Swimming and Diving Update

Good afternoon. I hope this finds many of you preparing to enjoy a great summer. I wanted to share with you some updates on swimming and diving that our Board of Directors approved at their May meeting.

Backstrokes Ledges Now Legal: The NFHS approved the use of backstroke ledges at their annual rules meeting in March. The advisory committees of the IGHSAU and IHSAA have recommended allowing the use of ledges for the upcoming swimming and diving season. To utilize the ledges in the postseason, all six sites would need to have the ledges available for use. The University of Iowa does have the ledges. If your school plans to have the backstroke ledges for next season, please email me. 

Scrimmages Allowed: Beginning this season, schools may participate in up to two scrimmages. Scrimmages between member schools shall be permitted between the date of first legal practice and the final day of the State Swimming and Diving Meet. Teams may travel for scrimmages, provided it is done without loss of school time.

If a school is scrimmaging at an out-of-state school, the scrimmage rules of that state shall apply. Iowa scrimmage rules will apply for scrimmages held in Iowa. A scrimmage is defined as that which takes place between member schools at one site on one calendar day, as well as an established definition relating to the mandatory absence of scorekeeping and spectator charge. For a player to be charged with a scrimmage, she must have participated in the scrimmage. Times from scrimmages are not eligible for inclusion on the regular season state qualifying list. 

2025 Time Standards: The regular-season time standards for the 2025 season have been approved. The time standards are developed by taking the 16th-place time (the last scoring placing) from the previous five state meets, compiling the average time from those five meets, and using that average as the time standard. Standards for the 2025 season are:  

200 IM 2:12.65
50 Freestyle :24.92
100 Butterfly 1:00.19
100 Freestyle :54.55
500 Freestyle 5:21.03
100 Backstroke 1:00.19
100 Breaststroke 1:07.65
200 Free 1:57.88

Starting Commands: There have been some inconsistencies in the use of starting commands, and the Swimming and Diving Advisory Committee recommended the following protocol be adopted for starts beginning for the 2025 season:

 Verbal Preparatory Commands 

Protocol for the forward start when there is only one official (referee/starter): 

• To bring the swimmers to the starting area, the referee/starter announces the event/distance/heat, “200-yard freestyle”.

• Referee/starter blows a long whistle

• When swimmers are stationary, give the command, “Take your marks”

• If the heat needs to reset, use the command “Stand please”.

• Use the “Relax please” instruction when there will be a prolonged period before the starting sequence will begin.

• When swimmers are stationary, activate the starting signal. 

Protocol for the backstroke start when there is only one official (referee/starter): 

1. To bring the swimmers to the starting area, the referee/starter announces the event/distance/heat, “200-yard medley relay”.
   

• Referee/starter blows a long whistle.
  

• When the swimmers have surfaced, instruct the swimmers to “Place your feet”.
  

• When swimmers are stationary, give the command, “Take your marks”.
  

• If the heat needs to reset use the command “Stand Please”.
  

• Use the “Relax please” instruction when there will be a prolonged period before the starting sequence will begin. The “Relax” instruction should not be used in place of a “Stand Please” instruction for backstroke starts.
  

• Observe whether any feet or toes are above or curling over the gutter or pool’s edge.
  

• When swimmers are stationary, activate the starting signal.
  
  

Note: If a swimmer(s) has not responded to the whistle indicating he/she should step up or step in, the referee/starter should give the verbal commands. 

Judging Diving: The topic of judging diving has been a recurring issue at our advisory committee meetings for many years, particularly in efforts to achieve consistency in judging among both officials and coaches. The NFHS has developed an outstanding video course: “Judging Springboard Diving,” which, beginning with the 2025 season, will be required viewing for diving officials and diving coaches. The direct link to view the course is:  https://nfhslearn.com/courses/judging-springboard-diving-introduction. The course is free, and a PDF completion certificate can be saved as proof that a coach or official has viewed the course.

Regular Season State Qualifying Diving: There will be two diving-only meets during the regular season where divers will have the opportunity to qualify for the state meet before the regional meets. There will be two diving-only meets during the regular season designated for divers to qualify for the state meet. In each meet, the top five finishers will qualify for the state meet, resulting in a total of 10 regular-season state qualifiers. Regular season qualifiers must still compete at the regional meet. Both meets will utilize the same panel of coaches and officials to ensure consistency at both meets. Coaches and officials selected to judge in the panel are required to have completed the NFHS Judging Springboard Diving online course. Locations of the regular season qualifying meets will be posted later.

State Meet News: Plans have already begun for the 2025 State Swimming and Diving Meet in Iowa City. A few things that have been decided …

State Meet Now on Thursday and Friday: With the State Meet in Iowa City in the fall, there is always the prospect of the meet overlapping with the University of Iowa's home football games. To maintain consistency, the decision was made to hold the State Meet prelims and diving meet on Thursday, with the finals on Friday. The tentative schedule is as follows:

Thursday Prelim Meet
8:30 a.m.       Pass gate opens for teams
9:45 a.m.       Swimmers Meeting (on deck) NOTE: Coaches meeting will be a Zoom meeting the week of the State Meet. 
10:00 a.m.    Warm-ups
11:00 a.m.    Doors open to the public (reserved seating)
11:45 a.m.    Pool closes for swimmers
NOON          Parade of teams/IHSSCA Awards/Anthem/Start of meet

Thursday Diving Meet
12:30 p.m.    Diving well opens for warm-ups
2:00 p.m.      Doors open to the public (general admission)
2:50 p.m.      Divers Meeting
3:00 p.m.      State Diving Meet

Friday State Swimming Finals
8:30 a.m.       Doors open for teams
9:00 a.m.       Coaches meeting
9:30 a.m.       Pool opens for warm-ups
11:00 a.m.    Doors Open to the public (reserved seating)
Noon              Hall of Fame/Golden Plaque/Swimming Finals

As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Best wishes that you enjoy a tremendous summer. August will be here before you know it!!

Jason Eslinger
Senior Associate Director/Swimming and Diving Administrator