1 european forces swim league (efsl) official’s clinic “efsl competitive swimming” neil...

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European Forces Swim League European Forces Swim League (EFSL) (EFSL)

Official’s ClinicOfficial’s Clinic

“EFSL COMPETITIVE SWIMMING”“EFSL COMPETITIVE SWIMMING”

Neil Higgins – EFSL / NTS Head Neil Higgins – EFSL / NTS Head Official / RefereeOfficial / Referee

2 October 20132 October 2013

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Bottomline - why do we have Bottomline - why do we have rules?rules?

To provide fair and To provide fair and equitable conditions of equitable conditions of

competitioncompetition

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GeneralitiesGeneralities• Well run meets and good results are directly related to Well run meets and good results are directly related to good good

officiatingofficiating• Dress accordingly – Dress accordingly – black or blue shorts & whiteblack or blue shorts & white collar shirt collar shirt• Remember that swimmers have worked hard to achieve their Remember that swimmers have worked hard to achieve their

success and deserve fair and equitable conditions of competitionsuccess and deserve fair and equitable conditions of competition• Rules have to be applied intelligently at all times, using Rules have to be applied intelligently at all times, using common common

sense and good judgmentsense and good judgment• Fairness to all competitors giving the Fairness to all competitors giving the ‘Benefit of the Doubt’,‘Benefit of the Doubt’, in in

every instance, to the swimmerevery instance, to the swimmer• We are not here to disqualify, but to ensure We are not here to disqualify, but to ensure fair, consistent and fair, consistent and

equitableequitable decisions decisions• Jewelry & Tattoos Issues & ConcernsJewelry & Tattoos Issues & Concerns• Do not be afraid to Do not be afraid to ask questionsask questions• Counters are only permitted to be used in events long distance Counters are only permitted to be used in events long distance

events (800, 1500m events)events (800, 1500m events)

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AgendaAgenda

Basic Concepts – Part 1Basic Concepts – Part 1 Strokes - Part 2Strokes - Part 2 Basic Concepts – Part 3Basic Concepts – Part 3

- DQ procedures- DQ procedures

- Starter- Starter

- Referee- Referee

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Basic Concepts Basic Concepts Part 1Part 1

Take officiating seriously Take officiating seriously Work regularly at the jobWork regularly at the job Be professional Be professional Know DisabilitiesKnow Disabilities

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Take officiating seriously Take officiating seriously and work hard at itand work hard at it

• Study the rule bookStudy the rule book• Uniformly interpret and apply rulesUniformly interpret and apply rules• Call violationsCall violations as you see them as you see them• Be Be fair, equal and consistentfair, equal and consistent• Disregard team affiliationDisregard team affiliation• Exercise good judgmentExercise good judgment

Officials owe the swimmers correctness, Officials owe the swimmers correctness, fairness, equality and courtesy!fairness, equality and courtesy!

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Work regularly at the jobWork regularly at the job

• Attend training sessions (Annual Refresher)Attend training sessions (Annual Refresher)• Officials need practiceOfficials need practice• Working regularly Working regularly builds confidencebuilds confidence• Keep up with Keep up with rule changesrule changes and new and new

interpretationsinterpretations• There is no substitute for experienceThere is no substitute for experience

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Be professional in your dutiesBe professional in your duties

• Fairness and equality to all competitors Fairness and equality to all competitors shall dictate actionsshall dictate actions

• You will get wet….don’t be surprised!You will get wet….don’t be surprised!• Make decisionsMake decisions quickly and decisively quickly and decisively• Avoid coaching swimmersAvoid coaching swimmers• Refrain from cheeringRefrain from cheering• Admit mistakesAdmit mistakes if wrong if wrong

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DisabilitiesDisabilities

• Judge Judge in accordancein accordance with with rules - rules - Art 105Art 105• Do not judge a part of the body that is Do not judge a part of the body that is

absent or cannot be usedabsent or cannot be used• Base your judgment on Base your judgment on actual rulesactual rules, not the , not the

swimmers techniqueswimmers technique

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STROKESPart 2Part 2

• Freestyle• Backstroke

• Breaststroke• Butterfly

• Individual Medley• Medley Relay

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FREESTYLEFREESTYLE

Start - Forward Start

Body Position - No restriction upon body position, except… if submerged at start, turns, head must break the water surface by the 15m mark

Stroke - Any stroke style may be used

Kick - Any kick style may be used

Turn / Finish:• If a swimmer does not touch the wall during a turn, they

may return to touch the wall in any manner as long as the length is not completed--sculling back is not mandatory

• Any part of the body may touch at each end

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BACKSTROKEBACKSTROKE(1 of 2)(1 of 2)

Start • Start in the water with back to the course• Feet or toes may NOT be in or bent over the edge of the gutter • Hands placed on gutter or on the starting grips!!

Body Position• Must swim “on the back”, except for turns• Head must break the water surface by the 15m mark at the start and after every turn

Stroke - Any stroke style may be used

Kick - Any kick style may be used

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BACKSTROKEBACKSTROKE(2 of 2)(2 of 2)

Turns: • Upon completion of each length, some part of the swimmer must touch the wall* During the turn, the shoulders may be turned past the vertical toward the breast after which a continuous single arm pull or a continuous simultaneous double arm pull may be used to execute the turn…..GLIDING IS GLIDING IS PROHIBITED!!!!PROHIBITED!!!!• The swimmer must have returned to a position on the back upon leaving the wall.

Finish: • Upon the finish of the race, the swimmer must touch the wall while on the back• Swimmer may be completely submerged when finishing!!

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Start – Forward start

Body Position:• Must swim “on the breast”• Head must break the water surface before hands turn inward at

widest part of second stroke

Stroke:• Arms shall move simultaneously and in same horizontal plane, not

alternating• The hands shall not be brought back beyond the hip line, except

during the first stroke after the start and each turn• The stroke cycle must be one arm stroke and one leg kick in that

order • After the start and after each turn, the swimmer may take one arm

stroke completely back to the legs• Head must break surface during each “stroke cycle”

BREASTSTROKEBREASTSTROKE

(1 of 2)(1 of 2)

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BREASTSTROKEBREASTSTROKE

(2 of 2)(2 of 2)Kick:• Feet turned out• Scissors, flutter or downward butterfly kick NOT permitted with exception

Turn:• Touch both hands simultaneously at, above or below water surface • Head may be submerged at turn or finish• Turn any manner however, must be on breast off wall• Submerged: 1st stroke below hipline - OK• 2nd stroke - head breaks surface before hands inward• On Start or at turns the first arm pull must be started prior to commencement of

the dolphin kick • A single dolphin kick followed by a Breaststroke kick is permitted while fully

submerged• Last stroke - elbows may go above water surface

Finish:• Touch wall with both hands simultaneously at, above or below the water

surface• Elbows may go above water surface

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BUTTERFLY(1 of 2)

Start:• Forward start• On breast - Side-kicking allowed under water• <15m submerged before breaking the surface of the water

Stroke:• On breast• One or more leg kicks, but only one arm pull under water which must

bring swimmer to the surface • Both arms” must be brought forward “over the water" and pulled

back simultaneously• Arms may scrape the top of the water as they come forward (may hit

waves and create splashes)

Turn: • Touch w/both hands simultaneously at, above, or below water surface• Turn in any manner• Head must break the water surface by the 15m mark

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BUTTERFLY(2 of 2)

Kick:• Legs & feet simultaneously (vertically) - no scissors or

breaststroke kick

Finish: Touch wall with both hands simultaneously at, above, or below the water surface

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INDIVIDUAL MEDLEYINDIVIDUAL MEDLEYStart: • Forward start• <15m submerged for Butterfly, Back, & Free

Stroke:• Butterfly, Back, Breast, Free order• Same rules apply to stroke being swum• Freestyle cannot be fly, breast, or backstroke

Turn:• Wall must be touched in manner prescribed for finish

by stroke being swum• Backstroke must finish on back

Finish: • Touch wall any manner, any part of the body

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MEDLEY RELAYMEDLEY RELAY

• Back, Breast, Butterfly, Free order• Must surface at 15m mark for strokes• Same rules apply to stroke being swum• Freestyle cannot be fly, breast, or backstroke• No swimmer shall swim more than 1-leg in race• Swimmer other than 1st swimmer shall not start until

teammate has concluded his leg (HO/Starter)

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Official’s DQ Codes 2013-2014

Butterfly1A Alternating Kick1B Kick breaststroke type1C Scissors kick1E Non-simultaneous arms1F Arms underwater recovery1G Did not bring arms forward “over” water1J One hand touch1K No touch1L Non-simultaneous touch1M Shoulders not at or past vertical towards breast off the wall1N Head did not break the surface by 15 meters1O More than one arm pull under water after start or turn

Backstroke2I No touch at turn2J Non-continuous turning action2K Not on back off wall2L Shoulders past vertical toward breast2N Head did not break the surface by 15 meters2P Toes curled over gutter after the start2Q - Did not finish on back

Freestyle4K No touch on turn4N Head did not break the surface by 15 meters

EFSL DQ CodesEFSL DQ CodesBreaststroke3A Alternating Kick3B Non-simultaneous kick3C Downward butterfly kick3D Scissors kick / Feet not turned out3E Hands brought beyond the hipline during stroke3F Non-simultaneous arms3G Arms two strokes underwater at start or after turn3H Arms not in same horizontal plane3I Elbows recovered “over” water3J One hand touch3K No touch3L Non-simultaneous touch3M Shoulders not at or past vertical towards breast off the wall3P Head under for 2 or more strokes3Q Incomplete stroke cycle other than one pull followed by one kick

Relay (BK / BRST / FLY / FR)61 Stroke Infraction swimmer #162 Stroke Infraction swimmer #263 Stroke Infraction swimmer #364 Stroke Infraction swimmer #466 Early take-off swimmer #267 Early take-off swimmer #368 Early take-off swimmer #46P Changed order of swimmers6Q Not enough swimmers

IM5P Strokes out of sequence – (Fly / Back / Breast / Free)5Q Freestyle swum as backstroke, breaststroke or butterfly

Miscellaneous7N Swimmer made use of aids7O False start7P Declared false start7Q Did not finish7R Delay of meet7S Entered water without permission7T Interfered with another swimmer7U Walking on or springing from bottom7V Standing on bottom7W Pulling on lane line7X Finish in wrong lane7Y Unsportsmanlike conduct

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Basic Concepts Basic Concepts Part 3Part 3

Mental TrapsMental Traps DisqualificationsDisqualifications DQ ProcedureDQ Procedure Starter MiscellaneousStarter Miscellaneous

False StartsFalse Starts RefereeReferee During the MeetDuring the Meet After the MeetAfter the Meet

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Mental TrapsMental TrapsLead to poor or sloppy judgments!Lead to poor or sloppy judgments!

• Twice theory: “I must see it twice.” - No!Twice theory: “I must see it twice.” - No!• We do not disqualify 8&U..…WRONG!We do not disqualify 8&U..…WRONG!• Do not infer or extrapolateDo not infer or extrapolate• Ugly or unusual is NOT inevitably illegalUgly or unusual is NOT inevitably illegal

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DisqualificationDisqualification

(1 of 2)(1 of 2)

• Can be made only by the official in whose Can be made only by the official in whose Jurisdiction Jurisdiction the infraction has been made – See Pool Layout Slidethe infraction has been made – See Pool Layout Slide

• Disregard the opinion of others and team affiliationDisregard the opinion of others and team affiliation• Be sure Be sure violation occurredviolation occurred and and be prepared to explain it!be prepared to explain it! • If in doubt, give the swimmer the benefit of any doubt!If in doubt, give the swimmer the benefit of any doubt!• Unsafe/unsportsmanlike conduct must be reported to Unsafe/unsportsmanlike conduct must be reported to

the Referee (disciplinary action)the Referee (disciplinary action)• Report swimming across lanes (Report swimming across lanes (swimmer must start and swimmer must start and

finishfinish in the same lane) in the same lane)

Tim

ers

Spectators

SOUTHERN DIVISIONALS 2013

MarshallingWindow - Airfield Window - Airfield

Starter

HO

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DisqualificationDisqualification

(2 of 2)(2 of 2)

• Standing on the pool’s bottom, except freestyle (Standing on the pool’s bottom, except freestyle (cannot cannot step, walk or springstep, walk or spring))

• A swimmer not entered in a race who enters the pool or A swimmer not entered in a race who enters the pool or course before all swimmers have completed the race course before all swimmers have completed the race shall be barredshall be barred from the next individual event on that day from the next individual event on that day (Referee’s discretion)(Referee’s discretion)

• Not permissible Not permissible to wear or use any device or substanceto wear or use any device or substance to help speed or buoyancy during race (e.g., excessive to help speed or buoyancy during race (e.g., excessive use of oil or grease)use of oil or grease)

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Disqualification: Relays Disqualification: Relays

• No swimmer shall swim more than one leg in any relayNo swimmer shall swim more than one leg in any relay

• Proper Proper sequence of strokessequence of strokes - Medley relay order: - Medley relay order: Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly, FreestyleBackstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly, Freestyle

• A swimmer other than the first swimmer shall not start A swimmer other than the first swimmer shall not start until his teammate has until his teammate has concluded his legconcluded his leg (Dual (Dual jurisdiction)jurisdiction)

• Any relay team member and his/her relay team shall be Any relay team member and his/her relay team shall be disqualified from a race if a team member other than the disqualified from a race if a team member other than the swimmer designated to swim that legswimmer designated to swim that leg enters the pool in enters the pool in the area where the race is being conducted before all the area where the race is being conducted before all swimmers of all teams have finished the raceswimmers of all teams have finished the race

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Deliberate Delay or MisconductDeliberate Delay or Misconduct

Any swimmer may be disqualified from an event:Any swimmer may be disqualified from an event:• Who Who delays the startdelays the start by entering the water by entering the water • Willfully or deliberately disobeying a command to step Willfully or deliberately disobeying a command to step

on the blocks or to take a starting positionon the blocks or to take a starting position• For any other For any other misconductmisconduct taking place at the start taking place at the start • The Referee shall disqualify a swimmer who The Referee shall disqualify a swimmer who fails to fails to

appearappear at the starting platform ready to swim in time at the starting platform ready to swim in time for the initial start of his|her heat.for the initial start of his|her heat.

– Such disqualification shall not be charged as a false Such disqualification shall not be charged as a false start.start.

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DQ Procedure DQ Procedure • Call the violationCall the violation – – raise the armraise the arm or the DQ is not valid!!! (apply or the DQ is not valid!!! (apply

simple test, doubt, mental traps, you can also change your mind after simple test, doubt, mental traps, you can also change your mind after you raise your hand)you raise your hand)

• Other S&T Official covers down on vacant positionOther S&T Official covers down on vacant position

• Proceed behind timerProceed behind timer (Mark card front in (Mark card front in REDRED with with /, DQ./, DQ. Back: Back: DQ DQ Code, Explanation (if required), Time, Distance when the infraction Code, Explanation (if required), Time, Distance when the infraction occurred and initials of the officialoccurred and initials of the official))

• Tell the swimmer Tell the swimmer (“Good job but you are DQ’ed in this race (“Good job but you are DQ’ed in this race because..., because..., Go and tell your coachGo and tell your coach”)”)

• Submit cardSubmit card (to Referee for (to Referee for review / initialsreview / initials) (Some pools use ) (Some pools use “runners” to submit cards, therefore return card to timers)“runners” to submit cards, therefore return card to timers)

• Get Get back to your positionback to your position immediately immediately

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Swimmer: Doug Vaughn ID #: SMIT12345613 - 14 Boys 100m Breaststroke

Event: 39 Heat: 5 Lane: 3

Time 1 Time 2 Time 3

DQ Procedure (Cards)DQ Procedure (Cards)

DQ

1:28.84 1:29.18 1:27.56

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DQ ProcedureDQ Procedure-Back of card--Back of card-

3E - Hands below waistline Hipline

NAH - Ref

MPP – S&T

1315 75m at the turn

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Starter Starter

One of the most important roles on deck: Ensure all One of the most important roles on deck: Ensure all swimmers get a fair start!swimmers get a fair start!

PreparationPreparation::• Review and be familiar with Review and be familiar with rules and schedulerules and schedule of events. of events.• Familiarize yourself with guidelines and rules for officiating Familiarize yourself with guidelines and rules for officiating

swimmers with disabilities.swimmers with disabilities.• Check & be Check & be familiar with equipmentfamiliar with equipment: whistle, pistol, electronic-: whistle, pistol, electronic-

starter, false start rope, etc. starter, false start rope, etc. Electronic strobeElectronic strobe signal visible to all signal visible to all manual timers manual timers

• Find best position for you, and relay take-off judge (if being used)Find best position for you, and relay take-off judge (if being used)• Warning Signals (Bell Lap) - With the exception of relays, in events Warning Signals (Bell Lap) - With the exception of relays, in events

800 Meters 800 Meters or longer (for lead swimmer, not individuals)or longer (for lead swimmer, not individuals)

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Procedures:Procedures:

• Any swimmer Any swimmer starting before the starting signalstarting before the starting signal is given shall be is given shall be disqualified if the Referee independently observes and confirms Starter´s disqualified if the Referee independently observes and confirms Starter´s observation that a violation occurredobservation that a violation occurred

• Swimmers remaining on the starting blocks shall be relieved from their Swimmers remaining on the starting blocks shall be relieved from their starting positions with the starting positions with the “Stand up”“Stand up” command and may step off the blocks command and may step off the blocks

• Should a Should a swimmer fall inswimmer fall in and the stand-up command is given, and the stand-up command is given, the swimmer the swimmer may be permitted to swim the event w/the understanding the may be permitted to swim the event w/the understanding the DQ will be DQ will be written upwritten up

• If the starting signal has been given before the disqualification is declared, If the starting signal has been given before the disqualification is declared, the race shall continue without recall if the the race shall continue without recall if the violation occurredviolation occurred, the swimmer , the swimmer or swimmers who have false started or swimmers who have false started shall be disqualifiedshall be disqualified upon completion upon completion of the raceof the race

• Dual confirmation from Starter and Referee – no hand signal given!Dual confirmation from Starter and Referee – no hand signal given!

False Starts (1 of 3)False Starts (1 of 3)

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Procedures:Procedures:

• If the recall signal is activated inadvertently, no swimmer shall be charged If the recall signal is activated inadvertently, no swimmer shall be charged with a false start with a false start

• A swimmer who would otherwise be charged with a false start may be A swimmer who would otherwise be charged with a false start may be relieved of the chargerelieved of the charge if the false start was caused by the swimmer´s if the false start was caused by the swimmer´s reaction to the “stand up” command.reaction to the “stand up” command.

• Enforcement of the Enforcement of the correct starting positioncorrect starting position is the responsibility of the is the responsibility of the StarterStarter

• Swimmers will be disqualified for Swimmers will be disqualified for “rocking or any slight movement”“rocking or any slight movement” on the on the starting blocks after the command – “Take your Mark” starting blocks after the command – “Take your Mark”

• Both the Starter and Referree will Both the Starter and Referree will confer that a violation has occuredconfer that a violation has occured before disqualifying a swimmer before disqualifying a swimmer

• Recall proceduresRecall procedures must be made prior to the start of the swim meet! must be made prior to the start of the swim meet!• Relay ExchangeRelay Exchange – both the Starter and Referre (or exchange officials) – both the Starter and Referre (or exchange officials)

must watch carefully – See picmust watch carefully – See pic

False Starts (2 of 3)False Starts (2 of 3)

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False Starts (3 of 3)False Starts (3 of 3)

Referee / Starter – DQ or No DQ? Are photos / videos permitted to identify possible violation? NO – Photo appears to be legal exhange however, on deck

decision by Ref/Starter will have the final ruling!!

End state - both the Referee & Starter will End state - both the Referee & Starter will confer that a violation has occured!!confer that a violation has occured!!

(SigonellaSep 2010)

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RefereeReferee

• Before the meetBefore the meet - See the meet manager, the  - See the meet manager, the administrative referee, the statistician …administrative referee, the statistician …

• Controls pool, configuration, safety, security, equipment, Controls pool, configuration, safety, security, equipment, etc…etc…

• Brief the Coaches, Meet Director, Timers, Stroke & Turn Brief the Coaches, Meet Director, Timers, Stroke & Turn Judges & Shadows and StarterJudges & Shadows and Starter

• Start and STAY on SCHEDULE – families are traveling!!• Referee Solve protests immediately (if possible)

RUNS THE MEET!Know the rules - Use “Common Sense.”

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Procedures:Procedures:

• Referee shall signal to the swimmers by a Referee shall signal to the swimmers by a short series of whistlesshort series of whistles • Followed by a Followed by a long whistlelong whistle indicating that they should take and maintain indicating that they should take and maintain

their positions on the starting platform, the deck, or in the watertheir positions on the starting platform, the deck, or in the water• In backstroke and medley relay events:In backstroke and medley relay events:

– at the Referee’s first long whistle, the swimmers shall immediately at the Referee’s first long whistle, the swimmers shall immediately enter the water enter the water

– Second long whistle shall return without undue delay to the starting Second long whistle shall return without undue delay to the starting positionposition

• Referee shall signal with an Referee shall signal with an outstretched armoutstretched arm to the Starter that the to the Starter that the swimmers are under the Starter’s controlswimmers are under the Starter’s control

• On the Starter’s command On the Starter’s command “Take Your Mark”,“Take Your Mark”, the swimmers shall the swimmers shall immediately assume their starting position, in the forward start, with at immediately assume their starting position, in the forward start, with at least least one foot at the frontone foot at the front of the starting platform or the deck of the starting platform or the deck

Meet Procedures (1 of 2)Meet Procedures (1 of 2)

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Meet Procedures (2 of 2)Meet Procedures (2 of 2)Procedures:Procedures:

• Swimmers starting in the water must have at leastSwimmers starting in the water must have at leastone hand in contactone hand in contact with the wall or starting platform with the wall or starting platform• When When all swimmers are stationaryall swimmers are stationary, the starter shall give the , the starter shall give the starting signalstarting signal• One start rule - Do not recall unless it is the Starter’s One start rule - Do not recall unless it is the Starter’s technical error or outside influence (e.g., air horn in the stands)technical error or outside influence (e.g., air horn in the stands)• Decide on Decide on “over the top”“over the top” starts or not starts or not• Dual jurisdiction - (Referee / Starter)Dual jurisdiction - (Referee / Starter)• Watch and note false starts (Confer with Head Referee if Watch and note false starts (Confer with Head Referee if noted…..noted…..Do not raise handDo not raise hand))

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During the meetDuring the meet• Attempt to always start ON TIME – teams are travelling!• Always use the same procedure and sequence• If ”over the top start”, at least three heats ready ahead before

starting the meet• Swimmers who have finished are to hold the lane dividers

away from touch pad. They clear the pool on command by sides

• Use heat sheets with names• Recommended notes on heat sheets..…

• Time (frequently)• Rotation of Officials• Changes (e.g., combined heats, etc.)• Breaks / Lunch• Empty lanes

• Keep an eye on your judges and swimmers

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After the meet…..After the meet…..

• Thank everyone• AAR / De-brief (if necessary) • If you have shadows, answer their

questions• Sign log books• Solve protests if not yet done• See meet manager and statistician• Sign the Official Swim-meet paper work

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S&T Official Wayahead

• Training annotated in Log Book; maintain your

log-book even after qualified to illustrate how current they

are when it comes to working at away meets and CHAMPS• 3 x shadows at a sanctioned EFSL Swim Meet

– get log-book signed• Pass S&T, Starter & Head Official Exams on web-site (open

book)• Qualified Head Official grades and submits Team

Spreadsheet to Division (s) Head Official & EFSL Referee

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QUESTIONS ?- Video / Swimmer Demonstrations

NEIL HIGGINSDSN 626-1769BB 335-179-6230