[Vbsl] Recent VBSL Rule Interrpretations

[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