General Swim Meet Rules and Regulations
One length of the pool = 25 yards or 25 meters depending on the pool
- 6 and under swimmers will swim only the freestyle and/or freestyle relay for 1 length of the pool.
- 7/8s and 9/10s will swim 1 length of the pool in no more than 2 individual events and 2 relay events.
- 11/12s, 13/14s and open swimmers will swim 2 lengths of the pool in individual events or 4 lengths of the pool in the individual medley relay. Each swimmer may swim no more than 3 individual events and 2 relay events.
- Swimmers will be disqualified for violating league rules, including the following:
*Use of the lane rope or pool bottom to enhance forward
progress.
*After a second false start in the same event.
*Early take off in a relay event.
*Violation of a stroke rule.
- Disqualification in a heat will result in the swimmer no receiving points or awards. However, the swimmer will receive a purple ribbon for participation.
- A swimmer’s age for competition is determined by his/her age as of May 31st. A swimmer may not compete if he/she has reached their 19th birthday as of May 31st of the current year.
- Age 6 and unders may swim with the 7/8 age group. All others must swim with their respective age group, except in the Open relays where up to two 13/14 age swimmers may move up to compete. See league rules for additional conditions.
- Swimmers 10 and under can only swim in up to 2 individual events – there is a 100 point penalty if this rule is broken.
- In order to participate in the prelims and finals, a swimmer must participate in 2 league swim meets.
- Home team swims in the even numbered lanes while the visiting team swims in the odd numbered lanes.
Stroke Disqualification
Freestyle:
Hanging on the rope more than three times.
Pushing off the bottom of the pool.
Pulling on the lane rope for forward propulsion.
Missing the wall on the 50 free flip turn.
Butterfly:
One hand touch at turn or finish.
Arms / legs not synchronized.
Flutter, scissor, or breaststroke kick not allowed.
Breaststroke:
Hands brought beyond hipline (except during underwater pullout and turn).
Kick is not symmetrical (butterfly kick is not allowed).
Arms not brought back simultaneously or symmetrically.
One hand touch at turn or finish.
Backstroke:
Missing the wall on the turn.
Turning over to stomach (except on 50 back flip turn & only right before making contact with wall).
Taking more than one pull after turning to the breast.
Major portion of the torso going under the lane line.
Pulling on the lane rope for propulsion.
