AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ORGANIZATION • MEMBER NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS Backstroke Finish- Change to rule 8-2-1-e Rule 8-2-1-e now requires that, after breaking the surface of the water (prior to 15m), the swimmer must remain on the surface, with any part of the swimmer’s body on or above the surface. The only exception to this requirement is for turns. Officials should carefully note that only when the ENTIRE body is submerged is there a violation of this rule. A good deal of modesty is called for here: It is exceedingly difficult to see the fingertips of the outstretched arm and the toes at the same moment. The problem we are addressing with this rule change is finishes where the swimmer is submerged well before reaching the wall. Officials should watch the swimmer as s/he approaches the wall. If the swimmer is completely submerged prior to the official shifting attention to the touch, this is likely a violation. We are looking to prohibit a situation where a swimmer is making an obvious attempt to submerge and to stay under water for some distance in order to finish the race (or segment), where the swimmer is completely submerged and is kicking underwater into the wall. If a swimmer has misjudged the wall and is reaching or lunging to touch the wall, most likely his/her chest or foot/feet or hand/arm are on or above the surface, and this is not a violation. This change applies to the finish in the backstroke event, to the finish of the backstroke leg of the medley relay, and to the finish of the backstroke segment of the IM.

Backstroke Finish- Change to rule 8-2-1-e€¦ · Title: Microsoft Word - MEMO New Backstroke Rule.docx Author: CIF Administrator Created Date: 3/17/2015 10:47:34 PM

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AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ORGANIZATION • MEMBER NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS

Backstroke Finish- Change to rule 8-2-1-e

Rule 8-2-1-e now requires that, after breaking the surface of the water (prior to 15m), the swimmer must remain on the surface, with any part of the swimmer’s body on or above the surface. The only exception to this requirement is for turns. Officials should carefully note that only when the ENTIRE body is submerged is there a violation of this rule. A good deal of modesty is called for here: It is exceedingly difficult to see the fingertips of the outstretched arm and the toes at the same moment. The problem we are addressing with this rule change is finishes where the swimmer is submerged well before reaching the wall. Officials should watch the swimmer as s/he approaches the wall. If the swimmer is completely submerged prior to the official shifting attention to the touch, this is likely a violation. We are looking to prohibit a situation where a swimmer is making an obvious attempt to submerge and to stay under water for some distance in order to finish the race (or segment), where the swimmer is completely submerged and is kicking underwater into the wall. If a swimmer has misjudged the wall and is reaching or lunging to touch the wall, most likely his/her chest or foot/feet or hand/arm are on or above the surface, and this is not a violation. This change applies to the finish in the backstroke event, to the finish of the backstroke leg of the medley relay, and to the finish of the backstroke segment of the IM.