USA Swimming and Georgia Swimming Starter Clinic Clinic Instructor: Ed Saltzman & Clarice Wasmuth Presentation Prepared by USA Swimming National Officials Committee & Clarice Wasmuth USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Clinic Overview Introduction Philosophy of Starting Starting Rules Elements of the Start/Techniques of Starting Developing Good Habits and a Routine Next Steps & Resources Questions USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Philosophy of Starting GOAL: A fair start for all swimmers Three main aspects to understand Knowing when the field is ready to assume the starting position Knowing when the field is ready to be sent Knowing when it is necessary to intervene so that these two goals may be realized USA Swimming National Officials Committee

The Mindset of a Starter The STARTER reads the field, to determine when THE FIELD is ready to start––Not the other way around! PATIENCE, PATIENCE, PATIENCE Control your emotions so that the swimmers can control theirs! Calm & Confident No radios in your ears USA Swimming National Officials Committee

USA Swimming National Officials Committee Starting Rules From Section 101.2 of the USA Swimming Rulebook When the swimmers and officials are ready, the Referee shall signal with an outstretched arm to the Starter that the swimmers are under the Starter’s control. On the Starter’s command “take your mark”, the swimmers shall immediately assume their starting position, in the forward start, with at least one foot at the front of the starting platform or the deck. Swimmers starting in the water must have at least one hand in contact with the wall or starting platform. When all swimmers are stationary, the Starter shall give the starting signal. USA Swimming National Officials Committee

USA Swimming National Officials Committee Starting Rules From Section 101.2 of the USA Swimming Rulebook When a swimmer does not respond promptly to the command "take your mark," the Starter shall immediately release all swimmers with the command "stand" upon which the swimmers may stand up or step off the blocks. A swimmer shall not be disqualified for an illegal starting position at the start if the race is permitted to proceed. Enforcement of the correct starting position is the responsibility of the Starter. (This means watch the toes in backstroke) not above or curled over a gutter with ledges toes are on the wall. USA Swimming National Officials Committee

USA Swimming National Officials Committee Two Parts of the Start Knowing when the field is ready to assume the starting position Knowing when the field is ready to receive the starting signal Let’s Watch the USA Starter Video – 30 minutes. https://www.usaswimming.org/officials/officials-training-videos USA Swimming National Officials Committee

USA Swimming National Officials Committee Before Each Heat Are they there Are the having a suit issue or equipment issue Is someone running to a empty block Looking at swimmers behind the blocks Short whistles Long whistle(s) Be in position and ready to go at long whistle USA Swimming National Officials Committee

“The First Part of the Start” Patience as the swimmers settle into position Forward Start––One foot at front of block Backstroke Start––Toes not curled over gutter. Ledges toes on wall. Once all swimmers are in position, ready for the command “The First Part of the Start” USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Wait to say “take Your mark” until ALL the field is ready to take their mark. Read their body language. Conversational tone Inviting the swimmers to swim Slightly descending tone or flat Statement, not a question. A calm command. Delivered in a relaxed, but confident way “Close the door” “Pass the Salt” “I love you” “Clean your room” If you say “take your mark” when ALL the field is ready the next part of the start is easy! “Take Your Mark” USA Swimming National Officials Committee

“The Second Part of the Start” Wait for the swimmers to become stationary Stationary does NOT necessarily mean motionless Stationary = Establishes vertical plane at front of block Send the swimmers once all are stationary “The Second Part of the Start” USA Swimming National Officials Committee

If Things Don’t Go As Planned…. (For ANY Reason!) “Stand, please” To be delivered more softly and extremely calmly PATIENCE to allow swimmers to refocus before giving the command again Dive Overs / Fly Overs USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Once The Heat Has Started…. Hold microphone open and in position until heads surface, in case necessary to recall Hold Starter can recall a heat for any reason that caused swimmers to not have a fair start Recall Recall = No Swimmers Charged with False Start Mark any empty lanes, time heat started (GA), in starter Heat Mark Mark time on time line of the beginning of each event. (Georgia) Once The Heat Has Started…. USA Swimming National Officials Committee

USA Swimming National Officials Committee The False Start A Swimmer STARTING early—breaking his/her stationary position before the start Record violation by notating on heat sheet Dual confirmation procedures Starter approaches the Deck Ref to initiate conversation – do not do this unless you have marked your heat sheet. Give your deck ref some time to mark their sheet before approaching. USA Swimming National Officials Committee

WHAT IS A FALSE START? The rules state… “When all swimmers are stationary, the starter shall give the starting signal” (101.1.2.c) and “Any swimmer starting before the starting signal is given shall be disqualified if the Referee independently observes and confirms the Starter’s observation” (101.1.3A). USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Swimmer leaves the set or stationary position prior to the starting signal. The starting signal is then given. The race proceeds and, assuming the Starter observed the early start and the Deck Referee independently observes and confirms the Starter’s observation, the offending swimmer is disqualified at the conclusion of the race. Rule 101.1.3B applies. This is a false start. FALSE START SCENARIO #1 USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Swimmer leaves the set or stationary position prior to the starting signal. The swimmer upon realizing the early starting motion attempts to catch himself/herself. Starter says absolutely nothing, and the swimmer fails to halt the forward motion and goes into the pool. Rule 101.1.3A applies. This is a false start. FALSE START SCENARIO #2 USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Exactly the same facts as #2 above, but this time the Starter says “stand please” after the swimmer leaves the set or stationary position. The seven other swimmers stand or step down from the blocks. The offending swimmer struggles, but once again is unable to halt the forward motion and falls into the pool. Unlike scenario #2 above, here the starter said “stand please”, but that does not change the false start result. The rule is clear that the "stand" command is for the benefit of the other swimmers on the starting blocks. When the stand command is issued, the athletes have the option of standing or stepping off the blocks. The offending swimmer did neither. He fell into the pool just like the swimmer in scenario #2. Rule 101.1.3A applies. This is a false start. FALSE START SCENARIO #3 USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Exactly the same facts as scenarios #2 and #3 above Exactly the same facts as scenarios #2 and #3 above. However, this time when the command “stand please” is issued, the offending swimmer struggles, but is able to stand or step off the blocks. Rule 101.1.3A applies. This is NOT a false start. Why? Because the swimmer remained on the blocks or deck like everyone else in the heat, and no starting signal ever sounded. FALSE START SCENARIO #4 USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Exactly the same facts as scenarios #2 and #3 above Exactly the same facts as scenarios #2 and #3 above. However, when the Starter gives the “stand please” command a swimmer(s) other than the offending swimmer instantly bolts from the blocks and enters the water. Rule 101.1.3D applies. The swimmer(s) clearly started in reaction to the” stand” command. This is NOT a false start. FALSE START SCENARIO #5 USA Swimming National Officials Committee

The swimmer, upon hearing the command “take your mark” starts down to take a set or stationary position. The swimmer loses his/her balance before coming set and falls into the pool. Rule 101.1.2C applies. The swimmer should be given the opportunity to come to his/her set or stationary position prior to the start. A loss of balance prevented that, and clearly this swimmer never engaged in any starting action. This is NOT a false start. FALSE START SCENARIO #6 USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Within approximately 5 meters (10 feet) from start of pool Want to be able to observe entire field but also distinguish between individual lanes Starter chooses first, referee adjusts to starter Where to Stand USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Becoming Familiar With Equipment Always test microphone, they are all different! Test At Georgia Tech wait for the “Green” light. Omega timing system. Wait Test volume, be sure you can be heard from all lanes! Becoming Familiar With Equipment USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Other Things to Say (And Not To Say!) Refer to the swimmers as “ladies” and “gentlemen” NEVER deviate the language of “Take your mark,” and “Stand, please” “Relax, please” or “Swimmers, relax” for prolonged delay “Lane __, toes, please,” if necessary to lower toes in backstroke “Thank you, ladies (gentlemen),” to clear pool Additional instructions only as directed by referee Other Things to Say (And Not To Say!) USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Other Possible Responsibilities of the Starter Timers Briefing (Timer Meeting Document) Sound warning signal (bell) for distance events. (500 yards and greater) Counting each lane events 500 yards and greater. Order of Finish USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Practice, Practice, Practice! The more experience you gain, the more comfortable you will be! You are still a stroke and turn judge! Practice, Practice, Practice! USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Additional Resources USA Swimming Web Site: http://www.usaswimming.org OFFICIALS TRAINING RESOURCES TAB Test & Rule Book (Starter Test) NATIONAL CERTIFICATION & Evaluation Tab The “Professional” Starter Georgia Swimming Web Site: http://www.gaswim.org Meets to apprentice at (Always read your meet info before going to a meet) Georgia Official Site: http://www.gaofficials.org

USA Swimming National Officials Committee Next Steps Take On Line Open Book Test – USA Swimming Site (pass with 85%) 1 Apprentice Form*** Always take with you to meets 2 Certification Cards (Emailed PDF) Keep Apprentice form with you until you have certification card. 3 USA Swimming National Officials Committee

QUESTIONS? USA Swimming National Officials Committee