Table Of Content®
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USASWIMMING.ORG
Rulebook 2016.indd 1 11/18/15 9:09 AM
RONALD MARTINEZ/GETTY IMAGES
USA SWIMMING • 2016 RULEBOOK
Rulebook 2016.indd 2 11/18/15 9:09 AM
MAJOR LEGISLATION
AND RULE CHANGES FOR 2016
(currently effective except as otherwise noted)
1. Glossary definitions for “Bullying” and “Deck Change” have been added.
2. Jurisdiction for athlete-on-athlete bullying is removed from the National Board of Review
and placed within the jurisdiction of local clubs.
3. Resolving a pad malfunction on a lane will no longer require further adjustments to the
backup times. (effective May 1, 2016)
4. Clarification of starting protocol when backstroke ledges are used. (effective May 1, 2016)
5. The Zone Sanction Appeal Panel’s authority limits are specified.
6. Any individual who is banned, currently suspended or ineligible for membership is
prohibited from being on deck at any time in connection with a USA Swimming activity.
7. Clarifies the computation of the 120-day rule.
8. Prohibition of privately coaching an athlete suspended for doping.
9. Zone voting structure has been revised in both the Rule Book and Zone Bylaws to ensure
twenty percent (20%) athlete representation.
10. Sunset Olympic International Operations Committee effective August 21, 2016.
1
DOPING CONTROL
All athletes should check the status of all medications they plan to take PRIOR to taking them.
This includes over-the-counter and prescription medications. It is the responsibility of the athlete
to ensure that no prohibited substance enters his/her system.
The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) offers a Drug Reference Line (719-785-2000)
and a Drug Reference Online (www.globaldro.com) where athletes, coaches, parents and medical
professionals may check to ensure that proper documentation is on file for their medications and
that they are consuming medications that are permitted.
Dietary supplements are considered “Take at Your Own Risk” as claims made by the
manufacturers/distributors of dietary supplements regarding the effectiveness or contents of their
products are not strictly regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Any commercial
dietary supplement is susceptible to containing substances that may appear on the Prohibited
Substance list(s) of FINA and/or the World Anti-Doping Agency. These substances may not be
listed on the ingredients label of the product.
Athletes are also strongly encouraged to check every ingredient of every product they plan to
consume as prohibited substances may be listed as ingredients.
To comply with the 2015 World Anti-Doping Code, FINA, USOC and USADA have all amended
their anti-doping rules. The rules are available at the offices of USA Swimming or may be found
online at the following websites:
WADA www.wada-ama.org
FINA www.fina.org
USOC www.usoc.org
USADA www.usada.org
The 2016 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods is available on the websites listed above.
This List will take effect on January 1, 2016.
USA SWIMMING POLICY MANUAL
The USA Swimming Policy Manual is available on USA Swimming’s Website: usaswimming.org
(Member Resources/Governance & LSCs/Swimming Governance/Policies & Bylaws).
2
PART ONE t
Technical Rules
1
2016 USA Swimming PART TWO t
Administrative
Regulations 2
Rules and Regulations
of Competition
PART THREE t
Rights, Privileges,
3
Code of Conduct
Published by:
USA SWIMMING, INC.
PART FOUR t
1 Olympic Plaza
Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Hearings and Appeals 4
719.866.4578 o
719.866.4669 f
usaswimming.org
PART FIVE t
Corporate Bylaws 5
of USA Swimming
The 2016 Rules and Regulations is an official PART SIX t
publication of USA Swimming, the National Local Swimming 6
Governing Body for swimming in the U.S. Review of Committees,
legislated changes for correct application provided Zones and Regions
by Jay Thomas, Anneliese Eggert, Mickey Smythe,
Julie Bare and Gloria Schuldt.
PART SEVEN t
Open Water Swimming 7
Cover Design: Matt Lupton
Cover Photos: Getty Images
Copyright 2016 by USA Swimming, Inc. MASTERS t
U.S. Masters Technical M
Rules Differences
USA SWIMMING’S HEADQUARTERS STAFF
Executive Nailah Timberlake John Pharris
Chuck Wielgus Multicultural Communications Manager Database Administrator
Executive Director
Denise MacDonald Mike Wilkinson Margaux Lohry
Programs & Services Shipping & Receiving Supervisor International Games Manager
Administrative Assistant
Secretary & General Counsel Ben Britten (coach) Ex-Officio – USA Swimming Ex-Officio – USOC AAC Rep.
Lucinda McRoberts 409 Tiffany Dr. and USAS Past President Peter Vanderkaay
USA Swimming Santa Maria, CA 93454-3267 Jim Wood USA Swimming
1 Olympic Plaza (C) 559-917-2917 PO Box 215 c/o Kathy Parker
Colorado Springs, CO (E)
RELATED COMMITTEE CHAIRS AND COORDINATORS
Disability Swimming Chair Officials Chair Registration/Membership Times & Recognition Chair
Mark Rieniets Jim Holcomb Chair Tim Husson
PO Box 117 724 El Parque Dr. Pam Lowenthal 6107 Joyce Dr.
Sherwood, OR 97140-0117 El Paso, TX 79912-1712 1400 E. Touhy Ave., Ste. 410 Camp Springs, MD
(C) 503-929-7538 (C) 915-203-5676 Des Plaines, IL 60018-3348 20748-2411
(E)
USA Swimming’s Calendar of Events
(calendar tentative and subject to change)
Date Event City
2016
Jan. 15-17 Arena Pro Swim Series LCM Austin, TX
March 3-5 Arena Pro Swim Series LCM Orlando, FL
April 8-10 Open Water National Championships OW Miromar Lakes, FL
April 14-16 Arena Pro Swim Series LCM Mesa, AZ
May 12-15 Arena Pro Swim Series LCM Charlotte, NC
June 2-5 Arena Pro Swim Series LCM Indianapolis, IN
June 2-5 Arena Pro Swim Series LCM Santa Clara, CA
June 26-July 3 U.S. Olympic Team Trials Omaha, NE
Aug. 2-6 U.S. Open LCM Minneapolis, MN
Aug. 5-21 Olympic Games (Swimming: Aug. 6-13; Rio de Janeiro, BRA
Open Water: Aug. 15-16)
Aug. 8-12 Speedo Junior National Championships LCM Minneapolis, MN
Aug. 21-24 Junior Pan Pacific Championships LCM Kihei, Maui, HI
Sept. 18-25 U.S. Aquatic Sports Convention Atlanta, GA
Nov. 30-Dec. 3 AT&T Winter National Championships SCY Atlanta, GA
Dec. 6-11 FINA World Championships SCM Windsor, CAN
Dec. 7-10 Speedo Winter Junior Championships West SCY College Station, TX
Dec. 7-10 Speedo Winter Junior Championships East SCY Columbus, OH
2017
Jan. Arena Pro Swim Series LCM TBD
Feb. Arena Pro Swim Series LCM TBD
April Arena Pro Swim Series LCM TBD
May Arena Pro Swim Series LCM TBD
June Arena Pro Swim Series LCM TBD
June 27-July 1 Phillips 66 National Championships LCM Indianapolis, IN
(World Championships and University Games Trials)
July 15-30 FINA World Championships (Open Water: LSM Budapest, HUN
July 15-22; Swimming: July 23-30)
Aug. 2-6 U.S. Open LCM East Meadow, NY
Aug. 8-12 Speedo Junior National Championships LCM East Meadow, NY
Aug. 19-28 World University Games (Swimming: Aug. 20-26) LCM Chinese Taipei
Sept. 10-17 U.S. Aquatic Sports Convention Dallas, TX
Nov. 29-Dec. 2 AT&T Winter National Championships SCY TBD
Dec. 6-9 Speedo Winter Junior Championships West SCY TBD
Dec. 6-9 Speedo Winter Junior Championships East SCY TBD
8
