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Rule Differences - Original
Current Rule Differences -Updated 11/17/06
Pool Depth Comparison -updated 02/28/07

FINA | NCAA | NFHS | USA Swimming | YMCA | USMS

FINA

FINA can change rules once every four years at the Technical Congress held in conjunction with the World Championships. An Extraordinary Congress can be called for if needed, but, in general, each four years any of the 180 FINA member countries can propose changes. The Technical Committee (12 people) reviews the suggestions, recommends FOR or AGAINST, or EDIT/CHANGE the proposals. These recommendations then go to the FINA Bureau (23 people). They recommend FOR or AGAINST and finally, the proposals go before a Congress for a final vote. Each country has one vote so the USA’s vote is no more or less important than, say, Senegal or Thailand.

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NCAA

Annually, every coach receives a survey soliciting their input in the form of proposals for a new rule. The proposals go to CSCAA. They are discussed at the NCAA meeting in July. The Swimming and Diving committee has the final vote.

NCAA has worked hard to make their rules in the water the same as other governing bodies. Wayne explained that they would probably stay with the announcer announcing and verbal starting commands. Just a note – the make up of NCAA championships has a large foreign factor. The percentage of females is about 25% and the percent of males is 30% at national championships.

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NFHS

The NFHS provides rules for the conduct of high school sports. Each state may conduct their competition after adopting these rules in whole, in part or under some other set of rules.

Rule proposals can come from anyone in the respective state association. The proposals go the state association and are forwarded to NFHS. They are compiled into a questionnaire and sent out to target groups. Coaches and officials who are members of the NFSH Coaches and Officials Associations can respond to the questionnaire on their own if they so desire. The rule proposals are discussed and voted on at the rules meeting held annually. The committee is made of eleven individuals who are active coaches, officials or swimming administrators. The recommended rule changes go to the NFHS Board of Directors. The Board reviews the rule proposals with particular emphasis on anything that would affect risk management. The Board has final approval.

Experimentation can be done in the NFHS system. A state association may write a proposal to try a new rule for a year. They provide an evaluation at the end of the year. Many rules have been adopted because of this method.

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USA Swimming

USA Swimming is required by it Bylaws to follow FINA technical rules. Any member of the House of Delegates can submit proposed changes by May 15. (Those proposals only need a 50% vote to pass.) Submissions after May 15 need a 90% to pass. The proposals go to the Rules Committee who meets in June and makes an initial recommendation of “approve”, “not approve” or “no recommendation”. The Committee meets again at the Convention, reviews their initial recommendations and then makes a final recommendation to the House of Delegates. . All proposals go to the House of Delegates at convention for final action.

Except for changes to Part One of the Rule Book, which contain the technical rules, all changes are effective as of the January 1st following the convention. Any changes to Part One are effective on the May 15th following the convention. Any changes that are a result of changes from FINA are effective as of the FINA effective date.

There is no formal procedure for innovation. On occasion, an LSC (Local Swimming Committee) will experiment with a new rule. The entire LSC must adopt the change and report back after one year of experimentation.

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YMCA

The YMCA does not have its own rule book. They have used the NCAA rule book in the past. In April of 2006 the YMCA voted to adopt the technical rules of USA Swimming, effective September 2006. This made one set of rules for age group swimmers who swim both YMCA and USS meets.

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USMS

United States Masters Swimming follows USA Swimming and FINA rules with a few exceptions. Changes to the rules of competition are considered on a routine basis during even numbered years. (Regulations dealing with the administration of USMS are considered during odd numbered years.) Proposed changes to the rules must come from and be approved by either a Local Masters Swim Committee (LMSC) or a standing USMS committee. The Rules Committee may amend the proposals and then will recommend to the House of Delegates (HOD) that they be accepted or rejected. A proposal recommend for approval requires a favorable vote from the majority of the HOD while those recommend for rejection requires a vote to accept the proposed change from two-thirds of the HOD. In odd-numbered years, emergency proposals may be accepted by the rules committee which, if forwarded to the HOD, requires a 90% vote in favor of acceptance for the proposal to be accepted.

If USA Swimming or FINA adopts a change in their technical rules, USMS automatically follows these changes unless the HOD votes specifically to not do so.

Page last updated: September 2, 2007 10:07 AM