Delmarva Swim Association�2026 Referee/Starter Clinic

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Clinic Instructor: Nick Perchiniak

I’ll say it again….

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THANK YOU!!

Clinic Overview

• Introduction
• Roles and responsibilities
• Referee
• Starter
• Chief Judge
• Meet Procedures
• False Starts
• Handling Calls/DQs
• Interacting with Coaches

Introduction – The Team and The Goal

• The Team
• Referee
• Starter
• Chief Judges
• Stroke and Turn Officials
• The Goal
• Work together as a team
• Run a smooth, successful, competent swim meet
• If you have calls to make, make those calls (don’t throw away good DQs)
• Provide a fair experience for the swimmers
• Benefit of the doubt always goes to the swimmer!

Referee

• Shall have full authority over all officials and shall assign and instruct them
• Ideally is the most experienced official on the deck
• Final decision on all matters
• Responsible for assigning roles on the deck
• Final approval on all DQs
• Performs, or delegates, the stroke and turn briefing

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Starter

• Goal is to provide a fair start for all swimmers
• Work with the Referee to ensure a successful meet, not to “hang out”
• Understands the starting procedure
• Performs the timers’ briefing before the meet
• May assist Referee with confirming swimmers and issues behind the blocks
• May keep order of finish
• Patience, Patience, Patience!

Chief Judge

• Should be an experienced stroke and turn official
• Acts as the mentor/liaison of S&Ts – supervises their activities and reports decisions to the Referee
• Key to a swim meet running successfully
• Can serve simultaneously in one of the judging positions if needed
• May either confirm a written DQ and deliver to the Referee, or primarily write DQ slips on behalf of the S&Ts
• Set-up inconspicuously at the pool corners

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Meet Procedures

• Before the Meet:
• Ensure equipment is adequate and functioning properly
• Starter should test microphone and equipment – varies by team
• Test the volume and be sure you can be heard from all lanes
• Confirm timing equipment – touch pads, semi-manual (Dolphins), manual (stop watches)
• Discuss scratches and other program changes with the coaches/scoring table
• Rotating officials?
• Confirm DQ procedure if Chief Judges are available (Who writes the DQ slips?)
• Any unusual venue characteristics that need to be managed
• Get a feel for the deck
• Any accommodations needed for swimmers? Familiarize yourself with hearing impaired protocols
• Referee and Starter should communicate – know what to expect
• Starter chooses their deck positioning – must stand within approximately five meters of the starting end
• Referee then finds an appropriate place, not to interfere with the starter, but to afford a view of the entire starting line
• Fly over starts, when to clear pool
• Confirm who is keeping order of finish
• Confirm cadence of whistle procedure for start

Meet Procedures

• During the Meet:
• The pool belongs to the Referee
• Referee checks starting field for correct number of swimmers in proper lanes
• Referee calls for missing swimmers – at their discretion
• Starter ensures they have an adequate view of the entire starting field
• Referee notes no-shows on their program
• Works with timers and the scoring table for any “on the fly” changes to the program
• Short and Long Whistles

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Meet Procedures – The Start

• Referee blows a series of short whistles (4-5) that is a “prepare to swim” signal for swimmers in the next heat
• For 25-yard/meter events, short whistles should come as the last swimmer finishes the leg
• For longer events, short whistles should come as the last swimmer passes under the flags nearing the conclusion of their swim
• Starter announces the event and heat (if a new event) or the next heat of the current event
• Referee sounds long whistle indicating that swimmers should take a position up on the blocks, on the deck, or in the pool
• For 25-yard/meter races, the long whistle should not be given until all swimmers have exited the pool
• For backstroke only:
• First long whistle – swimmers should enter the pool
• Second long whistle – referee blows 2^nd whistle when last backstroke swimmer’s head has broken the surface after jumping in – signals that swimmers should place their feet
• Starter raises the microphone upon hearing the long whistle and awaits the Referee’s extended arm

Meet Procedures – The Start

• If there are issues prior to the start – the Deck Referee is in charge – may need to go behind the blocks to address
• The Referee’s extended arm turns the heat over to the Starter
• Be prompt in turning the heat over
• Balance is the key here:
• Ideally, hand over the heat when all swimmers are safely on the blocks (or in the water) and finalizing their ready preparations
• Waiting too long may impact the swimmers
• Starter needs to understand that turning the heat over isn’t the automatic cue for “take your marks”

Meet Procedures – The Start

• From Section 101.1.2 of the USA Swimming Rulebook:
• When the swimmers and officials are ready, the Referee shall signal with an out-stretched arm to the Starter that the swimmers are under the Starter’s control
• On the Starter’s command “take your marks,” the swimmers shall immediately assume their starting position, in the forward start, with at least one foot at the front of the starting platform on the deck. Swimmers starting in the water must have at least one hand in contact with the wall or starting platform. When all swimmers are stationary, the Starter shall give the signal

Meet Procedures – The Start

• From Section 101.1.2 of the USA Swimming Rulebook:
• When a swimmer does not respond promptly to the command “take your marks,” the Starter shall immediately release all swimmers with a “stand” command upon which the swimmers may stand up or step off the blocks.
• A swimmer shall not be disqualified for an illegal starting position at the start if the race is permitted to proceed. Enforcement of the correct starting position is the responsibility of the Starter.

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Meet Procedures – The Start

• The “First Part” of the Start
• Patience as the swimmers settle into position
• Allow for extra noise to dissipate – may need to ask for “quiet behind the blocks please”
• Forward Start – One foot at front of block
• Backstroke Start – Toes not curled over gutter
• Before the starting signal is given, address position issues – “Lane 4, Toes Please.”
• Once all swimmers are in position, they are ready for the command

Meet Procedures – The Start

• “Take Your Marks”
• Conversational tone
• Inviting the swimmers to swim
• Slightly descending tone
• Statement, not a question
• Delivered in a relaxed, but confident way
• “Close the door” or “Pass the salt”

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Meet Procedures – The Start

• The ”Second Part” of the Start:
• Wait for the swimmers to become stationary
• Stationary DOES NOT necessarily mean motionless
• Stationary = Establishes vertical plane at front of block
• Send the swimmers once all are stationary

Meet Procedures – The Start

• If things don’t go as planned, for ANY reason:
• “Stand” command
• Should be delivered softly and with extreme calm to avoid spooking swimmers into starting
• PATIENCE to allow swimmers to re-focus before going through the motions and giving the “take your marks” command again
• If the event of a need to stand swimmers again, you may need to have them “step down please,” take a moment and re-start the procedure

Meet Procedures – The Start

• Once the heat has started:
• Hold microphone open and in position until heads surface, in case of a need to recall the heat
• Heat can be recalled for any reason that caused swimmers not to have a fair start
• Recall = No swimmers are charged with a false start
• Referee/Starter can mark empty lanes in the program

Meet Procedures – The Start

• For the Starter, other things to say (and not to say!):
• Refer to “swimmers”
• “Relax, please” or “swimmers, relax” for prolonged delays
• “Lane ____ , toes please” if Starter needs to request a position change before the starting signal is given
• “Lane ____, one foot forward please”
• “Thank you, “swimmers” to clear the pool
• Additional instructions only as directed by the referee

Meet Procedures – The Start

• Advice for the Starter and Referee:
• Take a deep breath before each heat
• Remain calm – if you are calm, the swimmers will be calm
• Practice, Practice, Practice!
• Benefit of the doubt goes to the swimmers!

Meet Procedures – During the Race

• False Starts (more to come)
• Referees:
• It’s your pool!
• Move to a location to see the entire pool
• Communicate actively with the CJ
• Your jurisdiction is the entire pool
• Support your team

Meet Procedures – Conclusion of the Race

• Watch all swimmers into the wall
• Determine who will keep order of finish
• Short Whistles – get ready for the next heat/event
• For 25-yard/meter races, blow when the last swimmer finishes his/her race
• For longer races, blow when the last swimmer is passing under the flags
• Long whistles – do it all over again!
• Reminder, for 25-yard/meter races, long whistle should not be blown until all swimmers have exited the pool

False Starts

• “Any swimmer initiating a start before the signal may be disqualified if the Referee independently observes and confirms the Starter’s observation that a violation occurred.”
• “If the starting signal has been given before the disqualification is declared, the race shall continue without recall. If the Referee independently observes and confirms the Starter’s observation that a violation occurred, the swimmer or swimmers who have false started shall be disqualified upon completion of the race.”
• A swimmer STARTING early - breaking his/her stationary position before the start
• If race is recalled, no swimmer shall be charged with a false start and the Starter shall restart the race upon signal by the Referee
• A swimmer who would otherwise be charged with a false start may be relieved of the charge if the false start was caused by the swimmer’s reaction to the “stand” command

False Starts

• If a swimmer false starts and the starting signal is not given, the Starter should release the rest of the field by giving a “stand” command and the false start procedure should be considered
• It is up to the discretion of the Referee whether to disqualify a swimmer or still allow them to swim in this case – was it intentional or was there a distraction that prompted the false start, did the swimmer slip and fall in?
• We are a summer recreational swim league – use your judgment and common sense, know the rules!
• Stationary does not mean motionless!

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False Starts

• DUAL CONFIRMATION PROCEDURE:
• If the Starter observes a false start, they should mark their program by circling the lane in question
• The Starter should advise the Referee of a possible false start by simply showing the Referee their program with the lane number circled, without discussion
• The Referee should review the lane circled and independently confirm, or deny, they witnessed the same potential infraction, without discussion
• When there is agreement on the noted lane(s) by the Referee and Starter, the Referee shall confirm the false start and implement meet protocol for handling DQs
• The Starter should write the DQ slip, sign it and give to the Referee for their signature
• If the Starter and Referee do not independently observe/confirm the same potential violation, there is no false start
• If the Starter and Referee discuss a potential call in any fashion, the call cannot be made

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Handling Calls/DQs

• The three questions:
• Where did the infraction occur/jurisdiction?
• What did you see?
• What is the rule?
• The Deck Referee should be able to “see” the infraction from the description without having observed it
• Stroke and Turn/CJs should verbally discuss potential calls without physical gestures
• If the Referee does not feel the description is clear, they should ask the CJ or S&T judge for further clarification

Handling Calls/DQs

• DQ slips can be written by stroke and turn judges and/or CJs
• CJs are also there to answer questions from S&T, verify that a DQ call is good and deliver slips
• DQ slip should get to Referee as soon as possible
• Referee should review the DQ slip completely, sign and deliver to the admin table
• Reject incorrect slips – have them re-written if needed
• S&T judge must raise arm for call to be valid
• Referee should also record accepted violations/DQs on their program in the event a coach questions a DQ

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Handling Calls/DQs

• Referee making a call alone:
• Rule 102.11.2 – “Referee has the authority to disqualify a swimmer(s) for any violation of the rules that the Referee personally observes, and , except for false starts, shall at the same time raise one hand overhead. If the Referee does not make such a signal there shall be no disqualification.”
• In order to keep the pool balanced, the violation must be observable from anywhere on the pool deck
• More often – observing something that a S&T judge also observes, or observing something that is a teachable moment for S&T judges
• Use your experience and knowledge to help foster newer officials in a calm, non-threatening manner

Handling Calls/DQs

• Relays:
• Dual confirmation not required in dual meets
• Early take-offs are the call of the respective stroke and turn judge
• If being used, make sure judges know how to use relay take-off cards
• Dual confirmation is necessary at championship meets

Interacting with Coaches

• Be approachable
• Understand what the issue is about and investigate if needed
• Avoid becoming defensive and listen
• Make your decision based on the best available information
• Use your team – ask confirming questions
• Set the right tone with coaches and other officials
• Be calm and empathetic
• We are all here for the athletes and a fair competition

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QUESTIONS?