A Review of Rules and Rule Interpretations What Did You See?

Session Agenda Excellence in Officiating The Rules – How a Bill Becomes a Law Rule Interpretations Observing Swims Writing DQs All the World’s a Stage... 9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 20122

Excellence in Officiating Expanding knowledge base Working regularly at the job Professionalism 9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 20123

Expanding Knowledge Base Share best practices Work outside of your LSC (National, Grand Prix, Sectionals, other Officials Qualifying Meets) Review Situations and Resolutions for Stroke & Turn Judges on USA Swimming site Read and ask questions regarding new rules or interpretations Discuss at officials meeting unusual situations that you have observed 9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 20124

9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012 How to find Officials Qualifying Meets (OQM) 5

9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012 Locating Situations & Resolutions  The practical application of the rules and interpretations 6

Working Regularly Officials need practice, just as competitors do. Working regularly builds confidence. Read USA and Illinois Swimming Officials Committee s and keep up with rule changes and new interpretations. There is no substitute for experience. 9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 20127

Professionalism 9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 20128

Shoes for (Safe Officiating) Crews Wondering about good-looking, affordable-priced, comfy, non-skid deck shoes???? Shoesforcrews.com 9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 20129

9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics

The Rules – How Bill Became a Law There are over 10,000 USA Swimming Officials 565 in Illinois alone Large organizations needs clarity in organization and consistency in application of the rules 9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics

Our Rules Mirror FINA – Federation Internationale de Natation 9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics

That Explains Everything O ui Oui – FINA An international organization that oversees all water sports (swimming, diving, water polo, synchronized swimming, open water and masters) A member Federation (i.e. country) submits a proposed rule change to the FINA Technical Swimming Committee. US representative since 1993 has been Carol Zaleski, London Olympics Meet Referee This twelve-person committee, each from a different Federation amends and votes Passed to the FINA Bureau of 26 members (across all water sports) for vote Finally to the Technical Congress of 180+ members for vote Rules are adopted every 4 years at LC World Championships following Olympics (2013 in Barcelona) Rules are translated into French Once passed by FINA, a technical rule is adopted into USA Swimming Rules via literal translation not interpretation. Blue pages in the rule book 9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics

Rules Interpretation 9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics

USA Swimming Rules & Regulations Committee Consists of 22 voting members, responsible for adoption of rules and interpretation Chaired by Dan McAllen All pages of the rule book Legislative changes annual deadline May 15 th 50%+1 vote Bylaw Change 66% vote After May 15 th 90% vote Meets 2x each year (June review and recommend; and at convention in September to vote) 9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics

Recent Rules Interpretations Breaststroke (USA-S Rule ) FINA Interpretation issued March 7, /23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics

Rules Interpretation: FINA BREASTSTROKE INTERPRETATION SW 7.1 After the start and after each turn, the swimmer may take one arm stroke completely back to the legs during which the swimmer may be submerged. A single butterfly kick is permitted during the first arm stroke, followed by a breaststroke kick. Interpretation The first arm stroke begins with the separation of the hands. SW 7.2 From the beginning of the first arm stroke after the start and after each turn, the body shall be on the breast. It is not permitted to roll onto the back at any time. From the start and throughout the race the stroke cycle must be one arm stroke and one leg kick in that order. All movements of the arms shall be simultaneous and on the same horizontal plane without alternating movement. Interpretation A pause after the separation of the hands is not a violation of the rule. March 13, /23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics

Rules Interpretation: USA-S 1. This interpretation is substituted for breaststroke interpretations issued on December 8, 2008 and April 14, which are hereby expressly revoked. 2. This interpretation requires “observable separation” to initiate the arm pull. No other action will initiate the arm pull. 3. This interpretation requires additional separation if the swimmer starts or leaves the wall after a turn with the hands already separated. 9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics

Recent Rules Interpretations BUTTERFLY INTERPRETATION Article requires that, in the butterfly stroke, “both arms” must be brought forward “over the water" and pulled back simultaneously. For purposes of Article , as it relates to the recovery of the arms in the butterfly stroke, it is the interpretation of the USA Swimming Rules & Regulations Committee that the “arm” is that portion of the body which extends from the shoulder to the wrist. It is also the interpretation of the Committee that "over the water" means that the arm, as defined above, must break the surface of the water during the recovery phase of each stroke. June 7, /23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012 Key: the arm, as defined, must break surface 19

Other Rules Reminders Backstroke Submerged prior to the finish of the backstroke Toes above the gutter BEFORE the start of the race Toes above the gutter AFTER the start of the race Surfacing by 15 meter “Situation” Once surfaced stay surfaced (until the next turn, repeat) Butterfly Alternating kick means moving legs in opposite directions 9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics

Where to Find Rules and Interpretations About> Rules & Regulations> Interpretation>Legislation & Bylaws Additional Resources Rule Book USA Swimming>Officials>Education and Training>Education and Training Resources The Professional... for each position [see your packet!] Officials Manual/Guide to Officiating Situations and Resolutions FAQs (Rules and Regulations) USA Swimming>Officials>Education and Training “You Make the Call” (situational examples) “On the same page” (to help us all be "on the same page" when it comes to swim officiating. If you have a topic or question that you would like to see discussed on the USA Swimming Officials website and/or Newsletter, use link) Illinois Swimming Officials web page 9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics

Observing Swims: Looky-See To accurately observe and report a stroke infraction without a doubt, we must observe the swimmers actions in the correct sequence The judge always should maintain an observation of the motion and position of entire body. Do not focus attention on one part of the body to the exclusion of the entirety. Exception: _________ ? 9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics

Observing the Freestyle 9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012 Conor Dwyer, Winnetka IL 23 Stroke judges at 15m marks, one side to watch all lanes “outbound”, other watches all lanes “inbound” Do not observe 15m if pool is not marked on the lane lines (cones/paint on deck is not sufficient) [ ] Do not observe the finish All judges should observe “middle” of swim for obvious infractions or distressed swimmers.

Observing the Butterfly Start/Swim: shoulders at/past vertical toward breast, arms recover over water simultaneously, legs kick without alternating Turn: 1. Arms recover over the water, touch wall with two- hands simultaneously 2. Watch feet leave wall, then look at shoulders to determine whether they are at or past vertical toward the breast Finish: Arms recover over the water, touch wall with two-hands simultaneously 9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012 Christine Magnuson, Tinley Park IL 24

Observing the Backstroke Start/Swim Outside start end judges observe feet for toes moving above lip of gutter after race starts. (inside judges remain seated) Observe shoulders for at or past vertical toward back (until turn) Turn: 1. Observe arm(s) pull to be continuous after turning to the breast. When pull completed (or not initiated) watch body to determine whether turn has been initiated. 2. Watch feet leave wall, then look at shoulders to determine whether they are at or past vertical toward the back. Finish: Watch shoulders to see if past vertical toward the breast, or if the entire body submerges, → then look to see if swimmer has touched the wall. 9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012 Olivia Smoliga, Glenview IL 25

Observing the Breaststroke Start 1. Watch initiation of butterfly or breaststroke kick, then look to hands to see if there is an observable (or additional) separation of the hands. 2. Observe arms (not shoulders) for pull to move in same horizontal plane (as the water surface) 3. Watch for hands to begin to close from their widest part of the second stroke, then look to head to see if head has surfaced. Note the need to maintain observation of entire body throughout the swim 9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012 Matt Elliott, Peoria IL 26

Turn: 1. Watch hands to touch wall with both hands simultaneously 2. Watch feet leave wall, then look at shoulders to determine whether they are at or past vertical toward the breast. 3. Watch initiation of butterfly kick, then look to hands to see if there is an observable (or additional) separation of the hands. 4. If fly kick is used, watch for breaststroke kick. 5. Observe arms (not shoulders) for pull to move in same horizontal plane (as the water surface) 6. Watch for hands to begin to close from their widest part of the 2nd stroke, then look to head to see if head has surfaced. Finish: Watch hands to touch wall with both hands simultaneously 9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012 Observing the Breaststroke Rebecca Soni, American Sweetheart 27

Observing the I.M. Fly-to-Back Turn Watch feet leave wall, then look at shoulders to determine whether they are at or past vertical toward the back Back-to-Breast Turn Watch to see if shoulders go past vertical toward the breast, or if the entire body submerges, then look to see if swimmer has touched the wall. Watch feet leave wall, then look at shoulders to determine whether they are at or past vertical toward the breast Do not observe freestyle finish. 9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012 Tyler McGill, Champaign IL ; Ryan Lochte ; Kyler Van Swol, Frankfort IL 28

Writing DQ’s The Rule: Disqualifications: On signed slips, heat, lane, event, and infraction Other key points: Print your name, not signature If possible, include name of swimmer and club affiliation (for notification purposes) Portion of the swim (start, swim, turn, finish) and location (e.g. T2) Officials briefings should include a clear understanding of whether a short detail of the observed infraction should be on the DQ slip (e.g. 1HT RHO) or just on the heat sheet The DQ slip is a communication tool, especially the two part USA Swimming forms How we use it depends on the needs of the meet At Championship meets, all notes are on judge and CJ heat sheets 9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics

All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players Stroke & Turn – Witness Chief Judge – Defense Attorney Referee – Judge and Jury Meet Referee – Court of Appeal 9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics

Make sure the BENEFIT OF DOUBT GOES TO THE SWIMMER – ALWAYS Adapt to meet conditions and help out wherever requested, but remain within your role Apply and use COMMON SENSE generously Don’t read more into the rules than is written Observe the swims but do not scrutinize Exhibit confidence; the competent are never imperious Dress professionally and neatly in the designated uniform Be willing to learn, and frequently work as Stroke and Turn Judge Never take advantage of credentials to gain deck access when not working in an official capacity Self evaluate after all sessions and meets. Ask yourself “What can I do better?” Enjoy what you do and opportunity to work with coaches, officials and swimmers In Closing…. [From The Professional Stroke and Turn Judge] 9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics

Thank You 9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics