More on NFHS Rules

Just finished going over the NFHS rule change proposals sent out to NISCA members. Catch up here. It took less than a half hour to go through the eighteen changes (16 rules and 2 situations) being proposed. I'm on board with eleven of the eighteen.

If you're a high school coach, you should take advantage of this email preview and let the powers that be know what you think.

I'm not sure if this was sent out to officials. If you're an official and didn't get the proposed changes, let me know and I'll see if I can forward you a copy.

Notes:

It looks like the jewelry DQ (w/o the warning) is making a comeback. While I've not noticed it at our meets, it sounds as though some officials are tired of giving warnings and keeping up with who's been reminded and who hasn't.

Five of the sixteen rule changes involve Rule 9: Diving Competition.

Adding 3m diving is still being pushed. I didn't like the rationale: "There are some states interested in adding another diving event for their divers to provide additional opportunities for participation." What is meant by "some states"? Does this mean individual coaches in "some states"? Or, are associations pushing for this? If so, which state associations are asking for 3m diving to be added?

What's wrong with treating high school springboard diving the way the NCAA manages platform diving? If the equipment is available, why not allow the diver the choice to dive from either height? What a competitor might give up in DD by moving to the higher board, he/she might make up with higher judges scores. Having trouble getting that 5132 in from the 1m board (2.2)? Go up to 3m (2.1) and nail it!

Passing 9-5-2 as written could mean we'd need to revisit it a year from now. While it would allow the Texas Hurdle and Double Texas Hurdle (don't ask me what the heck they look like), it would make it impossible for some divers (from any state, using any approach) to compete. If a diver is missing a leg, he/she could not perform any dives legally.

One more diving note. Rather than require a rule change each time a DD needs to be changed, why not keep it simple? Something like "NFHS diving will use the USAD/FINA DD chart".

Quit reinventin' the danged wheel each year, fer cryin' out loud!