2014-2015 NCHSAA Swimming and Diving Brad Alford – Director of Sports and Championships

2014-15 Swimming and Diving Rules Changes

Reorganized Rule 3-3-4 The rule has been reorganized in a list form for easier reference and compliance Divers now permitted to use tape, at any location, for support A listing of items a competitor may wear/use is easier to locate in the body of the rules and assist in compliance. A diver wearing tape for support on the wrist, ankles, etc. gains no competitive advantage; therefore, the restriction to “only the wrist” is removed.

Adhesives not permitted Rule 3-3-4 Adhesives are not allowed to be used during competition by a swimmer or diver Adhesive sprays and similar materials get on the board and become sticky or slick with water Used by swimmers, the adhesive transfers to the block or touch pad, causing it to become slick When swimmers or divers use an adhesive material, such as a spray, such material is many times transferred to the fulcrum, board or touch pads. As water comes in contact with the material, the equipment may become slick and create a risk minimization concern. This material may also alter the feel of the equipment unnecessarily and distract other competitors.

Unsporting conduct Rules 3-6-1 and 3-6-3 Unsporting conduct will disqualify a swimmer from further competition in the meet; and, subject to state association rules, possible withholding from future meets Unacceptable conduct (such as profanity, failure to follow the directions of a meet official and other such actions) will disqualify a swimmer from that event These changes define more clearly what actions are considered as “unsporting conduct” and result in no further participation in the meet up to ejection from the competition area. Delineates what actions are considered unacceptable conduct with a penalty of disqualification from only that event. This change also delineates in Rule 8-3-8b as to when a relay lead-off time shall not be eligible for use as a qualification time or record.

NCHSAA Ejection Policy Fighting Leaving the bench area Flagrant contact Biting Taunting, baiting or spitting toward an opponent or official Profanity (directed toward an official or opponent) Obscene gestures Disrespectfully addressing an official Ejection from contest = miss remainder of contest and next 2 contest at that level (4 for fighting) Student-Athlete or Administrator disqualified or ejected = NFHS Sportsmanship Course Coach ejected = NFHS Teaching and Modeling Behavior Course Players ejected for fighting: Coach=NFHS Teaching and Modeling Behavior Course

Starter’s pistol Rules 2-7-3 NOTE, 4-3-1 NOTE The sounding device for the start or final lap shall not be a pistol capable of discharging live ammunition or a closed barreled starter’s pistol It is inappropriate to use a pistol of any kind at a school swimming meet. Alternative sounding devices are readily available.

Forward start Rule 8-1-5 Once called to the starting platforms, should the referee/starter give the command “Stand up,” the swimmers should remain on the starting platforms Swimmers will not enter the water or delay a new start by stepping down Referees and starters should direct swimmers to step down only when unusual circumstances occur For risk minimization, swimmers should not step off the starting platforms unnecessarily once stepped up. Getting on and off the platforms, especially with the track-style blocks, increases the risk a swimmer will trip or lose his/her balance and stumble. Only in unusual circumstances should the swimmers be directed to “Step down.”

Backstroke finish Rule 8-2-1e After breaking the surface of the water, the swimmer must remain on the surface Any part of the swimmer’s body is on or above the surface The only exception to remaining on or above the surface once breaking the water surface is for turns Only when the entire body is submerged is there a violation of the rule The change in the rule for the backstroke event specifies the swimmer shall remain on or above the water surface on the finish. This change eliminates the abuse of submerging well before the true finish.

Diving Warm-ups Rule 9-2-1 Divers shall be permitted at least two practice approaches during specified warm-up times prior to each diving session Each approach may be with or without a water entry Divers are allowed to do practice dives from the published dive list for practice water entry approaches For risk minimization and fairness to all diving competitors, a warm-up is scheduled after a break before the session begins. Divers are permitted at least two practice approaches with or without water entry. The host management may schedule more than two practice dives for the field of competitors.

Order of Divers – Championship Meets Rule 9-2-2 Subject to the meet director’s discretion and published prior to the competition, divers may be reordered by rank – lowest to highest scores – following the semifinal round With no previous action by the meet director, the default is keeping the divers in the same dive order as preliminaries/semifinals As an option, the finalists in the diving event in championship meets or those following a championship format may be seeded by their semifinal score (lowest to highest) prior to the final three dives. Using this option, the divers in finals would then dive in that same relative order for the last three dives. This opportunity will add excitement to the meet and give a benefit to the highest-scoring semifinalist by diving in the last position.

New Diving Award Scale Rule 9-7-2 Excellent 10; Very good 8½ to 9½; Good 7 to 8; Satisfactory 5 to 6½; Deficient 2½ to 4½; Unsatisfactory ½ to 2; Failed 0. The dives listed on the NFHS diving table are consistent with NCAA, USA Diving and FINA in regard to the degrees of difficulty. There are no technical reasons for the scoring scale to be different.

Major Editorial Changes 2014-15 Swimming and Diving Major Editorial Changes

Entries by Individuals Rule 3-2-1 PENALTY EC Editorial Change A competitor participating, or attempting to participate, in more than the allowable number of events is disqualified from that event and further competition The competitor(s) shall not be disqualified from events in subsequent rounds for which he/she has previously and legally qualified (previous performance not nullified) Clarifies the penalty for a competitor violating allowable event limits. The competitor is not removed from any competition in which he/she had previously and legally qualified.

Uniforms EC Editorial Change Official discovers competitor wearing an illegal swimsuit (wearing two suits or illegal construction) Observed after heat begins – competitor disqualified at completion of heat, performance time nullified and competitor not eligible for further competition until in legal swimsuit With last year’s change in Rule 3-3-3 Penalty 2, Penalty 3 was no longer needed, so deleted. Editorial change provides consistency in rules language.

Other Editorial Changes EC Editorial Change 6-4-1a,b (button or watch times) 9-3-5 …(with the number and degree of difficulty of the voluntary dive(s) circled or otherwise clearly identified)… 6-4-1a,b Clarifies, when necessary to integrate back-up times, one should compare watch to watch or button to button times. Watch and button times are not to be mixed. 9-3-5 Much of the diving software now in use does not permit the voluntary dive to be circled, but identifies in another fashion. This change allows an alternate means of clearly identifying voluntary dives when using an electronic system.

Voluntary Dives – Clearly Identified EC Editorial Change On the submitted form on the left, the voluntary dives are to be circled. On the electronic sheet on the right, the dive may not be able to be circled, but the voluntary dives are denoted differently through the electronic process.

Other Editorial Changes EC Editorial Change Appendix B RELAY TAKEOFF PAD USAGE GUIDELINE TABLE -0.10 -0.09 through -0.01 0.00 through +0.09 DQ If electronic equipment AND either takeoff judge OR dual confirmation by BOTH takeoff judges. DQ MUST have confirmation by at least one (1) takeoff judge. LEGAL NO VIOLATION Judges are not considered. Appendix B Table was added visual to assist meet officials.

2014-15 Swimming and Diving Points of Emphasis

Touch Pads When pads are used: Touch includes the entire lane, as pads should be proper width, or the area where the pad should be located Touching above the pad is NOT a legal finish NOT legal touch Gutter line Legal touch Legal touch Pad small for lane Pad has shifted

Conduct Unsporting conduct includes, but is not limited to, making insulting or derogatory remarks, gestures, or acts including taunting, trying to influence, showing disgust or interfering with an official Team personnel shall be disqualified from further competition, including events in which previously qualified, for unsporting conduct

Conduct Unacceptable conduct includes, but is not limited to, the use of profanity whether or not it is directed at another person or any action which could discredit the individual or his/her high school Team personnel shall be disqualified from that event The meet referee always retains the authority under Rule 3-6-1 to disqualify a competitor for any act he/she deems as unsporting conduct

Showing up for events at championship meets It is the competitor’s responsibility to compete in each and every race or round he/she is entered The coach has the responsibility to make sure the athletes on his/her team report as required and this should be communicated clearly with his/her athletes at the meet, as well as at the start of the season for athlete accountability

Showing up for events at championship meets If, for some reason, an athlete is not going to compete in a scheduled event in which entered, the coach must notify the referee of a declared false start prior to the start of the event to avoid disqualification of the athlete

Stacked hands As a reminder, by NFHS rules, stacked hands are legal in the breaststroke.

NFHS Swimming and Diving Publications The Rules Book, Scorebook and other swimming and diving materials can be ordered: online at www.nfhs.com by calling 1-800-776-3462 The NFHS swimming and diving publications are available to order online or by using the toll free number.

NFHS E-books Electronic versions of NFHS Rules and Case Books are now available for purchase as e-books Apple users can visit iTunes for available books Apple, Android and Kindle users can buy e-books from Amazon.com and view them through the Kindle app $5.99 Visit www.nfhs.org/ebooks for more information

Swimming and Diving Officials’ Guidelines Manuals The revised manuals are available August 1 on the following Web site locations: http://www.nfhs.org/Swimming/ https://nfhs-swimming-diving.arbitersports.com/front/105415/Site

Free! $50 $20 All NFHS courses can be accessed at www.nfhslearn.com Just a reminder, there are several new and/or updated coaching courses located at nfhslearn.com. Check them out! All NFHS courses can be accessed at www.nfhslearn.com

Sportsmanship The quality of responsible behavior characterized by a spirit of generosity and a genuine concern for opponents, officials and teammates. Wholesome athletic environment Good Sportsmanship > Victory Modest in victory, gracious in defeat Respecting judgment and integrity of game officials Role modeling good behavior

Important Dates Start Wednesday, October 29 1st Contest Monday, November 17 Reporting Saturday, January 31 6:00 p.m. Regionals Friday, February 6 Saturday, February 7 States 3A: Thursday, February 12 1A/2A: Friday, February 13 4A: Saturday, February 14

Number of Contests Pre-season Regular Season Post Season 2 varsity scrimmages Does not count toward season limitation Multi-team scrimmages are allowed Regular Season 3 scheduled meets per week 1 per day individual limit Post Season Varsity conference meets are considered part of the state playoffs

Dead Periods FALL 2014 SPRING Summer 2015 August 1 through September 1 February 16 through March 15 Summer 2015 June 29-July 5 July 20-July 26

Approved Board Items Practice Games and Scrimmages Schools that have individuals qualifying to the regional and/or state individual playoffs, after the regular season is over for the team, may work out or scrimmage one-on-one against students from another school where competition is not available at their own school. Limited to one partner for each qualifier advancing, whether from their own school or another school. Referees Referee and two stroke and turn judges be required for meets using six or fewer lanes. Referee and three stroke and turn judges be required for meets using more than six lanes.

Referees Schools are responsible for securing Minimum 2 per school Proper number of meet officials for times to be official Payment Referee: $51 Stroke and Turn: $26 Starter: $26 Should be paid on site!

SWIMMING OFFICIALS REGISTRATION HOW TO REGISTER SWIMMING OFFICIALS REGISTRATION In 4 Easy StepS: Where to register? How to register? The costs of registration The NCHSAA’s Follow-up Post registration

The website to register as a swimming official: Where do I register? The website to register as a swimming official: https://officiating.nchsaa.org

STEP 1: Create a Profile

STEP 2: Log-in Returning Officials will simply log into their account If you need a password reset contact the NCHSAA New officials will use the username and password that was just created

Registration Costs $51.00 before November 15, 2014. Step 3: Register & Pay Registration Costs $51.00 before November 15, 2014.

Registration Follow Up Registration Packet Mailed to your address. It will include the following: Rules Book Clinic Schedule Exam information Meet Verification Form NCHSAA Memo TESTING WINDOW: November 7-21, 2014

Swimming Regional Entries with Direct Athletics Sign into www.directathletics.com You may sign in and out changing times and updating entries until the entry deadline of 6pm on Saturday, January 31. {Sign-in before this date, in case of difficulty} Sign In Here

Swimming Regional Entries with Direct Athletics Update Contact Information When you register your contact information with Direct Athletics, make sure you are giving the coach’s phone number where he/she can be reached on January 31st or February 1st. If there are any issues with your entries, this is the number we’ll call. Do this for both Women’s & Men’s. Select: Setup Select: Contact Info

Swimming Regional Entries with Direct Athletics Register the appropriate information for all your athletes (SWIMMERS AND DIVERS!). Make sure you hit the “SUBMIT” button each and every time you update information so that it’s saved. Select: Team Select: Women’s Or Men’s

Swimming Regional Entries with Direct Athletics ENTRIES MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE ENTRY DEADLINE OF: SATURDAY, January 31 @ 6:00 P.M. Upcoming Meet: (Will show up in early January) Select to enter Swimmers/Divers in their events.

Swimming Regional Entries with Direct Athletics Swimming Entries: Make sure all athletes are entered in ONLY 2 INDIVIDUAL EVENTS. Be sure to enter your RELAY EVENTS Teams may enter no more than four swimmers per individual event and no more than one team per relay

Swimming Regional Entries with Direct Athletics Diving Entries Divers must have successfully competed in at least one meet during the regular season in order to enter regional competition. Enter best diving score from season into Direct Athletics, then complete the diving entry form found online at: http://www.diverline.com/DiveVerifierProgram.htm Two copies must be brought to the diving meet.

Swimming Regional Entries with Direct Athletics A printed copy of the DirectAthletic entries, along with the NCHSAA master eligibility list for the swimming and diving team, must be signed by the principal, and coaches must present this at check in at all regional meets. Make a copy for presentation at the diving regional also.

Eligibility & Compliance Carolyn Shannonhouse – Assistant Commissioner

Eligibility Power Point Required viewing for all coaches Should be done with the athletic director Includes opportunities to discuss concussions/sudden cardiac arrests/Sickle Cell Trait, etc.

Eligibility Preseason Meeting Required attendance by all parents Time to share rules, regulations, expectations, philosophy etc. Time to get all required signatures--pledges, Gfeller-Waller information, etc.

Eligibility Eligibility Checklist Use to ensure school has done its due diligence

Clinic Attendance Head coaches in football, soccer, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, swimming, baseball, softball, and track & field and lacrosse must attend an NCHSAA approved State Rules Clinic. Must be completed prior to coaching in the first contest; subject to $400 fine, in addition to a $500 fine if he/she actually coaches in the contest Can be satisfied at the NC Coaches’ Association Clinic being held here in Greensboro—July 21-24

Clinic Attendance If the head coach cannot attend the NCCA clinic or is not hired until afterwards, the requirement can also be met at one of the statewide officials’ clinics, which are posted on the NCHSAA Website under clinics. Please note that several volleyball and soccer clinics for officials occur prior to the NCCA Clinic. Athletic directors cannot satisfy this requirement by attending a rules’ session in place of the head coach

Coaches’ Education NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching Course Currently, all non-faculty and newly hired coaches must take the Fundamentals of Coaching Course; certificate of completion must be on file at the individual school Complete prior to first contest; subject to a $500 fine; continuing to coach without completion = another $500 All coaches must have satisfied the requirement to take this course by August 1, 2015.

Coaches’ Education Concussion Management Certification Effective August 1, 2014, the NFHS Concussion Course (free on-line course) or an equivalent course must be completed by all coaches Prior to the first date of practice for that sport; subsequently, the certificate of completion must be on file at the individual school; subject to $500 fine

Coaches’ Education “Education is a journey, not a destination”

Coaches’ Education Accredited Interscholastic Coach (AIC) Requires completion of 4 courses: Fundamentals of Coaching 1st Aid, Health & Safety for Coaches Sport Specific Course or Teaching Sports Skills Concussion in Sports (Free)

Coaches’ Education Certified Interscholastic Coach (CIC) Completion of AIC requirements Plus: Teaching & Modeling Behavior Engaging Effectively with Parents Sportsmanship Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment Strength & Conditioning 2 additional courses (User Choice0  

Sportsmanship Teaching & Modeling Behavior Course Required for any coach ejected during a contest Required for any coach who has player (s) ejected for fighting NFHS Sportsmanship Course Replaces the Star Sportsmanship Course for any ejected/disqualified player Free, on-line course (nfhslearn.com) All certificates must be sent to NCHSAA

Gfeller-Waller Concussion Law Requirements of the Law: Concussion signs and symptoms Given prior to participation Parents/athletes sign indicating “receipt of” Return to Play (RTP) form signed by a physician licensed to practice medicine When in doubt, sit them out” An up-to-date Emergency Action Plan (EAP) Must be on-file Must be posted Must be updated annually

Transfer Policy Now one year old If a bona fide change of residence—no transfer waiver necessary Transfer packet with forms are on-line; password protected Work with athletic director to ensure students meet residence rule requirements

Master Eligibility Form Added a column in order to indicate a student “meets local promotion standards” Changed the attendance column to indicate a student “meets local attendance policy”; note that the statewide 85% rule has given way to the local requirements relative to attendance

Have a Great Year! Get involved with student services Visit the NCHSAA website often Sign-in for attendance credit Coaches: Avoid $400 fine for your school