1. USA Swimming Stroke & Turn Clinic

2. Clinic Logistics Timeline, facilities Introductions Bathrooms Breaks
Clinician(s)
You!
Club
Children in swimming?
Years of experience at a swim meet
Why you’re here

3. Agenda 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Officiating philosophy Rules Judging process
Assignment and jurisdiction of officials 4
Officials’ uniform 5
Certification requirements 6
Resources 7

4. Motivation for Volunteering
Wanted to do something useful
Thought I would enjoy the work
Family member or friend would benefit
Previously benefited from activity
Wanted to learn; to get experience

5. Reasons for Volunteering
To use skills in a new setting
To explore new interests
To gain work experience
To learn new skills
To find new friends
To develop a sense of accomplishment and self worth
To challenge oneself
To work for a cause
To gain recognition for ones abilities
To meet requirements of a course or program

6. 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.

7. 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 swimmers
Swimmers get the benefit of the doubt
We do not judge style
Demonstrate impartiality and professionalism on deck

8. “Goals” by Officiating
Ensure a safe environment on deck and in the water
Fairness to all competitors, giving the benefit of the doubt, in every instance, to the swimmer
Identify “improvement areas” for coaches and swimmers
Have fun!!!

9. Basic Concept 1: Take officiating seriously and work hard at it
Study USA Swimming’s official rulebook
Uniformly interpret and apply rules regardless of the levels of athletes
Call violations as seen; don’t guess or anticipate (Use “DQ-slip” as memory jogger)
Be fair and consistent; always give the benefit of the doubt to the swimmer
Disregard club affiliation
Exercise good judgment

10. Basic Concept 2: Work regularly at the job.
Officials need practice, just as competitors do
Working regularly builds confidence
Attend training sessions regularly to keep up with rule changes and new interpretations
There is no substitute for experience

11. Basic Concept 3: Be professional in manner
Fairness to all competitors must dictate actions
Dress properly
Make decisions quickly and decisively
Avoid coaching swimmers
Admit a mistake if wrong, competitor’s welfare is more important than your own ego.

12. Basic Concept 4: Uniform (North Texas)
White top (polo shirt)
Navy pants, slacks, skirt or shorts
White footwear with rubber soles
(Prelim – Finals Meet – Final session)
Navy top (polo shirt)
Khaki slacks, skirt or shorts

13. USA Swimming HQ – Denver, CO Divided into Texas – 5 LSC’s Zones (4)
Regions (14)
LSC’s (59)
Texas – 5 LSC’s
NT – North Texas

14. The rules of swimming USA Swimming rules: Shall and must May
Found online at USA Swimming
In USA Swimming rulebook which will be sent to you in late January
Shall and must
May

15. Rules Review rules before every swim meet
A stroke briefing is conducted at the officials meeting held before each session
Refer to your rulebook or ask other officials for clarification when you are unsure
The answers to all questions in the online test can be found in the USA Swimming rulebook
Be sure to use 2014 rulebook for online test
For Masters Swimming questions, refer to complete online rulebook

16. The officials team Referee Starter Administrative Official Chief Judge
Stroke & Turn Judge
Meet Director
Timers

17. We swim four strokes
CLINICIAN NOTE: This section is NOT a stroke briefing. Remember that your audience has not really looked at the rules before – you are introducing them to what the stroke looks like. Do not get hung up on technicalities, or present like a stroke briefing. You will “recycle” this information many times. This section is designed as an INTRODUCTION, and to prepare participants for what to look for in the pool

18. Components of a stroke
START – from the start of race until head breaks the surface
SWIM – from head breaking surface until beginning of last stroke into the turn/finish
TURN – from the beginning of the last full stroke into the wall until head breaks the surface
FINISH – from beginning of the last full stroke into the wall to the touch at the end of the prescribed distance OR at the time the judge shifts the vision to watch the wall at the touch
Clinicians: this first pass through the rules/descriptions of the strokes should NOT be a stroke briefing. Explain in words, terms and motions as simply as possible what the stroke is supposed to look like.

19. Freestyle What to look for: Any stroke(s) Any kick(s)
Swimmer must touch the wall at each turn and at the finish; any part of the body may be used
At start and turns, head must break surface of water by the 15 meter mark
Head = chin

20. Backstroke What to look for: Swim on back
Start in water with back to the course
Feet and toes may not be in or bend over the edge of the gutter
Swim on back
Any stroke(s)
Any kick(s)
Some part of swimmer must touch the wall at completion of each length, and at the finish, on back
CLINICIAN: Introduce using the line of the shoulders as “at or past vertical” toward breast or back. Do not get hung up on this concept yet…again, introduction to what usually happens. Do not highlight possible DQs at this point

21. Backstroke
If submerged at the start and turns, head must break the water surface by the 15 meter mark
Head = chin
At each turn, the swimmer MAY:
Turn to breast and may utilize a continuous single or continuous simultaneous double arm pull to initiate the turn
The backstroke “flip turn”
Once swimmer touches wall, the turn is complete
Swimmer leaves wall on back

22. Breaststroke What to look for: Forward start Must swim on the breast
Cycle stroke: one pull and one kick, in that order;
Head breaks surface every cycle
Pull: Simultaneous arm movement in same horizontal plane
Hands recover from the breast on, under or over water
Elbows under water except last stroke before turn or finish

23. Breaststroke
Kick: Simultaneous vertical and horizontal movements of the legs; feet turned out during propulsive phase
At turns and finish:
body must be on the breast;
Touch must be made with both hands -- separated and simultaneously -- at, above or beneath the water’s surface
Shoulders at or past vertical toward breast when feet leave wall

24. Breaststroke pullouts
After the start and each turn:
During first arm pull, hands MAY be brought completely beyond hip line
Swimmer MAY at any time prior to the first breaststroke kick, take a single butterfly kick
Head must break surface at widest part of second pull
* Note the change of the kick *

25. Butterfly What to look for: Must swim on breast
Pull: Arms must be brought forward simultaneously over water and recovered simultaneously under the water
Kick: All up and down movement of the feet and legs must be simultaneous
At turns and finish, touch must be made with both hands -- separated and simultaneously -- at, above, or below the water’s surface

26. Butterfly start and turns
If submerged at start and following turns, head must break surface by 15 meter mark
One arm pull under water is allowed which must bring swimmer to surface
After each turn, swimmer must return to breast
No cycle: swimmer may take as many kicks or pulls as he/she likes

27. Individual medley Forward start
Butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle
Freestyle is any stroke not in the style of the other three
Rules for each stroke apply
Intermediate turns conform to turn rules for that stroke
Transition turns conform to finish rules for that stroke
Freestyle start and turn must be toward the breast off the wall

28. Medley relay Backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle
Freestyle is any stroke not in the style of the other three
Rules for each stroke apply
Intermediate turns conform to turn rules for that stroke
Transition turns conform to finish rules for that stroke
No swimmer shall swim more than one leg
Each swimmer must leave the pool immediately upon finishing his/her leg, except the last swimmer

29. USA Stroke & Turn Training Video

30. Legal? or not?

31. Infractions: all strokes
Did not finish
Walking on or pushing off the bottom
Pulling on lane lines
Not touching the wall at each end
Interfering with another swimmer
Not starting and finishing in the same lane
Unsportsmanlike conduct
Delay of meet (Referee’s jurisdiction)
False start (Starter’s and Referee’s jurisdiction)

32. Judging swimmers with physical disabilities
Rule 105
Newly rewritten
If there are swimmers with disabilities participating, Referee will notify judges in advance
Judge any part of that body that is used
Do not judge a part of the body that cannot be used
Base your judgment on the rule, not the swimmer’s technique

33. Relay take-off judging
Referee or Chief Judge assigns positions
Lane judge stands beside the blocks and looks to side of pool (inside out); side judge stands at edge of pool and looks inward (outside in)
“Toes to Nose” When the toes of the outgoing swimmer leave the blocks, look down to see if the incoming swimmer has touched

34. Relay take-off slip
If you observe an early take-off, mark x on the swimmer # for that lane. Do not raise your hand as dual confirmation is required.
Referee or designee will collect all slips after the event is complete in order to check for dual confirmation of early take- offs.

35. When you observe an infraction
Upon observing an infraction within your jurisdiction, raise your hand overhead
Keep your hand up long enough that it is clearly seen by Referee, Chief Judge, and Coach
If you raise your hand, you don’t have to make a call. If you don’t raise your hand, you cannot make a call
The benefit of the doubt goes to the swimmer
After signaling a DQ, continue to observe all the swimmers in your jurisdiction

36. When observing a violation
Did it happen inside my jurisdiction?
RAISE YOUR HAND with a straight arm above your head
REVIEW – THINK – What did I really observe??
Be ready to tell the Chief Judge about your observation and explain why it was a violation
Remember, you can always recall your decision after raising your arm.

37. When you observe an infraction
Make notes on your heat sheet of your jurisdiction and what you observed
You will develop a shorthand that works for you
When you have no swimmers in your jurisdiction, or between heats, complete DQ slip
The disqualification slip (DQ) is the primary means of articulating a disqualification to coach and swimmer
Clinician – this works well as a stopping point before going to the pool for actual observations and commentary. Try to get to this point.

38. How to complete a disqualification (DQ) slip

39. Disqualification slip
Always record Event #, Heat #, Lane #
Name of swimmer or team (optional but helpful)
Violation – most, but not all, are printed on the slip
Your PRINTED name and trainer’s initials
Referee’s signature – the Referee must approve the DQ
Runner
Walk to Deck Referee (find the whistle)
Send with stroke judge or Chief Judge

40. Disqualification slip (cont’d)
Definitions:
START – from the start of race until head breaks the surface
SWIM – from head breaking surface until beginning of last stroke into the turn/finish
TURN – from the beginning of the last full stroke into the wall until head breaks the surface
FINISH – from beginning of the last full stroke into the wall to the touch at the end of the prescribed distance OR at the time the judge shifts the vision to watch the wall at the touch

41. Disqualification slip (cont’d)
If clarification is needed, be prepared to answer these three questions to Chief Judge or Referee:
What was your jurisdiction?
What did you see?
Paint a picture
Keep your hands still
Which rule was violated?
Use rulebook terminology
Clinician – use specific examples to give life to these points. E.g., I was watching lanes I saw the swimmer in lane 6 roll over onto his breast before he touched. I could see both shoulder blades. Past vertical toward the breast at finish of backstroke.

42. Disqualification process
S&T judge observes infraction within his/her jurisdiction and raises hand
S&T judge, or Chief Judge, completes a disqualification slip
S&T Judge, Chief Judge, or designated person ensures DQ slip is transferred quickly to Referee for approval
Referee approves DQ slip and delivers slip to Admin Judge who processes the information
Note: Referee has authority to overturn the disqualification
Copy of the slip delivered to swimmer’s coach
Final results reflect the swimmer’s disqualification

43. Disputes over calls by coaches or parents
Parents with questions should contact their Coach, who in turn may contact the Meet Referee
Coaches with questions should contact a Referee
Direct coach nicely; do not answer questions
Do not talk about calls with other officials on the deck or with club parents or friends in the stands or anywhere
Only ask about a call in the officials room during a meeting

44. NTS Official Uniform Plain white collared shirt (tucked in)
Tailored navy blue pants, shorts or skirt (no denim)
White socks
White non-skid shoes
USA credentials
Nametag

45. Preparing for the meet
Prior to meet, communicate with Referee that you wish to continue your training
Find Meet Packet on NTS website or your team’s site
Read up on rules prior to the meet, and bring your USA Swimming rulebook with you
Wear the uniform and display your credentials
Sign in to officiate; find out time of officials meeting

46. Preparing for the meet (cont’d)
Attend the officials briefing prior to the meet to receive instructions and assignments
Meet trainer
Find out how heat sheets will be distributed
Bring a writing implement (and clipboard)
Bring your on deck training card for the official you worked with to complete with you and sign

47. Meet Organization

48. Positions around the pool 8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1

49. Jurisdictions  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1

50. Types of judges
Stroke Judge – sometimes called Walker, walks the sides of the pool; may be two walkers on each side called lead-lag
Also responsible for 15 meter mark for freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, and medley events
Responsible for half the lanes
Referee determines jurisdiction for each stroke
Turn Judges – stand at both ends of the pool
Responsible for turns and finishes
May be responsible for one or more lanes, most likely 2-3 lanes
Stroke and Turn Judge – judge both stroke and turns, jurisdiction is end wall to mid-pool
Often used in short course, when there are insufficient officials, or pool design precludes walkers

51. Position of Turn Judge At least one foot at edge of pool (balance!)
Hands and papers (heat sheet, DQ slips, clipboard, etc.) behind back or by sides when swimmers are in your jurisdiction
Look calm and professional
Step back when no swimmers are in your jurisdiction
If not directed where to stand by Referee, stand where you can see the swimmers in your jurisdiction

52. Fair and Equitable Judging
Judging should be consistent among different officials at a meet
Judging should be consistent at different meets
All of the rules are enforced
We don’t individually choose to enforce some rules and ignore others

53. Fair and Equitable Judging
The rules are enforced across all age groups and levels of ability
Officials demonstrate impartiality in their enforcement of the rules
Take officiating seriously and work at it. Competitors have a right to expect officials to know the rules and interpret them correctly, fairly, consistently, and courteously

54. Mental Traps Advantage vs. disadvantage The “twice theory”
“We don’t disqualify 8&Under swimmers”
Don’t infer – call what you see, not what you don’t see
Don’t ask me to judge my child

55. Conduct
No outward manifestations during a race regarding illegality of competitor except raised hand (NO pointing).
Do NOT cheer, coach or swap disqualifications; control your emotions
Minimize/avoid fraternization with swimmers, coaches or spectators; disregard club affiliation and personal relationships. Need to remain unbiased.

56. Conduct
Do not concentrate on frequent violators to the exclusion of others
Give undivided attention – start to finish
If uncertain of role, consult with the Referee (if you are on deck, make a call and report)

57. Stroke and Turn Judge Requirements to Complete Certification
Join USA Swimming/North Texas Swimming and display registration card while on deck ($52)
Must do background check Level 2 through USA Swimming ($39)
Must complete USA Swimming online Athlete Protection Training (FREE, but must be registered)
Attend training clinic and pass online test
Satisfactorily complete on deck training sessions
MUST COMPLETE ALL THESE REQUIREMENTS TO BE CERTIFIED.

58. For your training sessions…
Try to contact the Meet Referee in advance to see if good training can be accomplished.
Always carry your USA-S Membership Card and Officials Certification Card
You will be asked to show these to the meet referee
Seek excellent, experienced deck mentors.
Get Feedback! Always try to improve.
Use the updated training cards

59. Carry your cards All dates current!
Yours will show Stroke & Turn, Level T

60. After Training Complete your S&T online test
After completing your test, and when you are finished with your training sessions, scan (or photograph) and complete set of cards to the Officials Chair
Be sure you have taken your test
Congratulations!
Print and carry your new Certification Card for your next session.

61. Continuing your Stroke & Turn Judge certification
Renew membership with NTS and USA Swimming each year
Keep Level II Background Check and Athlete Protection Training current
Take online recertification test every two years or attend NTS Annual Officials Recertification Clinic
Work a minimum of 10 sanctioned meet sessions every year to recertify
Your training sessions will count
Swim season year (Sept. 1 – Aug. 31)
Tracked in OTS; you have capacity to track your own

62. Resources www.ntswim.org www.usaswimming.org Officials section
Volunteers
Officials
Rules & Regulations
Officials Online Tests
Training Resources – Officials Swimming Manual

63. If all else fails – ASK! Use all resources available Other officials
Referees
Area Officials Reps
Officials Chair
Officials Committee

64. Stroke & Turn Certification
Attend S&T Clinic
Register as USA Swimming Non-Athlete
S&T Tests (USA Swimming On-line/open book )
S&T
Timer
Apprentice on deck (BB, B/C level, or unclassified)
As observer, Min 5 sessions
As “primary”, Until recommended to apply
Work 10 sessions annually at 3 or more meets

65. Wrap up – Questions ?

66. Thanks for your participation! & GOOD LUCK!