Class: Starter
Type: Lecture
Duration: ~1 ½ hrs
Location:
Date:
Trainer:
Starter Lecture
What’s an official?
Starter Lecture
NWAL 2026 Summary of Rules Changes
Page 12; II. Eligibility:
D. Paid coaches are ineligible to swim in the NWAL. Coaches shall follow the Coach Certification referenced in V.F.8 on page 50
Page 15; III. League Rules and Policies; B. Entries Events and Seeding; 2.Number of Events a Swimmer May Enter:
a. Swimmers may enter no more than three (3) individual events. Swimmers may not swim individual events in more than one age group. Swimmers may not swim more than 1 freestyle relay and 1 medley relay. A swimmer who participates in more than three (3) individual events or individual events in more than one age group; more than one (1) freestyle and/or relay; or more than one (1) medley relay during a meet shall be disqualified in all events,
including relays, in which the swimmer was entered.
Page 16; III. League Rules and Policies; B. Entries Events and Seeding; 3. Relay Entries
a. Dual Meets; ii.Relay teams shall have at least four names listed and an entry time , which may be an unofficial time or an official time (see III.5.a.i for the definition of an official time)
Page 16; III. League Rules and Policies; B. Entries Events and Seeding; 3. Relay Entries
b. Divisional Meet; ii.Relay teams shall have at least four names listed and an entry time , which may be an unofficial time or an official time (see III.5.a.i for the definition of an official time)
Page 18; III. League Rules and Policies; B. Entries Events and Seeding; 5.Seeding; a.General; ii. Official Times shall be used for all individual divisional meet entries at Divisionals and post season invitationals. including relay entries. Post season invitationals must also use only Official times for all swimmers. Relays must be entered with a time, no NTs will be allowed.
NWAL 2026 Summary of Rules Changes
Page 19; III. League Rules and Policies; B. Entries Events and Seeding; 5.Seeding; a.General; iv. Individual entry times for invitational meets shall be Official Times obtained during an NWAL meet or sanctioned invitational. The seed time for relays shall be established by adding the fastest Official Times of the individual swimmers for the stroke that they are swimming on the relay. Relays must be entered with a time, no NTs will be allowed.
Page_23; III. League Rules and Policies; H. Divisional Meets
4. Official Times shall be used for all divisional meet entries for individual events. including relay entries. Relay teams shall have at least four names listed and an entry time, which may be an unofficial time or official time.
Page_25; III. League Rules and Policies; I. Disqualifications; 11. Coaches, assistants and/or spectators shall not be allowed in the starting, turn, finish areas, ready bench area or within five (5)feet of swimming pools, except to assist a swimmer with a prescribed medical device. Coaches, assistants and/or spectators shall not interfere with any meet official during the progress of any competition. No photography or digital recording is allowed in the restricted area behind the starting blocks. Starting area or area defined by the Meet Referee. Violation may result in expulsion from the meet at the discretion of the meet referee. This is for the privacy and protection of our swimmers while they are in a vulnerable position. Upon being apprised of a violation of this rule, it shall be the duty of the Meet Referee to remove, or have such offender
removed immediately.
NWAL 2026 Summary of Rules Changes
Page 30; V. Officials and Duties; A. MEET OFFICIALS
For all swimming meets there should not be less than the following:
1 Referee 4 Stroke and Turn Officials
1 Starter 1 Announcer
1 Chief Head Timer 1 Clerk of Course
2 Alternate Timers 1 Computer Person
3 Timers per lane (1Head Lane Timer/Scribe)
2 Ribbon Writers 1 from each team
1 Team Representative from each team
Page 32; V. Officials and Duties; C. Certification and Recertification Requirements; 1. Certification of New Officials; d. Provisional Status; ii. The Provisional official shall be required to work a portion of three meets under the supervision of a Meet Referee, and to that Referee’s satisfaction. In order to become a fully certified official, the Provisional official shall return proof of completion of the required meet attendance to the Chairman of the Training and Certification Committee Their NWALcertified account within one month of the final NWAL Scheduled meet for the season. Any Provisional officials who do not complete this requirement shall revert to their previous level of certification, and shall be required to certify as a new official at the level they were Provisionally Certified.
Page 33; V. Officials and Duties; C. Certification and Recertification Requirements;
4. Coach Certification Responsibilities
5. RECERTIFICATION OF OFFICIALS
NWAL 2026 Summary of Rules Changes
6. Expired Certification
Page 33; V. Officials and Duties; F. Duties of Officials; 1. Referee
b.The Meet/Deck Referee may overrule any meet official on a point of rule interpretation, or on a judgment decision pertaining to an action which he/she has personally observed (except for relay takeoffs in meets using dual confirmation). The Meet/Deck Referee shall may also disqualify swimmer(s) for any violations of the rules that he/she personally observes. The Meet Referee may remove any person from the meet area for Unsportsmanlike Conduct.
Page 36; V. Officials and Duties; F. Duties of Officials; 1. Referee
L. The Meet/Deck Referee shall ensure that officials use the language of the rulebook in describing violations in writing and in communication of disqualifications to swimmers and coaches. Disqualification codes are provided by the makers of meet software for ease of reference by the computer personnel. On deck, disqualification codes can be used in conjunction with the written disqualification, but they cannot replace them. However, failure to use the language of the rulebook in describing violations does not invalidate a disqualification(See Appendix C, for further clarification on swimmers with disabilities)
Page 40; V. Officials and Duties; F. Duties of Officials;2. Starter
B. Start; ii. For each Heat following the first Heat of an event, the starter shall announce the heat number and request the swimmers to “step up” onto the blocks for forward start events or “step in” for backstroke start events. When the Deck Referee is satisfied that the course is clear, and the swimmers are ready, he/she shall blow a single long whistle. The starter shall then announce distance and stroke, pause and then address the swimmers with the command “take your mark,” in a calm, conversational tone. When, in the starter’s judgment, the swimmers are stationary and ready to begin the race, the starter shall sound the starting signal.
NWAL 2026 Summary of Rules Changes
Page 44-45_; V. Officials and Duties; F. Duties of Officials;4. Timers
a. Chief Head Timer
i. Assignment of Timers to lanes shall be the responsibility of the Chief Head Timer.
ii. The Chief Timer shall be responsible for delivery to the Scorers of all Official Times as reported to them by the Head Lane Timers, including the times of disqualified Swimmers.
ii. There shall be at least two (2) Alternate Timer Watches, started by the Head Timer, whose time shall be used only as a substitute in the event of failure of an Official Lane Timer's watch or its operator. Alternate Timers may substitute for Official Lane Timers only in the event of failure of a watch or its operator.
b. Head Lane Timer/Scribe
The Chief Head Timer may designate one Timer/Scribe on each lane as the Head Lane Timer/Scribe. The Head Lane Timer/Scribe shall be responsible for the following
i. Determination if the proper swimmer is in his lane and in position visible to the starter.
NWAL 2026 Summary of Rules Changes
Timers Continued
ii. Determination of and recording of all watch times.
c. Lane Timers
The Timers shall be placed directly over their assigned lane at the finish. Teams must use equal representation per lane when possible.
i. Each Timer shall look at the strobe light and start his/her watch at the instant of the strobe flash never by sound.
ii. All watches shall be stopped immediately when in the opinion of the Timer any part of the swimmer’s body touches the solid end of the pool or course.
NOTE: It is not the responsibility of the Lane Timer to judge if the finish touch meets the requirements of the appropriate stroke rule.
iii. All Lane Timers shall promptly report their times to the Head Lane Timer/Scribe or his designate, present their watches for inspection if required, and shall not clear them until given the "Clear Watches" command.
iv. The time of each watch is recorded by the Head Lane Timer, or designated Scribe, on the Lane Timer's card, and the Official Time of the lane established as provided above.
v. Timers should report the times from their watches in the same order on the card for each heat.
d. Alternate Timers
There shall be at least two (2) Alternate Timers, whose time shall be used only as a substitute in the event of failure of an Official Lane Timer's watch or its operator. Alternate Timers may substitute for Official Lane Timers only in the event of failure of a watch or its operator. Moved to Head Timer
NWAL 2026 Summary of Rules Changes
Page 47; V. Officials and Duties; F. Duties of Officials;8. Coaches
8. COACHES
a. Coaches shall obtain an annual background check that is cleared by NWAL before working with any NWAL swimmer in or out of the water.
b. Coaches must pass the NWAL coaches test with 90% success before working with any NWAL swimmer in or out of the water.
a. See Appendix F: Coaches Responsibilities
Page 52; VII: Facilities;B.Recommended; 4. TWO WAY RADIOS
The use of Two Way Radios for communication between Officials is recommended but optional. The use of Two Way Radios shall follow the latest published NWAL guidelines available on the NWAL web site.
a. The Meet Referee is responsible for accepting the radios to be used, the channel used, the assignment of radios to Officials, and the protocols for radio use by Officials.
b.The use of radios for communication between Officials should be on a channel that is for Officials only.
c.Radios do not eliminate the requirement to signal an observed infraction by immediately raising one hand over head with palm open.
NWAL 2026 Summary of Rules Changes
Stroke Rule Change
Page 59; VIII. The Strokes, Relays, and Finishes
E. Individual Medley
2. Rules pertaining to each stroke used shall govern where applicable. except for the Freestyle where the swimmer can swim in any manner other than a legal butterfly, breast or backstroke (a legal backstroke shall include a propulsive motion of the arms or legs while the swimmer is towards the back).
Page 60; VIII. The Strokes, Relays, and Finishes
H. Medley Relay
2. Rules pertaining to each stroke used shall govern where applicable. except for the Freestyle where the swimmer can swim in any manner other than a legal butterfly, breast or backstroke (a legal backstroke shall include a propulsive motion of the arms or legs while the swimmer is towards the back).
NWAL 2026 Summary of Rules Changes
Page 62-63; Meet Referee Appendix A:
n) The Meet Referee shall ensure that Computer Personnel determine the Official Time for each lane in each race using the Primary Timing System (as described in VI.C.) according to the following procedure:
i) Automatic Timing
a) The NWAL intends to mirror the Automatic Timing protocols in use by USA Swimming and the National Federation of High School Swimming. The current version of this protocol in use by the NWAL is available at https://nwal.org/nwal-downloads under the "Touchpad Protocol" link.
q. Shall prohibit the use of tobacco products in the ready bench area, finish, or starting area of the swimming pool deck;
q.Shall prohibit the use of tobacco and vaping products in the vicinity of the meet. (Note: vapes also added to the NWAL Code of Conduct document)
T. Shall, in those situations where an individual is unable to comply with the literal meaning of a rule by reason of a physical handicap, interpret the rule in such a way as to allow the individual to comply so long as no advantage or disadvantage is conferred upon other competitors or that individual; (Note: Specific guidelines for officiating swimmers with disabilities are posted on the NWAL website.) (Note: See Appendix C: Guidelines and Recommendations for Officiating Swimmers with Disabilities)
W. Shall ensure that officials use the language of the rulebook in describing violations in writing and in communication of disqualifications to swimmers and coaches. Disqualification codes are provided by the makers of meet software for ease of reference by the computer personnel. On deck, disqualification codes can be used in conjunction with the written disqualification, but they cannot replace them. However, failure to use the language of the rulebook in describing violations does not invalidate a disqualification(See Appendix C, for further clarification on swimmer with disabilities)
X. May prohibit the display of insignia that violates the Insignia Rule;
NWAL 2026 Summary of Rules Changes
PG. 74;Create Appendix F: Coaches Responsibilities
Contained in this document are rules, procedures, and guidelines that you as a coach should know in order to effectively execute the duties of your position. These rules and responsibilities are in line with the NWAL Rulebook.
Coaches Certification:
NWAL Safe Kids:
NWAL Code of Conduct:
NWAL League Rules and Policies
NWAL 2026 Summary of Rules Changes
Appendix G: Pg. 75-77 Division Representative Job Description
March: Attend NWAL Board meeting. Agenda traditionally includes:
• Approval of special divisional rules.
• Approval of bid for divisional medals.
• Approval of bids for invitational meets.
April: Check with teams to assure they have distributed information on training for officials and coaches to the appropriate team Members.
May: Call and conduct a divisional meeting to begin discussion of divisional meet. (See Rule III.H.)
• Program for divisionals.
• Entry limitations.
• Trophies.
• Heat ribbons.
• Other expenses (including money for medals).
• Complete exchange of team information
June: Record dual meet scores as reported by host team rep following each meet.
Call and conduct a division meeting to finalize plans for divisional meet:
• Officials and other personnel.
• Team Areas.
• Warm-up schedules.
• Concessions.
• Parking.
• Other specifics.
July: Complete final report on season and return to the League Manager.
NWAL 2026 Summary of Rules Changes
Appendix H: Pg. 78 Team Representative Job Description
4. Other Duties
• Payment of NWAL dues in a timely manner.
• Assure Team Rosters up to date in NWAL’s Prescribed Team Management Software.
• NWAL Roles are updated in NWAL’s Prescribed Team Management Software.
• Supplying requested meet personnel for dual meets, divisional, and post season invitationals, e.g. Ponderosa, All Star.
• Ensuring that the final roster of active swimmers is up to date and accurate.
• Preparing and returning year end survey timely.
Certification
Starter Lecture
Starter Lecture
Starter Position
1
8
Starter Lecture
Starter Lecture
ii. Start
a. At the beginning of each Event, the starter shall announce the event number, gender of event, distance and stroke and shall request the swimmers to “Step Up” for the forward start events or “Step in” for backstroke start events. When the Deck Referee is satisfied that the course is clear, and the swimmers are ready he/she shall blow a single long whistle. The starter shall then announce distance and stroke, pause and then address the swimmers with the command “take your mark”, in a calm, conversational tone. When, in the starter’s judgment, the swimmers are stationary and ready to begin the race, the starter shall sound the starting signal.
b. For each Heat following the first Heat of an event, the starter shall announce the heat number and request the swimmers to “step up” onto the blocks for forward start events or “step in” for backstroke start events. When the Deck Referee is satisfied that the course is clear, and the swimmers are ready, he/she shall blow a single long whistle. The starter shall then announce distance and stroke, pause and then address the swimmers with the command “take your mark” in a calm, conversational tone. When, in the starter’s judgment, the swimmers are stationary and ready to begin the race, the starter shall sound the starting signal.
For the safety of the swimmer, on forward start from the blocks, swimmers shall place at least one foot near or at the forward edge of the block.
On a backstroke start…..make sure swimmer has both hands in contact with the wall or block and that the toes are not curled over the gutter or edge of the pool.
Starter Lecture
c. If, in the Starter’s opinion, a false start has been committed, he/she shall recall the swimmers immediately using a second signal from the starting device, whistle, or recall rope. The false start shall be called on an individual and not on the field. Any swimmer charged with two false starts shall be disqualified and shall not swim the event.
d. The Starter implements the starting rules as modified by the Meet/Deck Referee for handicapped swimmers. For specific guidelines for officiating swimmers with disabilities, see Appendix C.
a. Any swimmer who, after stepping on the block or upon taking a holding position, delays the start by entering the water, or who willfully disobeys an order at the start, or for any other misconduct at the start, may be disqualified from the event by the Starter.
False Starts
Starter Lecture
a. A swimmer who unnecessarily delays in assuming and holding a stationary starting position after the command “Take Your Mark” shall be charged with a false start.
b. For the safety of the swimmer, on forward start from the blocks, swimmers shall place at least one foot near or at the forward edge of the block.
c. Any swimmers leaving their marks after the command “Take Your Mark” and before the starting signal is given, may be charged with a false start. All other swimmers shall be released by the starter immediately with the command “Stand Up”. Any swimmers leaving their mark may be charged with a false start.
d. When the starting signal is given, and one or more swimmers have obtained an unfair advantage, whether the unfair advantage was caused by an outside noise or just a swimmer leaving early. All swimmers shall be recalled at once by a second signal. The Starter shall then indicate the swimmer(s) to be charged with a false start.
e. The Starter may charge a false start to any swimmers who fail to maintain their feet and/or hands in a legal position.
f. A swimmer shall not be charged with a false start for an illegal starting position at the start if the Starter has permitted the race to proceed. Enforcement of the correct starting position is the responsibility of the Starter, who may impose the appropriate penalty for violation before the race.
g. A swimmer who fails to appear at the starting blocks in time for the initial start shall not be permitted to enter the race even if a false start should be declared on the first, second, or later start, and shall be disqualified. The initial start is defined as the point at which the Deck Referee signals the Starter that the race may begin.
h. No false start shall be called due to the malfunction of the official’s equipment or the distracting action of an official.
MEET REFEREE
An individual may not act simultaneously as the Team Representative and the Meet Referee. The Meet Referee can simultaneously fulfill any of the deck roles including Deck Referee, Starter, and Stroke & Turn official and will remain the Meet Referee.
Starter Lecture: Meet Referee Role
h. The Meet Referee shall, in those situations where an individual is unable to comply with the literal meaning of a rule by reason of a physical handicap, interpret the rule in such a way as to allow the individual to comply so long as no advantage or disadvantage is conferred upon other competitors or that individual. (Note: See Appendix C: Guidelines and Recommendations for Officiating Swimmers with Disabilities).
i. The Meet Referee shall prohibit the use of videotape review.
j. An individual may not act simultaneously as the Team Representative and the Meet Referee
k. An individual may not act simultaneously as a Coach and a Meet Official during the meet in which the coach’s team is competing
l. The Meet/Deck Referee shall ensure that officials use the language of the rulebook in describing violations in writing and in communication of disqualifications to swimmers and coaches. However, failure to use the language of the rulebook in describing violations does not invalidate a disqualification. (See Appendix C, for further clarification on swimmer with disabilities)
m. The Meet Referee, Starter, Head Timer, and Computer Personnel shall agree on the responsibilities of each Official with respect to the Timing System in use at the meet.
n. The Meet Referee shall ensure that Computer Personnel determine the Official Time for each lane in each race using the Primary Timing System
Starter Lecture: Meet Referee Role
n. The Meet Referee shall ensure that Computer Personnel determine the Official Time for each lane in each race using the Primary Timing System
q. No swimmers shall be allowed to remain in the water while the starting signal is given for the next heat.
r. When it is detected that a swimmer is bleeding, has an open wound or an excessive amount of blood on the swimsuit, the swimmer may not compete in another event until proper treatment has been administered. If this occurs prior to the start of a relay race, the start shall be delayed while the swimmer receives proper treatment or is replaced by another eligible swimmer. Once a relay race begins and blood is detected in the starting area or on a swimmer who is not in the water (except the fourth swimmer when in the water), the race shall be stopped. The area and the swimmer shall be properly treated and the race re-swum after an appropriate recovery period. If the bleeding cannot be stopped, or the wound is not properly covered, or there is no eligible substitute the relay team shall not swim.
s. See Appendix A for clarification on responsibilities of Deck/Meet Referee
Starter Lecture: Meet Referee Role
Protocol for starting a heat….
Tip…use “stand please” to stand a forward start and “relax” for a backstroke start.
Starter Lecture
Starter Best Practices….
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Starter Best Practices….
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3 little words….
Take
Your
Mark
Tone
Speed
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Starting examples….
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Starting examples….
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Starting examples….
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Starting examples….
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Starting examples….
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Starting examples….
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Starting examples….
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Starting examples….
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