Racing Starts

At the 2015 USAS Convention, the USA Swimming House of Delegates adopted safety guidelines for teaching and performing backstroke racing starts. In 2018, the Operational Risk Committee’s recommendations for Backstroke Start Teaching Protocol and Certification were adopted. The recommendations took care to keep this process as streamlined as possible for coaches. This new certification is now combined with the Forward Start Certification adopted in 2009. The new requirement (Backstroke Start certification) is to be effective on May 1, 2018. The 2007 Forward Start Certification protocol and 2009 rule amendment requiring a depth of 6 feet for teaching racing start remain unchanged and in effect.

USA Swimming Water Depth Rule Change

Special Notice to Members of the USA Swimming House of Delegates & All USA Swimming Clubs: Pursuant to USA Swimming Rules 504.8, the USA Swimming Board of Directors has decided to amend Rule 103.2.2 (page 43 of the 2010 Rules & Regulations) which specifically applies to teaching racing starts to provide as follows:

103.2 WATER DEPTH-
.2/M/Teaching Racing Starts – Minimum water depth for teaching racing starts in any setting from any height starting block or the deck shall be 6 feet (1.84 meters) measured for a distance of 3 feet 3 1/2 inches (1.0 meter) to 16 feet 5 inches (5.0 meters) from the end wall.

This decision has been made with the advice and consent of the Safety Education Committee, the Rules and Regulations Committee, and legal counsel. The purpose of this action is to further protect novice swimmers from accidental bottom strikes while they are learning to execute racing starts. This change was effective immediately on February 19, 2007.