Lap counter rule changes

Former Member
Former Member
I've been told that there is a new FINA rule or interpretation that disallows placing lap counters into the water. Does anyone know the official scoop on this?
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    From www.fina.org, click on "Directory", then click on "Rules & Regulations" FINA Rule SW 2.6.3: In individual events of 800 and 1500 metres, each inspector of turns at the turning end of the pool shall record the number of laps completed by the swimmer in his lane and keep the swimmer informed of the remaining number of laps to be completed by displaying "lap cards". Semi-electronic equipment may be used, including under water display.
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    From the USMS Rule Book: Appendix B, "INFORMATION FOR USMS PARTICIPANTS AT FINA EVENTS": 2.9: Counters—FINA officials lap count for swimmers, and only for 800 and 1500 meter races. And also from the USMS Rule Book: 102.10.6 Counters C If visual counters are used, they may be stationed at the end or either side of the pool beyond the halfway point toward the end of the course opposite the starting end. Visual counters may be lowered into the water at the end of the swimmer’s lane, provided that, in the opinion of the referee, they neither physically aid the swimmer or interfere with another competitor or present any safety hazard.
  • So I guess to swim the 400 meter short course free you have to be able to count to 16 in your head. I actually recently swam a 1650 in April without a counter (too lazy to find one), and it was certainly worrisome trying to make sure I didn't miscount my laps. I was greatly relieved when the timer told me when I finished that I had completed the requisite distance. Curiously enough, you don't get a bell lap signal in the 400 meter freestyle, only in the 500 yard freestyle or longer (USMS 103.8.7, USA-S 101.1.4). An amendment to the USA Swimming rules was offered to change this issue at last year's convention, but it failed (it was recommended to be rejected because it was different from FINA rules, even though USA Swimming rules allow counters for the 400 SCM Free). I can understand why the FINA rule is interpreted that way if officials are doing the count. While swimmers are always responsible for keeping an accurate count of their laps (even if the referee or judge keeping the official count doesn't!), if the swimmer's counter was dropped to the bottom of the pool by an official, it would introduce an error caused by an official (which wouldn't be such a big deal if the swimmer's teammate dropped the counter). While I can say that I've never dropped a lap counter in a pool, this would prevent me from doing so. And speaking of errors, I recall this last season at a high school meet I worked, the referee confused the official count for a swimmer's 500 freestyle, and gave her the last lap signal at length 16. On realizing the error, the referee had no choice but to give the signal again properly at length 18, which greatly confused the swimmer (she was so far ahead that it didn't really matter, but it wasn't a great outcome). Patrick King
  • I'd be screwed then... Me, too!
  • I miss counting for teammates. over here it's officialls that hold the counters. they also count down in sweden. showing 1 on the last length.
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Visual counters may be lowered into the water at the end of the swimmer’s lane, provided that, in the opinion of the referee, they neither physically aid the swimmer or interfere with another competitor or present any safety hazard. This has always been the case in Canada as well, but at Nationals the officials would not allow the counters to be lowered in the water due to a new FINA rule or interpretation. It was the first I heard of it and rather annoying really as it is much harder to look at the boards this way.
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    D3 championships 7 years ago a swimmer from Johns Hopkins dove in after the the guy ahead of him had completed 6 laps. Whoops. But in the 80's a guy from the team in the lead got on the block a 50 early, and others from different teams followed suit. Mass confusion ensued and 4 or 5 guys dove on top of their teammates. Finally my age group coach swam the 100 yard fly at the (Texas A&M) Aggie Open as an incentive to his swimmers and, because he was an Aggie himself, we thought he might have trouble getting to 4 so we counted for him...
  • in the region I swim in Sweden they no longer allow the counter to lower the numbers into the pool, since on more than one occasion the official has dropped the display. so now at the start of each race, the timers ask the swimmers what side they want the counter to display the lap number, right, left of in the middle. I thought it was a hassle to either look up before the turn, or take a big breathe after the turn to look back. and I only swam the 800m can't imagine having to look over my shoulder for a 1500m
  • So I guess to swim the 400 meter short course free you have to be able to count to 16 in your head.
  • One time in a 400 SCM free, I didn't have a lap counter, but the guy next to me did, and I happened to look over and see 9 when I thought I was at 7. I spent the next 50 meters in a state of confusion until I saw his next number - 7. His counter was counting down, not up. This has been yet another public service announcement brought to you by Don't Do What That Guy Did. :shakeshead:
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