INTRODUCTORY NOTE
This post includes some summary comments. The second post following this one includes the actual text of USS rules as they exist AFTER the changes.
AUTHORITY OF RULES COMMITTEE TO CHANGE THE TECHNICAL RULES
516.1.1 A (page 131, 1998 book) says in part: ‘… the Rules Committee may alter, amend or repeal any portion of Part One at any time to conform to the rules of the Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur (FINA).’ The Rules Committee has approved these changes to mirror the recent changes to FINA Technical Rules.
EFFECTIVE DATE
The EFFECTIVE DATE of the changes is MARCH 6, 1998, which is the same as the FINA effective date.
SUMMARY OF CHANGES
Breaststroke
To permit the shoulder to drop on turns and during the swim
Butterfly
1. To permit the shoulder to drop on turns
2. To limit underwater portion to 15 meters
Freestyle
To limit underwater portion to 15 meters
Forward Start
To permit uneven (not same distance from front) initial foot placement
COMMENTS FROM RULES COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
In three cases above the word used is ‘permit’. This represents a relaxation of FINA and now USS rules. As a result, adjusting to these changes should be easy.
In two cases above (Butterfly and Freestyle underwater) the word used is ‘limit’. This represents a further restriction in FINA and now USS rules. These will likely requirement more adjustment by swimmers, coaches and officials. I believe most of us had heard of the Butterfly limit underwater. The Freestyle limit will be new to many.
The most discussed issue about these changes was not the actual changes, rather the effective date. FINA normally changes its rules to take effect after the World Championships and Olympic Games, which typically occur in the summer or early fall. USS has changed its rules to conform to FINA rules (including the effective date) before and does so again today.
To notify swimmers, coaches and officials, the USS Headquarters will be mailing a five page description of these changes to approximately 11,000 people, including all LSC General Chairs, permanent offices, LSC Officials Chairs, National Championship Certified Officials and ALL Coach Members. These mailings are scheduled for Wednesday, February 4.
The mailing includes:
(1) a summary cover page
(2) comparison of FINA and USS language with additional wording underlined and deleted language struck (standard
legislative format, 3 pages)
(3) a ‘cut and paste’ version of the final change USS language, formatted to fit into rulebooks easily.
[.....].
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we all adjust to these required changes. With communication and understanding, I am confident we can adjust with a minimum of difficulty.
101.1.2, page 13, second paragraph from bottom
Stroke - From the beginning of the first arm stroke after the start and after each turn, the body shall be kept on the breast. The arms shall move simultaneously and in the same horizontal plane without any alternating movement. The hands shall be pushed forward together from the breast, on, under, or over the water. The elbows shall be under the water except for the last stroke at the finish of the prescribed distance. The hands shall be brought back on or under the surface of the water. The hands shall not be brought beyond the hipline, except during the first stroke after the start and each turn. Some part of the swimmer's head shall break the surface of the water at least once during each complete cycle of one arm stroke and one leg kick, in that order, except after the start and each turn the swimmer may take one arm stroke completely back to the legs and one leg kick while wholly submerged. The head must break the surface of the water before the hands turn inward at the widest part of the second stroke.
101.1.4, page 14, first paragraph at top of page
Turns - At each turn, the touch shall be made with both hands simultaneously at, above, or below the water surface. The head may be submerged after the last arm pull prior to the touch, provided it breaks the surface of the water at some point during any part of the last complete or incomplete stroke cycle preceding the touch. Once a touch has been made, the swimmer may turn in any manner desired. The shoulders must be at or past the vertical toward the breast when the swimmer leaves the wall and the form prescribed in .2 must be attained from the beginning of the first arm stroke.
101.2.2, page 14, second paragraph of Butterfly section
Stroke - After the start and after each turn, the swimmer's shoulders must be at or past the vertical toward the breast. One or more leg kicks are permitted, but only one arm pull under water, which must bring the swimmer to the surface. It shall be permissible for a swimmer to be completely submerged for a distance of not more than 15 meters (16.4 yards) after the start and after each turn. By that point, the head must have broken the surface. The swimmer must remain on the surface until the next turn or finish. From the beginning of the first arm pull, the swimmer's shoulders shall be in line with the water surface. Both arms must be brought forward over the water and pulled back simultaneously.
101.2.4, page 14, fourth paragraph of Butterfly section
Turns - At each turn the body shall be on the breast. The touch shall be made with both hands simultaneously at, above, or below the water surface. Once a touch has been made, the swimmer may turn in any manner desired. The shoulders must be at or past the vertical toward the breast when the swimmer leaves the wall.
101.4.2, page 15, second paragraph of Freestyle section
Stroke - Freestyle means that in an event so designated the swimmer may swim any style, except that in a medley relay or individual medley event, freestyle means any style other than butterfly, breaststroke, or backstroke. Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the race, except it shall be permissible for the swimmer to be completely submerged during the turn and for a distance of not more than 15 meters (16.4 yards) after the start and each turn. By that point the head must have broken the surface.
102.14.2 A, page 27, fourth paragraph from bottom
The Starter, upon receiving clearance from the Referee (for all events except backstroke and medley relay) directs swimmers to step on to the starting block or platform and remain there. Refer to 101.3.1 for backstroke start requirements.
102.14.2 C (second C paragraph), last paragraph on page
At the commencement of each heat, the Referee shall signal to the swimmers by a short series of whistles to remove all clothing except for swimwear, followed by a long whistle indicating they should take their positions on the starting block or platform and remain there. In backstroke and medley relay events, at the Referee's first long whistle the swimmers shall immediately enter the water and at the [continue on p. 28]