Finals Heat Sheet, Volunteer/Rep Info, and Key Rules
Dear Parent Reps, Meet Managers, and Coaches,
The finals heat sheet is attached with all scratch changes applied.
Please note that heats featuring alternates have been removed from the document, though alternates remain in the system just in case they are needed. The attached heat sheet now reflects estimated start times and includes only the 2 heats swimming for each event.
Important Logistics & Action Items
- Heat Sheets: Please print only the attached heat sheets for your coaches, parent reps, and tent officials. If you need Athlete Check-in sheets for your team, please access them via Meet Maestro.
- Lineup Changes: Changes can now only be made at the morning scratch meeting, and only in the event that a swimmer is sick and unable to compete.
- Volunteer ID: Parent reps, please ensure you have labels available for your team’s volunteers to wear during their shifts. It must be obvious that they belong in the heating and timing areas. Stonegate will not be providing these labels; each team must bring their own.
- Post-Meet Representation: At least one parent rep from each team must remain after the meet until medals are labeled and trophies are distributed so you can collect them before departing.
Key Rules Clarifications
The RMSL follows USA Swimming rules. Our officiating crews will be heavily focused on enforcing the following areas. Please review these carefully with your swimmers:
- Braces & Casts: Removable braces must be removed prior to the race. Permanent casts are permitted.
- Watches: All watches must be removed prior to racing.
- Taping:
- Finger/Toe: "Buddy Taping" of no more than two (2) injured fingers or toes together is permitted.
- Kinesiology Tape: Therapeutic elastic tape (e.g., KT Tape) is permitted.
- Relay Exchanges (100M Medley & Free Relay - Shallow In-Water Exchanges): The outgoing swimmer must start in the water and maintain contact with the end wall with at least one hand and one foot until the incoming swimmer touches the wall. Losing contact with the hand or foot before the touch will result in a disqualification. Coaches are not allowed to hold the swimmers hand on the wall.
- The Finish (Butterfly, Backstroke, & Freestyle):
- Once any part of the swimmer's head passes the final 5-meter mark immediately prior to the wall, the swimmer may be completely submerged.
- Swimmers may submerge and kick as appropriate (e.g., no flutter kicking for butterfly) without the use of arms.
- For backstroke or butterfly, the swimmer's shoulders must not turn past vertical toward the breast (the disqualifying side).
- Note: If the swimmer resurfaces and begins to use their arms again after submerging, they will be disqualified.
- False Starts: Except under extreme, external scenarios at the discretion of the starter (e.g., a fighter jet passing overhead), there will be no recall or "second chances." If a swimmer false starts and both the starter and referee independently observe it, that swimmer is disqualified.
- Backstroke Turn Exception: Unlike USA Swimming, RMSL does not enforce the continuous arm pull for the backstroke turn. Swimmers are permitted to delay initiating their turn after turning onto their breast.
12 & Under Tech Suit Restrictions
Per USA Swimming rules, 12 & Under swimmers are restricted from wearing technical suits. Please review the specific guidelines below:
- Prohibited: Any suit with bonded or taped seams is defined as a technical suit—regardless of fabric or silhouette—and is not allowed.
- Prohibited: Any suit with woven fabric extending past the knees is not allowed, regardless of the seams.
- Allowed: A knit fabric suit with sewn seams that extends to the knees is permitted.
- Allowed: Any suit without a FINA logo is approved for 12 & Under use. Any suit featuring a green "12&U Compliant" checkmark is acceptable.
- Approval: If a swimmer or coach is unsure if a suit is eligible, please check in with the Referee prior to the meet for official approval.
Tech Suit Resources:
Thank you all for your leadership, cooperation, and hard work in helping our swimmers have a fair, fun, and successful championship series!
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Best regards,
RMSL BOARD
