Potomac Valley Swimming THE ROAD TO OFFICIATING

Preface The NGB for all amateur swimming in the United States is "USA Swimming, Inc." (USA-S), collocated Competitive swimmers put forth their ener- with the U.S. Olympic Headquarters in Colorado gies to make the transition from recreational Springs, Colorado. It provides detailed rules for swimmers to tomorrow's Olympians. Potomac Valley competitive swimming and the conditions surrounding Swimming, has produced several such a swim meet or record attempt. Other organizations swimmers—Mike Barrowman, Tom Dolan and Ed (e.g., high school, collegiate, YMCA/YWCA) may Moses—in the last ten years. Yet, behind every conduct swim competitions; however, to be considered such swimmer are parents who worked hard to make for competition leading to the Olympics, performances that achievement possible. in these competitions must conform to USA-S rules and standards. The swimmer jumps into the water and learns how to swim. Later, his coach develops those skills The United States is divided into 4 zones, 14 and molds them to fit the competitive environment, (informal) regions, and 59 associations— called "Local Swim Committees" (LSCs). Meets must be conducted instilling the "will to win" along the way. Parents, under USA-S rules and each swimmer, and all officials however, are left pretty much on their own to "learn holding "judgmental" authority, must be USA-S the ropes" in this world of swimming. What can the members, paying dues each year. Swimmers are new parent do? This handout will help you given a USA-S number, which must be included on the understand this sport and may entice you to join the entry form whenever entering a meet. To prevent ranks of those who conduct the swim meets. It takes recruiting for particular meets, swimmers are not many people to put on a good swim meet. We hope allowed to compete for a USS team within four you will opt to join us. months of leaving another team. Instead, they must compete "unattached." This handout 's aim is to help the parent better understand the sometimes confusing world of Teams range from very small, rather informal swimming. It does not answer all questions, but is a groups to giant teams (CUBU and RMSC each have brief, non-technical introduction to competitive 300 + swimmers) and may be divided into several swimming. It is written primarily for USA Swimming smaller groups (both have their teams spread out and (USA-S) competition; however, most of the practice in many locations throughout our area). Many officiating information is applicable to summer, high teams will have about 60-100 swimmers. school and collegiate competition. Divisions by Age Swimming Organization Senior and Junior Classes. The "Senior" class At the international Olympic level, the is open to all registered swimmers except Masters, Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur regardless of age. The "Junior" class, is only for (FINA) governs the conduct of all aquatic sports and registered swimmers 19 years of age or younger. Any determines the rules. The United States Aquatic registered swimmer who makes the "cut-off" times Sports is the American umbrella organization; may swim in a Senior meet or event. When a however, it does not determine the specific rules for swimmer makes the cut-off time that qualifies him to the sports under it (swimming, diving, synchronized attend the USA-S National Championship or certain swimming, water polo and masters swimming). elite lower level meets, the time must be verified and Instead, each sport has its own national governing submitted as part of the entry process. body (NGB) under the U.S. Olympic Committee. Age Group/Junior Olympic. To provide fair competition, events are divided into "age groups." PVS generally has "Mini" meets for the 8 & Unders; its The Course remaining age group meets are usually grouped as: 10 & Unders, 11-12, 13-14, 15-18. Records are kept Most pools were built for public recreation, not for separately for 15-16 year olds. competition. Therefore, meets are held in pools of various sizes: 25 yards, 25 meters, 33 yards, 50 yards, Under USA-S rules, a swimmer's age is that 55 yards or 50 meters. of his birth date as of the first day of the meet. To understand swimming vernacular, the number Divisions by Time 50 is critical. Simply put, any pool of 50 yards or 50 meters or less is a "short course." Technically, the To address the problem of beginning swim- "course" that is swum should be 25 yards or meters. mers competing against much more experienced "Long Course" competition is conducted in 50 swimmers, time categories were established for yard/meter or 55-yard pools. For national records and every individual and relay event in USA-S. USA-S Olympic competition, the course should be a confirmed revises and republishes the Age Group "Time 50-meter pool (inside wall to inside wall from start to Standards" each year. The published times are turn end). divided into "B," "BB," "A," "AA," "AAA" and "AAAA" times. Meet Environment "C" Times. This is the slowest category. Who are involved in swim meets? There are three Swimmers who have never entered a USA-S groups—each with distinct roles and functions. competitive event before start in this category. They remain there until they meet or exceed the qualification time for the stroke at a higher level. First are the athletes. It's important to keep in mind that the competition is being held solely for the "B" Times. As meets grew in size "B" meets athletes. The athlete spends much time and energy were developed. These set a specific minimum time preparing himself or herself to excel at a given sport. standard for each event, and a swimmer's time has to They seek the advice and assistance of a at or faster than that standard to be allowed to enter. coach—professional or amateur—to help them in their Note: this LSC often offers combined B/C meets preparations. When they compete, they have some with ribbons being awarded to swimmers who place personal goal in mind. In swimming, it might be to in the top 6 (etc.) of the C entrants and the same for achieve a better time, to beat the immediate the top 6 (etc.) of the B entrants. competition, or to reach a more tangible goal— such as a gold medal in the Olympics. The athlete is hardly "A" Times. Specific meets were then devised an unbiased participant. He has a personal interest in for only "A" level swimmers and, as this group the competition’s outcome. increased in size, the categories were expended from "A" to "AAAA." This allows for some control over Next are the officials. Note that these two how many entries will be received for a meet. groups— the athletes and the officials— are the only groups specifically addressed in USA Swimming's Most meets in the United States are now Rulebook. You won't find anything about any other restricted by one of the time standards. LSCs will group of folks— including the spectators—except often conduct an "A" and a "B" meet or an age group prohibitions against smoking and drinking in the venue. and a mini meet over the same weekend. PVS often The white pages address the operation of USS, itself, conducts the same category of meet at multiple sites providing instructions about membership, club over the same weekend. If you are a family with an operation, the organization of USA-S, etc., but they "A" and a "B" or "8 & Under" swimmer this poses don't address the roles of anyone at our competitions logistical problems but is fairest to the swimmer. because noone else at the competition has an official role in the conduct of the competition.

2 Everyone else at the competition is a For deck-seeded meets, a Clerk of Course checks "spectator." Do the spectators have a specific role? in the swimmers, lines them up in the proper order (by Of course they do. They motivate the competitors. heats per event), gives them their time cards (if used) Like the competitors, they are biased towards the and, at the right moment, sends them to the starting outcome of each and every race. area. A swimmer who does not get to the clerk on time is "scratched" from that event and can’t swim It is logical to ask, "What about coaches? until his next event. PVS went to almost all "pre- Don't they fall into a separate category?" The seeded" meets several years back; consequently, most answer is: No. For the conduct of competition, meets did not use clerks of course. The trend was coaches also fall into the "spectator" category. Why? reversed last year, though, and PVS expects to use It's simple. Coaches are hired to prepare the athlete someone for "positive check-in" at many more meets. for competition. They often deliver the athlete to the For meets supported by computers, this person will competitive site and usually provide some personal work with the Computer Operator (see below) to critique or motivational comment after each event in produce new session sheets. [Level II Clinic with which their athlete(s) perform. During the actual Starter] competition, however, they are supporters and motivators of their particular athletes(s). They To provide the myriad bits of information required clearly have a vested interest—often monetary—in at a swim meet, there may be an Announcer with the performance of their athletes. Thus, during the whatever public address system is available. competition, itself, a coach falls in the category just mentioned —spectator—a privileged spectator, to be A Timing Console Operator operates the sure, but a spectator nevertheless. automatic timing system (PVS usually uses the Colorado Timing System). This position is critical at At this point, let's return to the officials. They PVS meets. [Electronic Timing Clinic] are the only ones who are expected to come to the competition without a bias towards the outcome. The A Timing Judge, under the direction of the officials are expected to be the "honest brokers" in referee, determines the official time for each the competition. So, who constitutes this group? swimmer, using the results obtained from the timing console and comparing them with relevant back-up Staffing a Meet. Roughly, the jobs can be information. In a manual situation, this individual divided into "administrative" and "deck”; both sets of combines the heats and places the swimmers from folks who work these jobs are "officials." In PVS, the first to last. He maintains a log of all disqualifications. Meet Manager (Director) is responsible for ensuring In championship meets, this individual may be the that the meet is properly staffed; however, most Administrative Referee and, as such, will be clubs use their Officials Chairman to obtain the responsible for all "table operations." [Referee's officials. For specified PVS championship meets, the Clinic] PVS Officials Committee selects the deck officials and some administrative officials. PVS offers In a fully automated meet, the Computer training opportunities for every official's job; the type Operator will record the results of all events, score of clinic is indicated in brackets after each job the events, and produce results, to include awards description. [Meet Managers—Meet Managers’ ribbons. When necessary, this operator may reseed an Workshop] event, produce the results from a preliminaries and finals meet, and produce the heat sheets for the finals Administrative. The jobs are somewhat "off sessions. In meets that are not supported by computer stage" and may, at times, require the ultimate operations, a Scorer must record the points awarded sacrifice— missing your own child's competition in from each event to each team and, where, applicable, an event. But, these are what make the meet more for each individual who places in a top category (i.e., than a group of isolated swim races. 1st through 6th, etc.). A Recorder annotates a meet sheet and posts the results in each event. The Awards Clerks record, on the back of each ribbon or

3 medal, the event and the swimmer's name as well as with the USA-S rules as well as any modifications to club and then sorts the awards. These awards are them. During championship meets, PVS will appoint presented during or after the meet in a formal Chief Judges to be in charge of and observe the ceremony or given to the team coaches for Stroke and Turn Judges, reporting all observed presentation at a later date. [For computer supported disqualifications to the referee. [Level II Clinic] Relay meets: Basic and Advanced HY-TEK clinics; for starts are judged by Relay Take-off Judges manually run meets—Level I Clinic, but only if [appointed and instructed by the referee at the meet]. specifically requested] Timers are essential. Every 1/100th of a second Deck Officials. Each meet requires a set of is critical to a competitive swimmer. Although almost trained officials to ensure that the rules are followed. all PVS meets are currently run with electronic timing, The judges’ job is to ensure that all competitors have all still require 1-3 individuals holding stop watches the same opportunity for "fair and equitable" over each lane as a back-up. The time for each watch competition. is recorded after every race on the time cards or timing sheets for the competitor involved. The Chief A Referee is responsible for the overall Timer or his Assistant Chief Timer then collects the conduct of the competition. He inspects the facility cards/ sheets, checks them for possible discrepancies, prior to the conduct of the meet, instructs all officials and turns them into the Timing Judge. Since all meets on their duties and, conducts the meet to ensure that are held in at least 6-lane pools, there is a constant all swimmers have the fairest opportunity to compete need for at least 18 people to act as timers. Smart against one another. For larger, championship meets clubs usually set up a rotation system so their in PVS, there may be a Meet Referee (ultimate one volunteers can be relieved during session (often a 4- in charge), an Administrative Referee and one or hour period). [Level I Clinic] more Deck Referees. [Referee Clinic]

The Starter has complete charge of the Well, that's the short of it. Enjoy your time in swimmers during the start for each heat of Potomac Valley and we look forward to seeing competition or time trials. After the referee you on the deck! determines that all other officials are ready, he signals the starter that the heat may commence competition. The starter then says “Take your mark,” and signals the start. He and the Referee are the officials who call a "false start" if a violation is observed. [Level II Clinic]

While racing, the swimmers are closely observed by judges (usually combined Stroke and Turn Judges in this LSC) to be sure each performs the stroke and executes the turns as prescribed by USS Rules. Upon noting a violation, the judge will raise his hand and complete a form explaining the disqualification. These judges (usually at least four at all times) receive formal training and are familiar

4 otomac Valley Swimming P09/01 MBH

STROKE JUDGE — TURN JUDGE

INTRODUCTION

Well run meets and good competitive results are Officials must never overlook one important directly related to good officiating. This requires a fact — the swimmers have worked hard to become through knowledge of the rules and the ability to competitive. They all deserve an equal chance. Offi- apply them fairly and consistently. It can only be cials must ensure that they do not, either by inaction attained by studying the rules, attending training or an irresponsible or inappropriate decision, disrupt sessions, and working regularly at meets. the equity and fairness of the competition

The rules are standards of perfection. The Stroke and Turn Judges authority to However, swimmers should not be expected to disqualify a competitor makes this position parti- compete to absolute perfection. Flexible judgment cularly important. To function properly in this role, and common sense is necessary. keep one dominant principle in mind:

be fair to all competitors, call what you clearly see, and, in every instance, give the benefit of the doubt to the swimmer.

BASIC CONCEPTS 1. Make decisions quickly and decisively. 2. Don't smoke or eat on deck. Take officiating seriously and work hard 3. Don’t coach the swimmers. at it. Competitors have the right to expect 4. Refrain from cheering—control your officials to know the rules and interpret them emotions. correctly, fairly and courteously. 5. Don't fraternize with swimmers, coaches 1. Study USA Swimming Official Rules or spectators during competition. book. 6. Admit your mistake; if your made a 2. Uniformly interpret and apply rules. wrong call the competitor's welfare is 3. Call violations when you see them; but more important than your own ego. don't guess or anticipate. 4. Be fair and consistent; always give the Dress Properly. swimmer the benefit of any doubt. Officials look much more "official" if they 5. Disregard club affiliation. are dressed both properly and neatly and are well groomed. The current PVS dress code is: Work regularly at the job. 1. Officials need practice, just as Navy blue slacks (but no jeans) or shorts, competitors do. white shirt and white, rubber soled shoes. Women 2. Working regularly builds confidence. may wear navy blue skirts. 3. Attend training sessions—keep up with rule changes and new interpretations. 4. There is no substitute for experience.

Be professional in your manner Stroke & Turn Judge (PVS) - 2001

RESPONSIBILITIES Any action prior to the start is the responsibility of the Starter. Each Stroke and Turn Judge should The Referee or, at the Referee's discretion, the observe the start; since their duties commence Chief Judge assigns and instructs Stroke and Turn immediately after the start. Judges. Before the competition begins, the Referee determines the respective areas of Stroke and Turn Breaststroke and butterfly are best judged by responsibility and jurisdiction. These may include walking abreast or slightly behind the swimmers. joint, concurrent, or coordinated responsibility and If the field starts to spread out, the judge should jurisdiction. The Referee's must ensure that all maintain a position that is slightly ahead of the swimmers are judged fairly, equitably, and trailing swimmers. Should sufficient officials be uniformly. available to allow two strokes per side, one should just trail the lead swimmer and other stay just Stroke Judge—ensures that the rules relating forward of the slowest swimmer on that side of to the style of swimming designated for the event the pool. In butterfly, the Stroke Judge also needs are being observed. to be close enough to the 15-meter mark so he can get to it if there is uncertainty whether a swimmer Turn Judge—ensures that, when turning or will surface before or after this mark. finishing, the swimmer complies with the turn and finish rules applicable to the stroke used. Freestyle is judged mainly from the turning and starting ends of the pool. However, the Position: requirement to surface by the 15-meter mark following the start and each turn requires a Stroke Stroke Judge—sides of the pool, preferably Judge observe this mark. Similarly, the Stroke walking abreast of swimmers during breaststroke Judges must, also, clearly be in position to watch and butterfly. During backstroke, butterfly and backstrokers who are submerged after the start or freestyle, be at the 15-meter mark to observe any turn to ensure that their head surfaces before where the swim-mer surfaces. You may also be the 15-meter mark. They must also observe responsible for the recall rope. whether backstrokers remain on their back.

Turn Judge—ends of pool. For all strokes for which the 15-meter mark has to be observed, look straight across the pool at (NOTE: Since PV mainly uses combined "Stroke the 15-meter mark, using the markers on the lane and Turn Judges," these individuals need to be lines as a point of reference. If they are not prepared to walk the sides of the deck and to "wrap perfectly lined up, judge for all lanes based on the around" on the turns, positioning themselves over marker that is the farthest out. the ends before the first swimmer in their jurisdiction turns, to ensure they cover all aspects of Whenever staffing levels permit, the duties of the competition. Stroke and Turn Judges should be separated so each can cover their respective portion of the The Referee will assign each Stroke and Turn pool. This is particularly useful wherever diving Judge an initial area of responsibility. He will boards or lifeguard stands are barriers to the specify (if it is being done) the manner and judge's movement. sequence in which the judges are to move (rotate) to a new position. The Stroke and Turn Judges When it is necessary to serve as a combined responsibilities begin immediately after the start. Stroke and Turn Judge due to limited staffing , the

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key to good performance is movement. The judge the first stroke and kick in breaststroke, butterfly cannot properly evaluate turns and finishes from and individual medley. NOTE: Do not block the the backstroke flags nor strokes from the center of Timers' view of the Starter or the starting device, the starting or turning end of the pool. or the Starter’s view of the swimmers.

Turns and finishes are best judged from the To officiate a meet properly, at least six ends of the pool, slightly to the side of, not directly Stroke and Turn judges are needed (eight if it is over, the swimmer. The one exception to this long course meet in a 8-lane pool.) If fewer are technique occurs when judging backstroke finishes, available, compromises will have to be made so when the judge should , if possible, stand directly that those areas where violations are most likely to over the lane. Since judges in this LSC must occur are given better coverage. Generally, these usually observe more than one lane, the official will are the turns. If fewer than four Stroke and Turn have to adjust his position to best observe all are available, serious consideration should be given assigned lanes. to having the Starter and possibly the Referee also serve as a Stroke and Turn Judge. A Turn Judge at the starting end of the pool should position himself so he can step forward In all cases involving the arrangement of immediately following the start signal to observe officials, common sense must prevail.

The following diagrams illustrate possible stroke and turn placements using four or more judges:

2 2 3

1 4

6 5 1 4

2 3 2 3

1 4

1 4 6 5

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Reporting violations: Relay disqualifications

1. Only the Referee or a Stroke and Turn (NOTE: These calls are Referee's or, in some Judge can disqualify for stroke, turn or finish cases, Relay Take-off Judge's decisions): violations. 1. No swimmer shall swim more than one leg in any relay event. 2. Upon observing an infraction in their 2. A swimmer other than the first jurisdiction, Stroke, Turn, or Relay Take-off swimmer shall not start until his teammate has Judges shall immediately raise one hand overhead concluded his leg. with open palm. This is intended to require 3. Any relay team member and his relay officials to act decisively and to preclude team shall be disqualified if a team member, other consultation with other officials or reflection on the than the swimmer designated to swim that leg, consequences of a call. [Exception; The hand is shall enter the pool in the area where the race is not raised when dual confirmation is being used being conducted before all swimmers of all teams for relay take-offs.] If the official does not raise have finished the race. his hand immediately following an infraction, the Referee should not allow the disqualification Mental Traps : unless the Referee personally observed it. A judge will gain the technical knowledge 3. Report violations, in writing, to the required to judge the strokes and turns or finishes Referee, detailing the event, heat number, lane and become proficient with practice. The number and violation. (Be specific in describing challenge, however, is to apply that knowledge the violation.) properly. Br careful not to apply human reason in such a way that it causes poor or “sloppy” 4. The Referee or designated official making judgments.. Some examples of the “mental traps” the disqualification must make every reasonable that have surfaced in stroke and turn officiating effort to seek out the swimmer or his coach and over the years are: inform the individual of the reason for the disqualification. (NOTE: Officials should never L Advantage or disadvantage . There is give advice or talk to swimmers or coaches except no intent that whether swimmer gains advantage to explain a disqualification actually cited if asked should be applied broadly to all situations, thus to by the referee.) justifying inaction by officials in not calling violations such as missed turns, touches, etc. This Disqualifications: type of negative interpretation only leads to "sloppy" officiating. Unfair advantage may be 1. Can be made only by the official within used to explain one reason why an action is an whose jurisdiction the infraction has been infraction. Still, a violation of the rules should be committed. noted and the competitor disqualified whether an 2. Must be based on personal observation. advantage is gained or not. 3. Must have violated a rule in the USA Swimming Rules and Regulations. L The "Twice Theory." Some judges feel 4. Give the swimmer the benefit of any doubt they should wait until an infraction happens more and disregard the opinion of others. than once before they call it. There is no basis for 5. Be sure violation occurred, understand waiting to see an infraction happen twice and, in clearly what it is, and be prepared to explain it. fact, it often won't. The official must simply be certain of what he saw and make the call as soon

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as it is observed. If there is any doubt about the touching the wall with his left hand and was violation, then don't make the call! By the same already turning. You must actually see the token, don't then concentrate on that one swimmer breaststroker take the second arm pull and be past to see if he commits the suspected infraction the widest part of that second stroke before his again. Continue to give all the competitors uniform head surfaces, not assume that it took two pulls to coverage in observing their performance. get that far out in the pool when you saw his head surface. Don’t look for reasons to disqualify. If L “We don’t disqualify 8 & Unders.” you see the infraction and it is clear, report it, but People who take this position often rationalize it by if you are uncertain, remember that the benefit of saying they don’t want to cause “mental trauma” any doubt must go to the athlete. to a youngster. While this may sound good, it is grounded in some clearly erroneous beliefs. First, Conduct: it views the judge’s role as punitive. That’s completely wrong. Rather, a disquali-fication 1. No outward signs during race regarding should be viewed as a) “protecting the other illegality of competitor except raised hand. athletes” in the competition, and b) “educating” 2. No cheering, coaching or swapping the athlete who commits the infraction. Secondly, disqualifications; control your emotions. it assumes that younger swimmers are 3. Do not fraternize with swimmers, coaches “beginners” while older swimmers are or spectators; disregard club affiliation and “experienced” and should be held to a stricter personal relationships. standard. Yet, athletes enter the sport at various 4. Do not concentrate on frequent violators ages and some 8 & Unders are more “experi- to the exclusion of others. enced” than some teenagers who are just entering 5. Give undivided attention— start to finish. the sport. In any event, experience is irrelevant. 6. If uncertain of role, consult with the Finally, the idea that disqualifying an 8 & Under Referee. will “traumatize the child’s psyche” is ludicrous. Youngsters are constantly being corrected during FREESTYLE: their early, formative years; that’s how they learn. 1. Start—Forward start shall be used. L “Don’t ask me to judge my child." The Referee must know that the judge treats 2. Stroke: everyone in the field the same—fairly and equitably— all the time. The Referee must be a. Any swimming style may be used confident that a judge will identify an infraction except in I.M. or Medley Relay, where "free- regardless of who the swimmer is. This is style" means any style other than backstroke, probably the ultimate test of the judge’s breaststroke or butterfly. impartiality. To the judge, this is the time when he b. The head must surface by the 15- must separate himself from his parental role and meter mark following the start and each turn. accept the responsibility of being a USA Totally resubmerging thereafter except when Swimming judge. entering a turn is grounds for a disqualification. However, having the body momentarily totally L Don’t Infer (Extrapolate). You can covered by water is not grounds for a only call what you see, NOT what you deduct. disqualification. You must actually see the swimmer miss the wall with his right hand on the turn, not assume he missed it because, by the time you looked, he was

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3. Turns— Upon completion of each length, 3. Turns: the swimmer must touch the solid wall or pad at a. Upon the completion of each length, the end of the course with any part of his body. some part of the swimmer's body must touch the (NOTE: a "hand touch" is NOT required!) wall. b. During the turn, the shoulders may 4. Finish— when any part of the swimmer turn past vertical toward the breast. touches the solid wall or electronic pad at the end c. If the swimmer turns past vertical, a of the pool. continuous single arm pull or a simultaneous double arm pull may be used to initiate the turn. 5. Common violations: d. Once the body has left the back, any a. Failure to touch at the turn. NOTE: if kick or arm pull must be part of the continuous touch missed, official should continue to watch turning action. (swimmer may either reach back or swim back e. The swimmer must have returned to and make a legal touch anytime prior to making a position on the back upon leaving the wall. the next turn). b. Failure of the head to surface by the 4. Finish— when any part of the swimmer's 15-meter mark following the start and each turn. body touches the wall at the end of the course; b. Finishing in the wrong lane. shoulders must not turn past vertical toward the c. Walking or springing from the bottom breast before the touch. The body may be of the pool. Standing on the pool's bottom during completely submerged at the finish.. freestyle shall not disqualify a swimmer unless he leaves the pool or walks or springs from the 5. Common violations: bottom. (NOTE: standing on the bottom after the a. Sliding toes up after the starting start and before the finish, while not in contact signal or standing in or on the gutter. with the wall, of any other stroke shall constitute b. Swimmer submerged after start or turn a disqualification.) and head surfacing beyond 15 meters (16.4 d. Getting artificial assistance ( grasping yards). c. Getting artificial assistance and pulling on lane lines; pushing off side walls.) (grasping and pulling on the lane lines to assist forward motion; pulling or pushing off side walls.) BACKSTROKE: d. Turning shoulders past vertical on the turn and, after pulling forward with arm already in 1. Start —Back start shall be used. motion, then either gliding some more or taking additional kicks/pulls to bring swimmer closer to 2. Stroke: the wall before initiating the somersaulting action. a. Standing in or on the gutter or curling (Note: constitutes a pause in the turning action!) the toes over the lip of the gutter immediately e. When shoulders have turned past after the start is not permitted. vertical on the turn, swimmer missing touch on the b. Swimmer must push off on back and wall and sculling back to touch. continue swimming on back throughout the race. f. Failure to return to or past vertical c. Some part of the swimmer must break toward the back before the swimmer leaves the the surface of the water throughout the race, wall on the turn. except it is permissible for the swimmer to be g. Shoulders past vertical at the finish. completely submerged during the turn and for a distance of no more than 15 meters (16.4 yards) BREASTSTROKE: after the start and each turn. By that point, the head must have broken the water surface. 1. Start— Forward start shall be used.

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The USA Swimming Rules and Regulations Committee is emphasizing that "The key to a proper interpretation of the backstroke rule is the phrase 'continuous turning action,' i.e., a uniform, unbroken motion with no pauses. After the upper shoulder rotates beyond the vertical toward the breast, a continuous single arm pull or a continuous simultaneous double arm pull may be used to initiate the turn. There shall be no kick, arm pull, or flotation that is independent of the turn. The position of the head is not relevant."

To assist judges in evaluating the submerging portion of the rule, the lane lines and the sides of the pool should be marked at the 15-meter (16.4 yard) distances from each end. Judges should be positioned to ensure that the swimmer's head breaks the water surface prior to the 15-meter marks and remains surfaced until the swimmer executes the next turn.

2. Stroke: 3. Kick: a. The body must be kept past vertical a. All vertical and lateral movements of the toward the breast at all times.. legs shall be simultaneous. b. The arms must move simultaneously b. The feet must be turned outward during and in the same horizontal plane without any the propulsive part of the kick movement. alternating movement. c. A scissors, flutter, or downward butterfly c. The hands must be pushed forward kick is not permitted. together from the breast on, under, or over the d. Breaking the surface with the feet shall water and must be brought back on or under the not merit disqualification unless followed by a water surface. downward butterfly kick. d. The elbows shall not be totally out of the water except for the final stroke before the 4. Turns and Finish: turn, during the turn and the last stroke at the a. The touch must be made with both hands finish of the prescribed distance. simultaneously at, above or below the water surface e. The hands shall not be brought back (but the two hands need not be on the same level). beyond the hipline except during the first stroke b. The arms must continue to move in the after the start and each turn. same horizontal plane.. f. Some part of the swimmer's head shall c. The head may be submerged after the break the water surface at least once during each last arm pull prior to the touch, provided it breaks the complete cycle of one arm stroke and one leg water surface at some point during any part of the kick, in that order, except during the first cycle last complete or incomplete stroke cycle preceding after the start and each turn. the touch. g. The swimmer's head must break the d. (Turns only:) Once a touch has been water surface before the hands turn inward at the made, the swimmer may turn in any manner desired. widest part of the second stroke. The shoulders must be at or past the vertical toward h. During the first cycle after the start the breast when the swimmer leaves the wall. and each turn, the swimmer may take one arm e. In the IM, the completion of the stroke completely back to the legs and one leg breaststroke leg is judged as a finish, NOT a turn! kick while wholly submerged. (NOTE: Either a complete or incomplete movement of the arms or 5. Common violations: legs from the starting position is considered as one a. At the start or after any turn, head still complete stroke or kick.) below the water surface when the hands begin to turn inward at the widest part of the second arm stroke.

7 Stroke & Turn Judge (PVS) - 2001

b. Over-the-water recovery with elbows f. Butterfly or flutter kicks underwater after not touching the water. [Exception permitted the start or after push off at the turn. (A natural during turn and at the finish.] relaxation of the legs when coming off the wall at the c. Not moving the arms in the same turn, or a slight leg action induced by the piking of the horizontal plane throughout the race (including the body when taking arm strokes at the start or turn, is turns and the finish.) not considered a voluntary movement and, therefore, d. Nonsimultaneous or 1-hand touch on shall not be identified as a kick.) turns or finish. (Need not be on the same level.) g. Body not at or past the vertical towards On the turns, be alert for a legal, "quick" touch — the breast when the swimmer leaves the wall after a can be mistakenly interpreted as a 1-hand touch. turn. e. Sidestroke or scissors kick (any h. Getting artificial assistance. alternating movement).

SIGNIFICANT ASPECTS OF JUDGING BREASTSTROKE

The first arm pull after the start and each turn may be all the way back to the legs. Thereafter, it can be no further than the hipline. What constitutes the "hipline," however, is unclear. Therefore, judges should allow swimmers to pull to anyplace in the general area of the hips. The intent is to ensure that, throughout the race, the swimmer does not glide underwater with the hands flat or nearly flat against the side of the body, as is normal after the initial pull at the start and after each turn. The swimmer should be given the benefit of any doubt relating to the position of the "hipline."

After the first stroke and kick on the start and after each turn, the head must break the water surface before the hands turn inward at the widest part of the second arm stroke.

The hands do not have to stay in the water on the recovery. They may be recovered over the water; however, they must still be pushed forward together from the breast and the elbows must, at least, touch the water surface, except when reaching for the wall at the finish.

The head does not have to stay above the water level throughout the race. After the first underwater arm stroke and kick, the head need only come above the water once during each stroke cycle, but it actually has to break the water surface rather than just coming above the calm water level with the possibility of a wave covering the top of the head. The swimmer is permitted to "dive" under the water during each cycle, as long as a butterfly kick is not used to facilitate the diving action.

On turns or at the finish, swimmers do not have to touch with both hands at the same level (this also applies to the butterfly). The hands must, however, touch simultaneously.

BUTTERFLY: c.. The swimmer’s head must surface by the 15- meter mark. 1. Start: d. One or more leg kicks are permitted but a. Forward start shall be used. only one arm pull underwater, which must bring the b. After the start and each turn, the swimmer to the surface. swimmer must remain on the breast. 2. Stroke:

8 Stroke & Turn Judge (PVS) - 2001

a. Both arms must be brought forward over 5. Common violations: the water and pulled back simultaneously. a. Hand touch not simultaneous or 1-hand b. The shoulders must be passed vertical touch. (NOTE: Hands need not be at the same level toward the breast from the beginning of the first on either turns or the finish.) Be alert for a legal, arm stroke after the start and after each turn. "quick" touch—can mistakenly be interpreted for a 1- c. The body must remain above the hand touch. surface after the 15-meter mark. However, b. Arm recovery not over the water after incidental submerging (resulting from the body pull on the turn or finish (usually characterized by being momentarily being totally covered by water) short pull and an underwater, stabbing touch). is not grounds for a disqualification. c. Alternating kicking movement, such as flutter kicks. 3. Kick: d. Scissors or breaststroke kicking a. All up and down movements of the movement. legs and feet must be simultaneous. e. Head not surfacing by the 15-meter b. The position of the legs and feet need mark. not be on the same level but they shall not f. Getting artificial assistance. alternate in relation to each other. (The feet may move vertically, provided they move together. They may actually be crossed, or one may be INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY: higher than the other, provided no alternating action is introduced. Any change caused by a 1. Order: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and "drifting" of the legs rather than by a propulsive freestyle. (Reminder: In the IM, "freestyle" means action is not an infraction. Therefore, the import- any other stroke than the butterfly, backstroke or ant criterion warranting disqualification is a breaststroke.) Note:Freestyle must have been swum propulsive action of an alternating nature). for a sufficient distance to be recognized as c. A scissors or breaststroke kicking swimming in the style of a prohibited stroke. movement is not permitted. 2. Rules pertaining to individual strokes govern disqualifications. (NOTE: when turning from the 4. Turns and Finish: butterfly to the back-stroke, after a legal touch, the a. The body shall be on the breast. swimmer's "shoulders must be at or past the vertical b. The touch must be made with both toward the back when the swimmer leaves the wall.") hands simultaneously (need not be on the same 3. The turns from one stroke to another are level). considered finishes, NOT turns, and are to be judged c. A legal touch may be made at, above accordingly. The significant part here is that, when or below the water surface. going from backstroke to breaststroke, the swimmer's d. (Turns only:) Once a touch has been shoulders in the backstroke may NOT turn past made, the swimmer may turn in any manner vertical prior to the touch of the wall! Moreover, the desired, but the prescribed form must be attained swimmer must be at or past the vertical towards the from the beginning of the first arm stroke. The breast when leaving the wall in the breaststroke. swimmer’s head must surface by the 15-meter mark. e. These criteria also apply to the butterfly leg of an IM or the medley relay.

9 Stroke & Turn Judge (PVS) - 2001

GENERAL: JUDGING SWIMMERS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES 1. All Turns – Once a legal touch has been made, the swimmer may turn in any manner 1. Judge, in accordance with USA Swimming desired. Therefore, standing on the bottom during rules, any part of the body that is used. a turn and prior to pushing off the call, should be 2. Guidelines for judging swimmers with various considered part of the turn and no DQ should be disabilities are contained in Article 105 of US called. Swimming Rules and Regulations. Get familiar with them. You never know when you will need to apply them at a meet. RELAYS: 3. Do not judge a part of the body that cannot be used. 1. Freestyle—any desired stroke or com- 4. Base your judgment on actual rule, not the bination of strokes. swimmer’s technique. 2. Medley—order: backstroke, breaststroke, CONCLUSION butterfly and freestyle. (In the Medley Relay, "freestyle" means any stroke other than backstroke, Officiating can be enjoyable. It is not designed to breaststroke or butterfly. Note: The stroke must win popularity contests; however, the self satis- have been swum for a sufficient distance to be faction of having done a good job is very recognized as swimming in the style of that stroke.) rewarding. Unfortunately, inferior officials rarely recognize their inadequacies, but fellow officials, 3. All Relays coaches and swimmers do. All officials must a. Rules pertaining to individual strokes continually reassess their own performances. This govern disqualifications. can best be done by regularly reviewing the rules b. As in the IM, finish rules, rather than and training material and by attending retraining turn rules, apply at the end of each stroke. sessions. c No competitor may swim more than one leg. The new or inexperienced official often asks, d. Except for the last swimmer, relay "How long will it take me to become a good swimmers must leave the water immediately upon Stroke and Turn Judge?" It depends upon the finishing their leg. individual but it won't happen overnight or e. Swimmers must swim in the order without effort. Knowing the rules and attending listed of the form provided (completed by the training sessions are very important, but coach for that purpose.) experience gained by working at meets is the only real teacher. Only experience can build the 4. Common Relay Disqualifications: confidence the Stroke and Turn Judge requires a. Stroke violation. before his or her performance becomes b. Failure to swim proper order of "automatic." Even then, a continuing review of strokes. the rules and regular attendance at retraining c. Failure to swim required distance. sessions are essential. d. Take-off violation (decision only by Referee/Relay Take-off Judges) e. Entering the water (Referee decision): whole team is disqualified if any member, other than the swimmer designated to swim, enters the pool before all other competitors have finished!

10 Potomac Valley Swimming MARSHAL

The Marshal plays a significant role in warm-up periods. In this regard, marshals must any meet. The exercise of polite, but firm, become familiar with PVS policy and the specific authority by a Marshal greatly assists in the warm-up procedures to be followed at that meet. maintenance of proper competitor and spectator Often, PVS starts warm-ups with a general decorum. This individual is specifically warm-up period. During this time, there should responsible for enforcing warm-up procedures be no racing starts or diving off the blocks or off and maintaining order in the swimming venue. To the edge of the pool. Swimmers enter the water do this, he has full authority to: warn or order any feet first. Once the Referee or Meet Manager individual to cease and desist, and with the indicate that sprint or pace work is permitted, Referee's concurrence, remove, or have those lanes are specifically designated by an removed, from the vicinity of the competition, announcement over the PA system. Lanes where anyone who (a) behaves in an unsafe manner, (b) racing starts are permitted become one-way (and uses profane or abusive language, or (c) commits one length) only. Coaches must maintain as much actions that disrupt the orderly conduct of the control over their swimmers as possible. meet. Marshals should also politely caution swimmers not to rest on the lane lines, to preclude breaking Either the Meet Director or the Referee of the lines and potential delays in the start or should assign positions to the marshals and continuance of the meet. instruct them. They should be properly identified with a PVS vest or in some related manner. Finally, the rules of management should During the competition, the marshals shall be enforced. Locker room conduct, maintain order among competitors, spectators, unauthorized smoking and food consumption, and officials, and coaches. This includes full police related conduct should be closely monitored. In charge of the pool deck (in particular, the starting the past, too many meets have been run without platform, the sides of the course, and the finish marshals and it was a foolish oversight. They can area). It is important to maintain stillness in the contribute greatly to a well run meet without the starting area and to prevent competitors or all-too-frequent behavior problems. A meet may spectators from crowding the course. The view be well run on the deck while mayhem is being of officials at the finish must be preserved. committed in the locker room or elsewhere in the facility. Remember that organizations that permit The Marshal's responsibility is not limited the use of their pool hear more about the to the competition. Under current USA-S rules, discipline problems than they do about the only USA-S members may be assigned as swimming accomplishments; so, assign marshals, and one of their most important duties supervisory personnel wherever needed. is to supervise