TRI-VALLEY SWIM LEAGUE

8. Team rosters must be provided to the home team for dual and championship meet(s).9. All final rosters including athlete’s birth dates must be emailed in PDF form to allteam coordinators prior to the start of the 2 nd dual meet. After that, no changes to theroster will be made.10. The host team for dual meets is responsible for ensuring that the facility is inorder for the meet-- meeting all State Health Codes concerning safety andsanitation.11. Prior to the start of each meet, the host team will distribute the corrected meetsheets as follows: one to the Starter, one to the Announcer, two for Stroke and Turn, onefor display and a minimum of 5 copies for the guest team. Once these meet sheets havebeen distributed, age group lineup/coordinator sheets will be provided as time permits.12. Entries: The visiting team will e -mail or deliver their meet entries and exportedathlete files (with ID#’s, but not contact information) on flash drive to the hostteam two days before each meet (usually on Thursday or Monday) by 6PM. Theentries will be submitted using the Hy-Tek team manager system. A mergemeeting will not be required unless requested by either team’s coach/coordinator.A. After 6PM two days before the meet any swimmer added to the meet requiresthe agreement of both coaches (and will be limited to swimmers already in theexported athlete file with ID#’s). If both coaches/coordinators agree to a swimmer beingadded, they may NOT swim for points in any event of the meet.B. Each swimmer will be limited to three individual events and one relay or twoindividual events and two relays. However, if an age group has three or lessswimmers and there are four or less swimmers in the next lower same sex agegroup then the swimmers may swim in four individual events if no relays areentered.C. For dual meets, each team will be allowed one scoring relay. For thechampionship meet, each team may enter only one Medley and on Freestylerelay per team per event.D. Each team must swim their swimmers in their own age group for relay andindividual events. The only exception is for a relay event when there are 3 orfewer swimmers in the age group. In this case, all present members of thatage group must be in the relay and a younger swimmer(s) may be moved upone age group to fill a position(s). The newly formed relay must have at leastone swimmer from that age group and sex to form the relay. For lack ofswimmers in a boys’ relay, girls from the same age group or boys or girls oneage group below may be used to fill the position(s). A mixed boy/girl relaywill swim as a boy’s event.E.Meet Changes: may be made the day of the meet only with the agreement of bothCoaches/Coordinators and are limited to the following: swimmers (with ID#’s on file)may NOT be moved from one event to another except those swimmers used forrelays where there would otherwise be a scratch for the relay. Once the meet has beenthru final seeding NO changes should be made to relay participants unless Coordinatorsagree.F. Night Meets: Host teams will be responsible for calling the visiting team todiscuss night meet format (i.e.: events to be included, #of events swum, etc).If the coaches from each team cannot agree on the meet format, then eachteam shall be restricted to a maximum of 360 swims per team.

13. Scoring for Dual Meets:Individual Events:Relay Events:1st - 5 points 1 st - 10 points2nd - 3 points 2 nd - 6 points3rd - 2 points4th - 1 pointScoring for Championship Meet:Individual Events:1 st - 20 points 9 th - 9 points2 nd - 17 points 10 th - 7 points3 rd - 16 points 11 th - 6 points4 th - 15 points 12 th - 5 points5 th - 14 points 13 th - 4 points6 th - 13 points 14 th - 3 points7 th - 12 points 15 th - 2 points8 th - 11 points 16 th – 1 pointRelay Events:1st - 40 points5th - 28 points2nd - 34 points6th - 26 points3rd - 32 points7th - 24 points4th - 30 points8th - 22 points*In the event of a tie the two places will be added and divided by two.14. For dual meets, the host team swims in even lanes; the visiting team in odd lanes. Theheats will be seeded slowest to fastest.15. Warm up times for dual meets are: home team will warm up first for 25 minutes andthe visiting team will warm up next for 25 minutes. Where swimmers are practicing startsfrom the blocks and 25 yard sprints that should be the only thing allowed in that lane.Coaches should oversee warm-ups and watch for the safety of the swimmers.16. For dual meets, the host team will supply ribbons for 1 st through 4 th places inindividual events and 1 st and 2 nd place ribbons for each member of relay events.17. Each team will provide one Data entry person, one Stroke and Turn Judge, and atleast one Timer with a stopwatch per lane. The host team will provide a Starter, anAnnouncer, a Head Timer, a Runner, and such equipment with which to run the meetefficiently. Such equipment would consist of tables, chairs, a starting system,clipboards, pencils, lane lines, blocks, backstroke flags, recall rope, safety equipment,and first aid equipment. It is also suggested that each team provide a clerk of thecourse/age group coordinators for their younger swimmers.18. The Head Timer will be responsible for seeing that all Timers are seated and preparedfor the start as well as timing the lead swimmer in each event. The Head Timer willmake sure that all times are recorded appropriately. The Runner will be responsible forpicking up all completed Lane Timer sheets and DQ slips from Stroke and Turn Judgesand delivering them to the Data Entry people.

19. Timing: Timers are responsible for recording the times each swimmer achieves fromthe time they see the strobe flash until some part of the swimmer's body comes in contactwith the end of the pool at the finish. Timers are to record the swimmers time all the wayout to the hundredth place. If they do not get the start, or if their watch malfunctions,they should report it immediately to the Head Timer who will take their place for thatheat. Timers are not responsible for making sure that a swimmer makes a legal touch atthe conclusion of a race; this is the Stroke and Turn Judges’ responsibility. Timers areresponsible for turning in all borrowed watches, clipboards, and any other equipment theymay have used as well as any uncollected time sheets to the Head Timer at the conclusionof each meet. The Head Timer is responsible for checking out borrowed watches andchecking them in again after the last event is over.20. There will be a mandatory meeting for all those participating in the areas of Strokeand Turn, Starter, and coaches prior to the first dual meet of the season.21. Tri-Valley Swim League Coaches and Coordinators should not be Starters or Strokeand Turn judges. The meets are to be run by parents after having been given properdirection.22. The Meet Director is the sole person responsible for decision making at meets outsideof the areas of scoring and stroke and turn. Each team will designate one person asMeet Director. Each team will have a current copy of the rules present at each meet.23. Each club has one vote for matters that come before the Tri-Valley Swim League.24. The team coordinators shall make nominations for, and then elect by secret ballot,one League Coordinator and one League Secretary at their annual Post-Seasonevaluation meeting each year. The term of each of these officers shall last for oneyear starting on January 1 and ending December 31. There is no limit as to thenumber of terms an officer may serve. If an officer is unable to complete his/her term,the team coordinators shall nominate and elect a new League Coordinator to completethat term.25. The League Coordinator shall be responsible for preparing agendas and facilitating allleague meetings, as well as acting as Meet Director at the Championship Meet. TheLeague Secretary shall be responsible for all league correspondence, taking minutesat league meetings, keeping a record of all agendas, minutes, publicity, andfacilitating meetings in the League Coordinator's absence. The League Treasurer shallbe responsible for the league’s finances and preparing financial reports for the league.26. A planning meeting for the Championship meet will be held prior to the meet todiscuss details. A copy of the minutes will be given to each person.27. As of January 1, 2009 a swimmer must participate in at least three dual meets in orderto participate in the Championship meet. Exceptions for illness or injury only may bemade at the Coordinator’s planning meeting by a majority vote of the Tri-Valley SwimLeague Coordinators.28. For the championship meet a fee agreed upon in advance by the Tri-Valley SwimLeague Coordinators will be levied on each team to cover expenses incurred. The feemay be based on number of swimmers participating in the Championship Meet, by teamor by mixture of both. All fees must be paid before the start of the meet at a time agreedupon.29. Each team’s coach will submit their championship entries in the format agreed uponby the Tri-Valley swim league coordinators by the deadline set forth by the Tri-Valley swim league coordinators.

30. After all swimmers have been entered for the Championship meet, no additions orchanges can occur in individual events.31. The order and distance of events for the Championship meet are the same as for thedual meets.32. For the Championship meet each team will provide the appropriate number ofvolunteers as determined by the League Coordinators.33. Ribbons for the Championship meet are given for individual and relay events for allthose swimmers who score points. First through third place ribbons are to be rosettes.One participant award shall be given to each swimmer who participates in the meet.One Heat Winner award shall be given to winner of a heat.34. There should be a meeting of all Stroke and Turn Judges and Starters 15 minutesprior to the beginning of the Championship Meet, where the Head Starter shouldreview how the meet is to be run. There should also be a Timers’ and Clerk of Coursemeeting 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the Championship Meet. These meetingsare to make sure that everyone is treated fairly and to answer any questions or take careof any problems. Coaches must submit a written scratch list to the Computer person.35. Certified United States Swimming stroke & turn officials shall be used to officiate theChampionship meet. Any stroke & turn questions during the meet will be addressedto the Tri-Valley Swim League Head of Stroke & Turn. In the event USS officialscan not be procured for the meet each team will be required to produce the necessarytrained volunteer parents as required by the Tri-Valley Swim League Head of Stroke& Turn.36. Stroke and Turn Decisions are considered final. However, if it appears that an errorhas been made, the decision can be disputed. If the two teams agree to overrule the call,then the call will be overruled. If the two teams cannot agree, then the Stroke and Turnjudge’s call will be enforced and final. All disputes must be handled with the teams’coordinators and/or coaches within 10 minutes of the end of the final event, at whichpoint all results will be final. Coordinator(s) representing both teams must be present forthe duration of the process until the final decision is made.37. At the Championship meet in the case of a tie, the dual meet season record should beused as a back up. If there is still a tie, a coin may be flipped to decide who keeps thetrophy for the first half of the following year. Both teams will be declared winners.38. Championship meet results will be given to each team and the local newspapers bythe league publicity person. Dual meet results will be given to the local newspapersby the host team.39. Swimsuit Policy:A. No body suits are allowed for boys or girls. Boy swimmers must wear briefs orjammers and girl’s swimmers must wear traditional one-piece suits.B. No limit on boy’s brief style swimsuits.C. Jammers may not be made of neoprene material.D.Girls & women’s suits may not be made of neoprene material.E. Exceptions can be accommodated on a case-by-case basis by agreement from thecoordinators.

Stroke and Turn Rules1. Current High School definitions of strokes will apply except as noted by league rules.2. Judging for strokes is to be flexible especially in the case of the younger swimmers.No disqualifications will be given during the first meet of the season unless aswimmer deliberately takes an extraordinary, unfair advantage. In all other meets, theguideline will be that an attempt is made to swim the stroke correctly. Stroke and Turnjudging is to be consistent throughout the season.3. Scoring will be on the basis of timing. In the case of a tie see Rule 13.4. Starting: The Starter is responsible for calling false starts and will disqualify aswimmer, who has had two false starts or has unreasonably delayed the meet, byfilling out the Tri-Valley Swim League False Start DQ Sheet (a swimmer with twofalse starts will not be called back and will still be allowed to swim the race for timeonly). The Starter and Stroke and Turn Judges should be familiar with the LeagueRules. The League Rules will take precedence in regard to decision making. TheStarter will be responsible for holding down the start button continuously if theswimmers have entered the water and a false start is called. All swimmers will bestopped, and allowed to swim again after at least one other heat of swimmers has beencompleted.Before pressing the start button, the Starter should see that all swimmers have comedown and held for the forward start with at least one foot at the front edge of theblock or pool deck (exception – see backstroke start rules).- The Starter may bar from further competition in the meet any swimmer whoexhibits un-sportsman-like behavior. This also applies to spectators, parents,meet personnel and coaches.5. Stroke and Turn Judge: It is the Stroke and Turn Judges' responsibility to see thatall contestants swim their races fairly; and that no swimmer may take an unfairadvantage over another swimmer. It is important that while doing so, it isremembered that any doubt regarding a disqualification should result in nodisqualification. The swimmer receives the benefit of the doubt or second thought.We want to run fair events, but do not want to discourage any swimmer fromparticipating. If a disqualification occurs (DQ), it should be noted on the score sheetand brought to the attention of the coach concerned, with a minimum of attentionbeing brought to bear on the swimmer. This is especially important with the youngerage groups. When the stroke and turn judges cannot resolve a decision, any decisionwill benefit the swimmer.6. A swimmer must start and finish his race in his assigned lane. If during the course ofthe race, the swimmer moves out of his lane and returns without impeding theprogress of another swimmer, he should not be disqualified.

7. Stopping during a race will not disqualify a swimmer unless they pull on the lanerope or push off the sidewall or the bottom. This call should be made at the Strokeand Turn Judges' discretion.8. Each Stroke and Turn Judge will be assigned specific lanes (for judging individualevents) or ends of the pool (for judging relay events) for their assigned shifts.9. Each team will be responsible for providing one trained Stroke and Turn Judge foreach meet.10. The hosting team will provide for an open area for Stroke & Turn Judges to walk themajority length of the pool.11. Stroke & Turn Judges will take a position at the side of the pool that will providethem with a clear and unobstructed view of the swimmers. Stroke & Turn Judges willwalk along side the swimmers to accurately observe strokes to ensure that noswimmer receives a DQ incorrectly.12. Breaststroke :A. Start -The forward start shall be used. During the underwater pull down onedownward butterfly kick is permitted.B. Stroke -From the beginning of the first arm-stroke after the start and after theturn, the body shall be kept on the breast. The arms shall move simultaneouslyand in the same horizontal plane without any alternating movement. The handsshall be pushed forward together from the breast on, under, or over the water. Theelbows shall be under the water except for the last stroke at the finish of theprescribed distance. The hands shall be brought back on or under the surface ofthe water. The hands shall not be brought beyond the hipline, except during thefirst stroke after the start and the turn. Some part of the swimmer’s head shallbreak the surface of the water at least once during each complete cycle of one armstroke and one leg kick, in that order, except after the start and turn the swimmermay take one arm stroke completely back to the legs and one leg kick whilewholly submerged. The head must break the surface of the water before thehands turn inward at the widest part of the second stroke.C. Kick - All vertical and lateral movements of the legs shall be simultaneous. Ascissors, flutter, or downward butterfly kick is not permitted. Breaking thesurface with the feet shall not merit disqualification unless followed by adownward butterfly kick.D. Turn - At the turn, the touch shall be made with both hands simultaneously at,above, or below the water surface. Once a touch has been made, the swimmermay turn in any manner desired. The shoulders must be at or past the verticaltoward the breast when the swimmer leaves the wall and the form prescribed in 2above must be attained from the beginning of the first arm stroke. However during theunderwater pull down one downward butterfly kick is permitted.E. Finish - At the finish, the body shall be on the breast and the touch shall be madewith both hands simultaneously at, above, or below the water surface.

13. Butterfly:A. Start -The forward start shall be used.B. Stroke - After the start and after the turn the swimmer’s shoulders must be at orpast the vertical toward the breast. The swimmer is permitted one or more legkicks, but only one arm pull under water, which must bring him to the surface. Itshall be permissible for a swimmer to be completely submerged for a distance ofnot more than 15 meters (16.4 yards) after the start and after the turn. By thatpoint, the head must have broken the surface. Both arms must be brought forwardover the water and pulled back simultaneously. * Swimmers in the 6 & under age groupare not required to use their arms, however if they begin an arm stroke they must make afull rotation of their arms over the water.C. Kick- All up and down movements of the legs and feet must be simultaneous.The position of the legs or the feet need not be on the same level, but they shallnot alternate in relation to each other. A scissors or flutter or breaststroke kickingmovement is not permitted.D. Turn - At the turn the body shall be on the breast. The touch shall be made withboth hands simultaneously at, above, or below the water surface. Once a touchhas been made, a swimmer may turn in any manner desired. The shoulders mustbe at or past the vertical toward the breast when the swimmer leaves the wall.E. Finish - At the finish, the body shall be on the breast and the touch shall be madewith both hands simultaneously at, above, or below the water surface.14. Backstroke:A. Start - For the backstroke start, swimmers shall line up in the water facingthe starting end with both hands in contact with the end of the pool or thestarting platform. Prior to the command “Take your mark” and until the feetleave the wall at the starting signal, the swimmer’s feet, including the toes,shall be completely under the surface of the water. Standing on or in thegutter or curling the toes over the lip of the gutter, immediately after thestart is not permitted.B. Stroke - The swimmer shall push off on his back and continue swimming on theback throughout the race. Some part of the swimmer must break the surface ofthe water throughout the race, except it shall be permissible for the swimmer to becompletely submerged during the turn and for a distance of not more than 15meters (16.4 yards) after the start and turn. By that point, the head must havebroken the surface of the water.C. Turn – Upon completion of each length, some part of the swimmer must touchthe wall. During the turn the shoulders may be turned past the vertical toward thebreast after which a single arm pull or a simultaneous double arm pull may beused to execute the turn. The swimmer must have returned to a position on theback upon leaving the wall.D. Finish – Upon the finish of the race, the swimmer must touch the wall while onthe back.

15. Freestyle:A. Start - The forward start shall be used.B. Stroke - In event designated freestyle the swimmer may swim any style,except that in a medley relay or an individual medley event, freestyle means anystyle other than butterfly, breaststroke or backstroke. If swimmer chooses to swimanother stroke for freestyle all rules pertaining to that stroke apply. For freestyle, somepart of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the race, except itshall be permissible for the swimmer to be completely submerged during the turn and fora distance of not more than 15 meters (16.4 yards) after the start and turn. By thatpoint the head must have broken the surface.C. Turn - Upon completion of each length the swimmer must touch the wall.D. Finish -The swimmer shall have finished the race when any part of his persontouches the wall after completing the prescribed distance.16. Individual Medley: The swimmer shall swim the prescribed distance in the followingorder: the first one-fourth, butterfly; the second one-fourth, backstroke; the third onefourth, breaststroke; and the last one-fourth, freestyle.A. Start -The forward start shall be used.B. Stroke - The stroke for each one-fourth of the designated distance shall follow theprescribed rules for that stroke.C. Turns1. Butterfly to backstroke - The swimmer must touch as described in 13.EOnce a legal touch has been made, the swimmer may turn in any manner,but the shoulders must be at or past the vertical toward the back when theswimmer leaves the wall.2. Backstroke to breaststroke - The swimmer must touch the wall while on theback. Once a legal touch has been made, the swimmer may turn in anymanner but the shoulders must be at or past the vertical toward the breastwhen the swimmer leaves the wall and the prescribed breaststroke formmust be attained prior to the first arm stroke.3. Breaststroke to freestyle -The swimmer must touch as described in 12.E.Once a legal touch has been made, the swimmer may turn in any manner.D. Finish – The swimmer shall have finished the race when any part of his/her persontouches the wall after the prescribed distance.

17. Relays:A. Freestyle Relay – Four swimmers on each team, each to swim one -fourth of theprescribed distance using any desired stroke(s). Freestyle finish rules apply.B. Medley Relay – Four swimmers on each team, each to swim one-fourth of theprescribed distance continuously in the following order: first, back stroke; second,breaststroke; third, butterfly; and fourth, freestyle. Rules pertaining to e ach strokeused shall govern where applicable. At the end of each leg, the finish rule foreach stroke applies in each case.C. Rules Pertaining to Relay Races1. No swimmer shall swim more than one leg in any relay event.2. No Swimmer other than the swimmers entered shall swim in any relayevent.3. Each relay team member shall leave the water immediately upon finishinghis/her leg, except the last member.4. All swimmers except the lead swimmer may be moving on the start as longas their feet are still in contact with the blocks or pool edge when theprevious swimmer finishes his leg.18. All of the above rules will apply to all swimmers; however, the league has determinedthat the younger swimmers rules for specific strokes will be modified as follows:A. Six & Under: Six & under swimmers will not be disqualified for any stroke aslong as they are attempting to perform the correct stroke. A 6 & under may onlybe disqualified if they swim the wrong stroke for more than 50% of the length ofthe pool. In relay events swimmers may be disqualified for early starts, howevera swimmer should not be disqualified in the event a parent pushes a child into thepool prematurely.B. 7 & 8: These swimmers will also be given additional flexibility in their strokes.For breaststroke, the kick will be considered legal if one foot is attempting thecorrect breaststroke kick and one leg is scissoring. Swimmers in this age groupshould also be given flexibility during the butterfly stroke.

TRI VALLEY SWIM LEAGUE- ORDER OF EVENTSEvent NumbersGirls Boys Age Group Event1 2 6 & Under 100 Medley Relay3 4 7-8 100 Medley Relay5 6 9-10 100 Medley Relay7 8 11-12 200 Medley Relay9 10 13-14 200 Medley Relay11 12 15-17 200 Medley Relay13 14 6 & Under 25 Free15 16 7-8 25 Free17 18 9-10 50 Free19 20 11-12 50 Free21 22 13-14 50 Free23 24 15-17 50 Free25 26 6 & Under 25 Fly27 28 7-8 25 Fly29 30 9-10 25 F1y31 32 11-12 50 Fly33 34 13-14 50 Fly35 36 15-17 50 Fly37 38 6 & Under 25 Breast39 40 7-8 25 Breast41 42 9-10 25 Breast43 44 11-12 50 Breast45 46 13-14 50 Breast47 48 15-17 50 Breast49 50 9-10 100 I.M.51 52 11-12 100 I.M.53 54 13-14 100 I.M.55 56 15-17 100 I.M.57 58 6 & Under 25 Back59 60 7-8 25 Back61 62 9-10 25 Back63 64 11-12 50 Back65 66 13-14 50 Back67 68 15-17 50 Back69 70 6 & Under 100 Free Relay71 72 7-8 100 Free Relay73 74 9-10 200 Free Relay75 76 11-12 200 Free Relay77 78 13-14 200 Free Relay79 80 15-17 200 Free Relay