Rules Resource Page
**** EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY!!!
Jun 01, 2026
USA Swimming Rules and Regulations Committee recently issued amendments to the USA Swimming technical rules in the 2026 rule book. These amendments are currently in effect. Formal statements of these changes can be found on the USA Swimming website on the Rules & Policies page under the AMENDMENTS TO THE 2026 RULEBOOK section at: https://www.usaswimming.org/about-usas/governance/rules-policies
A quick overview:
- Once the head has passed the backstroke flags, the swimmer may be resubmerged when reaching for the finish in the Fly and Free.
- Counters and bells will be used for the 400 M Freestyle (SCM and LCM)
- Therapeutic elastic tape is no longer restricted except that, when used on fingers or toes, only two digits can be “buddy taped.”
Please ensure your officials are up to date and share with your LSC BOD colleagues.
*** PLEASE NOTE THAT THE RULES FOR BREASTSTROKE HAVE NOT CHANGED. A proposed change was inadvertently posted shortly on the Rules & Policies page but the proposal has NOT been approved and has NOT been incorporated into USA Swimming rules. Current rules as presented in the 2026 rule book are still in effect.
