The NCAA Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Rules Committee proposed a clearer definition of what should be considered a bona fide competition in the sport.
Committee members, who met this week in Indianapolis, recommended eliminating noncollegiate athletes from participating in an official program of collegiate meets. However, noncollegiate athletes would be allowed to compete in exhibition events conducted outside the meet program.
All rule proposals must be approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel before becoming official. The swimming and diving recommendations for the 2023-24 academic year are scheduled to be discussed by the panel July 19.
The Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Rules Committee believes bona fide competition sets the stage for how the sport is conducted and sets the standards for official competition. Committee members wanted to continue to define this aspect of the sport with the goal of making the definition clear and consistent.
"We want to create an experience that honors collegiate athletes competing in a collegiate environment, but still recognizing that the sport can be exciting and fun for others," said Jessen Book, chair of the rules committee and men's and women's swimming coach at Kenyon. "We want there to be a clear way to do both."
Team diving
The committee proposed an optional (permissive) rule for team diving competitions.
Under the recommendation:
- A team would consist of three divers from the same school.
- Each diver would complete one-third of the prescribed list of six dives/two dives at any level.
- The team would complete one dive from every group (front, back, reverse, inward, twist and armstand) for a total of six dives.
- The team would complete no more than two dives from the 1-meter and 3-meter diving boards and from the platform.
- If the event is conducted without platform, the team would complete no more than three dives on either the 1-meter or 3-meter springboard.
- The sum of the list would be the final team score.
- The event would take place as a scored final without a preliminary round.
- Standard judging and scoring rules apply for each individual dive.
"This is about creating opportunities," Book said. "So, we look for places where we can make the sport better. It is not a mandate that teams must do this event. It is an option just like the 50-yard freestyle or the 100-yard individual medley events are."
Experimental video rule
The committee approved an experimental rule for next season that allows coaches to review video after the 30-minute protest time expires.
The meet committee may provide access to the video review for a coach to view, and it can only be used for educational purposes.
Other rule proposals
- The committee recommended an optional rule to allow the use of underwater cameras for video review to confirm disqualification for swimming infractions.
- The use of tape, kinesiology tape and compression sleeves would be permitted to treat a documented medical condition. Documentation from a physician or certified athletic trainer to use tape, kinesiology tape or compression sleeves would be presented to the referee. The prescribed course of treatment would set forth a minimally invasive taping plan to support the athlete's medical condition.
- Ties would be allowed to be decided by a method other than a swim-off, such as a coin toss, if agreed upon by both coaches. If there is no agreement, a swim-off would be held.
- The committee refined the language regarding swimwear for swimmers and divers, identifying swimwear standards as well as logo specification for swim caps.