Swimmer's Guide to NFHS High School Swimming Grades 9-12 2026-27

The NFHS approved five swimming and diving rule changes for 2026-27:

1. Butterfly finish (8-2-3g) and
2. Freestyle finish (8-2-4e): once some part of your head has passed the 5-yard/5-meter mark just before reaching for the finish, you may be completely submerged.
3. Audio and video devices (3-5-1, 3-5-2): no competitor may wear a microphone or camera during a race or dive.
4. Suit seams (3-3-4b(2)): bonded or taped seams are not subject to the permeability requirement, matching World Aquatics.
5. Diving championships (9-4-2h): state associations may increase the number of semifinal qualifiers and change the number of dives at their state championship meets.

In butterfly and freestyle, yes, from 2026-27. NFHS Rules 8-2-3g (butterfly) and 8-2-4e (freestyle) now say:

"Once some part of the swimmer's head has passed the 5-yard/5-meter mark immediately prior to reaching for the finish, the swimmer may be completely submerged."

Before that point, the normal surface rules for the stroke still apply. The NFHS 2026-27 changes don't extend this to backstroke or breaststroke.

Not one that records or transmits audio or video. From 2026-27, NFHS Rules 3-5-1 and 3-5-2 state that no competitor shall wear any audio (microphone) or video (camera) device during a race or dive.

Only if your state association has adopted them. Under NFHS Rules 2-7-2b, 2-7-3 and 8-1-2 (added for 2025-26):

• Backstroke starting ledges may be used only where the state association has a policy allowing them. Some states, such as Idaho, don't allow them.
• The pool must be at least 6 feet (1.84 m) deep from the starting end out to 16 feet 5 inches (5 m) from the end wall.
• Ledges are optional equipment. A host school may choose not to provide them, and that isn't grounds to disqualify anyone.
• If ledges are used in competition, they should also be available during warm-up.
• If there's no state policy, the Referee should have ledges removed.

From recent NFHS rule changes and interpretations:

• Starting from the deck (Rule 8-3-4a, clarified 2025-26): one foot must be at the edge of the deck. Ancillary movement of the back foot is allowed before the start.
• Starting from a platform (Rule 8-3-4, 2025-26 interpretation): any momentum for the exchange must happen on the top surface of the starting platform. You can move from the back of the platform to the front. You can't build momentum from the deck or from any other location. Rules on the starting wedge (8-3-4c) also apply.

Your first legal contact with the end wall decides your time, not when you hit the pad (NFHS Finish Rules Best Practices, Rules 1-1-1 and 6-3-2):

• The wall includes the vertical end wall, the deck and overflow gutter next to it, the front of the starting platform, and the touchpad. It doesn't include the sides of the blocks or the open space of the gutter.
• If you touch the pad first and it works properly, the pad time is official.
• If you touch the wall first (or never hit the pad), the pad time isn't used. Your time comes from the button (semi-automatic) times, or from the watch times if there are no buttons, provided other information such as the order of finish and times in other lanes supports it.

Timers are told to stop their watches and buttons at your first contact with any part of the end wall, whether or not you touch the pad.

Yes, from 2026-27. Under the revised NFHS Rule 9-4-2h:

• "By state association adoption, the number of qualifiers advancing to the semifinal round may be increased."
• A new note says that, by state association adoption, states may alter the number of dives for their state championship series of meets.

The exception is limited to state association championship competition, so it doesn't change the number of dives at regular-season meets. The NFHS made the change because diving participation is declining, and fewer dives may encourage more athletes to take part.

The NFHS guidelines for handling contests during lightning (detailed in the NFHS Sports Medicine Handbook) are the default policy:

• When thunder is heard or a cloud-to-ground lightning bolt is seen, the storm is close enough to strike. Suspend competition and take shelter immediately.
• 30-minute rule: wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder or lightning before resuming.
• Any thunder or lightning during the 30 minutes resets the clock, and a new 30-minute count starts.

The guidelines also call for staff to monitor the weather, and for an evacuation plan with nearby shelters identified in advance. State associations and schools may adopt their own policies.