.  A copy of the Safety Notice to Parents will be available under the Parents tab.   If you have questions or concerns, please contact one of the following individuals:             Pat Hogan        phogan@usaswimming.org             Sue Anderson   sanderson@usaswimming.org             Bruce Stratton   bruce@strattoncpa.com

1/2009 - New Interpretation From USA-S Regarding Suit Restrictions for Age Groupers- At its last meeting, the USA Swimming House of Delegates adopted an amendment to its rule on swimwear design.  The amended rule, which will become effective May 15, 2009, reads as follows...  Complete Information

12/2008 - USA Swimming Clarifies Breaststroke Rule- Earlier this week, Bruce Stratton, the chair of the USA Swimming Rules & Regulations Committee, sent out a letter to various officials and chairs within th...  Full Story!

10/2008 - Final Legislation From the 2008 USA-S House of Delegates- Final legislation from the 2008 House of Delegates has been posted on USASwimming.org. To read the complete summary of actions taken by the USA Swimming House of Delegates, click here.

What is a Certified Pool - A certified pool has been measured by a registered surveyor or registered engineer. A notarized copy of the USA Swimming official certification form is on file at USA Swimming. Competitors, officials, coaches and swimming enthusiasts all want racing courses to be accurate and consistent. It should be standard practice when a pool is built and commissioned that the length, width, and depth are checked and certified to be in compliance with USA Swimming rules.  Read more about how to have your pool certified and view a list of currently certified pools.

What is the "Four Hour Rule" and Why is it Necessary?- Section 205.3(F) of the USA Swimming Rule Book states: "With the exception of championship meets the program in all other age group competition shall be planned to allow the events for swimmers 12 years and younger to be completed in four (4) hours or less for a timed finals session or in a total of eight (8) hours or less per day for a preliminaries and finals meet."  The rationale for this rule was explained by Rose Snyder, former Director of Age Group Programs for USA Swimming back in 1997 when the rule was passed. The rationale remains the same today.  Read more...

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USA Swimming Rules Information:

USA Swimming Rules & Regulations Web Page

FINA Rules Information:

FINA Rules Webpage