aMENDMENTS TO THE 2026 RULEBOOK

101.1.4 STARTS

.1-.3   [no changes]

.4   Warning Signal — With the exception of relays, in events 500 yards freestyle events 400 meters/500 yards or longer, the Starter or a designee shall sound a warning signal over the water at the finish end of the lane of the leading swimmer when that swimmer has two lengths plus five yards or five meters to swim. As an alternative, a bell warning signal may be given over each lane by a lane judge or timer for that lane.

.5   [no changes]

101.3 BUTTERFLY

.1-.4   [no changes]

.5   Finish — At the finish, the body shall be on the breast and the touch shall be made with both hands separated and simultaneously at, above, or below the water surface. Additionally, once some part of the head of the swimmer has passed the final 5-meter mark (long course and short course meters) or 5-yard mark (short course yards), immediately prior to reaching for the finish, the swimmer may be completely

101.4 BACKSTROKE

.1   [no changes]

.2   Stroke — The swimmer shall push off on their back and continue swimming on the back throughout the race. Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the race, except it is permissible for the swimmer to be completely submerged during the turn and for a distance of not more than 15 meters (16.4 yards) after the start and after each turn. By that point, the head must have broken the surface of the water. Additionally, once some part of the head of the swimmer has passed the final 5-meter mark (long course and short course meters) or 5-yard mark (short course yards), immediately prior to reaching for the finish, the swimmer may be completely submerged prior to the touch.

.3   [no changes]

.4   Finish — Upon the finish of the race, the swimmer must touch the wall while on the back. Additionally, once some part of the head of the swimmer has passed the final 5-meter mark (long course and short course meters) or 5-yard mark (short course yards), immediately prior to reaching for the finish, the swimmer may be completely submerged.

101.5 FREESTYLE

.1-.3   [no changes]

.4   Finish — The swimmer shall have finished the race when any part of their person touches the wall after completing the prescribed distance. Additionally, once some part of the head of the swimmer has passed the final 5-meter mark (long course and short course meters) or 5-yard mark (short course yards), immediately prior

101.6 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; and the last one-fourth, freestyle.

.1-.2   [no changes]

.3   Turns

A.   Intermediate turns within each stroke shall conform to the turn rules for that stroke, except that in the freestyle turn, the swimmer must return to the breast before any kick or stroke after leaving the wall.

B.   [no changes]

.4   [no changes]

102.6 COUNTERS

A.   A swimmer in the 500/1000/1650 yard or 400/800/1500 Short Course Meter or 800/1500 Long Course Meter 400 meters/500 yards or longer freestyle or other long distance pool event (see 102.1.4) may appoint one counter to call lengths or indicate lengths by visual sign.

B-E.   [no changes]

102.8 SWIMWEAR

.1   Design

A-D.   [no changes]

E.   No swimmer is permitted to wear or use any device, substance or swimsuit to help their speed, pace, buoyancy or endurance during a race (such as webbed gloves, flippers, fins, power bands, adhesive substances, etc.). The use of technology and automated data collection devices is permissible for the sole purpose of collecting data. Automated devices shall not be utilized to transmit data, sounds, or signals to the swimmer and may not be used to aid their speed. Goggles may be worn, and rubdown oil applied if not considered excessive by the Referee. Therapeutic elastic tape is prohibited. As a consequence of injury, it is permissible to tape together not more than two fingers or toes. Any other kind of tape on the body is not permitted unless approved by the Referee.

F.   [no changes]

.2-.3   [no changes]