NFHS* Swimming and Diving and Water Polo, 2001-02 Rules Book

- an outline-
(Consult actual rule book for exact wording of these rules.)

Swimming and Diving:
Rule 2 Pool , Lane & Equipment Specifications

Section 1 Variations in Pool and Equipment
Art. 1: When existing facilities do not conform to the rules, meets may be conducted by prior mutual
consent of competing teams, unless state association regulations determine otherwise. Water depth,
platform height, distance of platform to surface of water, and use of a recall device and backstroke flags
may not be waived by prior mutual consent.

Section 2 Pool Dimensions
Art. 1: Pool shall be either 75 long (22.860m) or 82.021 long (25m), measured from wall or timing
devices, and a minimum of 45 wide (13.716m). A pool 60 wide (18.288m) is recommended.
Art. 2: Recommended that water depth be a minimum of 3-6 (1.0668m)- see also Sec.3, Art.1 at end and
Sec.7, Art.2.

Section 3 Pool Construction
Art. 1: End walls and movable bulkhead walls shall be parallel and vertical, with no protrusions, for a depth
of 3-6 (1.0668)- or within 12 of a wall with radius at bottom (see Sec.7 Art.2). Touch pads may be
used if they dont shorten the race course beyond minimum specifications. It is recommended that the
end walls be finished with a non-slip surface. In new pools a minimum of 4 depth in the starting end is
recommended and inlets on the end walls at least 2-6 deep.
Art. 2: All ladders, steps or stairs shall be recessed into the side walls or easily removable for competition.
Art. 3: 100 foot candles of lighting at water level is recommended.

Section 4 Pool Markings
Art. 1: The bottom and walls of pools constructed or refinished shall be white or light in color.
Art. 2: Continuous lines, 12 min. width (0.3048m) of a dark color, shall mark the middle of each lane,
ending 60 (1.524m) from the end walls with a 12 x 36 (0.9144m) T; with end walls marked by a 12
wide line extending vertically, 3-6 min. below water. Markings on touch pad or bulkhead shall conform.
Art. 3: Visible numbers, identifying the lane, shall be provided.
Art. 4: The top edge of deck level pools shall be marked with a dark, distinctive color to act as a target. It
is recommended that the end walls extend at least 2 (5.08cm) above the normal water surface.
Art. 5: Visible markings on the deck or on each lane marker shall be located 16.4 yards (15m) from each
end wall.

Section 5 Lanes
Art. 1: Lane markers are required with continuous floats, clearly visible, indicating the limits of each lane,
attached at the water line in a recessed receptacle and stretched. Solid-colored floats within 15
(4.572m) of both end walls are recommended.
Art. 2: Width of lanes shall be a min. of 7 (2.134m). Outside lanes may be wider, with outside lane
markers recommended.

Section 6 Water Conditions
Art. 1: Bottom and end line markings shall be clearly visible while standing on the deck at mid-point.
Water shall meet standards of chemical balance and treatment prescribed by that schools local or state
health code.
Art. 2: Recommended that the water temperature be min. of 78
0
F (26
0
C) and max. of 82
0
F (28
0
C).
Art. 3: The water level shall be at the overflow rim of the pool.

Adolph Kiefer and Associates 1 NFHS 01/02


Section 7 Equipment for Swimming Events
Art. 1: All necessary equipment shall be provided by the host team, maintained in proper working
condition.
Art. 2: Starting platforms, securely attached to the deck or end wall, required in pools with water depth of
4 or more. Numbered the same as the lanes. Top front edge of the platform and backstroke grips shall
be max. 30 (0.762m) above the water, flush with the pool end wall. Top shall be flat, slope not
exceeding 10
0
toward pool, min. 20 square (0.508m) and covered with a nonskid material. With water
depth 3.5 up to 4, start from deck or in water; less than 3.5, start in water.
Art. 3: Starting signal shall be loud enough to insure a fair start. Recommended that signal activate a
strobe light or similar optical signal, located at each side of the pool and visible from all starting
platforms.
Art. 4: Recall rope shall be placed min. 42 (10.973m) from the starting end, required for all events.
Art. 5: Backstroke flag lines suspended appx. 7 (2.134m) above water, 15 (4.472m) from each end wall,
for all events in which backstroke is swum. Min. 3 pennants of 2 or more alternating colors over each
lane; 6-12 wide, 12-18 long.
Art. 6: Visual lap counter for 500 yard/meter race, required for each lane; with sufficient number of white
cards with 12, black, odd, ascending numbers and one solid florescent orange card, w or w/o numbers.
Art. 7: Timing devices, whether manual, semi-automatic or automatic shall be calibrated to one hundredth
of a second (0.01). Use of electronic timing is recommended for all swimming meets. Even when
automatic timing is used, a manual timing device shall be used for each lane as a backup.
Art. 8: Touch pads for automatic timing shall be centered in the lanes.
Art. 9: Meet score shall be posted and/or announced throughout the meet.

Swimming and Diving:
Rule 9 Diving Competition

Section 1 The Pool, Board and Equipment
Art. 1: Diving pool may be separate or part of the swimming pool and the following standards for clearance
and water depth are recommended for one meter diving:
a. end of board to pool wall underneath, 6 (1.829m)
b. side of board to side of another board, 8 (2.438m)
c. side of board to pool side wall, 10 (3.048m)
d. end of board to forward pool wall, 29 (8.839m)
e. top of board at tip to ceiling overhead, 16 (4.877m)
f. water depth at any point 2-5 in front of end of board; 10 (3.048m), 12 (3.658m) preferred and for
pools built after January 1987
g. maximum depth reduction rate of diving pools not exceeding minimum depth requirements, 6.25% for
a distance of 16.5 (6.096m) from the end of the board and 6 (1.829m) back and to the sides- deeper
pools may have proportionally steeper depth reduction rates
Art. 2: Diving board shall be horizontal and 1m (5cm) above water. Board shall be 16 (4.877m) long and
20 (0.508m) wide, and the entire surface shall be covered by a nonskid material.
Art. 3: A movable fulcrum, which can be adjusted between 5-6 and 7-6 (1.676 and 2.286m) from the
rear of the board, is required. Range can be limited if pool doesnt conform to Art. 1. Board shall
remain horizontal with the fulcrum in any position.
Art. 4: A water agitation system is recommended; extending 5 (1.524m) beyond board, 2 wide (0.6096m).

Adolph Kiefer and Associates 2 NFHS 01/02

Water Polo:

Rule 1 Field of Play and Equipment
Art. 1: The promoting organization shall be responsible for the correct measurements and markings of the
field of play and shall provide all stipulated fixtures and equipment. Any visible clock shall display the
time in descending manner. The game clock and the 35-second clocks shall be equally visible to both
teams. There shall be a minimum of two 35-second clocks used in each game. It is recommended that
there be four 35-second clocks, one located at each corner of the pool. If only two, clocks should be
across from the front court referee. If this is not possible, the two clocks shall be located on the same
side of the pool as the scoring table.
Art. 2: The layout and markings of the field of play for a game officiated by two referees shall be in
accordance with the following diagram:





















(See text below for dimensions in yards, feet and inches.)

Art. 3: In a game officiated by one referee, the referee shall officiate on the same side as the official table,
and the goal judges shall be situated on the opposite side.
Art.4: Length 75 (25m) by 45 (13m) min. width.
(Recommended pool max. width 66 (20m), pool depth 6-6 (2m).)
Art. 5: Water temperature min. 78
0
F (26
0
C) and max. 82
0
F (28
0
C).
Art. 6: Distinctive marks shall be provided on both sides of the field of play to denote the following:
white marks- goal lines and half distance line
red marks- 2 yards (2m) from goal lines
yellow marks- 4 yards (4m) from goal lines
green marks- 7 meters from goal lines
(Measurements for the marks shall be taken from the front edge of the goal line, including the marker. It
is recommended all marks be flush with the edge of the pool.)
Art. 7: A red mark shall be placed at each end of the field of play, 2 yards (2.0 m) from the corner of the
field of play on the side opposite to the official table, to denote the re-entry area.
Art. 8: Sufficient space shall be provided for the referees to have free movement from end to end of the
field of play. Space shall be provided at the goal lines for the goal judges.
Art. 9: Separate red, white and blue flags, each 20 x 35cm, shall be provided to the secretary.
Adolph Kiefer and Associates 3 NFHS 01/02


Rule 2 Goals
Art. 1: Goal posts and cross bar faces shall be 3 (0.075m) wide and be of firm material, with goal face
painted white. Frame face shall be set perpendicular to the water, on the goal line, centered in the
playing field and, for floating goals, a min. 0.30 meters (11-13/16) in front of the ends of the field of play.
Art. 2: Goal posts shall be 10 (3.0m) apart. When the water is min. 5 (1.5m) deep, crossbar shall be 3
(0.9m) above water. When water is less than 5 deep, crossbar shall be 8 (2.4m) from the floor of the
pool. (to underside of crossbar)
Art. 3: For floating goals, limp nets shall be securely attached to the goal posts and cross-bar to allow a
min. of 0.3m clear space behind the goal line. End lines shall be attached one ball width from the front
edge of the goal. For wall goals, the goal space shall be min. 18 (45.72cm) deep, w/o obstruction.
Canvas backing shall be loosely attached to enclose the goal space in front of all supports.

Rule 3 The Ball
Art. 1: Ball shall be round, yellow or gold in color, have an air chamber with a self-closing valve,
waterproof, without external strapping or any covering of grease or similar substance.
Art. 2: Ball shall be inflated to min. 13-14 psi., measure 27-28 (68-71cm) in circumference and weigh 15-
17ozs. (425-482g)
Art. 3: Recommend the use of a size 5 ball for mens and a size 4 ball for the womens game (12-13 psi,
circumference between 65-67 cm).
Art. 4: Recommended 5 balls for championship games, one for play and two for each goal judge.
Art. 5: Beginning with the 2000-2001 season, the ball shall have the NFHS authenticating mark. A current
list of NFHS authenticated products can be found on the Web site, nfhs.org.

Rule 4 Caps
Art. 1: Each team shall have two sets of caps; one white, and another dark and contrasting, except for
yellow, gold or other light colors. Visiting team shall wear white. Caps may have piping of any color not
to exceed 3/8 (1cm) in width around the cap and may have a stripe (not yellow or orange) running from
front to back.
Art. 2: Each player must wear a cap with ear guards, which must match the cap color. Color of
goalkeepers ear guards and cap numbers shall be the same as the field players on his/her team: dark
for the home team and white for the visiting team.
Art. 3: Goalkeepers may wear solid red caps or caps quartered with two contrasting colors. If the home
team caps are red, they shall provide quartered caps, with two contrasting colors, for all goalkeepers:
red/white for visiting team and red/dark for the home goalkeeper.
Art. 4: Visible numbers, min. 3 (7.62cm) high, shall be placed on both sides of the cap- white or yellow on
dark caps; black, navy, royal blue, kelly green, brown or scarlet on white caps. Numbers shall be from 2
through 21 with no duplicates. Goalkeepers caps numbered 1, with additional caps numbered 1A, 1B,
etc. Caps shall be worn throughout the game. A player shall not be allowed to change his cap number
during the game, except with permission of the referee and with notification to the secretary.
Art. 5: Any bathing cap worn underneath shall closely match the color of the water polo cap.
Art. 6: If the teams caps do not meet specifications, the team may be required to change caps or the
game may be declared forfeit.
Art. 7: Caps shall be fastened under the chin. If a player loses his cap during play, he shall replace it at
the next appropriate stoppage of the game.
Game Rules continue, but are not noted here.

*National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
P.O. Box 690
Indianapolis, IN 46206 Ph: (317) 972-6900 Fax: (317) 822-5700
www:nfhs.org

NFHS Customer Service (publications)
P.O. Box 20606
Adolph Kiefer and Associates 4 NFHS 01/02

Adolph Kiefer and Associates 5 NFHS 01/02
Kansas City, MO 64195-0606 Ph: (800) 776-3462 Fax: (816) 891-2414