USA Swimming Stroke

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USA SwimmingStroke Turn Clinic
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Clinic Logistics

• Timeline, facilities
• Bathrooms
• Breaks
• Introductions
• Clinician(s)
• You!
• Club
• Children in swimming?
• Years of experience at a swim meet
• Why youre here

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Agenda
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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

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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

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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.

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What does that mean?

• Success of every meet depends on the officials
  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

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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!!!

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Basic Concept 1 Take officiating seriously and
work hard at it

1. Study USA Swimmings official rulebook
2. Uniformly interpret and apply rules regardless of
   the levels of athletes
3. Call violations as seen dont guess or
   anticipate (Use DQ-slip as memory jogger)
4. Be fair and consistent always give the benefit
   of the doubt to the swimmer
5. Disregard club affiliation
6. Exercise good judgment

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Basic Concept 2 Work regularly at the job.

1. Officials need practice, just as competitors do
2. Working regularly builds confidence
3. Attend training sessions regularly to keep up
   with rule changes and new interpretations
4. There is no substitute for experience

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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, competitors welfare is
  more important than your own ego.

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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
• White footwear with rubber soles

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USA Swimming

• HQ Denver, CO
• Divided into
• Zones (4)
• Regions (14)
• LSCs (59)
• Texas 5 LSCs
• NT North Texas

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The rules of swimming

• USA Swimming rules
• Found online at USA Swimming
• In USA Swimming rulebook which will be sent to
  you in late January
• Shall and must
• May

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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

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The officials team

• Referee
• Starter
• Administrative Official
• Chief Judge
• Stroke Turn Judge
• Meet Director
• Timers

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We swim four strokes
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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

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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

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Backstroke

• What to look for
• 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

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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

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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

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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
  waters surface
• Shoulders at or past vertical toward breast when
  feet leave wall

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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

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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 waters surface

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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

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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

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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

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• USA Stroke Turn Training Video

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Legal?or not?
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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 (Referees jurisdiction)
• False start (Starters and Referees jurisdiction)

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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 swimmers
  technique

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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

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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.

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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 dont have to make a
  call. If you dont 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

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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.

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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

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How to complete a disqualification (DQ) slip
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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 trainers initials
• Referees signature the Referee must approve
  the DQ
• Runner
• Walk to Deck Referee (find the whistle)
• Send with stroke judge or Chief Judge

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Disqualification slip (contd)

• 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

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Disqualification slip (contd)

• 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

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Disqualification process

• ST judge observes infraction within his/her
  jurisdiction and raises hand
• ST judge, or Chief Judge, completes a
  disqualification slip
• ST 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 swimmers coach
• Final results reflect the swimmers
  disqualification

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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

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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

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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 teams
  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

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Preparing for the meet (contd)

• 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

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Meet Organization
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Positions around the pool
   8    
   7    
   6    
   5    
   4    
   3    
   2    
   1    
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Jurisdictions
   8    
   7    
   6    
   5    
   4    
   3    
   2    
   1    
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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
• Referee determines jurisdiction for each stroke
• 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

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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

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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 dont individually choose to enforce some
  rules and ignore others

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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

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Mental Traps

• Advantage vs. disadvantage
• The twice theory
• We dont disqualify 8Under swimmers
• Dont infer call what you see, not what you
  dont see
• Dont ask me to judge my child

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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.

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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)

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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) http//www.usaswimming.org/protect
• Attend training clinic and pass online test
• Satisfactorily complete on deck training sessions

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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

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Carry your cards
All dates current!
Yours will show Stroke Turn, Level T
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After Training

• Complete your ST online test
• After completing your test, and when you are
  finished with your training sessions, scan (or
  photograph) and email 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.

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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

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Resources

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

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If all else fails ASK!

• Use all resources available
• Other officials
• Referees
• Area Officials Reps
• Officials Chair
• Officials Committee

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Stroke Turn Certification

• Attend ST Clinic
• Register as USA Swimming Non-Athlete
• ST Tests (USA Swimming On-line/open book )
• ST
• 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

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Wrap up Questions?
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Thanks for your participation! GOOD LUCK!