January 2001
Dear Swimming Coaches and Officials:
Happy New Year! I hope each of you spent a little time with your families over the holidays. I certainly enjoyed being with mine. It's hard to believe we are less than six weeks away from districts! This letter will address several items the swimming advisory committee discussed at their meeting last May pertaining to districts' and state. Many of these topics were already discussed at the rules meetings last fall, but I wanted to bring them to your attention once again as a reminder.
DUAL CONFIRMATION FOR RELAY TAKEOFF'S
Apparently, I confused some people with my last clarification on dual confirmation of relay take-offs! My only point was officials should never indicate which lane they believe committed a violation until the race is over. If one, or both, officials see a violation they should record the lane number and swimmer. The side judge waits until the last swimmer is in the water and raises a hand, with open palm, overhead as per rule 4-6-2 (c). If both judges have recorded the same swimmer as having committed a violation, the referee announces the disqualification.
CHANGES IN DISTRICT ENTRY FORMAT
As discussed at the rule's meetings and written in the Fall and Winter Sports Manual, there is a change in the district entry procedure. The change was made to make the process more "coach friendly." I have enclosed a handout stating the procedure in detail, but here is the short version. All district entries are due in the District Manager's office by noon, Friday, February 9. Scratches and minor substitutions (scratch/changes) may be made after this time until 9:00am, Saturday, February 10. Any swimmer who is substituted for another must already be listed on the district entry blank. The meet will not be seeded until 9:00am, to accommodate any changes that may occur. Swimmers may declare a false start until they are called to the blocks for the first heat of the event in which they want to declare a false start.
Relay substitutions may be made until the swimmers are called to the blocks for the first heat of that relay. Of course, any alternates must already be listed on the entry blank for that relay in order to swim.
ORGANIZED TEAM CHEERS PRIOR TO THE 400-YARD FREESTYLE RELAY
The advisory committee expressed concerns that members of some teams are performing organized cheers and chants prior to the 400 free relay during the season and at district meets. There is certainly nothing wrong with expressions of enthusiasm by team personnel, unless it causes a delay in the meet. Coaches, I ask that you remind all team members to show respect for everyone present by doing any cheers in a sportsmanlike manner. At no time should shows of enthusiasm by personnel on deck delay a swimmer from reporting to the blocks at the same time other swimmers are reporting, or delay the starting of a race.
POURING HOME POOL WATER INTO THE STATE MEET POOL
The committee also expressed concerns about the pouring of home pool water into the University of Iowa Pool at the state meet. They understand schools may do so for a variety of reasons, but are concerned about the safety of deck personnel and the poor sportsmanship that could be construed if it is done in a taunting manner. These are the rules that will be followed if a team feels it is necessary to pour home pool water into the state meet pool:
1) it is NOT permitted to take place from the bulkhead;
2) it shall be done in a manner that is NOT disruptive to other people on deck, including officials, other team's personnel, and workers;
3) it MUST be done before 12:15pm, when the pool is closed;
4) NO GLASS CONTAINERS ARE ALLOWED IN THE FIELD HOUSE POOL;
5) containers used for pouring home pool water into the pool must be small enough to be held in one hand.
As I stated earlier, there is nothing wrong with expressions of enthusiasm by team personnel, but it should in no way disrupt others or be done in an unsportsmanlike manner.
TEAMS ENTERING THE POOL DECK AT THE STATE MEET CARRYING BANNERS, ETC.
Teams entering the deck from the tunnel after the pool is closed at 12:15pm must turn left out of the tunnel and walk past the warm up/cool down pool. They may not walk across the bulkhead to the far side of the pool. This will eliminate any concerns of interference with personnel on the bulkhead who may be working on the starting blocks or timing pads.
USE OF "MOTION LOTIONS" AND FOREIGN SUBSTANCES
There continues to be a safety concern regarding the excessive use of "motion lotions" and other foreign substances at the state meet. As you know, the use of any sprays is restricted to the locker room because of the breathing difficulty they cause some swimmers when used in the confined area of the tunnel. Also, the excessive use of oils is prohibited because they make the deck and tunnel area very slippery. The advisory committee has asked the use of such substances be monitored very closely at this year's state meet. The use of such substances will be discussed at the next committee meeting. If the committee feels the excessive use of such substances continues to be a concern, they may recommend they be prohibited entirely.
I hope you continue to have a productive season. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to call, fax, write, or E-mail me.
I look forward to seeing many of you at the state meet on February 17.
Sincerely,
Alan Beste
Administrative Assistant