Module 10.

Rules and
Regulations in Swimming
 Desired Learning Outcomes
In this module, you shall be able to accomplish the following specific learning objectives:
 Demonstrate knowledge and understand on the different rules and regulations
stated in FINA (Federation Internationale de Natation).
 Analyze video and situations and determine the appropriate rules and regulations
that apply to swimming.

 Introduction
Swimming in recreation and sports is the propulsion of the body through water by
combined arm and leg motions and the natural flotation of the body. Swimming as an exercise is
popular as an all-around body developer and is particularly useful in therapy and as exercise for
physically handicapped persons. It is also taught for lifesaving purposes. This module includes
the duties and responsibilities of swimming officials and the basic rules in swimming.

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  Activity
CRACK THE CODE
Find the number to find the letter and fill in the blank to complete the word.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

19 23 9 13 13 9 14 7 20 1 21 7 8 20

6 15 18 12 9 6 5 19 1 22 9 14 7

16 21 18 16 15 19 5 19
  Let’s Learn!

Duties and Responsibilities of Swimming Officials

i) REFEREE – shall:
(1) Have full control and authority over all officials and shall approve their
assignments and instruct them regarding all special features of regulations related
to the competition.
(2) Have authority to intervene in the competition at any stage to ensure that the
FINA regulations are observed.
(3) Adjudicate on all protests related to the competition at any stage to ensure that
the FINA regulations are observed.
(4) Give a decision in cases where the judge’s decision and the times recorded do not
agree.
(5) He may appoint substitute for any who are absent
(6) Signal at the moment of the commencement of the event proper
ii) MEET REFEREE
(1) The Meet Referee, in cooperation with the Games Director, shall have the
authority to adjust these rules on a case-by-case basis for the safety and well-
being of the athletes. The Meet Referee may intervene in the competition at any
stage to ensure that the appropriate regulations are observed, and shall adjudicate
all protests related to the competition in progress.
(2) The Meet Referee shall have the discretion to allow for certain
modifications/interpretations of the current technical rules.
(3) The Meet Referee shall have full control and authority over all officials, approve
their assignments and instruct them regarding all Special Olympics features or
regulations related to the competitions. He/she shall enforce all rules and
decisions of the Official Special Olympics Sports Rules and FINA rules and shall
decide all questions relating to the actual conduct of the meet, the final settlement
of which is not otherwise covered by these rules.
iii) CLERK OF COURSE
(1) To assemble and prepare competitors prior to each event.
iv) STARTER
(1) Have full control of the competitors from the time the Referee turns the
competitors over to him until the race has commenced.
v) CHIEF TIMEKEEPER
(1) Assign the seating position for all timekeepers
vii) TIMEKEEPER
(1) Take the time of the competitors in the lane assigned to him. The watchers shall
be certified correct to the satisfaction of the committee of the management of the
meeting.
viii) CHIEF JUDGE
(1) Assign each judge his position and the placing to be determined.
(2) Assign officials to serve as Inspectors of Turns
ix) FINISH JUDGES
(1) Be positioned in elevated stands in line with the finish where they have in all
events and at all times a clear view of the course and at the finish line.
(2) After each event decide and report the placing of the competitors according to
the assignment given to him.
(3) Serve as Inspector of Turns if so directed and observe the takeoffs in relay
events.
(4) When video tape is available on relay changes, this may be consulted by the
referee.
x) CHIEF INSPECTORS OF TURNS
(1) Ensure that Inspectors of Turns fulfill their activities during competitions.
(2) Received the reports from Inspectors of Turns if any infringement occurs and
present them to the Chief Judge for submission of the referee.
xi) INSPECTORS OF TURNS
(1) To record the number of laps completed by each competitor
(2) To ensure that when turning, competitors comply with the relevant rules
commencing from the beginning of the last arm stroke before.
(3) To determine, in relay events, whether the starting competitor is in contact with
the starting block when the preceding competitor touches the starting wall.
xii) JUDGES OF STROKES
(1) Operate on both sides of the wall
(2) Ensure that the rules related to the style of swimming designated for the event are
being observed.
(3) Report any violation to the Referee on signed cards detailing the vent, lane
number, the competitor’s name and the infringement.
(4) Stroke interpretations will be concerned with the action a limb(s) is performing.
The Stroke Judge shall be concerned with what action the arm or leg action
constitutes.
Basic Rules in Swimming
All Special Olympics swimming training, recreational sessions and competition events
shall be conducted in accordance with the following practices, rules and procedures in order to
ensure the safety and well-being of all Special Olympics athletes, coaches and volunteers:
1. Basic Rules There shall be at least one certified lifeguard on duty for every 25
swimmers in the water.
2. The sole function of the lifeguard shall be to guard. If no relief lifeguard is
available, the pool must be cleared, even for a short duration, when a lifeguard
must leave the pool side.
3. The Event Director will review the Emergency Action Plan prior to each
occasion. There shall be enough coaches in accordance with FINA or program
NGB guidelines.
4. Athlete medical history forms shall be on site and relevant information shall be
discussed with the lifeguard or medical personnel on duty in advance of the
aquatic activity.
5. Pool depths must be marked and easily visible.
6. The minimum depth of the pool for racing starts shall meet FINA or NGB
specifications.
7. It is recommended that all starting blocks meet FINA or NGB specifications.
8. Safety lines must be in place to divide shallow and deep-water areas during
recreational aquatic activities.
9. A pool facility shall not be used unless a satisfactory inspection rating is received
prior to any Special Olympics participant entering the water.
10. An athlete with Down syndrome who has been diagnosed with Atlanto- Axial
Instability may not participate in Butterfly events, Individual Medley events,
diving starts or diving. For additional information and the procedure for waiver
of this restriction, please refer to Article I, Addendum F.
11. If in the judgment of the referee or competition management an athlete’s
swimming competence that the athlete is not capable of completing the race
distance and may even put his/her life in danger, the referee may, with the
Technical Delegate’s approval, require a test of swimming competence before
the athlete is allowed to compete in any further swimming event or in any final.
 Let’s do it!

Match Column A with Column B. Write the letters only on the blacks.

Column A Column B

a. Signal at the moment of the

1. Chief Timekeeper
commencement of the event proper.

b. To assemble and prepare competitors prior to

2. Clerk of Course
each event.

3. Referee c. Operate on both sides of the wall

d. It shall have the discretion to allow for

4. Inspectors of Turns certain modifications/interpretations of the
current technical rules.

e. Have full control of the competitors from the

5. Judges of Strokes time the Referee turns the competitors over to
him until the race has commenced.

f. Assign the seating position for all

6. Timekeeper
timekeepers

g. Take the time of the competitors in the lane

assigned to him. The watchers shall be certified
7. Chief Judge correct to the satisfaction of the committee of the
management of the meeting.

h. Assign each judge his position and the placing

8. Meet Referee
to be determined.

i. Ensure that Inspectors of Turns fulfill their

9.Chief Inspectors of Strokes
activities during competitions.

j. To record the number of laps completed by

10. Starter
each competitor
 Assessment Tasks
Encircle the appropriate answer:
1. May the Referee interfere after he has turned the race over to the Starter and before a
fair start?
a. YES
b. NO
2. Can the Referee over-rule a disqualification made by another official if he/she does
not personally observe the violation?
a. YES
b. NO
3. If the rulebook does not cover a problem related to the conduct of the meet, the
decision is made by:
a. Referee
b. Meet Manager
c. Starter
4. If a Stroke Judge and a Turn Judge disagree who shall make a decision?
a. Stroke Judge
b. Turn Judge
c. Referee
5. Final authority in all ties is?
a. Chief Electronic Judge
b. Meet Manager
c. Referee
d. Chief Meet Recorder
6. The following officials are authorized to disqualify a competitor:
a. Starter
b. Referee
c. Chief Timer
d. Place Judge
e. Stroke & Turn Judge
f. Take-Over Judge
g. Clerk of the Course
h. Marshall
7. Swim-offs are used to:
a. break all ties
b. remove tie for last place in the finals
c. break tie for alternates
8. Swim-off contestants are:
d. the entire heat involved
e. the heat except for those disqualified
f. those involve in the tie
9. Which official has the authority to call off or postpone any meet or event that has
actually started?
a. Referee
b. Meet Manager
10. May disqualified swimmers be allowed to re-swim in a subsequent heat?
a. YES
b. NO
11. When a disqualification occurs in a final, what competitors shall compete?
a. all in the race
b. all in the race except the disqualified swimmers
12. When Stroke Judges and Turn Judges disqualify a swimmer who do they inform?
a. Meet Recorder
b. Chief Place Judge
c. Recorder
d. Referee
e. Announcer
f. Competitor or Coach
13. Who determines the channels which disqualifications shall be reported during the
meet?
a. Referee
b. Meet Manager
c. Meet Recorder
14. May the referee be a member of the Jury of Appeal?
a. Yes
b. No
15. May the Referee over-rule the findings of an official timing and/or judging device
when he/she believes the device is in error?
a. YES
b. NO
16. Who rules on protests arising from the competition?
c. Referee
d. Meet Manager
e. Recorder
f. Chief Judge Electronic
g. Jury
17. When must a protest be made?
h. within 30 minutes after a race
i. before the end of the meet
j. before the end of the session
18. The Stroke and Turn Judge must inform the competitor or the competitor’s coach of
a disqualification within: a) 10 minutes
a. 5 minutes
b. 20 minutes
c. 30 minutes
19. According to BCSSA rules, swimmers shall be allowed any starting stance for a
diving start as long as they:
a. are at the back of the blocks
b. are not in motion at the starting signal
c. as long as at least one foot is at the front of the blocks at the start
d. they grab hold of the front of the blocks prior to the Starter’s command
20. The Referee needs to talk with which of the following people prior to the start of the
meet:
a. Stroke & Turn Judge
b. Clerk of the Course
c. Meet Manager
d. Coaches
 Non-Stop Writing
From this module, I realized that
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