USA Swimming
Stroke & Turn Clinic
Clinic Logistics
• Timeline, facilities
• Bathrooms
• Breaks
• Introductions
• Clinician(s)
• You!
– Club
– Children in swimming?
– Years of experience at a swim meet
– Why you’re here
Agenda
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
• Officiating philosophy
• Rules
• Judging process
• Assignment and jurisdiction
of officials
• Officials’ uniform
• Certification requirements
• Resources
Motivation for Volunteering
• Wanted to do something useful
• Thought I would enjoy the work
• Family member or friend would benefit
• Previously benefited from activity
• Wanted to learn; to get experience
Reasons for Volunteering
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
To use skills in a new setting
To explore new interests
To gain work experience
To learn new skills
To find new friends
To develop a sense of accomplishment and self worth
To challenge oneself
To work for a cause
To gain recognition for ones abilities
To meet requirements of a course or program
Officiating Philosophy
Fair and equitable conditions of
competition are maintained and
uniformity in the sport is promoted
so that no swimmer has an unfair
advantage over another.
What does that mean?
• Success of every meet depends on the
official’s integrity, knowledge, concern and
regard for the competitive interest of the
swimmer
•
•
•
•
One set of rules applies to all swimmers
Swimmers get the benefit of the doubt
We do not judge style
Demonstrate impartiality and professionalism
on deck
“Goals” by Officiating
• Ensure a safe environment on deck and in
•
•
•
the water
Fairness to all competitors, giving the
benefit of the doubt, in every instance, to
the swimmer
Identify “improvement areas” for coaches
and swimmers
Have fun!!!
Basic Concept 1: Take officiating
seriously and work hard at it
1. Study USA Swimming’s official rulebook
2. Uniformly interpret and apply rules regardless
3.
4.
5.
6.
of the levels of athletes
Call violations as seen; don’t guess or anticipate
(Use “DQ-slip” as memory jogger)
Be fair and consistent; always give the benefit
of the doubt to the swimmer
Disregard club affiliation
Exercise good judgment
Basic Concept 2: Work regularly
at the job.
1. Officials need practice, just as competitors do
2. Working regularly builds confidence
3. Attend training sessions regularly to keep up
with rule changes and new interpretations
4. There is no substitute for experience
Basic Concept 3: Be professional
in manner
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Fairness to all competitors must dictate actions
Dress properly
Make decisions quickly and decisively
Avoid coaching swimmers
Admit a mistake if wrong, competitor’s welfare
is more important than your own ego.
Basic Concept 4: Uniform
(North Texas)
• White top (polo shirt)
• Navy pants, slacks, skirt or shorts
• White footwear with rubber soles
(Prelim – Finals Meet – Final session)
• Navy top (polo shirt)
• Khaki slacks, skirt or shorts
• White footwear with rubber soles
USA Swimming
• HQ – Denver, CO
• Divided into
– Zones (4)
– Regions (14)
– LSC’s (59)
• Texas – 5 LSC’s
NT – North Texas
The rules of swimming
• USA Swimming
rules:
– Found online at USA
Swimming
– In USA Swimming
rulebook which will
be sent to you in late
January
• Shall and must
• May
Rules
• Review rules before every swim meet
• A stroke briefing is conducted at the officials
meeting held before each session
• Refer to your rulebook or ask other officials for
clarification when you are unsure
• The answers to all questions in the online test can
be found in the USA Swimming rulebook
 Be sure to use 2014 rulebook for online test
 For Masters Swimming questions, refer to
complete online rulebook
The officials team
• Referee
• Starter
• Administrative Official
• Chief Judge
• Stroke & Turn Judge
• Meet Director
• Timers
We swim four strokes
Components of a stroke
– START – from the start of race until head breaks
the surface
– SWIM – from head breaking surface until
beginning of last stroke into the turn/finish
– TURN – from the beginning of the last full
stroke into the wall until head breaks the surface
– FINISH – from beginning of the last full stroke
into the wall to the touch at the end of the
prescribed distance OR at the time the judge
shifts the vision to watch the wall at the touch
Freestyle
• What to look for:
– Any stroke(s)
– Any kick(s)
– Swimmer must touch the
wall at each turn and at the
finish; any part of the body
may be used
– At start and turns, head must
break surface of water by the
15 meter mark
• Head = chin
Backstroke
• What to look for:
– Start in water with back to the
course
• Feet and toes may not be in
or bend over the edge of the
gutter
– Swim on back
– Any stroke(s)
– Any kick(s)
– Some part of swimmer must
touch the wall at completion
of each length, and at the
finish, on back
Backstroke
• If submerged at the start and turns,
head must break the water surface
by the 15 meter mark
– Head = chin
• At each turn, the swimmer MAY:
– Turn to breast and may utilize a
continuous single or continuous
simultaneous double arm pull to
initiate the turn
– The backstroke “flip turn”
– Once swimmer touches wall, the
turn is complete
– Swimmer leaves wall on back
Breaststroke
• What to look for:
– Forward start
– Must swim on the breast
– Cycle stroke: one pull and one
kick, in that order;
• Head breaks surface every cycle
– Pull: Simultaneous arm
movement in same horizontal
plane
• Hands recover from the breast on,
•
under or over water
Elbows under water except last
stroke before turn or finish
Breaststroke
– Kick: Simultaneous vertical and
horizontal movements of the
legs; feet turned out during
propulsive phase
– At turns and finish:
• body must be on the breast;
• Touch must be made with both
hands -- separated and
simultaneously -- at, above or
beneath the water’s surface
• Shoulders at or past vertical
toward breast when feet leave
wall
Breaststroke pullouts
• After the start and each turn:
– During first arm pull, hands MAY be brought
completely beyond hip line
– Swimmer MAY at any time prior to the first
breaststroke kick, take a single butterfly kick
– Head must break surface at widest part of second
pull
Butterfly
• What to look for:
– Must swim on breast
– Pull: Arms must be brought
forward simultaneously over water
and recovered simultaneously under
the water
– Kick: All up and down movement
of the feet and legs must be
simultaneous
– At turns and finish, touch must be
made with both hands -- separated
and simultaneously -- at, above, or
below the water’s surface
Butterfly start and turns
– If submerged at start and
following turns, head must
break surface by 15 meter mark
– One arm pull under water is
allowed which must bring
swimmer to surface
– After each turn, swimmer must
return to breast
– No cycle: swimmer may take
as many kicks or pulls as he/she
likes
Individual medley
• Forward start
• Butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle
– Freestyle is any stroke not in the style of the
other three
• Rules for each stroke apply
– Intermediate turns conform to turn rules for that
stroke
– Transition turns conform to finish rules for that
stroke
– Freestyle start and turn must be toward the
breast off the wall
Medley relay
• Backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle
– Freestyle is any stroke not in the style of the other
three
• Rules for each stroke apply
– Intermediate turns conform to turn rules for that
stroke
– Transition turns conform to finish rules for that
stroke
• No swimmer shall swim more than one leg
• Each swimmer must leave the pool immediately
upon finishing his/her leg, except the last swimmer
USA Stroke & Turn
Training Video
Legal?
or not?
Infractions: all strokes
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Did not finish
Walking on or pushing off the bottom
Pulling on lane lines
Not touching the wall at each end
Interfering with another swimmer
Not starting and finishing in the same lane
Unsportsmanlike conduct
Delay of meet (Referee’s jurisdiction)
False start (Starter’s and Referee’s jurisdiction)
Judging swimmers with
physical disabilities
• Rule 105
– Newly rewritten
• If there are swimmers with disabilities
participating, Referee will notify judges in
advance
• Judge any part of that body that is used
• Do not judge a part of the body that cannot be
used
• Base your judgment on the rule, not the
swimmer’s technique
Relay take-off judging
• Referee or Chief Judge assigns positions
• Lane judge stands beside the blocks and looks to
side of pool (inside out); side judge stands at
edge of pool and looks inward (outside in)
• “Toes to Nose” When the toes of the outgoing
swimmer leave the blocks, look down to see if
the incoming swimmer has touched
Relay take-off slip
• If you observe an early take-off,
mark x on the swimmer # for that
lane. Do not raise your hand as
dual confirmation is required.
• Referee or designee will collect
all slips after the event is
complete in order to check for
dual confirmation of early takeoffs.
When you observe an infraction
• Upon observing an infraction within your
jurisdiction, raise your hand overhead
– Keep your hand up long enough that it is clearly seen
by Referee, Chief Judge, and Coach
• If you raise your hand, you don’t have to make a
call. If you don’t raise your hand, you cannot
make a call
• The benefit of the doubt goes to the swimmer
• After signaling a DQ, continue to observe all the
swimmers in your jurisdiction
When observing a violation
• Did it happen inside my jurisdiction?
• RAISE YOUR HAND with a straight arm
•
•
•
above your head
REVIEW – THINK – What did I really
observe??
Be ready to tell the Chief Judge about your
observation and explain why it was a
violation
Remember, you can always recall your
decision after raising your arm.
When you observe an infraction
• Make notes on your heat sheet of your
jurisdiction and what you observed
– You will develop a shorthand that works for you
• When you have no swimmers in your
•
jurisdiction, or between heats, complete DQ
slip
The disqualification slip (DQ) is the primary
means of articulating a disqualification to
coach and swimmer
How to complete a
disqualification
(DQ) slip
Disqualification slip
• Always record Event #, Heat #, Lane #
• Name of swimmer or team (optional but helpful)
• Violation – most, but not all, are printed on the
slip
• Your PRINTED name and trainer’s initials
• Referee’s signature – the Referee must approve
the DQ
– Runner
– Walk to Deck Referee (find the whistle)
– Send with stroke judge or Chief Judge
Disqualification slip (cont’d)
• Definitions:
– START – from the start of race until head breaks the
surface
– SWIM – from head breaking surface until beginning
of last stroke into the turn/finish
– TURN – from the beginning of the last full stroke
into the wall until head breaks the surface
– FINISH – from beginning of the last full stroke into
the wall to the touch at the end of the prescribed
distance OR at the time the judge shifts the vision to
watch the wall at the touch
Disqualification slip (cont’d)
• If clarification is needed, be prepared to
answer these three questions to Chief
Judge or Referee:
– What was your jurisdiction?
– What did you see?
• Paint a picture
• Keep your hands still
– Which rule was violated?
• Use rulebook terminology
Disqualification process
• S&T judge observes infraction within his/her jurisdiction
•
•
•
•
•
and raises hand
S&T judge, or Chief Judge, completes a disqualification
slip
S&T Judge, Chief Judge, or designated person ensures
DQ slip is transferred quickly to Referee for approval
Referee approves DQ slip and delivers slip to Admin
Judge who processes the information
– Note: Referee has authority to overturn the
disqualification
Copy of the slip delivered to swimmer’s coach
Final results reflect the swimmer’s disqualification
Disputes over calls by
coaches or parents
• Parents with questions should contact their
Coach, who in turn may contact the Meet Referee
• Coaches with questions should contact a Referee
– Direct coach nicely; do not answer questions
• Do not talk about calls with other officials on the
deck or with club parents or friends in the stands
or anywhere
• Only ask about a call in the officials room during
a meeting
NTS Official Uniform
• Plain white collared shirt
•
•
•
•
•
(tucked in)
Tailored navy blue pants,
shorts or skirt (no denim)
White socks
White non-skid shoes
USA credentials
Nametag
Preparing for the meet
• Prior to meet, communicate with Referee that
you wish to continue your training
– Find Meet Packet on NTS website or your team’s site
• Read up on rules prior to the meet, and bring
•
•
your USA Swimming rulebook with you
Wear the uniform and display your credentials
Sign in to officiate; find out time of officials
meeting
Preparing for the meet (cont’d)
• Attend the officials briefing prior to the meet
to receive instructions and assignments
– Meet trainer
– Find out how heat sheets will be distributed
– Bring a writing implement (and clipboard)
• Bring your on deck training card for the
official you worked with to complete with you
and sign
Meet Organization
Meet Referee
Admin Referee*
Clerk of Course
Entries
Registration
OVC’s
Marshals
Head Starter*
Starters
Meet Director
Deck Referee*
Chief Judge*
Stroke & Turn
Judges
Head Timer
Timing Equipment
Operator & Timing
Judge
Timers & Recorders
Computer Operator
& Desk Personnel
Positions around the pool
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Jurisdictions
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Types of judges
• Stroke Judge – sometimes called Walker, walks the sides of
the pool; may be two walkers on each side called lead-lag
– Also responsible for 15 meter mark for freestyle, backstroke, butterfly,
and medley events
– Responsible for half the lanes
– Referee determines jurisdiction for each stroke
• Turn Judges – stand at both ends of the pool
– Responsible for turns and finishes
– May be responsible for one or more lanes, most likely 2-3 lanes
– Referee determines jurisdiction for each stroke
• Stroke and Turn Judge – judge both stroke and turns,
jurisdiction is end wall to mid-pool
– Often used in short course, when there are insufficient officials, or pool design
precludes walkers
Position of Turn Judge
• At least one foot at edge of pool
•
•
•
•
(balance!)
Hands and papers (heat sheet, DQ
slips, clipboard, etc.) behind back or
by sides when swimmers are in your
jurisdiction
Look calm and professional
Step back when no swimmers are in
your jurisdiction
If not directed where to stand by
Referee, stand where you can see the
swimmers in your jurisdiction
Fair and Equitable Judging
• Judging should be consistent among different
•
•
officials at a meet
Judging should be consistent at different meets
All of the rules are enforced
– We don’t individually choose to enforce some
rules and ignore others
Fair and Equitable Judging
• The rules are enforced across all age groups
and levels of ability
• Officials demonstrate impartiality in their
enforcement of the rules
• Take officiating seriously and work at it.
Competitors have a right to expect officials to
know the rules and interpret them correctly,
fairly, consistently, and courteously
Mental Traps
•
•
•
•
•
Advantage vs. disadvantage
The “twice theory”
“We don’t disqualify 8&Under swimmers”
Don’t infer – call what you see, not what
you don’t see
Don’t ask me to judge my child
Conduct
• No outward manifestations during a race
regarding illegality of competitor except
raised hand (NO pointing).
• Do NOT cheer, coach or swap
disqualifications; control your emotions
• Minimize/avoid fraternization with
swimmers, coaches or spectators;
disregard club affiliation and personal
relationships. Need to remain unbiased.
Conduct
• Do not concentrate on frequent violators
to the exclusion of others
• Give undivided attention – start to finish
• If uncertain of role, consult with the
Referee (if you are on deck, make a call
and report)
Stroke and Turn Judge
Requirements to Complete Certification
• Join USA Swimming/North Texas Swimming
and display registration card while on deck
($52)
– Must do background check Level 2 through USA
Swimming ($39)
– Must complete USA Swimming online Athlete
Protection Training (FREE, but must be registered)
http://www.usaswimming.org/protect
• Attend training clinic and pass online test
• Satisfactorily complete on deck training sessions
For your training sessions…
• Try to contact the Meet Referee in advance to
see if good training can be accomplished.
• Always carry your USA-S Membership Card
and Officials Certification Card
– You will be asked to show these to the meet referee
• Seek excellent, experienced deck mentors.
• Get Feedback! Always try to improve.
• Use the updated training cards
Carry your cards
All dates current!
Yours will show Stroke & Turn,
Level T
After Training
• Complete your S&T online test
• After completing your test, and when you are
finished with your training sessions, scan (or
photograph) and email complete set of cards to
the Officials Chair
– Be sure you have taken your test
• Congratulations!
• Print and carry your new Certification Card for
your next session.
Continuing your Stroke & Turn Judge
certification
• Renew membership with NTS and USA Swimming
•
•
•
each year
Keep Level II Background Check and Athlete Protection
Training current
Take online recertification test every two years or attend
NTS Annual Officials Recertification Clinic
Work a minimum of 10 sanctioned meet sessions every
year to recertify
– Your training sessions will count
– Swim season year (Sept. 1 – Aug. 31)
– Tracked in OTS; you have capacity to track your own
Resources
• www.ntswim.org
– Officials section
• www.usaswimming.org
– Volunteers
• Officials
–Rules & Regulations
–Officials Online Tests
–Training Resources – Officials Swimming
Manual
If all else fails – ASK!
• Use all resources available
–Other officials
–Referees
–Area Officials Reps
–Officials Chair
–Officials Committee
Stroke & Turn Certification
• Attend S&T Clinic
• Register as USA Swimming Non-Athlete
• S&T Tests (USA Swimming On-line/open book )
– S&T
– Timer
• Apprentice on deck (BB, B/C level, or
unclassified)
– As observer, Min 5 sessions
– As “primary”, Until recommended to apply
• Work 10 sessions annually at 3 or more meets
Wrap up – Questions
?
Thanks for your
participation!
&
GOOD LUCK!