Swimming & Diving Comments on the Rules - 2026-27

3-3-4b(2): The NFHS suit specifications align with the standards established by World Aquatics. Under World Aquatics testing protocols, suits that include bonded or taped seams are considered compliant with permeability requirements for both air and water.

3-5-1, 3-5-2: The rule clarifies that athletes may not wear audio or video recording devices during a race or dive during competition. This prohibition is intended to reduce distractions and prevent any interference with performance. The language aligns with similar provisions across other NFHS rules books, supporting a consistent standard throughout interscholastic sports.

8-2-3g, 8-2-4e: During the finish of the butterfly and freestyle, once some part of the head of the swimmer has passed the 5-yard/5-meter mark immediately prior to reaching for the finish, the swimmer may be completely submerged. This provision does not apply to turns. The backstroke flags located at the 5-yard mark in 25-yard pools and the 5-meter mark in 25-meter pools serve as the reference point at which a swimmer may resubmerge once the head has reached or passed that mark.

9-4-2 NOTE: The Swimming and Diving Rules Committee has identified the ongoing decline in diving participation as a national trend that has been felt across various member sections and states. To ensure that diving remains a viable and accessible option for schools, the committee focused on how states and schools can adapt and evolve their approach to the event. Strategies discussed include addressing barriers to participation, such as access to facilities, coaching resources and safety protocols, as well as promoting diving as an exciting and valuable component of the overall swimming and diving program in schools. States are encouraged to evaluate their offerings and explore creative solutions to retain and increase participation in diving. State associations may now alter the number of dives performed during the state tournament series. For purposes of the state association’s implementation of an alternate format, several components will need to be determined:
a.    the number of dives to be performed;
b.    the number of dive groups required within the diver’s list and how those groups are to be arrayed across the total number of dives;
c.    the total number of dives to be listed without being designated “optional” or “voluntary” or the dive list will include both voluntary and optional dives using current NFHS definitions of those. If those designations are to be utilized, how many of each are to be performed and where, in the diving array. 
d.    the limit on the total degree of difficulty of voluntary dives.
e.    the number of dives required to be performed in sessions similar to existing prelims/semifinals/finals. If so, how each of those sessions will be structured and how many divers will be involved at each session.

9-4-2h NOTES: By state association adoption, the number of qualifiers advancing to the semi-final session may be increased. Permits flexibility based on specific needs of the state association. The addition of more semi-finalists will allow more divers to perform additional dives and provide more participation opportunities.