High School Swimming & Diving Rules Adjustments Handle Variety of Dives Throughout Championship Meets

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Starting with the 2026–27 swimming and diving season, state highschool associations may have the choice to vary the variety of dives carried out by individuals throughout a championship meet.

This change highlights 5 guidelines proposals introduced forth by the NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Committee throughout its annual assembly, held March 22–24 in downtown Indianapolis. The NFHS Board of Directors subsequently authorized all submitted rule adjustments.

Rule 9-4-2h (Choice of Dives) now states that “by state association adoption, the number of qualifiers advancing to the semifinal round may be increased.” An extra observe states, “by state association adoption, states may alter the number of dives for their state championship series of meets.”

In its rationale, the committee identified that participation in highschool diving continues to say no in lots of states, and lowering the variety of dives might broaden alternatives for student-athletes to take part within the occasion.

“The committee noted that the exception within the note is tightly crafted and limited to state association championship competition,” mentioned Sandy Searcy, NFHS director of sports activities and liaison to the Swimming and Diving Rules Committee. “Allowing championship meet modification is consistent with other provisions in Rule 5-1-1 that allow states to address issues such as scheduling and affect only their own competitions, similar to deciding whether to contest events in other sports.”

Additional authorized adjustments had been made to guidelines concerning uniforms, digital units, and the type of particular person occasions.

Under Rule 3-3-4b(2), wording was added to make clear that bonded or taped seams on fits usually are not topic to permeability necessities. This change mirrors requirements established by World Aquatics.

Rules 3-5-1 and 3-5-2 had been additionally up to date to state that no competitor shall put on any audio (microphone) or video (digital camera) system throughout a race or dive.

Mirroring language was added to guidelines governing the butterfly (Rule 8-2-3g) and freestyle (Rule 8-2-4e), stating: “Once some part of the swimmer’s head has passed the 5-yard/5-meter mark immediately prior to reaching for the finish, the swimmer may be completely submerged.” The adjustments align with nationwide developments within the sport.

“Sandy Searcy’s leadership is greatly appreciated as is her passion for swimming and diving, and the same can be said for every member of the NFHS Swimming & Diving Rules Committee,” mentioned Rod Garman, chair of the Swimming and Diving Rules Committee and assistant govt director of the Kansas State High School Activities Association. “So much knowledge and expertise are evident during committee discussions of rules proposals and each member’s contributions are valued. The listening and respect for one another is paramount when making such important decisions that impact education-based swimming and diving across the country.”

An entire itemizing of the swimming and diving guidelines adjustments might be obtainable on the NFHS web site at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Activities & Sports” on the prime of the house web page and choose “Swimming and Diving.” The print model of the 2026-27 Swimming & Diving Rules Book might be obtainable for buy in late May at www.NFHS.com, and the digital model might be obtainable through NFHS Digital at www.NFHS.org.

According to the 2024-25 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, swimming and diving is the Tenth-most well-liked sport for boys with 119,102 individuals in 8,105 colleges, and the ninth-most well-liked sport for ladies with 138,303 individuals in 8,465 colleges.