The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved allowing the use of real-time video with underwater cameras, when available, for officials to make violation calls in men's and women's swimming.
The rules change is effective beginning with the 2025-26 academic year.
Previously, when underwater cameras were available, video review was used to confirm violations called by an official.
The rule was advanced by the NCAA Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Rules Committee. Committee members felt that officials should use the technology, if available, with the goal of ensuring the proper application of the technical rules.
False starts
Panel members also approved the use of video review to determine whether the starter's call for a false start in individual events is accurate.
Video review can be used at championship or invitational competitions governed by a meet or games committee composed of representatives of multiple schools.
Before the beginning of the competition, a decision will be made by the meet committee as to when video reviews will be conducted, and all participants should be informed.
If video review is in place in championship meets, all disqualifications will be reviewed to evaluate whether the false start should be upheld. The referee and a conference or NCAA meet committee representative with no participating school affiliation can review the video to determine whether clear evidence exists to overturn the call.
The referee will have sole authority over the review. The decision will be a judgment call not subject to further review or appeal.
Other rules changes
- Allow the order of consolation and championship finals to be decided by the respective championship committee.
- Clarify that changing lanes for any reason during a race, while other swimmers are still competing, will result in disqualification.
- Align diving technical rules with USA Swimming and World Aquatics standards.
- Proximity to the diving board during the flight.
- Definition of tuck position.
- Description of diving positions.
- Align diving referee duties and responsibilities with USA Swimming and World Aquatics standards.
- Protocols for inclement weather.
- Clarification of points allocation and process for wrong position.
- Declaration of failed dives.
The NCAA Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Committee also confirmed that 50-yard stroke events are allowed in all championship meets and clarified that in the event of an appeal in championship meets, the meet committee has the authority to act in cases of procedure but not to overturn rules violations.