2006-07 NFHS Swimming/Diving Situations

2006-07 NFHS Swimming/Diving Situations

Situation A:

Before beingcalled to blocks, the referee observes a swimmer with jewelry or a watch or a cap with two logos or a suit that is illegal. S/he instructs the swimmer to remove/alter the item to correct the problem. RULING: Proper procedure.COMMENT: In the first three instances, the remedy can be accomplished quickly. In the case of the suit, however, the swimmer may not have sufficient time to make the change and be ready for his/her event. In that case, since the event has not started, the coach would be able to make a substitute (and the offending swimmer would not be charged with an event). Rule 3-2-4 permits entry changes prior to the start of the race.

Situation B:

The referee calls the swimmers to the blocks. As they step up/in, the starter sees that the swimmer in Lane 3 is wearing a suit with 15 Speedo logos across the front. RULING: The swimmer is allowed to compete since the race has started with swimmers called to the blocks. (1-3-4) At the conclusion of the race, the referee shall instruct the swimmer to alter his/her attire, and shall advise the swimmer’s coach of that warning.

Situation C:

A swimmer, in either an individual event or as part of a relay team, is observed wearing illegal attire/jewelry while that swimmer is competing in an event. RULING: The swimmer is permitted to complete the event. Attempting to correct this situation during the race would be unfair. Swimmer may not participate thereafter until the illegal attire/jewelry is removed.

Situation D:

A swimmer is wearing a white cap with a single, appropriately-sized manufacturer’s logo in red. In addition, embossed into the border of the white material of the cap are multiple manufacturer’s logos, which are virtually invisible unless examined at very close proximity. RULING: A cap of this sort can be worn without violating Rule 3-3-1.

Situation E:

Swimmers on Team A are wearing (a) plastic bracelets bearing the slogan “Live Strong”; (b) woven rope or string friendship anklets. The referee instructs the swimmers to remove these items before they may participate in competition. RULING: Proper procedure. COMMENT: Functioning hair restraints and religious or medical medals are not considered jewelry (3-3-4). Commemorative items may be worn on the suit or cap, but only if approved by the State Association. Otherwise, decorative attire is considered to be part of the category of “jewelry.”

Situation F:

The referee reminds swimmer A during the warm-up period to remove his watch. Swimmer A subsequently comes to the blocks for the 200 freestyle still wearing the watch. The referee removes Swimmer A from the meet for unsportsmanlike conduct. RULING: Incorrect. COMMENT: Although jewelry is not to be worn in warm-ups, a penalty will not carry forward into competition from the preventive officiating in warm-ups. The penalty phase begins with start of the competition.

Situation G:

At the starting signal, the referee observes that Lane 7 is moving, but also determines that his/her movement was the result of one of the timers in Lane 7 sneezing. RULING: The referee should activate a recall device and recall the heat. The swimmer in Lane 7 should not be charged with a false start. COMMENT: If neither the referee nor the starter is able to recall the heat in this situation, the swimmer in Lane 7 should not be charged with a false start and the result of the heat should be recorded as official. If, in the judgment of the referee the start was unfair, s/he may order the race re-swum. (see Rule 4-1-2)

Situation H:

While executing the dolphin kick on the pullout following the start, the swimmer’s feet break the surface of the water. RULING: Legal. COMMENT: As is true of the dolphin kick in the butterfly, there is no requirement in the breaststroke that the feet remain submerged when executing the dolphin kick.

Situation I:

A swimmer executes a downward kick during the pullout at the start; however, the downward motion is executed one leg at a time. RULING: Illegal, stroke violation and the swimmer is disqualified. COMMENT: The dolphin kick utilized in the breaststroke is the same as in the butterfly, i.e., simultaneous movement of the legs and feet.

Situation J:

During the pullout after the start, the initial downward kick is followed by a second downward kick. RULING: Illegal, stroke violation and the swimmer is disqualified. COMMENT: The body movements of very flexible swimmers often produce motion in the vertical plane. Officials must be aware of such movement and recognize that the dolphin kick (permitted once but otherwise prohibited) is a motion developed by flexing and extending the knees, and not merely bodily undulations.

Situation K:

Situation K:

While approaching the turning wall at the end of the first length of the breaststroke, the swimmer uses a dolphin kick to move more quickly to the wall. RULING: Illegal, stroke violation and the swimmer is disqualified. COMMENT: The dolphin kick is permitted only during the first stroke after the start and each turn.

Situation L:

Situation L:

A diver is assessed a failed dive due to an administrative violation. (see 9-7-5k, m, n and o) Subsequently, diver falls into the water prior to performing the dive. (9-7-5-c) The referee disqualifies the diver and does not permit her/him to continue competing in the event. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: When a diver fails two dives for any reason, s/he shall be disqualified and shall perform no further dives. (9-8-3)

Situation M:

Diver A fails his fourth dive. He is attempting to perform his eighth dive, a forward somersault pike (Dive 102B). He commits a balk in his first attempt and then executes the dive. However, he enters the water with both hands above his head. The referee instructs the judges that this dive will receive a maximum of two points (unsatisfactory dive; see 9-7-4-b) and then directs the announcer to deduct two points from each judge’s score as the awards are announced (9-8-1-b). RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: Although the diver receives scores of zero, this is NOT considered to be a failed dive for purposes of disqualifying the diver from further competition.