Rules Corner

ALERT REGARDING USA SWIMMING EMERGENCY RULE CHANGE, EFFECTIVE 02/15/07 USA Swimming has changed their water depth rule for TEACHING racing starts from 5 feet to 6 feet deep (see the USA-S text below). This rule change by USA Swimming does not dictate an automatic, emergency change in USMS rules. USMS does not have the same TEACHING rule in its facilities standards (Article 107), and USMS does not automatically adopt changes to USA Swimming Article 103, “Facilities Standards” (see USMS 601.4.6B, page 101). However, USMS clubs/members that share facilities with USA Swimming clubs will be impacted by this rule change. You may be asked by USMS members about this rule change if they train at the same facility as a USA Swimming club. Tell them that, yes, USA Swimming made that rule change but USMS has not. USMS members who train at the same facilities as USA-S swimmers will likely find themselves following the new USA-S rule for TEACHING racing starts. A facility may also decide to apply that 6-foot-water-depth rule for teaching racing starts to all teams and lessons using their pool(s). Facilities can have stricter rules so again, USMS members may find themselves following the new 6-foot water-depth rule for TEACHING racing starts. For any questions about this emergency rule change by USA Swimming and its impact on USMS swimming contact: Kathy Casey, Chair USMS Rules Committee rules@usms.org The following is the text of the notice from USA Swimming regarding the emergency rule change: Special Notice to Members of the USA Swimming House of Delegates & All USA Swimming Clubs: Pursuant to USA Swimming Rule 504.8, the USA Swimming Board of Directors has decided to amend Rule 103.2.2 (page 43 of the 2007 Rules & Regulations) which specifically applies to teaching racing starts to provide as follows: 103.2 WATER DEPTH – .2 /M/ Teaching Racing Starts – Minimum water depth for teaching racing starts in any setting from any height starting block or the deck shall be 6 feet (1.84 meters) measured for a distance of 3 feet 31/2 inches (1.0 meter) to 16 feet 5 inches (5.0 meters) from the end wall. This decision has been made with the advice and consent of the Safety Education Committee, the Rules and Regulations Committee, and legal counsel. The purpose of this action is to further protect novice swimmers from accidental bottom strikes while they are learning to execute racing starts. This change is effective immediately. Here ends the text of the notice from USA Swimming. The water depth rule for racing starts in USMS rules is 107.2.3, pages 40 and 41 of the 2007 USMS Rule Book and includes the following text: 107.2.3—Water Depth A Starting end—Minimum water depth for racing starts, as measured for a distance of 3 feet, 3½ inches (1.0 meter) to 16 feet, 5 inches (5.0 meters) from the end wall, during either competition or practice shall be as follows: (1) In pools with water depth less than 3 feet, 6 inches (1.07 meters) at the starting end, the swimmer must start within the water. (2) In pools with water depth 3 feet, 6 inches (1.07 meters) to less than 4 feet (1.22 meters) at the starting end, the swimmer must start from the deck or from within the water. (3) In pools with water depth 4 feet (1.22 meters) or more at the starting end, platforms shall meet the height requirements of article 107.11.1. Again, for any questions contact: Kathy Casey, Chair USMS Rules Committee rules@usms.org

ALERT REGARDING USA SWIMMING EMERGENCY RULE CHANGE, EFFECTIVE 02/15/07 USA Swimming has changed their water depth rule for TEACHING racing starts from 5 feet to 6 feet deep (see the USA-S text below). This rule change by USA Swimming does not dictate an automatic, emergency change in USMS rules. USMS does not have the same TEACHING rule in its facilities standards (Article 107), and USMS does not automatically adopt changes to USA Swimming Article 103, “Facilities Standards” (see USMS 601.4.6B, page 101). However, USMS clubs/members that share facilities with USA Swimming clubs will be impacted by this rule change. You may be asked by USMS members about this rule change if they train at the same facility as a USA Swimming club. Tell them that, yes, USA Swimming made that rule change but USMS has not. USMS members who train at the same facilities as USA-S swimmers will likely find themselves following the new USA-S rule for TEACHING racing starts. A facility may also decide to apply that 6-foot-water-depth rule for teaching racing starts to all teams and lessons using their pool(s). Facilities can have stricter rules so again, USMS members may find themselves following the new 6-foot water-depth rule for TEACHING racing starts. For any questions about this emergency rule change by USA Swimming and its impact on USMS swimming contact: Kathy Casey, Chair USMS Rules Committee rules@usms.org The following is the text of the notice from USA Swimming regarding the emergency rule change: Special Notice to Members of the USA Swimming House of Delegates & All USA Swimming Clubs: Pursuant to USA Swimming Rule 504.8, the USA Swimming Board of Directors has decided to amend Rule 103.2.2 (page 43 of the 2007 Rules & Regulations) which specifically applies to teaching racing starts to provide as follows: 103.2 WATER DEPTH – .2 /M/ Teaching Racing Starts – Minimum water depth for teaching racing starts in any setting from any height starting block or the deck shall be 6 feet (1.84 meters) measured for a distance of 3 feet 31/2 inches (1.0 meter) to 16 feet 5 inches (5.0 meters) from the end wall. This decision has been made with the advice and consent of the Safety Education Committee, the Rules and Regulations Committee, and legal counsel. The purpose of this action is to further protect novice swimmers from accidental bottom strikes while they are learning to execute racing starts. This change is effective immediately. Here ends the text of the notice from USA Swimming. The water depth rule for racing starts in USMS rules is 107.2.3, pages 40 and 41 of the 2007 USMS Rule Book and includes the following text: 107.2.3—Water Depth A Starting end—Minimum water depth for racing starts, as measured for a distance of 3 feet, 3½ inches (1.0 meter) to 16 feet, 5 inches (5.0 meters) from the end wall, during either competition or practice shall be as follows: (1) In pools with water depth less than 3 feet, 6 inches (1.07 meters) at the starting end, the swimmer must start within the water. (2) In pools with water depth 3 feet, 6 inches (1.07 meters) to less than 4 feet (1.22 meters) at the starting end, the swimmer must start from the deck or from within the water. (3) In pools with water depth 4 feet (1.22 meters) or more at the starting end, platforms shall meet the height requirements of article 107.11.1. Again, for any questions contact: Kathy Casey, Chair USMS Rules Committee rules@usms.org