Rules+and+Regulations

== ==  There are many different rules and regulations for swimming from how to do a stroke to the height of a swimming block to the style of a suit.

DQ-Disqualilfication

A disqualification is also known as a DQ. A DQ is when you do no t follow the rules that the USA Swimming put in place. If you are DQedfrom a event it means that the time you swim will not count on your record. Most DQs take place in the water but not all do. If you start early or move on the block you could get DQed. Also you may get DQed for other various reasons outside of the water. For example, if during warm-up you jump in the water instead of sitting and sliding in then you can get DQed from your first event. If you get disqualified before the event starts then you do not swim but if you are DQed during the start or in the water you still swim the event but it does not count on your record.

Official

An Official is the only person who can DQ you. They stand at the ends of the pool and the sides of the pool to make sure you follow the USA Swimming rules. If you do not follow the directions the officials are the people who will DQ you. They have a disqualification sheet that they write the heat and lane you were in and what you did, then they give it to the meet director where they record that you were DQed. Then they give it to your coach so you know that your time doesn't count. To become an official you have to go through training and take a small test to make sure you know what to DQ for. Officials must raise a hand to signal a DQ otherwise it does not count.

Stroke Rules and Regulations

Breaststroke
 * During the start they must do a forward dive
 * During the event the arm must move together and the legs must move together[[image:images-1.jpeg align="right"]]
 * They may not turn on their back time during the event
 * They must remain in a horizontal position during the event
 * Elbows must be under the water during the event except when they turn or finish
 * Hands cannot go past hip unless it is the underwater pullout
 * Their heads must break the surface of the water every breaststroke cycle
 * After the start and each turn they are allowed one dolphin kick during the pullout
 * Scissor kick is not permitted ([[image:images-2.jpeg height="133" align="right"]]legs not moving together- looks like a scissors cutting)
 * No other kicks besides breaststroke kick
 * When they touch the the wall their head must be submerged
 * When turning and finishing you must touch the wall with two hands
 * They may not touch the bottom of the pool

Butterfly


 * During the start they must do a forward dive[[image:DSC_9820.JPG width="240" height="158" align="right"]]
 * During the event the arms and legs must move simultaneously
 * They may not do dolphin kick under water for more than 15 meters after the start and turn
 * They must stay in the horizontal position for the whole event
 * They must only use dolphin kick
 * During the turns and finish you must touch the wall with two hands
 * [[image:spitz.Final.jpg height="138" align="right"]] Feet must stay together during the event
 * They may not touch the bottom of the pool

Backstroke


 * Swimmers must be in the water for the start [[image:350x.jpg height="137" align="right"]]
 * Both hand must be on the starting grips or the gutter
 * Placing toes above the of the gutter is prohibited
 * Swimmer must remain on back the whole race with the exception of the turn
 * Swimmer must come up from under the water before 15 meters after the the start and turn [[image:DSC_1309.JPG height="256" align="right"]]
 * During the turn the swimmer may take one freestyle stroke
 * During the turn after the freestyle stroke the flip must be immediate, no hesitation
 * When feet leave the wall swimmer must be on their back
 * Must be single arm pull
 * Swimmer must only use dolphin kick off the walls and flutter kick after pushing off the walls
 * Swimmer must finish event on their back
 * They may not touch the bottom of the pool

Freestyle
 * During the start they must do a forward dive unless doing backstrok
 * May do any stroke, no individual medley
 * If not doing the stroke freestyle they must follow the that strokes rules
 * They may not touch the bottom of the pool

Individual Medley


 * They must do the distance signed up for[[image:DSC_1464.JPG width="240" height="159" align="right"]]
 * They must do an equal amount of each stroke
 * It must go butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle (must be the stroke freestyle)
 * For the butterfly to backstroke turn they must touch the wall with two hands and leave the wall on their back
 * For the backstroke to breaststroke turn they must touch the wall on the back and leave the wall on their stomach
 * For the breaststroke to freestyle turn they must touch the wall with two hands and leave on their stomach

Relay


 * There must be four swimmers on the relays
 * During freestyle relays all swimmers must swim the stroke freestyle
 * During medley relays all the strokes must be swum
 * During the medley relay the strokes must be swum in this order: backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle
 * No swimmer can swim twice in a single relay
 * The swimmer must touch the wall before the net swimmer goes
 * If one person in the relay gets DQed the whole relay is DQed
 * Swimmer must leave water directly after their swim to insure a safe finish
 * Feet must be on block when the previous swimmer touches the wall

Attire Rules and Regulations

Design


 * Swimmer may only wear a swimsuit, cap, and goggles[[image:84x125_fsii_recordbreaker_1.jpg align="right"]]
 * No armbands, watches, bracelets, and leg bands
 * Swimmers may only wear one swimsuit
 * All swimsuits must be made from textile materials
 * For men the swimsuit may not go past the knee and above the belly button
 * For women their swimsuit must not their neck
 * For women their suits must not go past the shoulder
 * For women their suits must not go past their knees exception for open water
 * No swimmer is allowed to wear or use any equipment (flipper, paddles, etc.)
 * No tape allowed on the body [[image:101x125_NeroTX_Jammer_Front.jpg align="right"]]
 * Goggles may be rubbed down oil if not to much (referees decision)
 * Referee has authority to not the swimmer swim for various reasons
 * Swimmers has to have a certified swimsuit on (FINA, team name, etc.)
 * Advertising is allowed with rules
 * Advertising is considered anything that shows signs of the manufacturers
 * The FINA labeling, USA swimming logo, and team logos are not considered advertisements
 * Two separate 20 square centimeter logos are permitted on a swimsuit
 * Two separate 20 square centimeter logos are permitted on a cap [[image:57x57_swedish_1.jpg align="right"]]
 * Two separate 6 square centimeter logos are permitted on goggles
 * The advertisements on goggles must be on the frame or band
 * Advertising using temporary tattoos or other body art is prohibited [[image:103x125_latexcaps.jpg align="right"]]
 * Advertising may not be political statements, anything illegal, ect.

Pool size regulations


 * For teaching racing starts they be under supervision of a USA swim coach
 * For teaching starts water must be at least 4 feet deep
 * For pools with water less than 4 feet at the starting they must start in the water
 * Long Course pools must be 50.00 meters (164.5 feet)
 * Short course yards must be 25.00 yards
 * Short course meters must be 25.00 meters (82.25 feet)
 * The USA Swimming will allow no more than +0.03 meters added to the length of the pool
 * The space must be correct using touch pads
 * When using moveable bulkheads, they must not move in the course of the races
 * To be an official pool it must have 8 or 10 lanes
 * Lanes must be at least 2.5 meters (8 feet 2.5 inches) from center line to center line
 * The pool must have lanes on the outside (1 and 8 or 10)
 * The outer lanes must be at least 0.45 meters (1 foot 6 inches)
 * From lane line to lane-line the width must be a minimum of 7 feet
 * Walls must be parallel to each other[[image:WorkMate-16ft-Tape-Measure_2793_r.jpg.gif.jpeg width="250" height="250" align="right"]]
 * Walls must be at a 90 degree angle from water
 * Wall must be solid and have a non-slip surface
 * Walls must extend more than 0.8 meters (2 feet 7.5 inches)
 * Dark colored line in the middle of each lane
 * The line in the middle of the lane must be at least 10 inches wide
 * The line should stop with a line going the other way
 * The line stoping the line all the way across the pool must be 1.0 meters long
 * The line should be 2.00 meters from the wall
 * Lanes should be numbered from right to left while swimmers face the pool
 * Lanes must be marked clearly for the official and spectators
 * Pool must have an overflow/recirculating system to insure the pool stays the same level
 * Water must stay between 25-28 degrees Celsius (77 to 82.4 degrees Fahrenheit)
 * Air temperature 8 feet above the surface of the water must be at least 76 degrees Fahrenheit
 * Air in pool area must be 60% humid
 * The air velocity needs to be about 25 feet per second
 * Ladders in pool must be able to to be recessed or removed
 * It is recommended that deck equipment is removed (lifeguard stand, ect.)
 * 1 meter diving boards must have a hinge
 * 1 meter diving boards must be moved back during competitions
 * Long course starting blocks must be no less than 0.50 meters (1ft 8 in) above the surface
 * Long course starting blocks may not be more than 0.75 meters (2 ft 5.5 in) above the surface
 * Short course starting blocks may not be higher than 2 ft 6 in above the water
 * Surface of starting blocks may be no less 0.50 meters squared (1 ft 8 in squared)
 * Surface must be made of a non slip material
 * Starting grips must 12-24in long
 * Lane numbers must be [[image:Swimming-Long-Course-Meter-LCM-Olympic-Pool-Dimensions-500x580.jpg width="328" height="249" align="right"]]
 * Starting platforms must be securely attached to the ground
 * Lane line must extend whole length of pool
 * The bottom half of the lane line should be underwater
 * The floats must have a minimum diameter of 5 centimeters a maximum of 15 centimeters
 * A different color float must be used at 15 feet short course 15 meters long course from the wall
 * Damaged floats should be removed and replaced
 * Single lane dividers in long course and short course meters in competition
 * Multiple lines are allowed in short course yards
 * Flags must be 5 meters from the wall in long course
 * 3+ triangular pennants over each lane
 * Flags must be 15 feet from the wall in short course
 * Flags must be put in before warm ups
 * Flags must be 1.8-2.5 meters above the surface of the water

This infomation was given by :


 * http://www.usaswimming.org/_Rainbow/Documents/57560095-6f72-4279-bb00-b0652ea5de5b/2012%20Rule%20Book.pdf ||

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