Summary of Major Changes to the USMS Rules of Competition
Effective January 1, 2001
By Dave Diehl
The specific rule governing the backstroke start for meets held in short course yard venues has been removed and the rule currently used in meter venues will govern all backstroke starts. Specifically, the feet must be below the surface of the water and the toes cannot be curled over the lip of the gutter. The rule now conforms with USA-Swimming rules with respect to the placement of the feet.
Clarification has been given with respect to the use of the breaststroke kick in the butterfly. If the breaststroke kick is used, it must alternate with the armstroke. Additional dolphin kicks are still permitted between breaststroke kicks.
Diving from the edge of the pool is permitted while running a "sprint lane" during warm-up.
Requests for initial splits can now be made up to the end of the meet for all events except backstroke and relay lead-off times. The request for backstroke and relay lead-off splits must be made prior to the swim in order to insure a legal touch has been made and that the second swimmer has not started in the water respectively. These times may be used for all purposes.
The requirement for using an open palm to signal a disqualification has been removed by USA-Swimming. The hand must still be raised however.