Class: Stroke and Turn

Type: Lecture

Duration: ~2 ½ hrs

Location:

Date:

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Trainer(s):

officials@nwal.org

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What’s an official?

NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

Page 16; II. ELIGIBILITY:

• A swimmer who lines in a community represented by a NWAL swim team shall swim for the community team except as provided below:. The core area, or boundary of the team follows this hierarchy:
• If the community is governed by a Homeowners Association (HOA) or equivalent, the boundary of the team is the boundary of the HOA or equivalent
• If the community is a municipality (city, town, township), the boundary of the team is the city or town limits (not including the City of Houston).
• If the community has more than one team, then written criteria for determining the boundary of the team and/or distribution of swimmers must have been submitted to the League Officers for approval and kept by the teams.

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Page 17; II. ELIGIBILITY; I. Requests for eligibility waiver…:

• Circumstances outside the swimmer’s control that would prevent the swimmer from otherwise being able to participate in NWAL swimming., such as zoning to a school in a different neighborhood that makes practices times unavailable, limited transportation exceptions (must be explained fully – not a “catch all” exception), custodial parent arrangements/orders, student athletes, etc.

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Page 17; II. ELIGIBILITY:

• Every swimmer must complete all of their team’s registration requirements and agree to a waiver of all liabilities of NWAL and its teams before participating at any practice or swim meet.  Any swimmer requiring an eligibility waiver or exception to swim for a team must (in addition to completing any and all registration requirements) have submitted an eligibility waiver to NWAL and received approval from NWAL for such eligibility waiver before participating at any practice or swim meets for such team.  The deadline for requesting an eligibility waiver is prior to the first dual meet.

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NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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Page 19; III. LEAGUE RULES AND POLICIES; B. ENTRIES, EVENTS, AND SEEDING; 2. NUMBER OF EVENTS A SWIMMER MAY ENTER:

Swimmers may enter no more than three (3) individual events. Swimmers may move up age groups providing they adhere to the above limitations, and remain in the upper age group throughout the entire meet. Swimmers may not swim more than 1 freestyle relay and 1 medley relay. A swimmer who participates in more than three (3) individual events, more than one (1) freestyle and/or medley relay, or who participates in an event in more than one age group during a meet shall be disqualified in all events, including relays, in which the swimmer was Entered.

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Page 22; III. LEAGUE RULES AND POLICIES; B. ENTRIES, EVENTS, AND SEEDING; 5. SEEDING; A. General:

• All entry lists and seeding shall have the fastest Official Time. An Official Time is one that was swum without disqualification at a meet which was sanctioned by the NWAL in the current season. Non-official times may be used for an event (or for a stroke on a relay) only when the swimmer has not established an Official Time in the current season. If a non-official time is used, it shall be established at a time trial. Assisted swimming results in a N/T or no time and is not valid for entry into an NWAL sanctioned meet. A time swum in a meet, without a disqualification, that is delayed due to climatic conditions and not rescheduled is an Official Time. Split times are NOT Official Times.

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NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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Page 26; III. LEAGUE RULES AND POLICIES:

• RELAY SCRATCH MEETING
• The purpose of the scratch meeting is to make adjustments on relay teams in age groups that have been reduced to fewer than four swimmers because one or more of the swimmers did not show up for the meet by the time of the scratch meeting. Teams may scratch a swimmer who is not attending the meet and reseed the meet.  
• At the scratch meeting a team may move a swimmer officially entered in the meet from a lower age group into a relay for a higher age group (up to two age groups) of the same gender provided that the team does not have enough swimmers in the higher age group available.  This Adjustment may be made if, and only if, that swimmer is scratched from all of the events originally entered in the lower age group, including relay events. The swimmer moved into the higher age group for one or more relays may remain in all individual events originally entered in the lower age group. Swimmers are only allowed to swim one freestyle and one medley relay at dual meets. After making these Adjustments, all swimmers must remain in compliance with Rule III.B.2
• If a younger swimmer is moved up, then the older swimmer whose absence at the time of the scratch meeting caused a younger swimmer to be moved up, shall be scratched from both relays. 
• As a matter of convenience, at the scratch meeting teams may also substitute legal alternates on relay teams. Such changes are not considered Adjustments, and therefore no scratches are necessary. As long as no swimmer is moved up in age group, a swimmer whose absence caused an alternate of the same age group to be substituted on a relay team shall not be considered scratched. Substitution of alternates on relay teams may be done at any time, not necessarily during the scratch meeting.
• Swimmers may not be entered into the meet  into individual events at the scratch meeting with approval of both team representatives and the meet referee.  
• No adjustments shall be made after the start of the meet. The fact that a relay alternate swims is not an adjustment.

NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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Page 28; III. LEAGUE RULES AND POLICIES; I. DISQUALIFICATIONS:

• Should a foul interfere with a swimmer endanger the chance of success of a swimmer(s), the Meet Referee shall offer a re-swim to all of the swimmers  may allow the affected swimmer(s) to reswim the event.    If the re-swim offer is accepted, the time achieved in the re-swim shall be the Official Time. In case of a collusion to foul another swimmer, the Meet Referee may, at his/her discretion, disqualify the swimmer for whose aid the foul was committed, as well as the swimmer committing the foul. 

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Page 29; III. LEAGUE RULES AND POLICIES; I. DISQUALIFICATIONS:

• Coaches, assistants and/or spectators shall not be allowed in the starting, turn, finish areas, ready bench area or within five (5) feet of swimming pools, nor are they allowed to except to assist a swimmer with a prescribed medical device.  Coaches, assistants and/or spectators shall not interfere with any meet official during the progress of any competition. No photography or digital recording is allowed in the restricted area behind the starting blocks. Violation may result in expulsion from the meet at the discretion of the meet referee. This is for the privacy and protection of our swimmers while they are in a vulnerable position. Upon being apprised of a violation of this rule, it shall be the duty of the Meet Referee to remove, or have such  offender removed immediately.

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NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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Page 30; III. LEAGUE RULES AND POLICIES; I. DISQUALIFICATIONS:

• No team personnel, including coaches and /or spectators, shall act in an Unsportsmanlike manner. This includes any act the Meet Referee or the league’s officers or board deems poor sportsmanship, such as:

Page 30; III. LEAGUE RULES AND POLICIES; I. DISQUALIFICATIONS; 15. No team personnel…:

• An act undertaken by any individual or team that the league’s officers or board determines is detrimental to the league or may result in a swimmer or team obtaining an unfair competitive advantage.

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Page 29; III. LEAGUE RULES AND POLICIES; I. DISQUALIFICATIONS:

• Suits shall be one piece.  Males shall wear suits which cover the buttocks.  Females shall wear suits which cover the buttocks and breasts. 

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NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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Page 36; V. OFFICIALS AND DUTIES; C. CERTIFICATION AND RECERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS; 4. RECERTIFICATION OF OFFICIALS:

Recertification of Referees, Starters, Stroke and Turn Officials, Clerk of Course, Computer, Team Representative , and Coaches may be required. Recertification procedures shall be determined by the Chairman of the Training & Certification Committee.

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Page 37; V. OFFICIALS AND DUTIES; D. MEET OFFICIALS REQUIREMENTS, 1. NWAL Certified Referees…:

• If both teams do not have sufficient number of officials to handle the coverage, then both shall mutually select persons at large to officiate the strokes and turns, in  equal numbers.

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NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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Pages 39-42; V. OFFICIALS AND DUTIES; F. DUTIES OF OFFICIALS; 1. REFEREE:

• The Meet Referee may consider changing the times-based order of finish 1) when there is an official protest or, 2) if there is a timing irregularity or malfunction in the event. The order of finish may originate with the Meet Referee or designee (certified official) who personally observed the event finishes. For Divisional or Invitational meets, the Meet Referee shall require dual confirmation of the observed order of finish to make changes to the times, based solely on order of finish.
• The Meet Referee, Starter, Head Timer, and Computer Personnel shall agree on the responsibilities of each Official with respect to the Timing System in use at the meet.
• The Meet Referee shall ensure that Computer Personnel determine the Official Time for each lane in each race using the Primary Timing System (as described in VI.C.) according to the following procedure:
1. Automatic Timing
1. When recorded by properly operating Automatic Timing equipment, operated according to the published NWAL Touchpad Protocol, and no malfunction has been reported, the pad time shall be the Official Time.
2. If a malfunction is confirmed for the lane, the Official Time shall be determined by following the Semi Automatic Timing section
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NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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ii. Semi-Automatic Timing

• If three button times are available, and the difference between each time is less than 0.3 seconds, the time of the intermediate button time shall be the Official Time.
• If three button times are available, and the difference between any time and its nearest other time is greater than or equal to 0.3 seconds, then the time with the greatest difference from the nearest shall be discarded and the Official Time shall be the average of the two remaining button times. Any digits representing thousandths of a second shall be rounded up to the next slowest hundredth.
• If only two button times are available, the Official Time shall be the average of those two button times. Any digits representing thousandths of a second shall be rounded up to the next slowest hundredth.
• If only one button time is available, or no button times are available, the Official Time shall be determined by following the Manual Timing section.

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NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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• Manual Timing 
• If three watch times are available, and the difference between each time is less than 0.3 seconds, the time of the intermediate watch time shall be the Official Time.
• If three watch times are available, and the difference between any time and its nearest other time is greater than or equal to 0.3 seconds, then the time with the greatest difference from its nearest shall be discarded and the Official Time shall be the average of the two remaining watch times. Any digits representing thousandths of a second shall be rounded up to the next slowest hundredth. The discarded time shall remain legible on the scribe sheet.
• If only two watch times are available, the Official Time shall be the average of those two watch times. Any digits representing thousandths of a second shall be rounded up to the next slowest hundredth.
• If only one watch time is available, the time of that watch shall be the Official Time.
• If no watch times are available, the Meet Referee shall determine the Official Time by adding or subtracting 0.01 second to the nearest Official Time in theheat based on the observed order of finish. If no order of finish is available, the Meet Referee may use an unofficial watch time, or offer the swimmer the option of re-swimming the event.

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NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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• The Meet Referee may consider changing the times-based order of finish if a malfunction or irregularity of the Timing System is reported or suspected, or in the event of an order of finish protest.
• A malfunction or irregularity may be suspected if:
• The difference between the times for a lane obtained by the Primary and available Backup system(s) is greater than or equal to 0.3 seconds; or
• A Certified Official designated by the Meet Referee to record order of finish reports a different order of finish
• When a malfunction on a lane is confirmed in the Primary system, the Official Time for that lane shall be determined in accordance with the procedure for the Backup system in V.F.1.n.
• For Divisional or Invitational meets, the Meet Referee shall require dual confirmationof the observed order of finish to make changes to the times based solely on order of finish.
• For information on resolving a Timing Malfunction or order of finish Protest with Manual and Semi-Automatic timing systems, refer to Appendix D - Timing Malfunction or Irregularity Guide.
• When, because of an early start, late start, or other equipment or operator malfunction, the time of an Automatic or Semi-Automatic Timing System is equally incorrect for all lanes in a heat, but the order of finish is accurate, the Meet Referee shall instruct Computer Personnel to adjust the times of of the Primary Timing System by calculating the average difference between the Primary times and the valid Backup times and adding, or subtracting when appropriate, that difference to the Primary times of every lane in that heat.

NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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Page 42; V. OFFICIALS AND DUTIES; F. DUTIES OF OFFICIALS; 1. REFEREE; r. When it is detected that a swimmer is bleeding…:

For details on the recommended process for making time and/or order of finish adjustments when using Automatic, Semi-Automatic or Manual timing systems, please refer to the guides on the NWAL website.

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Page 43; V. OFFICIALS AND DUTIES; F. DUTIES OF OFFICIALS; 2. STARTER; a. Preparation:

• The Starter and starting device shall be stationed within ten (10) feet fifteen (15) feet of the starting end of the pool at a place where the starting device is clearly visible to the timers, and where the device horn is easily heard by the starting swimmers and where the Starter can best observe the start of all the swimmers.

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NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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Page 47; V. OFFICIALS AND DUTIES; F. DUTIES OF OFFICIALS; 4. TIMERS:

In any race the time shall be taken by three Timers, stationed at the finish. These Timers are the Official Lane Timers, and their times shall be used to determine the Official Time on the lane. The order of finish is based on Official Times. The order of finish of a heat may be changed by the Meet Referee or his designee who has personally observed the finish of the race in specific circumstances. See Scoring for these details. The Official Time of the swimmer whose order of finish was changed shall be adjusted to reflect the proper order of finish by adding or subtracting .01 second to the nearest Official Time.

Alternate Timers may substitute for Official Lane Timers only in the event of failure of a watch or its operator.

In all rules concerning Timing, the word "watch" may mean any mechanical or electrical timing device that is stopped and started by an Official or Timer.

• DETERMINING OFFICIAL TIME
1. Use of three (3) watches per lane: If two (2) watches agree, this time shall be the Official Time. If none of the watches agree, then the intermediate time shall be the Official Time.
2. If only two (2) watches are operable in a lane, the readings shall be averaged, and if the result includes a thousandth of a second, it shall be rounded up to the next slowest hundredth of a second. This average shall be the Official Time.
3. If a reading from only one (1) watch in a lane is obtained, it is the Official Time.
4. If no watch times (including those from alternate timers) are available on a lane, the Official Time shall be determined (by the Meet Referee) by adding or subtracting 0.01 second to the nearest Official Time in the heat based on the observed order of finish. If no order of finish is available, the Meet Referee may use an unofficial watch time, or offer the swimmer the option of re-swimming the event.
5. When using an automatic or semi-automatic timing system, a minimum of 2 manual times shall also be recorded on the timer sheets. Teams must use equal representation per lane when possible.

NOTE: In all rules herein concerning timing, the word "watch" shall mean any mechanical or electrical timing device that is stopped and started by an official. If Automatic or Semi-Automatic timing systems are used, the host team shall follow standard NWAL written procedures that describe how to determine whether a malfunction may have occurred and when back up times shall be used. (For further Information on determining an official time reference Appendix D)

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NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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Page 47; V. OFFICIALS AND DUTIES; F. DUTIES OF OFFICIALS; 4. TIMERS; c. Lane Timers:

• The Timers shall be placed directly over their assigned lane at the finish. Teams must use equal representation per lane when possible.

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Page 48; V. OFFICIALS AND DUTIES; F. DUTIES OF OFFICIALS; 4. TIMERS; d. Alternate Timers:

There shall be at least two (2) Alternate Timers, whose time shall be used only as a substitute in the event of failure of an Official Lane Timer's watch or its operator.

Alternate Timers may substitute for Official Lane Timers only in the event of failure of a watch or its operator.

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NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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Page 50; VI. EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

• Every race in a swimming competition must be timed with a Primary Timing System. One or more of the following Timing Systems shall be used:
1. Manual — A Timing System consisting of individual Lane Timers, each operating a manual watch that is both started and stopped by the Lane Timer at the finish touch of the swimmer.
1. Only hand-held, battery-powered, digital read-out type watches designed for timing purposes shall be used.
2. At least 3 watches shall be used per lane, each operated by a separate Lane Timer.
3. If sufficient resources are not available the Meet Referee may allow 2 watches per lane operated by a separate Lane Timer.
2. Semi-Automatic — A Timing System activated by a starting device and stopped by buttons pushed by individual Lane Timers at the finish touch of the swimmer.
• Each lane shall have 2 or 3 buttons, each operated by a separate Lane Time. 
• A Manual system with at least 2 watches per lane shall be used as a Backup Timing System. The Manual watches shall not be a component of the Semi-Automatic system. Lane Timers may operate both a button and a watch, but each watch must be operated by a separate Lane Timer.
3. Automatic — A Timing System activated by a starting device and stopped at the finish by the swimmer touching a touchpad.
• When an Automatic system is used, there must be a Semi-Automatic and Manual system to be used as Backup Timing Systems. At least 2 watches per lane shall be in the Backup Timing System.
• Use of an Automatic system shall be in accordance with the Touchpad Protocol published by the NWAL.

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NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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Page 53; VII. FACILITIES; A. REQUIRED:

• Facilities shall be safe for athlete and spectator use. 

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Page 60; VIII. THE STROKES, RELAYS, AND FINISHES; D. FREESTYLE; 2. STROKE:

• In the Individual Medley or Medley Relay events, the swimmer may swim any style desired, except legal butterfly, breast stroke, or backstroke (a legal backstroke shall include a propulsive motion of the arms or legs while the swimmer is towards the back).

Page 61; VIII. THE STROKES, RELAYS, AND FINISHES; E. INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY; 2. STROKE:

• Rules pertaining to each stroke used shall govern where applicable, except for the Freestyle where the swimmer can swim in any manner other than a legal butterfly, breast or backstroke (a legal backstroke shall include a propulsive motion of the arms or legs while the swimmer is towards the back).

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NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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Page 62; VIII. THE STROKES, RELAYS, AND FINISHES; H. MEDLEY RELAY; a. Four swimmers on each team… in the following order:

first, Backstroke; �second, Breaststroke; �third, Butterfly; �fourth, Freestyle (or any manner other than a legal butterfly, breast or backstroke (a legal backstroke shall  include a propulsive motion of the arms or legs while the  swimmer is towards the back).

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Page 62; VIII. THE STROKES, RELAYS, AND FINISHES; H. MEDLEY RELAY:

• Rules pertaining to each stroke used shall govern where applicable, except for the Freestyle where the swimmer can swim in any manner other than a legal butterfly, breast or backstroke (a legal backstroke shall include a propulsive motion of the arms or legs while the swimmer is towards the back). Swimmers may swim in any order desired provided the proper order of strokes is maintained.

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NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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Page 72; Appendix D: Manual Timing Malfunction or Irregularity Guide:

A guide for using observed order of finish to determine the official order of finish, when a Manual or Semi-Automatic timing system (watches or buttons) is the Primary Timing System.

This is a guide intended to cover the most common situations related to order of finish timing malfunction or irregularity, and may not address all possible situations. This guide is not intended for use with Automatic Timing Systems (touchpads). covers only watch based primary timing systems and is not intended for use with semi-automatic (Dolphin) or fully automatic (touch pads) primary timing systems.

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Page 73; Appendix D: Manual Timing Malfunction or Irregularity Guide; B. Order of Finish Protest:

• Determine if any of the watch times are inconsistent with the others (i.e. look for outliers). If no outliers exist, the times-based order of finish is final. If inconsistencies do exist then assume the outlying watch does not exist and recalculate the times based upon V,F,4,aV.F.1.n., and continue to step 4

Stroke and Turn: Meet Officials/Attire

3. Officials and Duties
1. Meet Officials

For all swimming meets there should not be less than the following:

1 Referee 4 Stroke and Turn Officials

1 Starter 1 Announcer

1 Chief Timer 1 Clerk of Course

2 Alternate Timers 1 Computer Person

3 Timers per lane

2 Ribbon Writers - 1 from each team

1 Team Representative from each team

An individual may act in more than one capacity when necessary.

All NWAL swim meets are required to have a Referee present to act as Meet Referee. A provisional Referee can also act as Meet Referee. Meets conducted without a Meet Referee will lose Sanction and may continue but all times swum will be considered as unofficial.

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• Officials’ Attire

While officiating during any regularly scheduled NWAL swim meet, including Divisional Meets and Invitational Meets, Referees, Stroke and Turn Officials, Starters, Clerk of Course, and Computer Certified Personnel shall wear a standard uniform which bears no writing, symbol, insignia, or other mark identifying the official's NWAL swim team affiliation. The standard NWAL uniform shall be a white collared shirt with sleeves (Sleeves or cap sleeves are allowed for ladies) and navy-blue pants,shorts or skirt. NWAL Board approved shirts with NWAL insignia may be worn on deck by only qualified officials.

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Stroke and Turn: Meet Officials Certification

• Certification and Recertification Requirements
1. Certification of New Officials

Candidates for certification shall be at least 19 years old and submit to an annual background check.

• Lectures.

Candidates for certification as Referees, Stroke and Turn Officials, Starters , Clerk of Course, Computer, and Team Representative shall attend

a scheduled lecture for each level of certification attempt during the year that they attempt to be certified.

• On-deck training.

Candidates for certification as Stroke and Turn Officials or Starters shall attend a scheduled on-deck training session for the appropriate for the level of certification they are attempting. Referee, Clerk of Course, Team Representative, and Computer does not require on deck training.

• Tests.

Candidates for Certification as Referees, Stroke and Turn Officials, Starters, Coach, Clerk of Course, Computer, Team Representatives shall take a test and pass the test with the following minimum scores (the test is open book):

Referee 85% correct�Stroke and Turn 90% correct�Starter 90% correct�Coach 90% correct�Clerk of Course 90% correct�Computer 90% correct�Team Rep 90% correct

All recertification tests must be passed with 85% obtainment.

Except as authorized by the Chairman of the Training and Certification Committee, the written examination may be attempted up to five (5)

times each certification year. If the candidate does not pass by the 5th attempt, they shall either re-take the class that year or may wait until the next year to take the class again.

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Meet Officials Certification

• Provisional Status. (Applies only to Stroke and Turn Officials, Starters and Referees)
1. When a candidate has successfully completed all of the requirements for lectures on-deck training, and testing, the candidate shall be awarded Provisional status.
2. The Provisional official shall be required to work a portion of three meets under the supervision of a Meet Referee, and to that Referee’s satisfaction. In order to become a fully certified official, the Provisional official shall return proof of completion of the required meet attendance to the Chairman of the Training and Certification Committee within one month of the final NWAL Scheduled meet for the season. Any Provisional officials who do not complete this requirement shall revert to their previous level of certification, and shall be required to certify as a new official at the level they were Provisionally Certified.
3. Clerk of course, Team Representative and Computer shall not require a provisional certification.

*** You will upload your VOD to your NWAL Certified Account. Once that is done, your Team Rep will need to print a new badge for you***

Meet Officials Certification

• Referee
• In addition to the above rules, candidates for Referee shall have a minimum of one (1) year prior experience as a Certified NWAL Starters. Hardship waivers of the 1-year prior certification requirement shall be requested by the Referee candidate in advance of the beginning of the NWAL season. Waiver requests shall be decided by the Chairman of the Training and Certification Committee.
• Starter
• Candidates for Starter shall have a minimum Certified Stroke and Turn Official. Hardship waivers of the 1-year prior certification requirement shall be requested by the Starter candidate in advance of the beginning of the NWAL season.
• Recertification of Officials

Recertification of Referees, Starters, Stroke and Turn Officials, Clerk of Course, Computer, Team Representative , and Coaches may be required. Recertification procedures shall be determined by the Chairman of the Training Certification Committee.

• Expired Certification

Any official who lets his or her certification expire may only be recertified by meeting the requirements for certification as a new official except as authorized by the Chairman of the Training and Certification Committee.

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*** Team Representative will help guide Officials through the Certification Process***

Meet Officials

• Meet Officials Requirements
• NWAL certified Referees, Stroke and Turn Officials, Starters and Clerk of Course, Computer shall officiate at regularly scheduled NWAL swim meet, including the Divisional Meets and Invitational Swim Meets. If additional non NWAL certified stroke and turn officials, ready bench or computer personnel are required they will work under the supervision of and direction of a NWAL certified official.
1. Teams without a certified Referee may use their Provisional Referee in the capacity of Meet Referee only if
1. The team is unable to secure a certified Referee from another team in NWAL, and
2. The team's opponent elects not to use their certified Referee in the capacity of Meet Referee.
2. Teams without a sufficient number of Stroke and Turn officials to handle their assignment coverage shall allow the opponent to use their certified officials.
3. All teams at an NWAL meet shall, whenever possible, have equal representation of all duties, including but not limited to, on-deck officials, Meet Results Entry (middle time selection), Results Entry Verification, Lane Timers, Scribes and Ready Bench. Any deviation from this operational balance can be considered unsportsmanlike conduct.

Arrival Time

• The Officials shall be expected to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the meet for the official meeting.

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MEET REFEREE

An individual may not act simultaneously as the Team Representative and the Meet Referee. The Meet Referee can simultaneously fulfill any of the deck roles including Deck Referee, Starter, and Stroke & Turn official and will remain the Meet Referee.

• Referee
• The Meet Referee shall have full authority over all officials and shall assign and instruct them. Shall enforce all the rules and shall decide all questions relating to the actual conduct of the meet including eliminating any behavior by an official, coach, competitor or spectator that interferes with the operation of the meet by means of, but not limited to, suspension of the meet or forfeiture.
• The Meet/Deck Referee may overrule any meet official on a point of rule interpretation, or on a judgment decision pertaining to an action which he/she has personally observed (except for relay takeoffs in meets using dual confirmation). The Meet/Deck Referee shall also disqualify swimmer(s) for any violations of the rules that he/she personally observes. The Meet Referee may remove any person from the meet area for Unsportsmanlike Conduct.
• The Deck Referee shall signal the Starter that all of the Officials and swimmers are in position, that the course is clear, and that the competition may begin before each race. Shall be in position at the starting end of the pool to ensure that a fair start has been achieved for each race,which may include activating a recall device or instructing the starter to recall a race whenever a fair start has not been achieved. Shall carry a sounding device (recall whistle) and be prepared to use it to recall unfair starts that he/she has observed.
• The Meet/Deck Referee shall give a decision on any point where the opinions of the officials differ. The Meet/Deck Referee has the authority to intercede in the competition at any stage to ensure that the appropriate racing conditions are observed.
• The Meet/Deck Referee may at his/her discretion prohibit the use of an noisemaker or light whether natural or artificial, that he/she feels would interfere with other swimmers during a meet.
• The Meet/Deck Referee shall prohibit the use of tobacco and vaping products in the vicinity of the meet. (Note: vapes also added to the NWAL Code of Conduct document).
• The Meet/Deck Referee shall prohibit the use of alcoholic beverages in the vicinity of the meet.

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h. The Meet Referee shall, in those situations where an individual is unable to comply with the literal meaning of a rule by reason of a physical handicap, interpret the rule in such a way as to allow the individual to comply so long as no advantage or disadvantage is conferred upon other competitors or that individual. Specific guidelines for officiating swimmers with disabilities are posted on the NWAL website.

i. The Meet Referee shall prohibit the use of videotape review.

j. An individual may not act simultaneously as the Team Representative and the Meet Referee

k. An individual may not act simultaneously as a Coach and a Meet Official during the meet in which the coach’s team is competing

l. The Meet/Deck Referee shall ensure that officials use the language of the rulebook in describing violations in writing and in communication of disqualifications to swimmers and coaches. Disqualification codes are provided by the makers of meet software for ease of reference by the computer personnel. On deck, disqualification codes can be used in conjunction with the written disqualification, but they cannot replace them. (See Appendix C, for further clarification on swimmer with disabilities)

m. The Meet Referee, Starter, Head Timer, and Computer Personnel shall agree on the responsibilities of each Official with respect to the Timing System in use at the meet.

n. The Meet Referee shall ensure that Computer Personnel determine the Official Time for each lane in each race using the Primary Timing System

q. No swimmers shall be allowed to remain in the water while the starting signal is given for the next heat.

r. When it is detected that a swimmer is bleeding, has an open wound or an excessive amount of blood on the swimsuit, the swimmer may not compete in another event until proper treatment has been administered. If this occurs prior to the start of a relay race, the start shall be delayed while the swimmer receives proper treatment or is replaced by another eligible swimmer. Once a relay race begins and blood is detected in the starting area or on a swimmer who is not in the water (except the fourth swimmer when in the water), the race shall be stopped. The area and the swimmer shall be properly treated and the race re-swum after an appropriate recovery period. If the bleeding cannot be stopped, or the wound is not properly covered, or there is no eligible substitute the relay team shall not swim.

s. See Appendix A for clarification on responsibilities of Deck/Meet Referee

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• Starter
• Preparation
1. The Starter shall be equipped with an electronic starting device or whistle. An electronic starting device or whistle shall be used to start all NWAL meets. If the electronic starting device malfunctions, an electronic horn or whistle may be used if a backup device is not available.
2. The Starter and starting device shall be stationed within fifteen (15 feet) of the starting end of the pool at a place where the starting device is clearly visible to the timers, where the device horn is easily heard by the starting swimmers and where the Starter can best observe the start of all swimmers.
• Start
• At the beginning of each Event, the starter shall announce the event number, gender of event, distance and stroke and shall request the swimmers to “Step Up” for forward start events or "Step in" for backstroke start events. When the Deck Referee is satisfied that the course is clear, and the swimmers are ready he/she shall blow a single long whistle. The starter shall then announce distance and stroke, pause and then address the swimmers with the command "take your mark", in a calm, conversational tone. When, in the starter's judgment, the swimmers are stationary and ready to begin the race, the starter shall sound the starting signal.
• For each Heat following the first Heat of an event, the starter shall request the swimmers to “step up” onto the blocks for forward start events or “step in” for backstroke start events. When the Deck Referee is satisfied that the course is clear, and the swimmers are ready, he/she shall blow a single long whistle. The starter shall then announce distance and stroke, pause and then address the swimmers with the command “take your mark,” in a calm, conversational tone. When, in the starter’s judgment, the swimmers are stationary and ready to begin the race, the starter shall sound the starting signal.
• If, in the Starter’s opinion, a false start has been committed, he/she shall recall the swimmers immediately using a second signal from the starting device, whistle, or recall rope. The false start shall be called on an individual and not on the field. Any swimmer charged with two false starts shall be disqualified and shall not swim the event.
• The Starter implements the starting rules as modified by the Meet/Deck Referee for handicapped swimmers. For specific guidelines for officiating swimmers with disabilities, see Appendix C.

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• Starter
• Deliberate Delay or Misconduct

Any swimmer who, after stepping on the block or upon taking a holding position, delays the start by entering the water, or who willfully disobeys an order at the start, or for any other misconduct at the start, may be disqualified from the event by the Starter.

• False Starts
• A swimmer who unnecessarily delays in assuming and holding a stationary starting position after the command "Take Your Mark" shall be charged with a false start.
• For the safety of the swimmer, on forward start from the blocks, swimmers shall place at least on one foot near or at the forward edge of the block.
• Any swimmers leaving their mark after the command "Take Your Mark" and before the starting signal is given, may be charged with a false start. All other swimmers shall be released by the starter immediately with the command "Stand up". Any swimmers leaving their mark may be charged with a false start.
• When the starting signal is given, and one or more swimmers have obtained an unfair advantage, whether the unfair advantage was caused by an outside noise or just a swimmer leaving early. All swimmers shall be recalled at once by a second signal. The Starter shall then indicate the swimmer(s) to be charged with a false start.
• The Starter may charge a false start to any swimmers who fail to maintain their feet and/or hands in a legal position.
• A swimmer shall not be charged with a false start for an illegal starting position at the start if the Starter has permitted the race to proceed. Enforcement of the correct starting position is the responsibility of the Starter, who may impose the appropriate penalty for violation before the race.
• A swimmer who fails to appear at the starting blocks in time for the initial start shall not be permitted to enter the race even if a false start should be declared on the first, second, or later start, and shall be disqualified. The initial start is defined as the point at which the Deck Referee signals the Starter that the race may begin.
• No false start shall be called due to the malfunction of the official’s equipment or the distracting action of an official.

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• Stroke and Turn Officials

Shall have jurisdiction over the swimmers immediately after the race has begun.

• Stroke Officials

Shall operate on both sides of the pool, preferably walking abreast or slightly behind the swimmers during all strokes except Freestyle. Stroke officials shall ensure that the Rules relating to the style of swimming designated for the event are being observed, and shall report any violations to the Deck Referee as instructed at the Officials Meeting.

• Turn Officials

Shall operate on both ends of the pool. Turn officials shall ensure that when turning or finishing the swimmer complies with the turning and rules applicable to the stroke used, and shall report any violations to the Deck Referee as instructed at the Officials Meeting.

• Jurisdiction of Stroke and Turn Officials

Before the competition begins, the Meet Referee shall determine the respective areas of Stroke and Turn responsibility and jurisdiction, which may include joint, concurrent and coordinated responsibility and jurisdiction. The Meet Referee shall ensure that all swimmers shall have fair, equitable and uniform conditions of judging

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1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Stroke�Official

Stroke�Official

Head �Timer

Starter

Referee

Wall to Wall

Wall to Wall

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

Deck for Technical Events

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Stroke and Turn�Official

Stroke and Turn�Official

Stroke and Turn�Official

Stroke and Turn�Official

Head �Timer

Starter

Referee

Quad 1

Quad 2

Deck for Ind Events�Only 4 SNT Officials

Quad 4

Quad 3

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Stroke�Official

Stroke�Official

Head �Timer

Starter

Referee

Wall to Wall

Wall to Wall

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

Deck for Technical Events

Pool

Stairs

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Stroke�Official

Stroke�Official

Head �Timer

Starter

Referee

Wall to Wall

Wall to Wall

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

Deck for Technical Events

Pool

Stairs

Diving Well

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Stroke�Official

Stroke�Official

Head �Timer

Starter

Referee

Wall to Wall

Wall to Wall

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

RTO-O

RTO-O

RTO-O

RTO-O

RTO-I

RTO-I

RTO-I

RTO-I

OOF

OOF

Deck for Medley Relays

Head �Timer

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Head �Timer

Starter

Referee

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

RTO-O

RTO-O

RTO-O

RTO-O

RTO-I

RTO-I

RTO-I

RTO-I

OOF

OOF

Deck for Free Relays

Right

Wrong!

d. Relay Takeoff Officials (Assigned by the Meet Referee)

Shall assume a position at the takeoff end(s) of the pool where they shall first observe the feet of the departing swimmer on the takeoff, then the touch of the incoming swimmer’s hand, and shall judge whether the swimmer is in contact with the platform or pool deck when the incoming swimmer touches the end of the pool.

For divisional or other championship meets, two inside Relay Takeoff Judges shall be positioned between the middle two lanes facing in opposite directions toward the sides of the pool. An outside Relay Takeoff Judge shall be positioned on each side of the pool facing inward. The judges shall independently record takeoff infractions in writing without the use of an infraction hand signal. Upon observing a takeoff violation, the outside Relay Takeoff Judge shall wait until the last swimmer of the heat within his jurisdiction has entered the water before signaling an observed infraction by raising a hand, with palm open, overhead. The Deck Referee or designate(s) shall then compare recorded infractions. The relay team shall be disqualified only if the two Relay Takeoff Judges have recorded the same violation.

For dual meets, a minimum of two Relay Takeoff Judges are required for each end of the pool, and the use of dual confirmation is at the discretion of the Meet Referee.

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Stroke and Turn Role

Please do not do this. Get a spare RTO slip!

• Disqualifications
• Unless otherwise specified in these Rules, the consequences of a violation of any rule shall be the disqualification of the swimmer or relay team from the event in which the violation occurred.
• A disqualification shall be made only by the official within whose jurisdiction the infraction has been committed, or by the Meet/Deck Referee.
• The Deck Referee or designated official shall make every reasonable effort to seek out the swimmer and inform him or her as to the reason for disqualification.
• Any swimmer who acts in an Unsportsmanlike manner may be considered for disciplinary action by the Meet Referee.
• A swimmer shall start and finish the race in his or her assigned lane.
• Standing on the bottom during backstroke or freestyle shall not disqualify a swimmer, but he or she must not walk, spring from the bottom, or pull on the lane ropes to gain advantage. Standing on the bottom on breast or fly WILL result in a DQ.
• Competitors shall not wear or use any device to aid their speed or buoyancy. (No floaties or kickboards)
• Obstructing another swimmer by swimming across the lane or otherwise interfering may disqualify the offender at the discretion of the Meet/Deck Referee.
• Should a foul endanger the chance of success of a swimmer(s), the Referee may allow the affected swimmer(s) to re-swim the event. If the re-swim offer is accepted, the time achieved in the re-swim shall be the Official Time. In case of a collusion to foul another swimmer, the Referee may, at his/her discretion, disqualify the swimmer for whose aid the foul was committed, as well as the swimmer committing the foul.
• Any swimmer not entered in a race, who enters the competition pool while a race is being conducted, shall be disqualified from his or her next scheduled competition in that day’s session, subject to the discretion of the Meet/Deck Referee.

• Disqualifications
• Coaches, assistants and/or spectators shall not be allowed in the starting, turn, finish areas, ready bench area or within five (5) feet of swimming pools, except to assist a swimmer with a prescribed medical device. Coaches, assistants and/or spectators shall not interfere with any meet official during the progress of any competition. No photography or digital recording is allowed in the restricted area behind the starting blocks. Violation may result in expulsion from the meet at the discretion of the meet referee. This is for the privacy and protection of our swimmers while they are in a vulnerable position. Upon being apprised of a violation of this rule, it shall be the duty of the Meet Referee to remove, or have such offender removed immediately.
• Any swimmer, who is a participant in more than 3 individual events, shall be disqualified in all events including relays.
• If unsportsmanlike conduct occurs, swimmers shall be disqualified from their event immediately before or after the event at which the unsportsmanlike conduct occurred. If unsportsmanlike conduct occurs between races, the swimmer(s) shall be disqualified from their next scheduled event. If the conduct occurs after the swimmers’ final event, they shall be disqualified from their last event. If the conduct occurs during an invitational at which they were not entered, the swimmer may be disqualified from an event at any other invitational meet they were participating in on the same weekend, following the above protocol.
• The Meet Referee may eject any team personnel from the meet for excessive unsportsmanlike conduct, including aiding or assisting another swimmer. No official or team personnel shall aid, assist, or interfere with a swimmer while competing in a race, including taking any steps to prevent a backstroke swimmer colliding with the end of the pool. If a swimmer gains an advantage because of assistance he/she shall be disqualified from that event.
• No team personnel, including coaches and /or spectators, shall act in an Unsportsmanlike manner. This includes any act the Meet Referee or the League’s officers or board deems poor sportsmanship, such as:
1. Making insulting or derogatory remarks or acts to officials or opponents;
2. Improperly questioning, trying to influence, or showing disgust with an official's decisions;
3. Entering the water during an event in which they are not a participant
4. An act undertaken by any individual or team that the league’s officers or board determines is detrimental to the league or may result in a swimmer or team obtaining an unfair competitive advantage.
• Any swimmer who does not finish the proscribed distance shall be disqualified.
• Suits shall be one piece. Males shall wear suits which cover the buttocks. Females shall wear suits which cover the buttocks and breasts. 

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Disqualifications and Stroke and Turn Expectations

• Raise your hand immediately upon observing an infraction
• Gain the attention of the writing official
• Keep hand raised until you are noticed
• On Relays, you will raise your hand at the completion of the race, so that the deck referee can dual confirm the relay take off sheets

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• Communicate that you have an infraction
• Variety of methods can be used: Hand signals, Verbally, verbally via radio

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• What to Communicate
• Lane # and infraction
• Use the proper dq verbiage
• You may be asked additional questions – the 3 W’s
• Deck Referee will confirm or repeat dq’s called

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• Record the infraction
• If you are the turn official at the start end, you may be required to write the infraction and also inform the swimmer

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Breaststroke

Breaststroke

Breaststroke

Breaststroke

Breaststroke

Breaststroke

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Trainers: Play with Captions and Fast Forward to Parts Needed

Butterfly

Butterfly

Butterfly

Butterfly

Backstroke

Backstroke

backstroke

Backstroke

Freestyle

• FREESTYLE
• START
1. Forward start.
• STROKE
1. In the Individual Freestyle event, the swimmer may swim any stroke desired.
• TURNS
1. A hand touch is not required.
1. Some part of the swimmer shall touch the solid end of the pool.
• FINISH
1. A legal finish occurs when any part of the swimmer touches the solid end of the pool.

Freestyle DQ Example

Freestyle DQ Example

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• INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY
• The swimmer shall swim the prescribed distance in the following order:

the first one-fourth, Butterfly;�the second one-fourth, Backstroke;�the third one-fourth, Breaststroke;�the last one-fourth, Freestyle.

• Rules pertaining to each stroke used shall govern where applicable, except for the Freestyle where the swimmer can swim in any manner other than a legal butterfly, breast or backstroke (a legal backstroke shall include a propulsive motion of the arms or legs while the swimmer is towards the back).

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Individual Medley�Fly to Backstroke�Transition

Individual Medley

Backstroke to Breaststroke

Transition

Individual Medley

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Individual Medley

Backstroke to Breaststroke

Transition

Individual Medley

Backstroke to Breaststroke

Transition

Individual Medley

Breaststroke to Freestyle

Transition

Extra Video: USA Swimming Debrief

Note: There are differences between NWAL and USA swimming. Click on the Link to access those differences. This is a good overall video.

• MEDLEY RELAY
• Four swimmers on each team, each to swim one fourth of the prescribed distance, in the following order:

first, Backstroke;�second, Breaststroke;�third, Butterfly; �fourth, Freestyle.

Rules pertaining to each stroke used shall govern where applicable, except for the Freestyle where the swimmer can swim in any manner other than a legal butterfly, breast or backstroke (a legal backstroke shall include a propulsive motion of the arms or legs while the swimmer is towards the back). Swimmers may swim in any order desired provided the proper order of strokes is maintained.

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• FREESTYLE RELAY
• Four swimmers on each team, each to swim one fourth of the prescribed distance using any desired stroke(s). Swimmers may swim in any order desired.

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• RELAYS
• RULES PERTAINING TO RELAY RACES
1. No swimmer shall swim more than one leg in any relay event.
2. In relay races a swimmer other than the first swimmer shall not start until his teammate has finished his leg.
3. Any relay team member and the relay team shall be disqualified from a race if a team member other than the swimmer designated to swim that leg enters the pool in the area where the race is being conducted before all swimmers of all teams have finished the race.
4. In relay races the team of a swimmer whose feet have lost contact with the starting platform (ground or deck) before his preceding teammate touches the wall shall be disqualified. The second, third and fourth swimmers on the relay team may be in motion prior to the touch of the incoming swimmer, but no intentional movement of the feet is permitted on deck starts (no running starts from the deck). Moving from the back of the blocks to the front of the blocks is permitted provided that the swimmer does not initiate the action from the deck.
5. In relay races each swimmer shall have finished his/her race when he/she has covered the prescribed distance and executed a legal finishing touch as prescribed in the rules pertaining to the specific stroke involved.

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f. Each relay team member shall leave the water immediately upon finishing his or her leg, except the last member.

g. The swimmers on any particular relay heat cannot be changed in any way once the relay in question has launched. Any change to the composition of swimmers on a relay team in a heat due to insertion of an alternate (including an alternate originating from one of the other relays competing in that same heat) will result in the disqualification of the relay team(s) in question.

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Relays