Referee Certification Clinic

Referee Clinic 2015

OSI 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 swimmersSwimmers get the benefit of the doubtWe do not judge styleDemonstrate impartiality and

professionalism on deck

IntroductionRules Regarding the RefereeQualities of a “Good” RefereeArt of Refereeing

Levels of MeetsRoles and ResponsibilitiesPlanningPreparationExecution

Reference MaterialTraining Opportunities

Rules Regarding the RefereeArticle 102 – Conduct and Officiating of All Swimming

Competition * 102.13 – Referee

.1 – "Shall have full authority over all officials and shall assign and instruct them; shall enforce all applicable rules and shall decide all questions relating to the actual conduct of the meet, the final settlement of which is not otherwise assigned by said rules; can override any meet official on a point of rule interpretation, or on a judgment decision pertaining to an action which the Referee has personally observed; shall also disqualify a swimmer(s) for any violations of the rules that the Referee personally observes …….. .

* 102.11 – Protests .1 – "Protests against the judgment decisions of starters, stroke, turn,

place and relay take-off judges can only be considered by the Referee and the Referee’s decision shall be final.

* 102.8 – Change of Program and Postponement

Qualities of a “Good” RefereeCalmAlertDelegatorKnowledgeableCommunicatorExperiencied

ConfidentTeam PlayerProfessionalProactiveInterpersonally SkilledFair

ATTITUDE

The Art of Refereeing Levels of Meets

RegionalLSCLSC ChampionshipsSectional ChampionshipsZone ChampionshipsNational ChampionshipsInternational Championships

Most of the procedures and problems are the same.All deserve full attention and total quality effort.

The Art of RefereeingRoles and Responsibilities

Meet RefereeTop official at the meet, Team LeaderOverall responsibility for the conduct of the meet

Admin RefereeSupervises and directs the ‘dry-deck’Works with and supervises the other administrative

personnelDeck Referee

Supervises and directs the ‘wet-deck’Runs the session

Ensure fair and equitable competition for all swimmers!

The Art of RefereeingRoles and Responsibilities

Meet RefereeAssist Meet Director in pre-meet planningRecruits and assigns officials for the meetConduct Officials/Coaches Meetings

When chief judges are used the officials meetings are typically delegated to them

Supervise Officials TeamMake final decisions regarding

interpretation/application of the rulesEnsure Safety

The Art of RefereeingRoles and ResponsibilitiesAdmin Referee

Assist Meet Referee and Meet Director in pre-meet planning Supervises the Console Operator, Timing Judge, Recorder, and Clerk of

Course Make decisions regarding fair application of:

Entries Procedures Check-in Procedures Scratch / No-show Procedures

Review Seeding and Heat Sheet Preparation Approve Timing Adjustments Process DQs Review Results Preparation/Publication Coordinate Swim-Offs Review Relay Seeding and Results Coordinate Time Trials

The Art of RefereeingRoles and Responsibilities

Deck RefereeSupervise Starters and Stroke & Turn JudgesControl the flow of the meetApprove DQsMake initial decision regarding

interpretation/application of the rules

The Art of RefereeingPlan

Work with the Meet DirectorStart Early, Keep in Touch

Review Draft Meet InvitationBe Proactive, Think AheadLook for Problems, Recommend Solutions

Determine Staffing RequirementsDepends on level of meet and venue

The Art of RefereeingPrepare

Work with the Meet DirectorReview Final Meet InvitationReview Site Preparation (checklists)Review Entries, Time Lines – recommend solutions

Recruit Key OfficialsAssign available officials, approve schedule

Prepare Meet Referee NotebookReview Rules and Policies

Inspect VenueConduct Coaches MeetingConduct Pre-Session Officials Meetings

The Art of RefereeingOfficials Meeting

– Announcements– Overview (timeline)– Previous Problems– Unusual Circumstances – Rules Discussion

(careful of the ‘rule du jour’)

– Deck Protocol/Rotation

– Radio Protocol– Jurisdictions– Final Assignments (balance

the deck)– Trainee Assignments– Instructions to Leadership– DQ Processing

• 1-hour prior to each session • All officials (for at least the first part)

• Build the ‘Team’

The Art of RefereeingCoaches Meeting Introduce Key OfficialsFacility LayoutVenue RulesMeet Invitation ChangesTimelinesWarm-up ProceduresWarm-up / Cool-down

ProceduresHeat SheetsRelay CardsScratches

Positive Check-in ProceduresStart ProceduresFinals ProceduresTime TrialsProtests / Complaints / Meet JuryDecorumMeet ResultsMeet Evaluation FormWho to go to for InformationHospitalityQuestions

Always hold a coaches meeting before every meet!

The Art of RefereeingExecuteSupervise Warm-Ups

USA Swimming/OSI Swimming PolicyNo marshals or invigilators – no swimming!

Walk the DeckTalk with Coaches, swimmers, and officialsSense problems, build respect and ‘team’

Work with Admin Referee / Deck RefereeDELEGATE (authority, not responsibility), SUPPORT

Work with ‘Wet-Deck’ OfficialsMonitor position, alertness, calls

Work with ‘Dry-Deck’ OfficialsMonitor flow of data, decisions, timeliness of results

The Art of RefereeingExecuteWork with Coaches, Swimmers, Parents

Keep them informed LISTEN, answer questions, get additional information Take conflict off deck

Work with Announcer Discuss responsibilities and expectations, coordinate announcements

Work with Chief Timer Discuss responsibilities and expectations

Work with the Meet Director Control the venue Solve problems

Decide Protests Conduct Meet Juries

The Art of RefereeingExecute

Be careful of setting precedents with early decisionsDon’t be afraid to ask questions or correct mistakesTeach, provide constructive criticismSay ‘THANK-YOU’ to everyoneConduct Self-Evaluation

Reference Material

OSI Web Site Officials PageUSA Swimming Education and Training

Resources Page

Training OpportunitiesAll training sessions must be performed at

OSI/USA Swimming sanctioned meetsTo arrange training contact the Meet Referee of

the meets you plan to attend

ResourcesOregon Swimming, Inc. website:

www.oregonswimming.org Officials Training forms List of trainers

USA Swimming website: www.usaswimming.org Official Tracking System Education and Resources page

If All Else Fails - ASK

Use all resources availableOther officialsRefereesArea Officials ChairOfficials Chair

Thank you!See you on deck