[Vbsl] Recent VBSL Rule Interpretations -- PLEASE READ and SHARE

[Rex Lacy]

VBSL Directors, Division Chairs, Team Reps, Coaches, Officials, and 
supporters:

A few swim rule issues have come up in the last week or two, and it is 
necessary to get a common understanding out to all of you to head off 
potential future issues.  In no particular order, the three issues for 
now are as follows:

1.  A relay swimmer may not swim more than one relay leg position in the 
same relay event.  For example, a swimmer may not swim the first leg of 
his team's "A Relay" and then shift lanes or heats and swim another leg 
in his team's "B Relay" for the same event.

The relevant rules or published League wording states:
"No swimmer shall swim more than one leg in any relay event."
Reference: 2008 VBSL Officials Training Handbook, section V.F.6.c).(1).
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2. Running starts are not permitted for any race, in particular for 
relay swimmers swimming legs 2, 3 or 4.  This is a safety issue most of 
all.  What is generally acceptable in USA Swimming, the organization 
whose rules and customs apply when not in conflict with VBSL rules, is 
for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th leg relay swimmers to have the area of their 
starting block (about 2 feet by 3 feet in size) from which to make a 
dynamic or moving start, if they choose to. 

What that may amount to is a situation where the swimmer is standing at 
the back edge of the block as his/her turn to swim approaches, and to 
take a single step forward to initiate their "track style" start as the 
previous leg swimmer comes into the wall.  We can view this as "a step 
start," and it is clearly not a running start.  Even if a swimmer takes 
two steps from the back of the block to initiate a start, where they 
bring both feet forward and leave the block with both feet side-by-side 
from the forward part of the block, that is also acceptable.

So --- VBSL officials should be permitting this much latitude for our 
swimmers' relay starts (other than the first leg of course).  Again 
safety is the issue here, and it is the officials judgment on whether 
the swimmer is conducting a "running" start or not, as confirmed by the 
Referee (this is not meant to imply that the Referee has to personally 
observe the start).

The VBSL rule words state:
Section V.B.2:  Participants of the relay team who swim the second , 
third, or forth leg are required to step up to, or near the edge of the 
pool.  Running and step-up take-offs are prohibited.

We recognize that the rule wording could probably be clearer, and we 
will try to work on a revision, but until an improved rule is published, 
please apply the previous discussion to the matter of relay starts.
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3.  The final issue for now addresses the question of "When do entries 
for a meet become final?"  Here are some relevant rules:

a). In the League Handbook, Section 5 (Rules) section IV.C., the teams 
are instructed to submit their entries to each other at least 48 hours 
prior to the meet. A 'merged' meet sheet is to be made available to both 
teams 24 hours prior to the meet. However, there is no indication in 
this section of the handbook that says these entries are final.

b). Section 5.X.D. of the Handbook, under dual meet procedures, states 
"After the start of the first event, a swimmer may not change individual 
entries by scratching from one event and entering another under any 
condition."  This reference indicates by default that prior to 'the 
start of the first event', a swimmer may be moved from one event to another.

c). The Officials Training Handbook 2008, Section X.C.5.b, states that 
"Once the meet entries are finalized by the REFEREE, usually done before 
the meet starts and in consultation with the Coaches, additional 
swimmers cannot be added."

Putting these statements together, you can see that we still allow 
additions, changes, "moving," and substitutions prior to the start of a 
dual meet.  The intent of the 48-hour submission is to allow enough time 
for complete meet preparation, so the coaches are asked to submit their 
most realistic entries.
However, in the spirit of VBSL, the League Officers (Directors, Division 
Chairs, and Team Reps) have discussed this at length and still want the 
coaches to be able to allow all swimmers to participate in the meets, so 
the intent is not to make the 48-hour time frame binding on entries.  
The coach still has the opportunity to make additions and changes based 
on who wants to swim and who doesn't show.

We expect Coaches to act in good faith to meet the deadlines and not 
make changes in response to the other teams entries, and entry changes 
after the meet is merged and seeded by the team responsible should occur 
by a deadline agreed to by both teams.  Entry changes after that time 
shall require Referee approval, and those changes will generally only be 
permitted due to reasons based on illness, absence, or other extenuating 
circumstances.
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Thanks, and have a great season.

Rex Lacy
VBSL 2nd VP