Swimming & Diving Points of Emphasis - 2025-26
Backstroke Ledge Education
As of the 2025-26 school year, NFHS state associations may adopt rules permitting the use of backstroke ledges during high school swimming competitions, provided the facility meets specific requirements, including a minimum water depth of 6 feet (1.84 meters) at the starting end to at least 16 feet, 5 inches (5 meters) from the wall. This decision is grounded in extensive research conducted by Indiana University, DePauw University, and input from the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, with the goal of reducing risks while aligning with national and international standards for competitive swimming.
State associations that choose to permit use of backstroke starting ledges in their high school competitions must clearly articulate the importance of a teaching protocol implementation for their high school competitors and for risk minimization. The implementation of backstroke ledges requires clear, structured education protocols. Swimmers must demonstrate proficiency in executing a backstroke start without the ledge before progressing to its use. Coaches should ensure athletes are familiar with the full backstroke start progression, which begins with mastering the shallow backstroke racing start. Swimmers must first practice getting into position with hands grasping either the gutter or the lowest bar on the starting block and placing both feet on the wall. Once this base skill is achieved, the coach may introduce the backstroke ledge, but only when the swimmer demonstrates sufficient strength and height to handle the additional skill safely. Progression to the ledge should be gradual, and the swimmer must exhibit a firm understanding of proper technique and safety procedures. The use of backstroke ledges should only occur during controlled swim practices, instructional sessions, supervised warm-ups, or competitions, ensuring the environment is safe and appropriate.
Coaches should closely monitor swimmers' proficiency at each stage of the progression, ensuring that each athlete is physically and mentally prepared for the next step. The coach should assess whether the swimmer is sufficiently tall and strong to handle the backstroke bar or ledge before introducing them to these components. By following these guidelines and maintaining a clear focus on skill progression, safety and controlled environment practices, the use of backstroke ledges can be safely integrated into high school swimming competitions and training sessions. Additional educational resources may be accessed via the swimming and diving page of NFHS.org, the 2025 NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Interpretation PowerPoint, and the new NFHS Swimming and Diving Pre-Season Guide, will help ensure that swimmers gain confidence and skill in a safe manner.
Viability of Diving and Importance of Education
The NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Committee acknowledges participation data and testimonials from state associations across the country indicate a concerning decline in the number of athletes and the number of schools offering diving as part of their sports programs. In light of these challenges, the committee's discussions centered on two key areas: maintaining the viability of diving and the importance of providing comprehensive educational resources to support and grow the sport of diving.
The committee identified an ongoing decline in participation as a national trend that has been felt across 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.
A pivotal aspect of the committee's conversation centered around the importance of educational materials for coaches, athletes, administrators and officials. The committee emphasized that these resources should be accessible and comprehensive providing guidance on both technical skills and the educational benefits of diving. Educational initiatives should focus on enhancing the understanding of diving’s value as a sport – its athletic demands, its inclusion in the broader swimming and diving environment, and its ability to foster important life skills such as discipline, resilience and mental focus.
NFHS educational resources may be accessed via the swimming and diving page of NFHS. org, NFHSLEARN courses, the 2025 NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Interpretation PowerPoint, and the new NFHS Swimming and Diving Pre-Season Guide. The committee encourages all stakeholders – coaches, administrators, athletes, state associations and officials– to actively engage with these resources and strategies to help revitalize the sport of diving.