2000 RULE CHANGES

Note: The following is a synopsis of the changes that were made at the 1999 USA Swimming convention and which will appear in the 2000 USA Swimming Rules and Regulations. PVS officials are expected to review the rules periodically to assure that they remain familiar with them.

  1. Rule Changes—(Effective May 15, 2000)


    1. Starting Rules The protocol for putting swimmers onto the blocks (into the water for backstroke) has been totally changed. Whistles rather than voice commands will be used. It is also now permissible (but only if the meet announcement so provides) to not recall heats under most circumstances even when there is a false start. Rather the swimmer(s) will be notified of the False Start when the race is over.

      USA Swimming has indicated that earlier implementation of these two rule changes will be permitted. PVS (subject to Board approval) expects to make both changes effective January 1, 2000 – except for mini meets. How to implement these changes will be addressed in a separate handout. (Section 102.14)


    2. "Approved" Age Group Events - 400/500 Free for 10 && Under and 800/1000 Free, 1500/1650 Free, 200 Back, 200 Breast, 200 Fly and 400 IM for 11-12 year olds were added to list of events that may be included in an age group program. It will up to the PVS Competition as to when (if) these events will be added to meets sanctioned by PVS. (Section 102.1.2)


    3. 8 Hour/4 Hour Rule - The rule was clarified so that no group of swimmers should be required to be at a meet site for more than 8 hours on any day (both prelims and finals.) The requirement to limit meets for age group swimmers (12 and under) to 4 hours for a timed finals session remains. (Sections 102.1 and 205.3.1)


    4. Artificial Light - Any device that disrupts the meet including laser pointing device or artificial noisemaker may be prohibited. (Section 102.13)


    5. Relays in Prelim/Finals Meet - The requirement that no more than two heats of a relay event be swum in finals (when swum as part of a prelim/finals format) was dropped. (Section 102.4)


    6. Timing Adjustment - If you are unable to determine the difference between watch and pad times for a given heat (because no pads times are available), it is permissible to use times from the immediately preceding and following heats to make the adjustment. (Section 102.17.5.E)


    7. Button or Watch Failure at Finish - The rulebook will now provide that the Head Lane Timer shall also report when they believe the semi-automatic or manual times may be inaccurate. They are already expected to report when the swimmer touched late or missed the pad. PVS has already encouraged this practice, particularly when there was only one timer per lane. (Section 102.17.3.B)


    8. Placement of Electronic Timing Equipment - The rulebook now provides for what is already PVS practice. The equipment will be placed so the operator will have a clear view of the finish whenever possible. (Section 102.17.3)


    9. Meet Results - Meet results should show now show in the heading information the sanction number. This is in addition to the meet name, date, location and pool length which is already a requirement. PVS officials should assure the Hy-Tek file is set up so that this information is routinely printed. (Section 102.25)


    10. Providing Initial Distance Times - For meets where the timing system is interfaced with the computer, initial distance times shall be made available upon request. (Section 102.25)


    11. Pace Clocks - The rulebook now recognizes that pace clocks are not present at many pools used by LSC's for competition and it is no longer a requirement except for national level meets. (Section 103.16)


    12. Requirements for Sanction - LSC's may now modify their meet announcements to make it more practical for disabled athletes to participate in their meets. (Section 202.2.13)




  2. Rule Changes—(Effective January 1, 2000)


      3. Requirements for Observed Swims and OVC's - Several changes were made in this regard. The most significant for PVS purposes is that "any swim in compliance with USA Swimming rules...will be considered an official time for that swimmer." That means swimmers entering PVS meets who have an observed time must use that time if it is their best. Currently in PVS, all swims at high school concluding meets conducted in Maryland are being observed whereas for Virginia high school meets, only specific swims are being observed. (Section 202.5)


  3. Rule Interpretations – (Effective Immediately)


    1. Body Suits - "Until FINA determines otherwise, use of the full body suit, designed and marketed for competition, is permissible in USA swimming events. Use of suits of neoprene or other buoyant material, such as wet suits, is not permissible""


    2. Standing on Bottom During Turns - "Once a legal touch has been made, the swimmer may turn in any manner desired. Therefore, standing on the bottom after a legal touch has been made and prior to pushing off the wall should be considered part of the turn and no DQ should be called."


  4. Other Convention News


    1. Coaches Registration - Coaches registration cards for the 2000 Registration year will now show the date on which the certification expires. This date should be checked when determining coaches eligibility to be on the deck,


    2. Eastern Zone Officials Chairman - The position of Officials Chairman for Eastern Zone was created.


    3. National and National Championship Certification - The USA Swimming House of Delegates passed a resolution that provides prospectively that officials whose LSC is not are in compliance with the national minimum standards shall not be eligible to receive national or national championship certifications. PVS believes it is in compliance with these minimum standards.


    4. PVS Assignment for Speedo Junior Championship - PVS will remain at Southeast Juniors in 2000


    5. USA Swimming Juniors - USA Swimming Juniors will be replaced by approximately 16 Sectional Meets (about 4 in each Zone) starting in Spring 2001. Each zone is to define its sections and pick the spring and summer 2001 venues by April 1, 2000.


    6. Club Championships - The Club Championship meet (and the associated qualifying meets) that were expected to start in the Spring 2001 were not approved.


    7. Open Water – An entire new Section 8 (to be renumbered Section 7) and a glossary of terms related to Open Water Swimming was adopted. Separately, LSC's when able to do so, are authorized and encouraged to conduct age-group open water championships.


    8. Age Group Time Standards - (1)National Motivational Times -Top 16 Based, (2) Age Group Motivational Times – Championship Based and (3) Age Group Motivational Times – Percentile Based will be removed from the Rulebook and published separately.


    9. Outreach Membership - An Outreach Membership Class for athletes was created. This pertains to allowing certain athletes to join at a reduced fee.


    10. Club Membership - Membership application process for new clubs joining USA Swimming starting in 2002 was defeated.


    11. Technical Vice - President - The position of Technical Vice-President was added to the USA Swimming Board of Directors.