Pull-buoys, kick boards, fins, and hand paddles are not allowed in the competition pool or warm-up pool. This statement is always included in the “Warm-up Procedures” under the “Meet Information” of all Nationals (and is enforced in many of the local meets).
I have looked in the USMS Rule Book and was not able to find a rule(s) that bans any of the above mentioned items from warm-up at meets. Rule 102.4 covers Warm-up/Warm-down procedures (Availability and Procedure) and Rule 104.5 covers the warm-up schedule (under Conduct of the Championship Meet), but neither specifically rule bans the use of pull-buoys, kick boards, fins, and hand paddles. The rule book index offers no further help (“Safety” offers no help).
If there is a rule banning these, where is it?
Originally posted by sarah tyler
the thing that concerns me most during warm-up at meets, local or national is swimmers entering the pool by diving or jumping.
Sarah,
Diving during warmups IS prohibited by the rules. Article 102.4 deals with warmup/warmdown, and subsection .2 says "Swimmers must enter the pool feet first in a cautious and controlled manner. Diving shall be permitted only in the designated lanes."
You're right to be concerned about this, and so was the House of Delegates however many years ago it was that this rule was passed. That's why it is a hard-and-fast rule, and not just an administrative policy. It is disheartening, though, how many people either disregard this rule, or else are unaware of it. It's always printed in the meet information, but we all know that no one actually reads the meet information. ;) As a meet director, if I see someone diving in during warmups, I give them a warning. I haven't yet had to throw anyone out, but I'm prepared to do so if they continue to deliberately disregard the rules and jeopardize everyone's safety.
Originally posted by sarah tyler
the thing that concerns me most during warm-up at meets, local or national is swimmers entering the pool by diving or jumping.
Sarah,
Diving during warmups IS prohibited by the rules. Article 102.4 deals with warmup/warmdown, and subsection .2 says "Swimmers must enter the pool feet first in a cautious and controlled manner. Diving shall be permitted only in the designated lanes."
You're right to be concerned about this, and so was the House of Delegates however many years ago it was that this rule was passed. That's why it is a hard-and-fast rule, and not just an administrative policy. It is disheartening, though, how many people either disregard this rule, or else are unaware of it. It's always printed in the meet information, but we all know that no one actually reads the meet information. ;) As a meet director, if I see someone diving in during warmups, I give them a warning. I haven't yet had to throw anyone out, but I'm prepared to do so if they continue to deliberately disregard the rules and jeopardize everyone's safety.
