November 24, 2003

Dear Swimming Coaches and Officials:

This is the first of two letters you will receive during the swimming season which address rule's issues that may need further clarification. My hope is the letters will facilitate a more consistent application and understanding of the rules across the state. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

SPORTSMANSHIP - While we do not have a large number of sportsmanship problems in swimming it is still important to visit with swimmers about expectations concerning acceptable behavior. Coaches, visit with your swimmers about good sportsmanship. Swimming has a great reputation when it comes to proper behavior and I'd like to it keep that reputation! Officials, remember to visit with coaches, and captains if available, at your pre-meet meeting regarding sportsmanship. This does not have to be a lengthy discussion. Simply let them know there is an expectation for good sportsmanship and that you appreciate their help in role modeling good behavior.

PROPER SUPERVISION OF SWIMMERS - The Iowa Code requires that a lifeguard be present for all practices and competitions, unless a coach is a lifeguard or has current certification from the American Red Cross in basic water safety, standard first aid, and infant, child and adult CPR (or equivalent training approved by the IDPH). The lifeguard does not have to be a licensed coach if they are only there for the safety of the swimmers and are not giving any instruction. If the lifeguard gives any instructions to any swimmer(s), they are now a coach and must have an authorization or certification.

WARM-UP GUIDELINES - Coaches, be sure to have warm-up guidelines posted for all meets. Be sure the visiting team(s) is aware of the guidelines and that all swimmers are following them. Guidelines can be found on page 4 of the NFHS Rule Book and in the IHSAA swimming rules meeting folder.

IN-WATER STARTS - For all in-water starts, the swimmers must "step into the water, feet first." They are not to dive in, leap in, or jump in - they are to "step in." Violations of this rule result in disqualification from the event as per rule 8-1-3. This rule is for the safety of the swimmers. Coaches please be sure your swimmers are aware of the rule. Officials, enforce this rule as you do all other rules.

ENTRY DEADLINE - The following wording has been removed from Rule 3-2-3, "immediately after the announcement of the results of the preceding event" and has been replaced with, "at a time & place specified by the referee." The intent of the rule change is to allow coaches at dual meets to give their line ups to the computer operator (if that is the way meet management is handling entries) before the meet and still make changes during the meet. The rule change is not meant to change the way entries for dual meets are typically handled, just to give rule support for turning entries in before the meet and making changes later in the meet. The logical way to handle this rule change is for coaches to turn their line ups in to the computer operator (if that is the way meet management is handling entries) before the meet and for the referee to allow changes in those line ups until a specified time. Immediately after the announcement of the results of the preceding event would seem to work well as that is what everyone is used to doing. If the referee does not specify a time by which entries, or changes, are due that time remains "immediately after the announcement of the results of the preceding event."

COACHES AND OFFICIALS WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SWIMMERS - As I shared with you at the rules meetings, there are two general concerns that have been identified from the officials evaluations.

1) Officials sometimes don't take time to meet with the coaches before the meet. Officials, please take a few minutes before each meet to visit with the coaches about entries, jewelry & logos, pool abnormalities, scoring, number of heats, length of warm-up after the 50-free, rule clarifications, etc. Coaches, be sure you make yourselves available to the referee for a short meeting. I understand that everyone has pre-meet duties, but with planning everyone can make themselves available for a short meeting.

2) Officials do not always move up & down the pool to be in position to make a call on a possible stroke, turn, or relay exchange violation. An official's primary responsibility is to observe those swimmers in position to score points, but the other swimmers should not be ignored. Certainly there are situations where pool configuration and deck space are not always ideal for officials being in the perfect position to make every call. Coaches, part of your responsibilities are to keep the area along the pool as open as possible for the officials. Officials, if you are having difficulty moving along the pool because of too many team personnel in that area call it to the attention of the head coach and ask for assistance.

I hope these clarifications assist both coaches and officials. If you have other situations you would like to have addressed in the January letter please call, fax, write, or e-mail them to me. My E-mail address is <abeste@iahsaa.org>.

If you have any questions during the season, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Alan Beste

Administrative Assistant