At its July meeting, the NCAA Swimming and Diving Committee approved significant rules changes adopted by FINA last month. Most significantly, these changes include the legalization of a dolphin kick off the wall in breaststroke. The changes are now onto the Playing Rules Oversignt Panel which reviews all NCAA playing rules.

The Committee approved the following changes. The exact wording will be contained in the upcoming rules book to be published at the end of September.

Forward Starts. Rule 2-1.1 and 2 - The whistle will replace some of the verbal commands used to start competition, although complete verbal commands remains an option. Rationale: This speeds up the start and is widely used in USA Swimming and International Competition.

Backstroke Start Position. Rule 2-1.2 - Toes/feet will be allowed to be above the surface of the water at the start. However, standing in or on the gutter or curling the toes over the lip of the gutter is still not permitted. Rationale: This conforms to the new USA Swimming and FINA Rules.

Breaststroke. Rule 2-2b - A single downward kick will be allowed while submerged at the start and at the turn. Rationale: This conforms to the new USA Swimming and FINA Rules.

Backstroke Finish. Rule 2-21b - A swimmer may be wholly submerged during the last stroke. Rationale: This conforms to the new USA Swimming and FINA Rules.

Entry Procedure. Rule 3-4.1 - The official entry or diving score sheet (either manual or electronic) is to be handed to the referee or an official designated by the referee at a predetermined place and communicated to all cocahes. For the entry to become official, the entry or diving score sheet must be delivered to the referee before the competitors for that event are called to step up/in or the first dive is called. The entry should include the first and last name, as well as the lane assignment or diving order of each competitor. Rationale: This new language recognizes computer entries and better identifies the time frame in which entries must be made official.