Basics Training for USRowing Officials USRowing Annual Convention December 6, 2008 “Basics” USRowing Referee Committee

Basics Training for USRowing OfficialsBasics Training for USRowing Officials

USRowing Annual ConventionDecember 6, 2008

“Basics”USRowingReferee Committee

Why officials??Why officials??

two quotes from a recent Rowing News [15(9) Nov 2008]:

o “Race without officials’ launches … does your memory of the most fun you’ve had racing involve … mandatory pre-race meetings, false starts, traffic pattern violations, officials’ launches, or regatta time? Probably not.” [Topher Bordeau, Eight Things Every Rower HAS to Do!]

o “… in athletic competitions, it’s essential that every competitor lining up at the start has an equal chance to win. A level playing field keeps competition interesting: human effort gained through training and displayed by skill, motivation, and physical performance under pressure is the only thing that should determine who wins and who looses.” [Volker Nolte, A Shortcut to Nowhere]

2008 USRowing Annual Convention

Trained and certified Trained and certified officials provide the best officials provide the best assurance that competitors will assurance that competitors will consistentlyconsistently experience fairness (and safety!) in their racingexperience fairness (and safety!) in their racing

“consistent fairness” …

o the rules are the same, everywhere

o there is a common basis for the application of the rules

o there is a common interpretation of the rules


The standards for training and certifying licensed USRowing officials establishes the “level playing field” that serves as the foundation for fair competition.

The standards by which The standards by which allall USRowing officials are USRowing officials are trained and certified are established through the trained and certified are established through the Rules of RowingRules of Rowing


Rule 2-101: Primary Duties of Officials (*)

o to provide for the safety of competitors and officials

o to ensure that all crews have a fair and equal opportunity of winning or placing

o where a crew has been affected by unfair advantage or disadvantage … to restore fair racing conditions

Our job is to always ensure that these fundamental intentions of the Rules are always applied and met.

The rules for rowing are really quite straightforward …The rules for rowing are really quite straightforward …

1. the equipment is safe & fair

2. “like competes against like”

3. start each race fairly

4. race fairly

5. judge the results with certainty

6. settle disputes equitably and fairly


was each individual race, and the competition overall, fair and safe?

basics training: there are specific procedures to accomplish each of the above

“consistency” implies everyone using (about) the same procedures

Trained and certified officials …Trained and certified officials …

have a “knowledgeable familiarity” with the Rules of Rowing and, agree to heed to a common and consistent interpretation of the Rules

understand and respect the purpose of the competition itself, in addition to the motivations of all who take part in the competition and will draw from a communal sense of “tribal knowledge” when

confronted with judgment decisions in the application of specific rules in various venues and at various levels of competition


Articles II through IV provide a means to an end, that being, competition that is consistently safe and fair …

… to achieve this end, we start by establishing a common foundation of individual knowledge and understanding of how these rules are to be applied

Today’s objectives for basics training:Today’s objectives for basics training:

control commission

o procedures for weighing athletes and boats

referee

o preparations and awareness at the start of each race

o responsibilities and awareness at the conclusion of each race


Control Commission:Control Commission:Weighing Competitors Weighing Competitors



Lightweight Weigh-Ins - RulesLightweight Weigh-Ins - Rules

Men

o Average weight must be 155 lbs or less

o Max weight is 160 lbs

o If juniors, max weight is 150 lbs

Women

o Max weight is 130 lbs

Coxswains aren’t counted


Coxswain Weigh-Ins - Rules & IssuesCoxswain Weigh-Ins - Rules & Issues

For women’s events, min weight is 110 lbs

For men’s events, min weight is 120 lbs

Lighter coxswains must carry weight

o Close to the coxswain’s torso

o May not distribute throughout boat

o Extra weight “may” be checked by Starter and at the end of the race, by the following referee

Tools, cox-boxes, clothing don’t count


Weigh-Ins - Process & IssuesWeigh-Ins - Process & Issues

How often? Once each day

When? During the time prior to the event

o One-hour long

o Window starts no more than 2 hours before and no less than 1 hour before scheduled time of first race in which weight is relevant

In what? Racing uniform, without shoes

How many times can competitors weigh-in?

o Does it matter how heavy they are? How heavy is too heavy?

Do you round? NO!

Can a protest be filed? If so, when?


Weigh-Ins - Prepare and Manage the AreaWeigh-Ins - Prepare and Manage the Area

Check scales

o Are they correct?o Use certified weight to verify scaleso If more than one, equalize the scales

Check volunteers and equipment

o Logs, stamp pads, stamps, wrist bandso Clock, radio or other communication devices

Be ready when window opens!!!

Think finish-line decorum!

o One crew at a time, Have coxswain prepare paperworko Coaches welcome, Quiet is beautiful, Prioritize “re-weighs”

De-mystify the process!!!

o If possible, post the weigh-in procedure for the crews to follow


Weigh-Ins - Respect the CompetitorsWeigh-Ins - Respect the Competitors

Don’t have food lying around

Don’t coddle; don’t be officious

Don’t make weight jokes

Watch what you say and how you say it

Remember the competitors are preparing for a race, most may be very worried about not making weight, thereby disappointing the other crew members

Substitutes/spares can be included in the crew weigh-in group


Weigh-Ins - Communicate the ResultsWeigh-Ins - Communicate the Results

Mark with stamp or wrist band competitors who make weight

Report boats that don’t make weight

Report boats carrying ballast and amount

Who needs to know?o Dockmastero Control commissiono Finishline Marshalo Start (and following referees)


Inform the Chief Referee of a crew not making weight or missing the event weigh-in time

Control Commission:Control Commission:Weighing BoatsWeighing Boats



Boat Weigh-Ins - Process & IssuesBoat Weigh-Ins - Process & Issues

Rules are not asterisked

Limited guidance regarding process

National team trials and major championship regattas may have boat weigh-ins. These weigh-ins may apply to all crews or just the winning crews.

The equipment of any crew may be checked at any time during the regatta, and the LOC should provide a facility for a crew to check the weight of its boat prior to racing

The boat weigh-in requirements will be in the regatta packet and/or instructions to the competitors. Boat weighing after finals MAY BE determined by random draw or specific direction from LOC and Chief Referee



The weight of a boat does not include oars, detachable loudspeaker, or electronic equipment

o Items that are not permanently affixed to the boat are not included

Seats, rudders, skegs, fins, and riggers are included in the boat’s weight

If a crew’s equipment does not comply (on check weight attempt), use a permanent method to attach additional weight, then reweigh the shell

If a crew’s equipment is found not to comply, the crew will not be placed

o The Jury will decide whether to accept the race results without the offending crew

o Inform the Chief Referee at once when a shell does not make weight



The following are minimum weights:

Category Weight (lbs) Weight (kgs)

1x 30.86 14

2x, 2- 59.53 27

2+ 70.55 32

4- 110.23 50

4+ 112.44 51

4x 114.64 52

4x+ 116.85 53

8+ 205.03 93

8x 213.85 972008 USRowing Annual Convention

Boat Weigh-Ins - Prepare & Manage the AreaBoat Weigh-Ins - Prepare & Manage the Area

Check scales

o Are they correct?

– Use certified weights to ensure that they are correct

o If more than one, equalize scales

Ensure scales are steady enough to hold the weight of a shell

Think finish-line decorum

o One crew at a time

o Coaches welcome

Do not announce boat weight

o Give the weight to Chief Referee or Trials Director

o Give the weight to the crew and/or coach


Boat Weigh-Ins - Respect the CompetitorsBoat Weigh-Ins - Respect the Competitors

Don’t make jokes about racing or the rules

Watch what you say

Be respectful. As referees, we should remember to respect all levels of competitors.

Boats not making weight result in medals being taken away; the person responsible may not acknowledge the issue

The thing to know is that you are there to ensure that everything is done within the rules and that the fastest boat, given all the conditions are equal, advances. The boat weight is included in keeping races fair. Weigh each boat on the same scale, or make sure you keep the scales equalized at all time. This will prevent any protests on the basis of boat weight


Preparing for the Start of the Race:Preparing for the Start of the Race:What Should the Referee Do? What Should the Referee Do?



Preparing for the StartPreparing for the Start

Be with the crews in the start area a few minutes early

Monitor the traffic pattern around and on the course

Help position crews into the platform or stake boats, if needed and requested by starter:

o Be patient!

o Use proper instructions and tone of voice

Identify each crew in the race

Double-check the progression of the upcoming race

Watch the crews, listen to commands

Check your equipment

Check for the other referee


Preparing for the StartPreparing for the Start

Are you standing up? –

o Informs Starter YOU are ready to take the race

Is your watch clear?

Are your flags ready? Separated? Which one is where? (Red flag accessible, but hidden?)

Megaphone ready?

Do the crews have a problem with the start?

Are you holding on? (How well did you go over the start procedure with your driver?)

What happens if someone does not start? Broken equipment?

What might go wrong? What is the risk?


Documents

Basics Training for USRowing Officials USRowing Annual Convention December 6, 2008 “Basics” USRowing Referee Committee