NFHS Rules Changes

2011 - 2012

Rules Changes

2-7-2b chart: Only in water starts may be used when the water depth is 3 1/2 feet to less than 4 feet.
Rationale: For risk minimization purposes and to reflect current trends, this is a more appropriate starting restriction in water with a depth of less than 4 feet and at least 3.5 feet. This rule change does not require any change in equipment.

4-1-new 4: Once the meet competition is concluded, the referee continues to maintain clerical responsibilities through the completion of any required reports or correspondence related to action occurring during the meet. If necessary, the state association may intercede due to unusual incidents after officials' jurisdiction ends or the meet is terminated prior to conclusion of regulation competition.
Rationale: Administrative duties for meet referees may need to continue after the contest to document actions which occur during the competition. This revision illustrates the difference between the meet referees' jurisdiction during the competition and other clerical responsibilities such as submitting specific reports after the competition is completed. In addition, clarifies that state associations may continue to develop and implement policies that allow for review of unusual incidents that occur while the meet officials have jurisdiction or after the competition is completed.

9-2-2: The order of divers in meets conducted under championship format are determined by lot or by seeding based on the divers previous 11 dive score.
Rationale: For meets conducted under the championship format, this option provides the flexibility to seed diving, similar to swimming, based on the divers' previous score in an 11 dive meet during the current season.

9-4 Diving Table: Changes the degree of difficulty for twisting dives 5126D - 2.8; 5136D - 3.1 and 5227D - 3.2.
Rationale: It is appropriate for high school diving to change the degree of difficulty for these twisting dives to remain current with the technical aspects of scoring for diving.

9-5-2: A diver's forward approach may contain steps, hops, leaps and/or jumps between the initial three steps and culminating hurdle.
Rationale: Supports the advancement of high school diving, and reflects the current trends in the variations of the forward approach and the athleticism of today's high school divers.

9-5-6 NOTE: Flying dives demonstrating one and one half somersaults require the straight position to be maintained until the body has rotated to the vertical position.
Rationale: Clarifies the requirement for maintaining the straight position in flying dives demonstrating one and one half somersaults.

Editorial Changes

3-3-new 2: Defines the uniform as one suit and if worn, cap(s). Reorganizes the rule to a list format so easier to follow.

3-3-4 new NOTE: Clarifies the authority and criteria for the state association to authorize exceptions to the competition rules to provide a reasonable accommodation to individual participants.

3-3-5: Deletes the reference to illegal attire as it is covered under Rules 3-3-1 and 3-3-2.

4-1-new 2: Places the authority and responsibilities of the meet committee in its own article to make it easier to locate within the rules.

6-4-1: Eliminates unnecessary language and clarifies the process of time integration.

Minor Editorial Changes: 3-5-1, 8-1-2

Points of Emphasis

Pre-meet conference with coaches and captains: Under Rule 4-2-1, the referee has the responsibility to meet with the coaches and captains through a pre-meet conference. General information and those items specific to the site should be covered at this time. These are some of the items that should be covered in the meeting:

Introductions.
Reminder that jewelry is not to be worn during warm-ups or competition.
Coaches confirm all contestants are in legal suits and in compliance with the jewelry rule.
Inform whether starting protocol will follow verbal starts or only whistle commands.
Confirm the type of starting device to be used to start races.
Remind that teammates should stay back away from the edge during races.
Cooperation is requested to have it quiet for the start of each heat/race.
Remind swimmers of the whistle to get swimmers on the blocks.
Cover warm-down procedures.
Diving warm-ups.
Review schedule of warm-ups following diving or in the absence of diving during the meet.
Remind of proper sportsmanship.

Good communication before the meet helps to ensure the competition will go smoothly for the contestants, coaches and officials.

Forward approach in diving: The definition of a legal forward approach in diving now permits the diver to have greater flexibility in his/her movement between the required initial three steps to begin the approach and the hurdle and two feet takeoff from the end of the board. The diver may include such movement as a hop, leap, steps, etc. before the culminating hurdle and takeoff. The variation in the approach is keeping pace with the trends in the event and athleticism of today's high school divers.

Rules Interpretations

Corrections to Rules Book: 9-8-2e should read "not holding the straight position on a flying somersault until the body is horizontal, and on a flying 1 1/2 somersault holding the straight position until the body is vertical, to the surface of the water;"

SITUATION 1: A diver, after taking two steps on his/her forward approach, jumps off two feet before a third step, followed by a culminating hurdle and takeoff from both feet simultaneously at the end of the board and high enough to perform the dive. RULING: Violation of the forward approach, diving referee shall deduct two points from each judge's award. COMMENT: The diver is required a minimum of three steps before he/she may use additional steps, hops, leaps and/or jumps before the culminating hurdle. (9-5-2, 9-8-1a)

SITUATION 2: Team A has a foreign exchange student on the team. He/she would like to wear his/her country's flag on the competition suit. The size of the flag is 3x4 inches. Team A's coach will not allow the flag to be worn because it exceeds the size of an American flag. If the flag was no larger than 2x3 inches and the state association did not have a policy prohibiting the flag, the foreign flag could be worn. RULING: Correct. COMMENT: Even though the rule is specific to the American flag, the coach responded to the student within the spirit of the rule and checked with the state association. Only one flag is permitted. (3-3-2d)

SITUATION 3: The conference championship swimming and diving meet will be hosted by School A. The conference schools want to use just the default method of establishing the dive order for this 11 dive meet. Unless determined otherwise by the meet director, the default method for determining the order of the dive competition for a championship meet or meet conducted under a championship format shall be by lot. RULING: Correct procedure. (9-2-2)

SITUATION 4: The lane timer in lane 5 reports that the swimmer missed the touchpad at the finish, which had moved from proper position. The referee integrates the back-up time for lane 5 of the heat. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: See lane malfunction chart below. (6-4-1)

SITUATION 5: Now that the order of diving can be by lot or seeded based on the best 11 dive score submitted for the current season in a championship meet or meet conducted under a championship format, who has the authority to determine the method to place the divers in order at a) an invitational meet conducted under championship format; b) the conference/league championship meet; and c) the state series? RULING: In a), it will be the meet director; b) the meet director or by conference policy defer to the meet committee; and c) determined by the state association or could defer to the meet director or meet committee. COMMENT: In all situations, the manner of determining the diving order should be communicated to all participating schools in advance. (9-2-2)