Rules and Regulation

The Swimming Performance League, hereinafter referred to as “LPIN” is established and operates as a Romanian legal entity under private law, with non-patrimonial, non-governmental, non-political character.

The main purpose of the League is to support sports competitions at national level with the primary objective of promoting performance swimming among children and youth.

The Steering Committee of the LPIN, at the beginning of each calendar year, establishes the list of events and competitions, so as to ensure a national coverage, in optimal calendar periods, without overlapping with other official or historically important national or international events.

Rules for organizing LPIN Competitions

Clubs

The registrations of the athletes in the organized competitions will be made only on the electronic forms, according to the model on the LPIN website. Each athlete must be registered according to the official names on the birth certificate.

By registering and sending the official competition summary, the legal representative of the club confirms that all athletes are able to compete, have a medical examination performed and valid. The legal representative of the club bears full responsibility for the legality and distribution of the information transmitted to the LPIN (the respective athlete is legitimate in the respective club, has the agreement of participation from the parent, data is correct, etc.).

The registration deadlines for the athletes in the competitions will be mentioned in the competition announcement, on the LPIN website

athletes

At competitions organized by LPIN, athletes must possess and be able to show the organizers a valid identification document (LPIN card or FRNPM card or club card) before the start of the competition.

All athletes have the obligation to participate only in competitions for their age.

Athletes are required to maintain perfect discipline and order throughout the competition and in all circumstances. They will have a civilized behavior and language in the interaction with the competition officials, other coaches or other athletes.

For the competition, the athletes are obliged to present themselves equipped in adequate sports equipment, to have a decent and neat appearance;

Arbitration:

The Arbitrator General

 - is primarily responsible for the conduct of the competition, having decision-making power over all sporting and non-sporting events during the competition (including during the warm-up).

- is appointed by the Steering Committee of LPIN according to the rules prescribed in the Regulations of the Association.

- has authority over other officials, approves their assignments and instructs them on all special features or competition regulations. He shall apply all rules and decisions of the LPIN and shall decide on all matters relating to the conduct of the competition, the evidence or any matter not regulated by the regulation.

- may intervene in the competition at any stage to ensure compliance with the rules of procedure and will rule on all appeals relating to the ongoing competition.

- will take care that all the necessary officials are at their posts for the good development of the competition. He may replace any officer absent, unable to act or inefficient. If he deems it necessary, he may appoint additional officials.

- Before the start of each test, warn swimmers with a series of short whistles to disassemble except for the swimsuit, followed by a long whistle indicating that they must occupy their positions on the starting block (or in the case of the back procedure and mixed relay to jump into the water). A second long whistle will immediately bring the swimmer to the back procedure and the mixed relay to the starting position. When the swimmers and officials are ready to start, the Referee General will raise his arm warning the starter that the swimmers are waiting for his orders. The general referee will remain with his arm raised until the start.

- will disqualify for violation of the regulation any swimmer observed by him personally. It may also disqualify any swimmer for breaches of the regulations reported to him by other authorized officials. All disqualifications are subject to the decision of the Arbitrator General.

Main referees:

- Deputy General Referee 1 - organizational issues

- Deputy General Referee 2 - technical-sports director;

They are appointed by the Steering Committee of LPIN according to the rules prescribed in the Regulations of the Association.

Secondary referees
They are appointed before each competition by the Steering Committee of LPIN according to the rules prescribed in the Regulations of the Association.

These are:
    Arrival referees
    timekeepers
    The course referee
    The fence referee
    The Starting Referee
    Return referees

Arrival referees will have a very high position along the finish line from where they are permanently possible to clearly observe the race and the finish line, and will mark the end of the race by pressing the button at the end of the race.

At each test, the arrival referees decide and report the ranking of the swimmers according to what they observed.

Each timekeeper will record the times of the swimmers assigned to his lane.

Each timer will start the timer at the start signal and stop it when the swimmer in his lane finishes the race.

Immediately after the race, on each lane, the timekeepers will record on the start sheet the time of their own timer, they will forward it to the deputy general referee and if required they will present the timers to the control. They will not reset the timers until they receive the order "zero timers" from the Deputy Referee. "

If a video recording system is not used, it may be necessary to use the full set of timers, even when using an electronic timer.

 The course referees are seated on each side of the pool.

 Each course referee will monitor the observers' compliance with the rules regarding the swimming procedure and will have to observe the returns by assisting the return referees.

 The course referees will report any violation of the Referee General's rules on signed forms, giving details of the evidence, the lane number and the observed deviation.

The fence referee will gather the swimmers and order them by the swimming lanes before each race. The fence referee will report to the Referee General if a swimmer is not present when called.

He will have full control over the swimmers from the moment the Referee instructs him to do so until the race begins.

The Starter will report to the Referee General if a swimmer is late at the start, does not obey a malicious order or has any other misconduct at the start, but only the Referee General may disqualify a swimmer for the above reasons.

The starter will have the power to decide whether the start is correct, but only subject to the decision of the Referee General.

At the start of a test, the starter will sit on one side of the pool about 5 meters away from the starting edge of the pool where the timekeepers can see and / or hear the start signal, and the swimmers can hear the signal.

A return referee will be assigned to each lane at both ends of the pool.

Each turn referee will ensure that swimmers comply with the specific turn rule, from the start of the last arm movement before contact with the wall until the end of the first arm movement after the turn. Returning referees at the finish line must ensure that swimmers are subject to specific regulations from the start until the end of the first arm traction. Referees returning from the finish line must also ensure that swimmers complete their test in accordance with the regulations in force;

Returning referees will report any breach of the rules on signed forms, giving details of the test, the lane number and the offense committed; the file will be handed over to the Arbitrator General to whom the sanctioning decision belongs.

Secretariat

The secretarial activity includes pre, during and post competitive activities.

The secretary is responsible for verifying the computerized results or the times and places at each test received from the referee. The Chief Secretary will witness the signing of the results by the Referee General.

The secretary will control the withdrawals after the series or finals, will record the results in the official forms, will list the new established records and will keep the score where appropriate;

Appeals jury

It consists of 3 members elected by the General Assembly with half plus one of the votes, having jurisdiction only with respect to competitions, when it functions as a court of first instance. Component:

- 1 representative of the Steering Committee of LPIN, who is not decisively involved in the contested case;

- 2 club representatives, appointed by rotation

Disciplinary commission

It consists of 2 members elected by the General Assembly and a member of the Steering Committee of the LPIN.

The composition of the Commission is voted annually by the General Assembly of the Association with half plus one of the votes having general jurisdiction over disciplinary offenses committed under the LPIN, when it functions as a court of first instance that will have powers to investigate the circumstances of the case. In front of it, the defenses are formulated and the evidence is administered in support of the position of each party. The investigations undertaken by the Disciplinary Commission will be finalized by pronouncing a decision that can be appealed within 15 days from the communication, to the Steering Committee whose decision is final;

With regard to the judgments of the Jury of Appeal for appeals on the occasion of the competitions, the disciplinary commission functions as a court of appeal, and the Steering Committee as a court of appeal.

Conducting competitions:

At the technical meeting of each competition will be announced the composition of the main referees, the general referee, the chief secretary, the arrival referees.

It represents the obligation of the organizers - respectively of LPIN - to ensure the safety and medical supervision throughout the competition by the presence of an authorized medical crew, so as to ensure a quick and professional intervention in case of injuries.

During the technical meeting, the general referee will inform the club representatives of the main dates of the competition; the time of the opening - closing festivities (where applicable), the heating schedule, the number of breaks between individual events and relays, the system of awarding prizes, the rankings, the place of the athletes 'enclosure, the athletes' presentation system, the way of starting.

During the technical meeting, withdrawals from the competition will be made for athletes who do not participate for objective reasons. In the case of illnesses attested by the competition doctor, an athlete may be partially withdrawn from the competition, but not having the right to participate in any test that day.

If an athlete does not appear in a test for reasons other than those certified by the competition doctor, that athlete can no longer participate in the entire competition. The lifting of this suspension can be done with the approval of the general arbitrator by paying a fine of 200 lei.

In case of non-presentation in the test of a relay for reasons other than those attested by the competition doctor, that relay can no longer participate in the following relay tests in the entire competition. The lifting of this suspension can be done with the approval of the general arbitrator by paying the equivalent value in lei of a fine amounting to twice the amount provided for the individual sanction.

series

The best credited times of all registered athletes, for the previous 12 months before the final date for registration in the competition will be presented on the registration forms and listed. Swimmers who do not show the times will be considered the slowest and will be placed at the end of the list. The placement of swimmers with identical times or more than one swimmer without credited times will be determined at random. Swimmers will be distributed by color according to the times shown as follows:

o If there is only one series, it will turn into the final and will only swim in the final meeting.

o If there are two series, the fastest swimmer will be assigned in the second series, the next in the first series, the next in the second series, the next in the first series, etc. The fourth fastest swimmer will be placed in the third series, the fifth in the second series and the sixth in the first series, the seventh in the third series, etc.

o If there are three series the fastest swimmer will be assigned to the third series, the next to the second series, the next to the first series. The fourth fastest swimmer will be placed in the third series, the fifth in the second series and the sixth in the first series, the seventh in the third series, etc.

Start

The start in the Free, Arm, Butterfly and Mixed individual events will be performed by jumping. At the general referee's long signal, the swimmers get on the starting block and stay there. At the starter's command - TAKE THE SEATS - the swimmers immediately occupy the starting position with at least one foot on the edge of the blockstart. The position of the hands is not relevant. When all swimmers are in the starting position, the starter will give the start signal.

The start in the Back and Mixed Relay trials will be made from water. At the first long signal of the general referee the swimmers will immediately enter the water. At the second long signal of the general referee, the swimmers return without delay to the pool wall and occupy the starting position. When all the athletes have sat in the starting position, the starter commands: TAKE THE SEATS. When the athletes are still, the starter gives the start signal.

Any swimmer who starts before the start signal will be disqualified. If the start signal is heard before the disqualification is declared, the race will continue and the swimmer or swimmers who made a mistake will be disqualified at the end. If the disqualification has been declared before the start signal is given, those disqualified will leave the starting point and a new start will be made for the remaining ones.

Swimming procedures
    FREESTYLE procedure
    BACKSTROKE procedure
    BREASTSTROKE procedure
    BUTTERFLY procedure
    MIXED swimming

 Free swimming means that in the so-called test the swimmer may swim any technical procedure, except individual mixed or mixed relay trials, in which the free process means any process other than back, arm or butterfly.

Part of the swimmer's body must touch the pool wall on the ground mining of each length and on arrival.

A part of the swimmer's body must break the water during the whole test except for the turns, where the swimmer is allowed to be completely submerged, but at a maximum distance of 15m after the start and after each turn. At this point the head must break the surface of the water.

Before the start signal, swimmers must be in the water facing the blockstart, with both hands attached to the blockstart. It is not allowed to support the feet in the wave break, nor to support the toes on the edge of the wave break.

At the start signal and after the return the swimmer must push and swim on his back during the whole race, except for the returns. The normal position on the back can also include a rolling movement (twisting) of the body around the longitudinal axis but can go up to 900, but not 900, compared to the horizontal plane. The position of the head is not relevant.

Part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water. The swimmer will be allowed to be completely underwater on the way back, at the finish and at a distance of no more than 15 m after the start or after each turn. At this point the swimmer's head must break the water.

During a turn, the wall must be touched with a part of the swimmer's body. During the turn, the shoulders can be turned vertically towards the chest, after which a continuous traction with one arm or a continuous traction with both arms can be used to initiate the turn. The swimmer must return to the back position when leaving the pool wall.

At the end of the race (on arrival) the swimmer must touch the pool wall in the back position.

 From the beginning of the first arm movement after the start and after each turn, the swimmer's body must rest on the chest. Twisting the body on the back is not allowed at any time. During the race, a correct cycle of progress in the procedure will be: a traction of the arms and a kick, in this order;

All arm movements will be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane without alternating movements.

The hands will be pushed forward together from the chest over, to or under the surface of the water. The elbows will always be under water except for the last movement before the return, during the return and on arrival. Hands will be brought back to or below the surface of the water. The hands will not be brought back over the hip line, except for the first pull after the start and after each turn.

During each complete cycle, part of the swimmer's head will break the surface of the water. After the start and after each turn, the swimmer can make a complete pull of the arms backwards (towards the legs). The head must break the surface of the water before the arms turn inward toward the widest portion of the second traction. A single dolphin kick is allowed downhill, followed by a braz kick during the dive. After that all leg movements must be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane without alternating movements.

The feet must be turned outwards during the propulsive movement of the feet. Shear, shovel or dolphin downward movements are prohibited. Breaking the surface of the water with your feet is only allowed if it is followed by a dolphin foot movement downwards.

At each turn and at the end of the test, touching the wall will be done with both hands simultaneously at, below, or above the water level. The head may be submerged after the last traction movement of the arms before reaching the wall, provided that it breaks the surface of the water at a certain point during the last complete or incomplete cycle before reaching the wall.

From the beginning of the first arm movement after the start and on each turn, the swimmer's body must rest on the chest. Underwater, sideways movement is allowed. Rolling on the back is not allowed at any time.

Both arms must be brought together forward, together above the water and brought back simultaneously, throughout the race.

All movements of the legs up and down must be simultaneous. It is not mandatory for the legs or feet to be kept at the same level, but no alternative movements are allowed. Leg movement is not allowed as in the breaststroke style.

At each turn or at the end of the stroke, the wall must be touched with both hands simultaneously at, above or below the water level.

At the start and return, the swimmer is allowed to perform one or more leg movements and an arm movement underwater, which must bring him to the surface of the water. The swimmer is allowed to be completely underwater a distance of no more than 15 m after the start and after each return. But at this point, the head must break the surface of the water. The swimmer must remain on the surface until the next return or arrival.

In the individual mixed events, the swimmer swims in all four procedures, in the following order: butterfly, back, arm and free.

The completion of each distance traveled must be in accordance with the regulations applicable to the style in question.

Race

A swimmer must cover the entire distance of the pool to qualify.

A swimmer must complete the race on the same lane on which he started.

In all tests, the swimmer must have physical contact with the pool wall on returns. On the way back, the swimmer will push himself into the pool wall; he is not allowed to push or step on the bottom of the pool.

The swimmer may sit on the bottom of the pool during the freestyle events, or on the distance from the freestyle in the mixed events, without being disqualified, but cannot take steps.

Pulling the aisle rope is not permitted.

Obstructing another swimmer by entering another lane or embarrassing him in another way will disqualify the athlete who did so.

The swimmer is not allowed to use devices that can increase speed, improve buoyancy or endurance (palms, paws, fins, etc.) as well as audio devices for communication with the coach, audio headphones for listening to music, etc.

If a swimmer who is not registered in the disputed event jumps into the water during the event, he will be disqualified for the event in which he was registered and in which he is to participate.

Four swimmers take part in the relay race.

In relay trials, the team of a swimmer whose legs lose contact with the blockstart before the teammate touches the pool wall will be disqualified. Any relay team will be disqualified if one of its members, other than the one designated to cross that length of the pool, enters the water when the race is in progress, before all swimmers from all teams have finished the race.

The members of a relay team and their order in the competition must be established before the race. The mistake of not following the order on the list is followed by disqualification. Replacements can only be made in cases of medical emergencies supported by documents.

Any swimmer who has completed the race or the distance in a relay event must leave the pool immediately without disturbing other swimmers who have not yet completed their race. Otherwise, the swimmer who made a mistake or his entire relay team will be disqualified.

If the mistake committed could jeopardize the success of a swimmer, the general referee has the power to allow him to compete in the next series, and if the incident occurs in the final or in the last series he can decide to repeat it.

Capitalizing on the results:

1. The results obtained in the organized competitions will be presented online on the LPIN website.

2. All results will be entered in the LPIN database, will be entered in the athletes' files and will become reference data for subsequent entries in competitions.

The results recorded in the database will be the basis of the association's statistics.

Note on the list of results generated during the contest

The results are available online on www.lpin.ro at the same time as the contest.

At the end of the test, after swimming the last series, the program automatically generates the final list of results of that test.

Note on the use of vuvuzelas, sirens and other disturbing ways of encouraging during competitions

The use of these tools during competitions organized by LPIN is strictly prohibited. The competition will be stopped until the people who use them are evacuated.

Any encouragement, shouting, noise, etc. from members or the team during starts is prohibited. It is imperative to keep quiet!