USA Swimming� and the Naperville Swim Conference�Stroke and Turn Judge Clinic

Clinic Instructor: [Insert Name Here]

2024 Summer Season

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USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Clinic Overview

• Introduction
• Philosophy of Officiating
• Expectations and Professional Conduct
• Technical Rules
• Working a Meet
• Pursuing Certification
• Questions

USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Philosophy of Officiating

• Everything is grounded in the rules. The rules determine what is allowed and what is not.

- “Ugly but legal”

- Officials are NOT coaches

• Observers, not inspectors
• Observation should be consistent for all rules and all swimmers
• Do NOT infer or extrapolate
• Swimmer ALWAYS gets the benefit of the doubt

USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Teamwork

• Meet Referee/Deck Referee is in charge
• Cooperate and respect all at all times
• Accept assignment without complaint
• Answer questions from Referees and Chief Judges honestly and with as much detail as possible
• Follow established relief protocols

USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Uniform and Self-Presentation

• Uniform Requirements

- Khaki pants or knee-length shorts or skirt

- White (collared) polo shirt, tucked in

- Sneakers, sandals, crocs, etc.

- Belt

- Credential and/or nametag

• Look professional at all times!

USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Conduct Expectations

• Maintain positive attitude at all times
• No cell phone usage on deck
• Do not cheer for or coach swimmers
• Control emotions on deck
• Do not discuss calls with anyone other than Referees or Chief Judges unless asked
• Smile!

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USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Definitions

• Arm––That part of the body that extends from the shoulder to the wrist
• Body––The torso, including the shoulders and hips
• Finish––The instant that a swimmer touches the wall at the end of the prescribed distance
• Horizontal––Parallel to the surface of the water
• May––Permissive, not mandatory

USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Definitions

• On the Back––Position of the body when the shoulders are at or past vertical towards the back
• On the Breast––Position of the body when the shoulders are at or past vertical towards the breast
• Propulsive––Having the power to propel
• Scissor Kick––Use of the top of the instep of one foot and the bottom of the other foot in the propulsive part of the kick
• Shall––Mandatory

USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Definitions

• Simultaneously––Occurring at the same time
• Touch––Contact with the end of the course
• Turn––A point where the swimmers reverse or change direction
• Vertical––Perpendicular to the water surface
• Wall––Vertical portion of the pool, contiguous surfaces of the deck and overflow gutter, the front portion of the starting block or platform, or the touchpad at the end of the course

USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Technical Rules

• Freestyle
• Backstroke
• Butterfly
• Breaststroke
• Individual Medley
• Relays

USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Technical Rules- Freestyle

Start

• Forward start.

Stroke/Kick

• Any style may be used. Must break surface throughout the race except swimmer may be submerged after start and each turn not more than 15 meters where head must break surface.

Turns/Finish

• Some part of swimmer must touch the wall at completion of each length or required distance.

USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Common Infractions- Freestyle

• Head did not break surface of water by 15 meter mark
• Walking on/springing from bottom
• No touch at turn
• Use of lane line to propel

USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Technical Rules- Backstroke

Start

• In water facing start end with both hands on gutter or starting grips.

A) Guttered pool- Feet/toes may be above the water, but may not be in, on, above lip, or bent over the gutter at any time before or after start.

B) Flat wall pads- Feet/toes may be placed above the water level.

C) When using backstroke ledges- The toes of both feet must be in contact with the wall

Stroke/Kick

• Any style as long as swimmer remains on the back. Must break surface throughout the race except swimmer may be submerged after start and each turn not more than 15 meters where head must break surface. (See Finish for update)

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USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Technical Rules- Backstroke

Turns

• During turn swimmer may go past vertical to the breast and may utilize a continuous single or continuous simultaneous double arm pull to initiate the turn.
• Some part of the swimmer must touch the wall at the completion of each length.
• Shoulders at or past vertical toward back when feet leave wall.

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USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Technical Rules- Backstroke

Finish

• Some part of swimmer must touch the wall while on the back.
•  Additionally, once some part of the head of the swimmer has passed the 5 yard mark(or 5 meter mark if pool in meters) immediately prior to reaching the finish, the swimmer may be completely submerged prior to the touch.

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USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Common Infractions- Backstroke

• Toes above lip of gutter after start
• Head did not break surface of water by 15 meter mark
• Shoulders past vertical towards breast
• Delay initiating arm pull
• Delay initiating turn

USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Technical Rules- Butterfly

Start

• Forward start

Stroke

• Body kept on breast.
• Multiple kicks permitted but first arm pull must bring swimmer to the surface.
• Must break surface throughout the race except swimmer may be submerged after start and each turn not more than 15 meters where head must break surface.
• Arms, shoulder to wrist, brought forward over water and pulled back simultaneously.

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USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Technical Rules- Butterfly

Kick

• Simultaneous up and down movement.
• No alternating, scissors, or breaststroke kicking movements.

Turns/Finish

• Shoulders at or past vertical toward breast when the swimmer leaves the wall.
• Touch should be made with both hands separated and simultaneous at, above, or below the water surface.

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USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Common Infractions- Butterfly

• Head did not break surface of water by 15 meter mark
• Alternating kick
• Breaststroke kick
• Scissors kick
• Non-simultaneous arms
• Underwater recovery
• One hand touch
• Non-simultaneous touch

USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Technical Rules- Breaststroke

Start

• Forward start.

Stroke

• Body kept on breast.
• Stroke cycle is one arm pull and one leg kick in that order.
• Simultaneous arm movement in same horizontal plane. NOTE:This rule is no longer enforced.
• After start and each turn one arm stroke may be completely back to legs. Head must break surface at widest part of second pull.
• Recovery by the hands from the breast-on, under, or over the water. Elbows under water except last stroke before turn or finish.

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USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Technical Rules- Breaststroke

Kick

• After start and each turn, prior to the first breaststroke kick, a single butterfly kick is permitted.
• Movement of the legs shall be simultaneous vertically and horizontally.
• Feet turned out during propulsive part of kick.
• No alternating, scissors, or butterfly kick, except as stated, is allowed.

Turns/Finish

• Shoulders at or past vertical toward breast when feet leave wall.
• Touch shall be made with both hands separated and simultaneously at, above, or below the water surface.
• At the last stroke before the turn and at the finish an arm stroke not followed by a leg kick is permitted.
• Head may be submerged after the last arm pull prior to the touch, provided it breaks the surface of the water at some point during the last complete or incomplete stroke cycle preceding the touch.

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USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Common Infractions- Breaststroke

• Head did not break surface of water by widest part of second stroke
• Butterfly kick
• Scissors kick
• Alternating kick
• Arms past hipline
• One hand touch
• Non-simultaneous touch

USA Swimming National Officials Committee

NSC Rule Variances

• Backstroke Turns – NSC uses Illinois High School Association Backstroke Turn Rules.
• During turns (usually between the backstroke flags and the wall), a swimmer MAY go past vertical to the breast and MAY utilize a continuous single or continuous simultaneous double arm pull to initiate the turn.
• After the initiation of the turning action, no other arm pulls may be started.
• However, kicking and gliding actions are permitted.
• 6&u Infractions – In 6&u events, NSC rules do not permit swimmers to be disqualified, unless the swimmer doesn’t maintain the correct body position. (e.g. A swimmer swims the backstroke by using the freestyle stroke/body position).
• Definition of Arms during the Butterfly – NSC relaxes the arm recovery interpretation during the Butterfly stroke. Any part of the arm brought forward (breaking the water) simultaneously over the water is legal.
• In USA Swimming, the arms of a swimmer are defined from the shoulder to the wrist.
• In NSC Swimming, the arms of a swimmer are defined from the shoulder to the fingertips.
• 15m Mark Violations – Most swimming pools used by the members of NSC do not mark the 15m length. Therefore, the backstroke flags are commonly utilized for any 15m disqualifications.

NSC modifies several USA Swimming Rules for the benefit of the summer swimmer.

Technical Rules- Individual Medley

Start

• Forward start

Stroke/Kick

• Rules for each stroke apply.
• Must swim ¼ of event distance as prescribed in stroke, in order of Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Freestyle.
• May not swim in the style of the other three strokes during the freestyle leg.

Turns/Finish

• Intermediate turns conform to the turn rules for the stroke.
• Transition turns conform to the finish rules for the stroke.

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USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Common Infractions- Individual Medley

• Swimming more than ¼ of the race in the style of butterfly, backstroke, or breaststroke

USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Technical Rules- Relays

Freestyle Relay

• Freestyle rules apply.
• Each swimmer must swim ¼ of distance.

Medley Relay

• Rules pertaining to each stroke apply.
• Each swimmer must swim ¼ of event distance as prescribed stroke, in order of Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly, and Freestyle.
• May not swim in the style of the other three strokes during the freestyle leg.

Takeoffs

• Swimmer’s feet/foot must remain in contact with the starting platform until the incoming swimmer has touched the finish wall or pad.

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USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Common Infractions- Relays

• Early takeoff
• Swimming more than ¼ of the race in the style of butterfly, backstroke, or breaststroke (if a medley relay)

USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Working a Meet

• Attend Stroke Briefing: Typically held ~ 30 mins prior to start of meet.
• Assignments and Jurisdiction
• Observation Techniques
• Reporting Disqualifications

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USA Swimming National Officials Committee

Understanding Whistles Commands

IHSA STARTERS’ PROTOCOLS

• Forward Starts
• Starter/referee signals the swimmers with a series of short whistles (no fewer than 4) to approach the blocks and prepare to swim.
• When all swimmers have approached the blocks, starter/referee blows a long whistle for the heat to step onto the block and take their preparatory position.
• Once all swimmers are on the blocks, the referee immediately turns the heat over to the starter
• When the swimmers are prepared, the starter says ‘take your mark”.
• When swimmers have assumed the correct starting position and are motionless, starter activates the starting signal
• Backstroke Starts
• The starter/referee signals the swimmers with a series of short whistles (no fewer than 4) to approach the side of the blocks and prepare to swim.
• When all swimmers are at the side of the blocks, starter/referee blows a long whistle for the heat to immediately step into the water. When all swimmers have surfaced, starter/referee blows a second long whistle to have the swimmers return to the wall and immediately assume their starting positions
• Once all swimmers are on the blocks, the referee immediately turns the heat over to the starter
• When the swimmers are prepared, the starter says ‘take your mark”.
• When swimmers have assumed the correct starting position and are motionless, starter activates the starting signal
• Optional: If a swimmer (or swimmers) has not responded to the whistles, referee/starter may say “step up” or “step in”

DQ Disputes by Parents or Coaches

• Do not talk about calls on the deck with other officials or with parents, friends, coaches, or other swimmers on deck, in the stands, or anywhere else.
• Parents with questions or concerns about a call should talk with their Coach – In a courteous manner, please direct them to their coach.
• The Coach with any questions should contact the Referee – If a coach asks you about your call, please direct them to the Referee in a courteous manner.
• If you have questions about a call or rule, please ask another official or the Referee when you are not officiating or after the meet.

Certification

• In-Person Training
• Confirmed Attendance: Submitted to each club for printing of Name Badges
• Name Badges checked by Meet Referee

USA Swimming National Officials Committee

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QUESTIONS?

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USA Swimming National Officials Committee