Referee ClinicStroke and Turn Judging

Code of ConductSome Thoughts from “Officiating Swimming: A training manual for

officials of USA Swimming”David Coleman

IntroductionWell run meets depend upon well prepared officials

They have studied the rulesThey have attended training sessions and clinicsThey work all levels of meets regularly

They assist the referee in creating a fair and equitable competition.

Benefit of any doubt goes to the swimmer!!!

Fairness to all competitors, giving the benefit of the doubt, in every instance to the swimmer.

Ugly is not necessarily illegal.

Basic ConceptsTake officiating seriously and work hard at it.

Study the rulesCall violations as seenBe consistentDisregard swimmer’s age, identity, or clubBe fair and unbiased

Work regularly at the job.

We need practice, just as the swimmers do.Regular work increases confidenceKeep with the rule changesNo substitute for experience!

Basic ConceptsBe Professional in manner.

Make decisions quickly and decisively.Avoid coaching swimmers.Refrain from cheering: control your emotions

Be Professional Don’t fraternize with swimmers, coaches, or spectators during the competition.Admit a mistake if wrong …Give undevided attention to your assignment: start to finish.

Stroke JudgeResponsible for observing the 15 meter mark for all strokes except breaststroke at the start.Stroke judges walk the side of the pool observing the swimmers in your jurisdiction.

Breaststroke and Butterfly: walking abreast or slightly behind the swimmers.

Pace: stay up with the swimmersDon’t loose contact with the lead swimmers, while staying slightly ahead of the trailing swimmers

Turn JudgeTurn judges are positioned at either end of the pool.

When judging multiple lanes, the official will have to adjust her/his position to best observe all assigned lanes.

See the attached debate on such movement

At the start, the turn judge steps forward to the side of the pool to observe the first strokes and kicks. Do not block the view of the timers before the start.

Reporting ViolationsOnly the Referee and the stroke and turn judges can disqualify for stroke, turn or finish violations.

Upon observing a violation in your jurisdiction, you must raise one hand overhead..

There is no violation if this is not done, unless the Referee personally saw the violation and raise her/his hand.

Reporting ViolationsViolations are reported to the referee who must confirm the violation.

Chief Judges, if present, will record the violation on a DQ slip when possible.Be ready to answer the “3 Questions”

Where were you? (jurisdiction)What did you see? (description)What rule was broken? (infraction)

Reporting ViolationsAfter listening to your answers, don ’t take it personally if the referee disallows the DQ. They need to do their job too.

Every reasonable effort will be made to notify the swimmer or coach of the DQ and the reason for it.

DisqualificationsOnly made by an official who has jurisdictionMust be a personal observationGive the swimmer the benefit of the doubtApply this test: Be sure the DQ occurred, understand clearly what it is, and be prepared to explain it.

DisqualificationsUnsportsmanlike or unsafe conduct observed by the Stroke and Turn Judge shall be reported to the Referee.The swimmer must start and finish in the same lane. Interference with another swimmer shall be reported to referee if observed.Standing on the bottom of the pools during freestyle shall not be a DQ. In other strokes, except during the turns, standing on the bottom of the pool is a DQ.

DisqualificationsA swimmer who enters the pool or course in the area where a race is being conducted before all the swimmers have completed their race, shall be barred from her/his next individual race on that day or the next meet day.

Dipping goggles or splashes shall not be a DQ unless the action interferes with the competition.

DisqualificationsNo swimmer shall wear any devise or substance which improves buoyancy or speed during a race.

Goggles may be worn and rubdown oil applied if not considered excessive by the Referee.

Swimmers may not wear the insignia/logo of another club in competition if that other club objects.

Mental Traps in JudgingAdvantage vs. disadvantage

That the swimmer should not gain “unfair advantage” in the mission statement of swimming has led to some problems.

There is no intention that this phrase excuses judges from calling infractions that are observed “because no advantage was gained.”

This leads to sloppy officiating

Whether an advantage is gained or not, observed infractions must be reported.

Mental Traps in JudgingThe “Twice Theory”

Do I wait to see if the swimmer does the infraction again?

You either saw the infraction or you did not; “twice theory” is a crutchThe official who is certain of the observation, was in the proper position to observe it, and know what the rule is, shall make the call.If you are uncertain, the benefit goes to the swimmer.Don’t go back “Looking” for the infraction that you think you may have seen: give all competitors equal coverage.

Mental Traps in JudgingWe don’t disqualify 8 & unders.

This assumes that the role of judging is punitive.

DQ’s protect the other athletes in the competitionDQ’s are source for the education of the athlete

Not all 8 & unders are new to the sport; not all 15-16’s are experienced. Feeling that you will traumatize the child is ludicrous. Children learn from constructive corrections.

Mental Traps in JudgingDon’t ask me to judge my child.

Judges sometimes think that the perception will be that my child got away with something because I was the judge. OrJudges feel that they don’t want to have to explain to their child why she/he was disqualified.REMEMBER Professionalism: we treat all equitable and fairly all the time.The judge must separate herself/himself from their parenting role and accept the responsibility of being a USA Swimming judge.

Mental Traps in JudgingDon’t Infer or Extrapolate

YOU CAN ONLY CALL WHAT YOU SEENOT WHAT YOU EXPECT TO SEENOT WHAT YOU ASSUME HAPPENED

YOU MUST SEE THAT THE SWIMMER’S RIGHT HAND DID NOT TOUCH THE WALL SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE LEFT ON BREASTSTROKE TURN.Don’t look for reasons to disqualify. Just observe the swim and report what you see.

Judging Swimmers with Physical Disabilities

Judge in accordance with USA Swimming rules, any part of the body that is used.Do not judge a part of the body that cannot be used.Base your judgment on the actual rule, not the swimmer’s technique.

ConclusionsOfficiating can be an enjoyable experience.

Self-satisfaction at a job well-doneBeing well prepared and participating with the athletes is very rewarding.Reassess your own performance so improvement continuesContinue to review the rules and attend clinics and training sessions.

Code of EthicsMembership is a privilege.

It may withdrawn or denied if a “member’s conduct is inconsistent with the mission of the organization or the best interest of the sport and those who participate in it.” 304.1

Code of Conduct“Any member or prospective member of USA Swimming may be denied membership, censured, placed on probation, suspended … fined or expelled from USA Swimming if such member violates the provisions of the USA Swimming Code of Conduct … or aids, abets or encourages another person to violate any provisions of the USA Swimming Code of Conduct.” 304.2

Code of Conduct304.3.1: Violation of the right to compete provisions found in Sections 301.1 through 301.4

301.1: right to compete301.2: right to compete internationally and limits placed on educational institutions seeking to limit that right301.3-4: due process rights

Code of Conduct304.3.2: Violation of anti-doping provisions set forth in Section 303.4 or 303.5304.3.3: discrimination based race, color, religion, age, sex, or national origin.

Code of Conduct304.4: violation of Athlete Protection Policies (see Article 305)304.5: violation of Sexual Misconduct Reporting Requirements (see Article 306)

Code of Conduct304.3.6: Conviction of, imposition of a deferred sentence for, or any plea of guilty or no contest at any time, past, present, or the existence of any pending charges, for:

Any felonyAny offense involving use, possession, distribution or intent ot distribute illegal drugs or substancesAny crime involving sexual misconduct

Code of Conduct304.3.7: Bullying is prohibited …

Severe or repeated use by one or more USA Swimming members of an oral, written, electronic, or other technological expression, image, sound, data, or intelligence of any nature, … or a physical act or gesture … directed at any Member Causes reasonable fear of harm, actual harm, hostile environment, infringing on rights of Member, disrupts training process.

Code of Conduct304.3.8: any inappropriate sexual conduct or advance, or other oral, written visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature directed towards an athlete by a coach or other non-athlete member, or by any adult participating in any capacity whatsoever in the activities of USA Swimming …

Code of Conduct304.3.9: “The sale or distribution of illegal drugs or the illegal sale or distribution of any substance listed on FINA’s recognized list of banned substances”

Code of Conduct304.3.10: “The use of illegal drugs in the presence of an athlete, by a coach, official, trainer of, or a person who, in the context of swimming, is in a position of authority over that athlete”

Code of Conduct304.3.11: “The providing of alcohol to an athlete by a coach, official, trainer, manager or any other person where the athlete is under the legal age allowed to consume or purchase alcohol in the state where the alcohol is provided”

Code of Conduct304.3.12: “The abuse of alcohol in the presence of an athlete under the age of 18, by a coach, official, trainer of, or a person who, in the context of swimming, is in a position of authority over that athlete”

Code of Conduct304.3.13: “Physical abuse of an athlete by any person who, in the context of swimming, is in a position of authority over that athlete”

• 304.3.14: “Any act of fraud, deception or dishonesty in connection with any USA Swimming-related activity”

Code of Conduct• 304.3.15: “Any non-consensual

physical contact, obscene language or gesture, or other threatening language or conduct directed towards any meet official and which is related to any decision made by such official in connection with a USA Swimming-sanctioned competition”

Code of Conduct• 304.3.16:

– Recruiting or even encouraging registered swimmers to leave their present clubs and join a new club are prohibited.

• Permission to recruit must be obtained from the athlete’s present coach. Athletes, their parents, or representatives may initiate such a contact.

Code of Conduct• 304.3.17: “Violation of any team

misconduct rule as established by the USOC, USA Swimming, any Zone or LSC team authority”

• 304.3.18: “Any other act, conduct or omission which is detrimental to the image or reputation of USA Swimming, a LSC or the sport of swimming.”