Swimming & Diving Factors of Emphasis – 2025-26

Backstroke Ledge Education

As of the 2025-26 college yr, NFHS state associations might undertake guidelines allowing using backstroke ledges throughout highschool swimming competitions, supplied the power meets particular necessities, together with a minimal water depth of 6 ft (1.84 meters) on the beginning finish to a minimum of 16 ft, 5 inches (5 meters) from the wall. This choice is grounded in intensive analysis performed by Indiana University, DePauw University, and enter from the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, with the aim of lowering dangers whereas aligning with nationwide and worldwide requirements for aggressive swimming.

State associations that select to allow use of backstroke beginning ledges of their highschool competitions should clearly articulate the significance of a educating protocol implementation for his or her highschool rivals and for threat minimization. The implementation of backstroke ledges requires clear, structured schooling protocols. Swimmers should reveal proficiency in executing a backstroke begin with out the ledge earlier than progressing to its use. Coaches ought to guarantee athletes are conversant in the total backstroke begin development, which begins with mastering the shallow backstroke racing begin. Swimmers should first apply stepping into place with arms greedy both the gutter or the bottom bar on the beginning block and inserting each ft on the wall. Once this base talent is achieved, the coach might introduce the backstroke ledge, however solely when the swimmer demonstrates ample energy and top to deal with the extra talent safely. Progression to the ledge ought to be gradual, and the swimmer should exhibit a agency understanding of correct approach and security procedures. The use of backstroke ledges ought to solely happen throughout managed swim practices, tutorial classes, supervised warm-ups, or competitions, making certain the atmosphere is protected and applicable.

Coaches ought to carefully monitor swimmers’ proficiency at every stage of the development, making certain that every athlete is bodily and mentally ready for the following step. The coach ought to assess whether or not the swimmer is sufficiently tall and robust to deal with the backstroke bar or ledge earlier than introducing them to those parts. By following these tips and sustaining a transparent deal with talent development, security and managed atmosphere practices, using backstroke ledges could be safely built-in into highschool swimming competitions and coaching classes. Additional instructional sources could also be accessed by way of the swimming and diving web page of NFHS.org, the 2025 NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Interpretation PowerPoint, and the brand new NFHS Swimming and Diving Pre-Season Guide, will assist be certain that swimmers acquire confidence and talent in a protected method.

Viability of Diving and Importance of Education

The NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Committee acknowledges participation knowledge and testimonials from state associations throughout the nation point out a regarding decline within the variety of athletes and the variety of faculties providing diving as a part of their sports activities applications. In mild of those challenges, the committee’s discussions centered on two key areas: sustaining the viability of diving and the significance of offering complete instructional sources to assist and develop the game of diving.

The committee recognized an ongoing decline in participation as a nationwide pattern that has been felt throughout member sections and states. To be certain that diving stays a viable and accessible choice for faculties, the committee centered on how states and faculties can adapt and evolve their strategy to the occasion. Strategies mentioned embrace addressing limitations to participation, corresponding to entry to services, teaching sources and security protocols, in addition to selling diving as an thrilling and helpful part of the general swimming and diving program in faculties. States are inspired to guage their choices and discover inventive options to retain and improve participation in diving.

A pivotal facet of the committee’s dialog centered across the significance of instructional supplies for coaches, athletes, directors and officers. The committee emphasised that these sources ought to be accessible and complete offering steering on each technical abilities and the academic advantages of diving. Educational initiatives ought to deal with enhancing the understanding of diving’s worth as a sport – its athletic calls for, its inclusion within the broader swimming and diving atmosphere, and its skill to foster essential life abilities corresponding to self-discipline, resilience and psychological focus.

NFHS instructional sources could also be accessed by way of the swimming and diving web page of NFHS. org, NFHSLEARN programs, the 2025 NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Interpretation PowerPoint, and the brand new NFHS Swimming and Diving Pre-Season Guide. The committee encourages all stakeholders – coaches, directors, athletes, state associations and officers– to actively interact with these sources and techniques to assist revitalize the game of diving.