Class: Referee

Type: Lecture

Duration: 2 Hours

Location:

Date:

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Trainer:

Officials@nwal.org

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Referee Lecture

What’s an official?

NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

Page 16; II. ELIGIBILITY:

• A swimmer who lines in a community represented by a NWAL swim team shall swim for the community team except as provided below:. The core area, or boundary of the team follows this hierarchy:
• If the community is governed by a Homeowners Association (HOA) or equivalent, the boundary of the team is the boundary of the HOA or equivalent
• If the community is a municipality (city, town, township), the boundary of the team is the city or town limits (not including the City of Houston).
• If the community has more than one team, then written criteria for determining the boundary of the team and/or distribution of swimmers must have been submitted to the League Officers for approval and kept by the teams.

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Page 17; II. ELIGIBILITY; I. Requests for eligibility waiver…:

• Circumstances outside the swimmer’s control that would prevent the swimmer from otherwise being able to participate in NWAL swimming., such as zoning to a school in a different neighborhood that makes practices times unavailable, limited transportation exceptions (must be explained fully – not a “catch all” exception), custodial parent arrangements/orders, student athletes, etc.

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Page 17; II. ELIGIBILITY:

• Every swimmer must complete all of their team’s registration requirements and agree to a waiver of all liabilities of NWAL and its teams before participating at any practice or swim meet.  Any swimmer requiring an eligibility waiver or exception to swim for a team must (in addition to completing any and all registration requirements) have submitted an eligibility waiver to NWAL and received approval from NWAL for such eligibility waiver before participating at any practice or swim meets for such team.  The deadline for requesting an eligibility waiver is prior to the first dual meet.

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NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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Page 19; III. LEAGUE RULES AND POLICIES; B. ENTRIES, EVENTS, AND SEEDING; 2. NUMBER OF EVENTS A SWIMMER MAY ENTER:

Swimmers may enter no more than three (3) individual events. Swimmers may move up age groups providing they adhere to the above limitations, and remain in the upper age group throughout the entire meet. Swimmers may not swim more than 1 freestyle relay and 1 medley relay. A swimmer who participates in more than three (3) individual events, more than one (1) freestyle and/or medley relay, or who participates in an event in more than one age group during a meet shall be disqualified in all events, including relays, in which the swimmer was Entered.

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Page 22; III. LEAGUE RULES AND POLICIES; B. ENTRIES, EVENTS, AND SEEDING; 5. SEEDING; A. General:

• All entry lists and seeding shall have the fastest Official Time. An Official Time is one that was swum without disqualification at a meet which was sanctioned by the NWAL in the current season. Non-official times may be used for an event (or for a stroke on a relay) only when the swimmer has not established an Official Time in the current season. If a non-official time is used, it shall be established at a time trial. Assisted swimming results in a N/T or no time and is not valid for entry into an NWAL sanctioned meet. A time swum in a meet, without a disqualification, that is delayed due to climatic conditions and not rescheduled is an Official Time. Split times are NOT Official Times.

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NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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Page 26; III. LEAGUE RULES AND POLICIES:

• RELAY SCRATCH MEETING
• The purpose of the scratch meeting is to make adjustments on relay teams in age groups that have been reduced to fewer than four swimmers because one or more of the swimmers did not show up for the meet by the time of the scratch meeting. Teams may scratch a swimmer who is not attending the meet and reseed the meet.  
• At the scratch meeting a team may move a swimmer officially entered in the meet from a lower age group into a relay for a higher age group (up to two age groups) of the same gender provided that the team does not have enough swimmers in the higher age group available.  This Adjustment may be made if, and only if, that swimmer is scratched from all of the events originally entered in the lower age group, including relay events. The swimmer moved into the higher age group for one or more relays may remain in all individual events originally entered in the lower age group. Swimmers are only allowed to swim one freestyle and one medley relay at dual meets. After making these Adjustments, all swimmers must remain in compliance with Rule III.B.2
• If a younger swimmer is moved up, then the older swimmer whose absence at the time of the scratch meeting caused a younger swimmer to be moved up, shall be scratched from both relays. 
• As a matter of convenience, at the scratch meeting teams may also substitute legal alternates on relay teams. Such changes are not considered Adjustments, and therefore no scratches are necessary. As long as no swimmer is moved up in age group, a swimmer whose absence caused an alternate of the same age group to be substituted on a relay team shall not be considered scratched. Substitution of alternates on relay teams may be done at any time, not necessarily during the scratch meeting.
• Swimmers may not be entered into the meet  into individual events at the scratch meeting with approval of both team representatives and the meet referee.  
• No adjustments shall be made after the start of the meet. The fact that a relay alternate swims is not an adjustment.

NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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Page 28; III. LEAGUE RULES AND POLICIES; I. DISQUALIFICATIONS:

• Should a foul interfere with a swimmer endanger the chance of success of a swimmer(s), the Meet Referee shall offer a re-swim to all of the swimmers  may allow the affected swimmer(s) to reswim the event.    If the re-swim offer is accepted, the time achieved in the re-swim shall be the Official Time. In case of a collusion to foul another swimmer, the Meet Referee may, at his/her discretion, disqualify the swimmer for whose aid the foul was committed, as well as the swimmer committing the foul. 

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Page 29; III. LEAGUE RULES AND POLICIES; I. DISQUALIFICATIONS:

• 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, nor are they allowed to 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. 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.

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NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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Page 30; III. LEAGUE RULES AND POLICIES; I. DISQUALIFICATIONS:

• No team personnel, including coaches and /or spectators, shall act in an Unsportsmanlike manner. This includes any act the Meet Referee or the league’s officers or board deems poor sportsmanship, such as:

Page 30; III. LEAGUE RULES AND POLICIES; I. DISQUALIFICATIONS; 15. No team personnel…:

• An act undertaken by any individual or team that the league’s officers or board determines is detrimental to the league or may result in a swimmer or team obtaining an unfair competitive advantage.

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Page 29; III. LEAGUE RULES AND POLICIES; I. DISQUALIFICATIONS:

• Suits shall be one piece.  Males shall wear suits which cover the buttocks.  Females shall wear suits which cover the buttocks and breasts. 

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NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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Page 36; V. OFFICIALS AND DUTIES; C. CERTIFICATION AND RECERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS; 4. RECERTIFICATION OF OFFICIALS:

Recertification of Referees, Starters, Stroke and Turn Officials, Clerk of Course, Computer, Team Representative , and Coaches may be required. Recertification procedures shall be determined by the Chairman of the Training & Certification Committee.

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Page 37; V. OFFICIALS AND DUTIES; D. MEET OFFICIALS REQUIREMENTS, 1. NWAL Certified Referees…:

• If both teams do not have sufficient number of officials to handle the coverage, then both shall mutually select persons at large to officiate the strokes and turns, in  equal numbers.

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NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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Pages 39-42; V. OFFICIALS AND DUTIES; F. DUTIES OF OFFICIALS; 1. REFEREE:

• The Meet Referee may consider changing the times-based order of finish 1) when there is an official protest or, 2) if there is a timing irregularity or malfunction in the event. The order of finish may originate with the Meet Referee or designee (certified official) who personally observed the event finishes. For Divisional or Invitational meets, the Meet Referee shall require dual confirmation of the observed order of finish to make changes to the times, based solely on order of finish.
• 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.
• 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:
1. Automatic Timing
1. When recorded by properly operating Automatic Timing equipment, operated according to the published NWAL Touchpad Protocol, and no malfunction has been reported, the pad time shall be the Official Time.
2. If a malfunction is confirmed for the lane, the Official Time shall be determined by following the Semi Automatic Timing section
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NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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ii. Semi-Automatic Timing

• If three button times are available, and the difference between each time is less than 0.3 seconds, the time of the intermediate button time shall be the Official Time.
• If three button times are available, and the difference between any time and its nearest other time is greater than or equal to 0.3 seconds, then the time with the greatest difference from the nearest shall be discarded and the Official Time shall be the average of the two remaining button times. Any digits representing thousandths of a second shall be rounded up to the next slowest hundredth.
• If only two button times are available, the Official Time shall be the average of those two button times. Any digits representing thousandths of a second shall be rounded up to the next slowest hundredth.
• If only one button time is available, or no button times are available, the Official Time shall be determined by following the Manual Timing section.

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NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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• Manual Timing 
• If three watch times are available, and the difference between each time is less than 0.3 seconds, the time of the intermediate watch time shall be the Official Time.
• If three watch times are available, and the difference between any time and its nearest other time is greater than or equal to 0.3 seconds, then the time with the greatest difference from its nearest shall be discarded and the Official Time shall be the average of the two remaining watch times. Any digits representing thousandths of a second shall be rounded up to the next slowest hundredth. The discarded time shall remain legible on the scribe sheet.
• If only two watch times are available, the Official Time shall be the average of those two watch times. Any digits representing thousandths of a second shall be rounded up to the next slowest hundredth.
• If only one watch time is available, the time of that watch shall be the Official Time.
• If no watch times are available, the Meet Referee shall determine the Official Time by adding or subtracting 0.01 second to the nearest Official Time in theheat based on the observed order of finish. If no order of finish is available, the Meet Referee may use an unofficial watch time, or offer the swimmer the option of re-swimming the event.

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NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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• The Meet Referee may consider changing the times-based order of finish if a malfunction or irregularity of the Timing System is reported or suspected, or in the event of an order of finish protest.
• A malfunction or irregularity may be suspected if:
• The difference between the times for a lane obtained by the Primary and available Backup system(s) is greater than or equal to 0.3 seconds; or
• A Certified Official designated by the Meet Referee to record order of finish reports a different order of finish
• When a malfunction on a lane is confirmed in the Primary system, the Official Time for that lane shall be determined in accordance with the procedure for the Backup system in V.F.1.n.
• For Divisional or Invitational meets, the Meet Referee shall require dual confirmationof the observed order of finish to make changes to the times based solely on order of finish.
• For information on resolving a Timing Malfunction or order of finish Protest with Manual and Semi-Automatic timing systems, refer to Appendix D - Timing Malfunction or Irregularity Guide.
• When, because of an early start, late start, or other equipment or operator malfunction, the time of an Automatic or Semi-Automatic Timing System is equally incorrect for all lanes in a heat, but the order of finish is accurate, the Meet Referee shall instruct Computer Personnel to adjust the times of of the Primary Timing System by calculating the average difference between the Primary times and the valid Backup times and adding, or subtracting when appropriate, that difference to the Primary times of every lane in that heat.

NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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Page 42; V. OFFICIALS AND DUTIES; F. DUTIES OF OFFICIALS; 1. REFEREE; r. When it is detected that a swimmer is bleeding…:

For details on the recommended process for making time and/or order of finish adjustments when using Automatic, Semi-Automatic or Manual timing systems, please refer to the guides on the NWAL website.

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Page 43; V. OFFICIALS AND DUTIES; F. DUTIES OF OFFICIALS; 2. STARTER; a. Preparation:

• The Starter and starting device shall be stationed within ten (10) feet fifteen (15) feet of the starting end of the pool at a place where the starting device is clearly visible to the timers, and where the device horn is easily heard by the starting swimmers and where the Starter can best observe the start of all the swimmers.

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NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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Page 47; V. OFFICIALS AND DUTIES; F. DUTIES OF OFFICIALS; 4. TIMERS:

In any race the time shall be taken by three Timers, stationed at the finish. These Timers are the Official Lane Timers, and their times shall be used to determine the Official Time on the lane. The order of finish is based on Official Times. The order of finish of a heat may be changed by the Meet Referee or his designee who has personally observed the finish of the race in specific circumstances. See Scoring for these details. The Official Time of the swimmer whose order of finish was changed shall be adjusted to reflect the proper order of finish by adding or subtracting .01 second to the nearest Official Time.

Alternate Timers may substitute for Official Lane Timers only in the event of failure of a watch or its operator.

In all rules concerning Timing, the word "watch" may mean any mechanical or electrical timing device that is stopped and started by an Official or Timer.

• DETERMINING OFFICIAL TIME
1. Use of three (3) watches per lane: If two (2) watches agree, this time shall be the Official Time. If none of the watches agree, then the intermediate time shall be the Official Time.
2. If only two (2) watches are operable in a lane, the readings shall be averaged, and if the result includes a thousandth of a second, it shall be rounded up to the next slowest hundredth of a second. This average shall be the Official Time.
3. If a reading from only one (1) watch in a lane is obtained, it is the Official Time.
4. If no watch times (including those from alternate timers) are available on a lane, the Official Time shall be determined (by the Meet Referee) by adding or subtracting 0.01 second to the nearest Official Time in the heat based on the observed order of finish. If no order of finish is available, the Meet Referee may use an unofficial watch time, or offer the swimmer the option of re-swimming the event.
5. When using an automatic or semi-automatic timing system, a minimum of 2 manual times shall also be recorded on the timer sheets. Teams must use equal representation per lane when possible.

NOTE: In all rules herein concerning timing, the word "watch" shall mean any mechanical or electrical timing device that is stopped and started by an official. If Automatic or Semi-Automatic timing systems are used, the host team shall follow standard NWAL written procedures that describe how to determine whether a malfunction may have occurred and when back up times shall be used. (For further Information on determining an official time reference Appendix D)

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NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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Page 47; V. OFFICIALS AND DUTIES; F. DUTIES OF OFFICIALS; 4. TIMERS; 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.

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Page 48; V. OFFICIALS AND DUTIES; F. DUTIES OF OFFICIALS; 4. TIMERS; 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.

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NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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Page 50; VI. EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

• Every race in a swimming competition must be timed with a Primary Timing System. One or more of the following Timing Systems shall be used:
1. Manual — A Timing System consisting of individual Lane Timers, each operating a manual watch that is both started and stopped by the Lane Timer at the finish touch of the swimmer.
1. Only hand-held, battery-powered, digital read-out type watches designed for timing purposes shall be used.
2. At least 3 watches shall be used per lane, each operated by a separate Lane Timer.
3. If sufficient resources are not available the Meet Referee may allow 2 watches per lane operated by a separate Lane Timer.
2. Semi-Automatic — A Timing System activated by a starting device and stopped by buttons pushed by individual Lane Timers at the finish touch of the swimmer.
• Each lane shall have 2 or 3 buttons, each operated by a separate Lane Time. 
• A Manual system with at least 2 watches per lane shall be used as a Backup Timing System. The Manual watches shall not be a component of the Semi-Automatic system. Lane Timers may operate both a button and a watch, but each watch must be operated by a separate Lane Timer.
3. Automatic — A Timing System activated by a starting device and stopped at the finish by the swimmer touching a touchpad.
• When an Automatic system is used, there must be a Semi-Automatic and Manual system to be used as Backup Timing Systems. At least 2 watches per lane shall be in the Backup Timing System.
• Use of an Automatic system shall be in accordance with the Touchpad Protocol published by the NWAL.

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NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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Page 53; VII. FACILITIES; A. REQUIRED:

• Facilities shall be safe for athlete and spectator use. 

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Page 60; VIII. THE STROKES, RELAYS, AND FINISHES; D. FREESTYLE; 2. STROKE:

• In the Individual Medley or Medley Relay events, the swimmer may swim any style desired, except legal butterfly, breast stroke, or backstroke (a legal backstroke shall include a propulsive motion of the arms or legs while the swimmer is towards the back).

Page 61; VIII. THE STROKES, RELAYS, AND FINISHES; E. INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY; 2. STROKE:

• 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).

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NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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Page 62; VIII. THE STROKES, RELAYS, AND FINISHES; H. MEDLEY RELAY; a. Four swimmers on each team… in the following order:

first, Backstroke; �second, Breaststroke; �third, Butterfly; �fourth, Freestyle (or 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).

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Page 62; VIII. THE STROKES, RELAYS, AND FINISHES; H. MEDLEY RELAY:

• 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). Swimmers may swim in any order desired provided the proper order of strokes is maintained.

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NWAL 2025 Summary of Rules Changes

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Page 72; Appendix D: Manual Timing Malfunction or Irregularity Guide:

A guide for using observed order of finish to determine the official order of finish, when a Manual or Semi-Automatic timing system (watches or buttons) is the Primary Timing System.

This is a guide intended to cover the most common situations related to order of finish timing malfunction or irregularity, and may not address all possible situations. This guide is not intended for use with Automatic Timing Systems (touchpads). covers only watch based primary timing systems and is not intended for use with semi-automatic (Dolphin) or fully automatic (touch pads) primary timing systems.

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Page 73; Appendix D: Manual Timing Malfunction or Irregularity Guide; B. Order of Finish Protest:

• Determine if any of the watch times are inconsistent with the others (i.e. look for outliers). If no outliers exist, the times-based order of finish is final. If inconsistencies do exist then assume the outlying watch does not exist and recalculate the times based upon V,F,4,aV.F.1.n., and continue to step 4

Meet Referee vs. Deck Referee

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• Is there a difference?

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• Why both?

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• Roles and Responsibilities

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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.

• Referee
• The Meet Referee shall have full authority over all officials and shall assign and instruct them. Shall enforce all the rules and shall decide all questions relating to the actual conduct of the meet including eliminating any behavior by an official, coach, competitor or spectator that interferes with the operation of the meet by means of, but not limited to, suspension of the meet or forfeiture.
• 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 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.
• The Deck Referee shall signal the Starter that all of the Officials and swimmers are in position, that the course is clear, and that the competition may begin before each race. Shall be in position at the starting end of the pool to ensure that a fair start has been achieved for each race,which may include activating a recall device or instructing the starter to recall a race whenever a fair start has not been achieved. Shall carry a sounding device (recall whistle) and be prepared to use it to recall unfair starts that he/she has observed.
• The Meet/Deck Referee shall give a decision on any point where the opinions of the officials differ. The Meet/Deck Referee has the authority to intercede in the competition at any stage to ensure that the appropriate racing conditions are observed.
• The Meet/Deck Referee may at his/her discretion prohibit the use of an noisemaker or light whether natural or artificial, that he/she feels would interfere with other swimmers during a meet.
• The Meet/Deck Referee 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).
• The Meet/Deck Referee shall prohibit the use of alcoholic beverages in the vicinity of the meet.

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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. Specific guidelines for officiating swimmers with disabilities are posted on the NWAL website.

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. 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. (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

(Remainder of N, O, P covered Separately)

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

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Appendix A: Separation of Duties for Meet Referee and Deck Referee

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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.

The Meet Referee:

• Is ultimately accountable for ensuring that NWAL meets are operated according to the current NWAL rules and other applicable sanctioning documents;
• Shall determine if adjustments to Official Entry Lists are allowed due to discrepancies caused by human error;
• Shall have full authority over all officials and shall assign and instruct them;
• Shall determine preferences for open lanes, reseeding and combining of events;
• Is accountable for the Scratch meeting, officials meeting, and Timers meeting;
• Shall enforce all the rules and shall decide all questions relating to the actual conduct of the meet, including eliminating any behavior by an official, coach, competitor or spectator that interferes with the operation of the meet by means of, but not limited to, suspension of the meet or forfeiture;
• 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);
• May resolve questions and shall resolve protests raised by coaches or team reps during the meet, including verification of disqualifications and determining Official Times;
• May disqualify swimmer(s) for any violations of the rules that he/she personally observes;
• May remove any person from the meet area for Unsportsmanlike Conduct;
• Shall give a decision on any point where the opinions of the officials differ;
• May intercede in the competition at any stage to ensure that the appropriate racing conditions are observed;
• Shall, with the Starter, Head Timer, and Computer Personnel, agree on the responsibilities of each Official with respect to the Timing System in use at the meet;
• Shall ensure that Computer Personnel determine the Official Time for each lane in each race using the Primary Timing System (as described in V.F.1.n. and VI.C. );
• May consider changing the times-based order of finish if a malfunction or irregularity of the Timing System is reported or suspected, or in the event of an order of finish protest;
• Shall instruct Computer Personnel to adjust the times of the Primary Timing System when the time of an Automatic or Semi-Automatic Timing System is equally incorrect for all lanes in a heat because of an early start, late start, or other equipment or operator malfunction;

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Appendix A: Separation of Duties for Meet Referee and Deck Referee

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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.

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q. Shall prohibit the use of tobacco products in the ready bench area, finish, or starting area of the swimming pool deck;

r. May prohibit the use of any noisemaker or light, whether natural or artificial, that could interfere with other swimmers during a meet;

s. Shall prohibit the use of alcoholic beverages in the vicinity of the meet;

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.)

u. Shall, in partnership with the Team Reps determine course of action the postponed meets;

v. Shall prohibit the use of videotape review;

w. Shall ensure that officials use the language of the rulebook in describing violations in writing and in communicating disqualifications to swimmers and coaches; (Note: 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.)

x. May prohibit the display of insignia that violates the Insignia Rule;

y. Is accountable for ensuring that meet scoring is correct;

z. Shall report to the NWAL First Vice President any disciplinary action taken against a coach or official;

aa. May determine official time and order of finish as allowed by the rulebook;

bb. Shall be responsible for the accuracy of the final results with respect to the order of finish and disqualification final results. This may include working with the clerk of course, coaches and both Team Representatives to resolve any issues found after the posting of final results and follow NWAL Change Times Protocol to make any corrections;

cc. Shall sign the Final Meet Results and have access to the final results until the end of the current NWAL season.

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Appendix A: Separation of Duties for Meet Referee and Deck Referee

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DECK REFEREE

The Deck Referee:

• Shall supervise the Starter and on deck officials assigned by the Meet Referee;
• Shall, before each race signal the Starter that all of the Officials and swimmers are in position, that the course is clear, and that the competition may begin;
• Shall be in position at the starting end of the pool to ensure that a fair start has been achieved for each race, which may include activating a recall device or instructing the starter to recall a race whenever a fair start has not been achieved;
• Shall carry a sounding device (recall horn or whistle) and be prepared to use it to recall unfair starts that he/she has observed;
• May accept or refuse to accept calls made by other stroke and turn officials due to jurisdiction issues uncertainty on behalf of the official who made the call, or actual observation of the swimmer;
• Shall ensure that disqualified swimmers or the swimmers’ coaches are notified of disqualifications;
• Shall ensure that disqualifications are properly recorded;
• Shall ensure that order of finish is recorded for every heat. (Note: This does not imply that a complete order of finish is required for every heat. It may be impractical to determine proper order for every swimmer. The Deck Ref or the delegated official shall only record the order of finish that can be accurately determined.)

Referee Whistle Protocol for starting a heat….

Disqualification Expectations

• Raise your hand immediately upon observing an infraction
• Gain the attention of the writing official
• Keep hand raised until you are noticed
• On Relays, you will raise your hand at the completion of the race, so that the deck referee can dual confirm the relay take off sheets

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• Communicate that you have an infraction
• Variety of methods can be used: Hand signals, Verbally, verbally via radio

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• What to Communicate
• Lane # and infraction
• Use the proper dq verbiage
• You may be asked additional questions – the 3 W’s
• Deck Referee will confirm or repeat dq’s called

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• Record the infraction
• If you are the turn official at the start end, you may be required to write the infraction and also inform the swimmer

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• Disqualifications
• Unless otherwise specified in these Rules, the consequences of a violation of any rule shall be the disqualification of the swimmer or relay team from the event in which the violation occurred.
• A disqualification shall be made only by the official within whose jurisdiction the infraction has been committed, or by the Meet/Deck Referee.
• The Deck Referee or designated official shall make every reasonable effort to seek out the swimmer and inform him or her as to the reason for disqualification.
• Any swimmer who acts in an Unsportsmanlike manner may be considered for disciplinary action by the Meet Referee.
• A swimmer shall start and finish the race in his or her assigned lane.
• Standing on the bottom during backstroke or freestyle shall not disqualify a swimmer, but he or she must not walk, spring from the bottom, or pull on the lane ropes to gain advantage. Standing on the bottom on breast or fly WILL result in a DQ.
• Competitors shall not wear or use any device to aid their speed or buoyancy. (No floaties or kickboards)
• Obstructing another swimmer by swimming across the lane or otherwise interfering may disqualify the offender at the discretion of the Meet/Deck Referee.
• Should a foul endanger the chance of success of a swimmer(s), the Referee may allow the affected swimmer(s) to re-swim the event. If the re-swim offer is accepted, the time achieved in the re-swim shall be the Official Time. In case of a collusion to foul another swimmer, the Referee may, at his/her discretion, disqualify the swimmer for whose aid the foul was committed, as well as the swimmer committing the foul.
• Any swimmer not entered in a race, who enters the competition pool while a race is being conducted, shall be disqualified from his or her next scheduled competition in that day’s session, subject to the discretion of the Meet/Deck Referee.

• Disqualifications
• 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. 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.
• Any swimmer, who is a participant in more than 3 individual events, shall be disqualified in all events including relays.
• If unsportsmanlike conduct occurs, swimmers shall be disqualified from their event immediately before or after the event at which the unsportsmanlike conduct occurred. If unsportsmanlike conduct occurs between races, the swimmer(s) shall be disqualified from their next scheduled event. If the conduct occurs after the swimmers’ final event, they shall be disqualified from their last event. If the conduct occurs during an invitational at which they were not entered, the swimmer may be disqualified from an event at any other invitational meet they were participating in on the same weekend, following the above protocol.
• The Meet Referee may eject any team personnel from the meet for excessive unsportsmanlike conduct, including aiding or assisting another swimmer. No official or team personnel shall aid, assist, or interfere with a swimmer while competing in a race, including taking any steps to prevent a backstroke swimmer colliding with the end of the pool. If a swimmer gains an advantage because of assistance he/she shall be disqualified from that event.
• No team personnel, including coaches and /or spectators, shall act in an Unsportsmanlike manner. This includes any act the Meet Referee or the League’s officers or board deems poor sportsmanship, such as:
1. Making insulting or derogatory remarks or acts to officials or opponents;
2. Improperly questioning, trying to influence, or showing disgust with an official's decisions;
3. Entering the water during an event in which they are not a participant
4. An act undertaken by any individual or team that the league’s officers or board determines is detrimental to the league or may result in a swimmer or team obtaining an unfair competitive advantage.
• Any swimmer who does not finish the proscribed distance shall be disqualified.
• Suits shall be one piece. Males shall wear suits which cover the buttocks. Females shall wear suits which cover the buttocks and breasts. 

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How to Set the Deck

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Stroke�Official

Stroke�Official

Starter

Referee

Wall to Wall

Wall to Wall

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

Deck for Technical Events, 8 lanes, full officials

Officials: 8

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Stroke and Turn�Official

Stroke and Turn�Official

Stroke and Turn�Official

Stroke and Turn�Official

Starter

Referee

Quad 1

Quad 2

Deck for Technical Events, 8 lanes, limited officials

Quad 4

Quad 3

Officials: 6

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Starter

Referee

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

Deck for Freestyle, 8 lane pool, full officials

Officials: 6

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Stroke�Official

Stroke�Official

Starter

Referee

Wall to Wall

Wall to Wall

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

RTO-O

RTO-O

RTO-O

RTO-O

RTO-I

RTO-I

RTO-I

RTO-I

Deck for 100 Medley Relays, 8 lanes, full officials

Head �Timer

Officials: 16

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Starter

Referee

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

RTO-O

RTO-O

RTO-O

RTO-O

RTO-I

RTO-I

RTO-I

RTO-I

Deck for 100 Free Relays, 8 lane, full officials

Officials: 14

free

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Stroke�Official

Stroke�Official

Starter

Referee

Wall to Wall

Wall to Wall

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

Deck for Individual Events, 6 Lanes, full officials

Pool

Stairs

Officials: 8

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Turn�Official

Stroke�Official

Stroke�Official

Starter

Referee

Wall to Wall

Wall to Wall

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

Last In and First Out

Deck for Individual Events, 6 lanes, diving well

Pool

Stairs

Diving Well

Officials: 8

Stroke and Turn�Official

Stroke and Turn�Official

Stroke and Turn�Official

Stroke and Turn�Official

Starter

Referee

Quad

Quad

Deck for Individual Events, 6 lanes, diving well

Pool

Stairs

Diving Well

Quad

Quad

Officials: 6

Assignments

• Time permitting, its best to prepare a written assignment sheet.

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• Your officials then will know when and where they are expected.

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Relays & Take-Off Officiating

• 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.
• 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:
1. Automatic Timing
1. When recorded by properly operating Automatic Timing equipment, operated according to the published NWAL Touchpad Protocol, and no malfunction has been reported, the pad time shall be the Official Time.
2. If a malfunction is confirmed for the lane, the Official Time shall be determined by following the Semi Automatic Timing section
2. Semi-Automatic Timing
• If three button times are available, and the difference between each time is less than 0.3 seconds, the time of the intermediate button time shall be the Official Time.
• If three button times are available, and the difference between any time and its nearest other time is greater than or equal to 0.3 seconds, then the time with the greatest difference from the nearest shall be discarded and the Official Time shall be the average of the two remaining button times. Any digits representing thousandths of a second shall be rounded up to the next slowest hundredth.
• If only two button times are available, the Official Time shall be the average of those two button times. Any digits representing thousandths of a second shall be rounded up to the next slowest hundredth.
• If only one button time is available, or no button times are available, the Official Time shall be determined by following the Manual Timing section.

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• Manual Timing 
• If three watch times are available, and the difference between each time is less than 0.3 seconds, the time of the intermediate watch time shall be the Official Time.
• If three watch times are available, and the difference between any time and its nearest other time is greater than or equal to 0.3 seconds, then the time with the greatest difference from its nearest shall be discarded and the Official Time shall be the average of the two remaining watch times. Any digits representing thousandths of a second shall be rounded up to the next slowest hundredth. The discarded time shall remain legible on the scribe sheet.
• If only two watch times are available, the Official Time shall be the average of those two watch times. Any digits representing thousandths of a second shall be rounded up to the next slowest hundredth.
• If only one watch time is available, the time of that watch shall be the Official Time.
• If no watch times are available, the Meet Referee shall determine the Official Time by adding or subtracting 0.01 second to the nearest Official Time in the heat based on the observed order of finish. If no order of finish is available, the Meet Referee may use an unofficial watch time, or offer the swimmer the option of re-swimming the event.

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• The Meet Referee may consider changing the times-based order of finish if a malfunction or irregularity of the Timing System is reported or suspected, or in the event of an order of finish protest.
• A malfunction or irregularity may be suspected if:
• The difference between the times for a lane obtained by the Primary and available Backup system(s) is greater than or equal to 0.3 seconds; or
• A Certified Official designated by the Meet Referee to record order of finish reports a different order of finish
• When a malfunction on a lane is confirmed in the Primary system, the Official Time for that lane shall be determined in accordance with the procedure for the Backup system in V.F.1.n.
• For Divisional or Invitational meets, the Meet Referee shall require dual confirmation of the observed order of finish to make changes to the times based solely on order of finish.
• For information on resolving a Timing Malfunction or order of finish Protest with Manual and Semi-Automatic timing systems, refer to Appendix D - Timing Malfunction or Irregularity Guide.
• When, because of an early start, late start, or other equipment or operator malfunction, the time of an Automatic or Semi-Automatic Timing System is equally incorrect for all lanes in a heat, but the order of finish is accurate, the Meet Referee shall instruct Computer Personnel to adjust the times of of the Primary Timing System by calculating the average difference between the Primary times and the valid Backup times and adding, or subtracting when appropriate, that difference to the Primary times of every lane in that heat.

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NOTE: A conversion factor of 1.11 shall be used whenever times need to be converted from yards to meters. Yard times shall be meter times divided by 1.11, and meter times shall be yard times multiplied by 1.11.

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A guide for using observed order of finish to determine the official order of finish, when a Manual or Semi-Automatic timing system (watches or buttons) is the Primary Timing System.

This is a guide intended to cover the most common situations related to timing malfunction or irregularity, and may not address all possible situations. This guide is not intended for use with Automatic Timing Systems (touchpads).

• Timing Malfunction or Irregularity

When a timing malfunction or irregularity exists, the referee has reason to believe that the time is one or more lanes was not accurately measured or reported. The fact that an observed order of finish differs from the times-based order of finish is NOT a reason to conclude that a timing malfunction or irregularity exists. The conclusion of a timing malfunction or irregularity should be reached independently of observed order of finish. Examples include:

• Observation that timer(s) were not positioned to see a swimmer touch the wall,
• Observation that a scribe did not record the time,
• Lanes where all timers did not start their watches at the start of the race
• Lanes where all timers’ watches did not function
• Observation or reporting that a timing device continued to run after the swimmer finished the race.

To resolve a timing malfunction or irregularity:

• Identify the lane(s) where the malfunction or irregularity exists.
• Identify the placement of the swimmer according to the observed order of finish.
• Use the observed order of finish to determine a swimmer’s order of finish and to calculate the swimmers official time. Either add 0.01 seconds to the time of the swimmer who finished immediately ahead of the swimmer in question or subtract 0.01 seconds from the time of the swimmer who finished immediately after the swimmer in question and assign that time to the affected swimmer.

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• Order of Finish Protest

The guiding principle is that preference is given to the timers-based order of finish until it can be demonstrated convincingly that there was a timing error. Each swimmer is independently timed by 3 different people while the order of finish judge is attempting to evaluate as many as 8 swimmers. If the spread between the timer’s watches is less than 0.3 seconds, there should be a strong bias to the time-based order of finish. If the spread between watches is equal to or greater than 0.3 seconds, you have a good reason to believe that one or more timers made an error.

Before concluding that the observed order of finish is now correct, follow the below procedure:

• Compare the observed order of finish to the times-based order of finish. If they match, then the times-based order of finish is final. If not, go to Step 2.
• Review the scribe sheets for all lanes in question. Calculate the spread between the fastest and slowest time for each swimmer impacted by the protest. If the spread is less than 0.3 seconds in all affected lanes, then the times-based order of finish is final. If the spread is equal to or greater than 0.3 for either lane, then continue to Step 3.
• Determine if any of the watch times are inconsistent with the others (i.e. look for outliers). If no outliers exist, the times-based order of finish is final. If inconsistencies do exist then assume the outlying watch does not exist and recalculate the times based upon V.F.1.n., and continue to step 4�
• If the adjusted time (from Step 3) and observed order of finish now agree, then this is the new official order of finish. The new official time is now the result of Step 3, based on V.F.1.n. If the adjusted times-based order of finish and observed order of finish still do not agree, then the unadjusted times-based order of finish and times are final.

Eligibility and Waivers

The goal of the NWAL is to promote a competitive program for community swimmers. The intent of the following rules regarding team representations is to promote the community concept and at the same time make provisions for situations where NWAL swimmers' families are Members of a Club or reside in an area that does not have a community team.

“Community” is defined as a local neighborhood entity that may include subdivisions, villages, unnamed areas, or aggregates of these up to and including cities. A “Club” is defined as a commercial business that may include country clubs, health clubs, YMCA’s, etc.

“Member of a Club” means one who has paid a club’s normally charged initiation, annual or monthly fees and is entitled to full use (for class of membership) of the facilities year round (this specifically excludes swim team only memberships and clubs without other substantial facilities which would induce membership.

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• A swimmer who lives in a community represented by a NWAL swim team shall swim for the community team. The core area, or boundary of the team follow this hierarchy:
• If the community is governed by a Homeowners Association (HOA) or equivalent, the boundary of the team is the boundary of the HOA or equivalent
• If the community is a municipality (city, town, township), the boundary of the team is the city or town limits (not including the City of Houston).
• If the community has more than one team, then written criteria for determining the boundary of the team and/or distribution of swimmers must have been submitted to the League Officers for approval and kept by the teams.

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Eligibility and Waivers

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• If a swimmer is also a Member of a Club represented by the NWAL, or resides in more than one community represented by the NWAL, the swimmer may choose the team he or she wishes to represent, but the swimmer shall represent the same team throughout the swim season.
• Any swimmer who lives in the area covered by the NWAL but does not live in a community represented by a NWAL team may join an NWAL team for which he or she meets that team’s membership requirements. In this case a swim team-only membership will be allowed.
• Paid coaches are ineligible to swim in the NWAL. Coaches shall follow the Coach Certification referenced in V.F.8
• Coaches' children may swim with the team their parents coach and meet that teams' membership requirements. A waiver is required to be on file in the event that the parent does not coach that team in subsequent years.
• Only NOVICE SWIMMERS may participate in the League. A NOVICE SWIMMER is any individual up to and including eighteen (18) years of age.
• Eligibility for an age group is determined by the individual age as of the end of the day on May 1 of the current year.
• To maintain a stable environment for team competition, it is expected that swimmers and their families shall not seek, nor be encouraged, to change NWAL teams except as an incident of a move of the family residence. The NWAL’s eligibility rules are established with this purpose in mind, recognizing that an individual’s opportunity to participate on a particular team shall be appropriately balanced against the League’s legitimate interest in maintaining stability and competitive fairness within the League. The NWAL Board may investigate and provide appropriate sanctions with regard to any instances that it deems may affect the stability and competitive fairness of the League.

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Eligibility and Waivers

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1. Requests for eligibility waivers or exceptions shall be approved by the receiving Team Representative and the sending or original team as soon as possible. An eligibility waiver will be submitted using the NWAL Certification site for approval. The following are suggested exceptions that the Division(s) may consider (not all inclusive):
• Diagnosed disabilities that would be better served in a different age group or different team.
• Circumstances outside the swimmer’s control that would prevent the swimmer from otherwise being able to participate in NWAL swimming
• Swimmer previously given permission to swim on wrong team without the properly approved waiver.
• Swimmer denied membership because of team size restriction. (Only needs to be approved one time, not each year.)

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J. . Every swimmer must complete all of their team’s registration requirements and agree to a waiver of all liabilities of NWAL and its teams before participating at any practice or swim meet. Any swimmer requiring an eligibility waiver or exception to swim for a team must (in addition to completing any and all registration requirements) have submitted an eligibility waiver to NWAL and received approval from NWAL for such eligibility waiver before participating at any practice or swim meets for such team. The deadline for requesting an eligibility waiver is prior to the first dual meet.

• Any waiver requests not approved by the affected Division may be appealed to the NWAL League Officers. All eligibility waivers approved at the Division level shall be submitted and approved using the NWAL Certification site for Waivers. The League Officers have the authority to override any eligibility waiver decisions made at the Division level in order to maintain consistency across the League. All appeals and Division-approved waivers shall be submitted on the NWAL Certification site for Waivers no later than two weeks prior to the start of the NWAL season. All approved waivers shall be displayed on the NWAL Certification Site for Waivers no later than the start of the NWAL season. All approved waivers are considered to be permanent unless there is a change in the swimmer’s eligibility circumstances.
• Any team wishing to contest the validity of a submitted waiver must provide documented proof to the satisfaction of the NWAL League Officers that the exception for the waiver is invalid or false.
• The violation of any of the above eligibility requirements may result in forfeiture of each meet in which an ineligible swimmer participated. [Note: The score of a forfeited meet, regardless of the reason for the forfeit, shall be 749 to 747.] Violations determined by the NWAL League Officers to be willful or premeditated shall result in additional disciplinary action up to and including expulsion of both swimmer and team from the League.

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Entries and Seeding

• Number of Events a Swimmer may Enter
• Swimmers may enter no more than three (3) individual events. Swimmers may not swim more than 1 freestyle relay and 1 medley relay. A swimmer who participates in more than three (3) individual events, more than one (1) freestyle and/or medley relay, or who participates in an event in more than one age group during a meet shall be disqualified in all events, including relays, in which the swimmer was Entered.

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Scoring

Scratch Meeting: Morning of Meet

• Scratch Meeting
• The purpose of the scratch meeting is to make adjustments on relay teams in age groups that have been reduced to fewer than four swimmers because one or more of the swimmers did not show up for the meet by the time of the scratch meeting. Teams may scratch a swimmer who is not attending the meet and reseed the meet. 
• At the scratch meeting a team may move a swimmer officially entered in the meet from a lower age group into a relay for a higher age group (up to two age groups) of the same gender provided that the team does not have enough swimmers in the higher age group available. The swimmer moved into the higher age group for one or more relays may remain in all individual events originally entered in the lower age group. Swimmers are only allowed to swim one freestyle and one medley relay at dual meets. After making these Adjustments, all swimmers must remain in compliance with the number of events a swimmer may enter.
• Substitution of alternates on relay teams may be done at any time, not necessarily during the scratch meeting.
• Swimmers may be entered into the meet at the scratch meeting with approval of both team representatives and the Meet Referee.
• No adjustments shall be made after the start of the meet. The fact that a relay alternate swims is not an adjustment

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Protests and Disciplinary Actions

• Protests and Disciplinary Actions
• Certified Team Reps or Coaches are the only Team members to approach a Meet Referee of a disputed call, protest or disciplinary action.
• Protests against judgment decisions of starters, stroke, turn, and relay takeoff judges shall only be considered by the Meet Referee, who has the authority to disqualify swimmers for any violation of the rules that he personally observes.
• Any other protest arising from the competition itself shall be made to the Meet Referee prior to the completion of the meet. If the protest is not resolved immediately, the protesting Team Representative may, within 36 hours, file a written protest accompanied by $100 to their Division Representative or to a League Officer for Board adjudication at the earliest possible time which shall then be binding on all parties. Any monies received with protests are non-refundable unless the protest resolved in favor of the protester.
• Until final action is determined, the results of any heat, event, or meet conducted under protest shall not be announced, and awards for that contested situation shall not be awarded nor scoring of points allowed unless the protest is officially withdrawn.
• Disciplinary action taken by a Meet Referee against a coach or official shall be reported in writing to the First Vice-President before the next scheduled meet.
• The League Officers shall have the final authority to censure or discipline team personnel.
• The League Officers shall have the discretion to refer any protest to the Training and Certification Committee for input, clarification and recommendations prior to ruling on the protest.
• Physical, mental and verbal abuse of any of the participants, coaches, managers, employees, spectators or volunteers involved in our sponsored activities is not permitted before, during or after sponsored activities.
1. Notwithstanding requirements to report allegations of sexual abuse immediately to the proper authorities, allegations of abuse away from competition are to be made first to the Meet Referee and, if before or after the meet, should be made to the respective Team Representatives for reporting to the First Vice President / Head of Officials.
2. Unless referred to NWAL legal counsel or insurance claims adjuster, allegations will be adjudicated by the Head of Officials, utilizing appropriate investigation techniques and reports from the respective parties involved.
3. Decisions by the First Vice President / Head of Officials may be appealed to League Officers for review. Decisions by the League Officers are final.

Delay or Postponement of Meets

3. Delay or Postponement of Meets Due to Climatic Conditions
• The Host Team Meet Referee, working with the Team Reps for both teams, may postpone a dual meet up to 24 hours prior to that meet due to unfavorable climatic conditions or unavailability of the pool.
• If a dual meet has progressed through event 60, and is suspended due to unfavorable climatic conditions, the meet is considered complete, no reschedule is necessary, and the results through the last event completed shall be the final score.
• The Visiting Team may also postpone a dual meet up to 24 hours prior to scheduled meet start, due to circumstances which would significantly impact their participation, and shall do so only with concurrence of the Host Team Meet Referee and both Team Reps.
• In either of the above situations (A and B), the process for re-scheduling of the meet must be followed as per rule IV.C. If either team should be without a Meet Referee, contact NWAL 1st VP (Officials@nwal.org) to ensure that your team is represented in this process.

Delay or Postponement of Meets

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E. Swimming competition shall be suspended immediately when thunder is heard, or lightning is visible.

• The meet shall be suspended until 15 minutes after the last thunder was heard or the last lightning was sighted. Note that local facility rules and/or pool management rules regarding thunderstorm suspension, should they exist, take precedence over NWAL rules.
• When a meet is suspended because of lightning and/or thunder, the pool area shall be cleared immediately of all participants, officials, and spectators.
• When a meet in progress is suspended, the Meet Referee and both Team Representatives shall meet prior to leaving the facilities to determine what course of action to pursue.
• Delayed meet postponed.
1. Team Representatives may agree mutually to postpone any meet that has been suspended due to climatic conditions.
2. A meet suspended for 2 hours in the aggregate shall be considered postponed unless both Team Representatives agree otherwise.
• Re-scheduling of postponed meets is by mutual agreement. Any team acting in an unresponsive manner during the climatic rescheduling process will be considered as unsportsmanlike and risk meet forfeiture.
• In the event that Team Representatives cannot mutually agree to a date to reschedule a dual meet, the following procedure shall be implemented:
• The host team shall offer three (3) dates prior to the next scheduled meet when the facility will be available for rescheduling the meet. The rescheduled meet is to occur prior to the next scheduled meet.
• The visiting team shall select one of the dates to reschedule the meet.
• In the event that the facility is not available, or if by mutual agreement the meet is not rescheduled, the meet shall be declared a draw. In that event each team shall be awarded one half of the total points for the meet (748 points each for a dual meet).
• The Weather Delay Form, located on the NWAL website, shall be filled out by the host team when any weather delay or postponement occurs and be signed by both teams. This form shall be filled out during the delays and all information recorded. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of the meet by the home team in the event of disagreements. This applies to both dual and divisional meets.
• Divisional meets shall be rescheduled and completed through event 86.
1. If other pool conditions such as water quality make it unsafe or inadvisable to swim, the meet shall be postponed and rescheduled as necessary using an approach consistent with Rule IV.B.

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Protests / Delays /Blood

• 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.

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FACILITIES

• REQUIRED
1. COURSE SHALL BE FREE OF OBSTACLES

All ladders, steps, stairs or other projection shall be recessed or removed when possible. Any team shall have the option of refusing to swim in the lane where such projections present, in their opinion, unsafe conditions for their swimmers.

• POOL AND BULKHEAD MARKINGS

The top edge of deck-level pools shall be marked with a contrasting color to provide a visual target at the end of the pool. Towels may be hung as targets at the request of any team in lieu of permanent targets.

• STARTING PLATFORMS (Blocks)

The blocks shall comply with each of the following requirements; otherwise forward starts shall be from the deck. This is a requirement not an option.

• The surface of the starting platform shall be no less than 20 inches square, and the maximum slope toward the pool shall be no more than 10 degrees from the horizontal.
• The top shall be covered with a non-skid material.
• Firm starting grips, flush with the end of the pool, for Backstroke starts shall be placed 11 3/4 inches to 31 1/2 inches above the surface of the water.
• The platform may be flush with the end of the pool.
• Height above the Water Line:
1. The front edge of the starting platform shall not exceed 30 inches in height above the surface of the water if the depth of the pool at that end is 4 feet or more.
2. The front edge of the starting platform shall not exceed 18 inches in height above the surface of the water if the depth of the pool at that end is less than 4 feet.
3. In pools with water depth less than 3 feet 6 inches at the starting end, the swimmers shall start from the deck. With the Meet/Deck Referee’s permission, a swimmer may start in the water. The swimmer shall be stationary and have at least one hand in contact with the starting platform or end wall. A backstroke start is not permitted except on backstroke event

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FACILITIES

• LANE LINES AND ANCHORS

Permanent provisions shall be made to anchor lane lines at the water level in recessed receptacles. Tightly stretched, easily visible floating lane markers shall be provided for all meets. The color of the floats for 15 feet from each end shall be distinct from the rest of the floats.

• BACKSTROKE FLAGS, LINES AND ANCHORS

Provisions shall be made to anchor the backstroke flag line. At least three (3) triangular pennants of two or more alternating colors shall be suspended over each lane from a line fifteen (15) feet from each end of the swimming course. The flag line shall be at least seven (7) feet above the water surface. Pennants shall be six (6) to twelve (12) inches in width at the base, and twelve (12) to eighteen (18) inches in vertical length.

• Pools shall have a minimum of four (4) lanes with an individual width of five (5) feet or greater.
• Pools shall have a minimum of three (3) feet of water at the shallowest part of the course.
• A CPR and First Aid Certified person shall be at all NWAL events and functions including Divisionals and Invitationals.
• Facilities shall be safe for athlete and spectator use. 

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FACILITIES

• RECOMMENDED
• POOL AND BULKHEAD MARKINGS

Lines should be placed on pool bottoms to serve as guides for each swimmer, and the color of these lines (preferably black) should be a marked contrast to the general color of the pool. Such lines should be at least 10 inches wide and placed in the middle of each swimming lane. As these lanes approach the end of the pool, it is recommended that distinctive "T" markings be placed on the bottom sixty (60) inches from the wall. It is recommended that target lines at least ten (10) inches wide be placed on each end wall of the pool, in the center of each lane, extending from the deck to at least four (4) feet below the surface water. Lanes should be numbered from right to left as the swimmer stands facing the course. Each lane should be clearly marked.

• STARTING PLATFORMS (Blocks)

The lane number should be visible from all sides of the platform.

• RECALL ROPE

Provisions should be made to anchor the recall rope so that it shall be suspended at least four (4) feet above the water at its lowest point. A recall rope may be available which may be dropped across the racing lanes in case of a false start. It should be located within 36 feet from the take-off point.

• 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.

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FACILITIES

• NON-STANDARD POOLS
• Where the pool does not meet the requirements of Rule VII.A., and a team cannot provide them, it is a non-standard pool.
• When a team's pool is more than plus or minus one (1) yard from 25 yards or 25 meters, it is a non-standard pool.
• Fifty-meter pools are non-standard.
• Pools of teams who do not respond in a timely manner to the NWAL with dimensional information are designated non-standard subject to a formal appeal to the Board of Directors.
• All other pools, whether 25 yards or 25 meters shall be considered standard. Any pool whose length exceeds plus or minus 6 inches from nominal shall receive a timing adjustment factor from the NWAL to be used for seeding events at all meets.
• It is the option of the team with a standard pool to decline to swim at the non-standard pool, and the following procedures shall be followed:
1. If the standard pool team exercises that option, the standard pool team shall supply the standard pool facility for the meet.
2. The non-standard pool team shall have the option of acting as host team for the meet.
3. If the non-standard pool team exercises that option, they shall supply the Meet Referee and the ribbons.
4. Whenever possible, concessions are negotiable. However, if there is no mutual agreement between the teams, then the team with the non-standard pool facility shall be awarded concessions.
• TEAMS WITHOUT POOLS shall provide host officials and ribbons when hosting a meet as a visitor subject to forfeiture at the option of the team supplying the facility.
• The host team is required to allow the visiting team the option of the later warm up time slot, unless previously agreed to by both teams and the Meet Referee.

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Refer to Appendix C for a guidance on handling visual, hearing, physical, and cognitive disabilities.

Official’s Meeting

Gather all officials before the meet start and review the following. Keep it light and interesting.

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• Introduce yourself
• Pool layout and features
• Jurisdiction
• DQ protocol & processing
• Stroke and turn expectations
• Deck Ref and Starter expectations
• Swimmers with Disabilities
• Relays and ballots
• What to do with protests
• Provisional forms (VOD Form)
• Deck assignments and rotations
• Seek questions

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Timer’s Meeting

Gather all timers before the meet start and review the following. Keep it light and interesting.

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• Introduce yourself
• Where to stand
• When to clear your watch
• When to start your watch
• What to do with a malfunction
• What to do with the 3^rd decimal place
• Best practices for the scribe
• Make sure you have the right swimmer
• Let them know the meet will be moving fast!

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Referee Best Practices….

• Purchase a whistle!
• Ensure all officials are in position before starting each event
• Ensure the course is clear before starting each heat
• Provide the starter with a clear whistle blow
• Closely observe each start
• During each heat spend most of your time observing your officials for an infraction
• Note each heat you launch on the referee heat sheet
• Note all infractions + lane number on the Referee heat sheet
• Deck Referee Sheets are the Final Authority on DQ’s on Swimmers. This will be used to check for DQ accuracy and No Show accuracy after computers enters the information.
• Note all “no shows” or empty lanes
• Be aware of rules for swimmers with disabilities
• Keep a rule book in your pocket
• Always remain calm, no matter the situation
• Keep the meet moving
• Keep an eye out for any and all safety issues!

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Recording DQ’s

• Meet Referees have authority to decide how DQ’s are documented.
• DQ Writers in Lanes – grab Timer Sheet and Document
• Chief DQ Writer- Document all DQ’s on one Sheet-can be a simple log or more advanced (see next slide) and turns in with timer sheets.

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DQ Log Link

• Referee’s can instruct computers to staple together the timer sheet, dq log, computer results to check for accuracy with the Deck Referee log. Deck Referee log is the ultimate authority for dq documentation.

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Deck Referee Documentation

Document Combining Heat/Lane Changes

Deck Referee Checked off after confirming Computer Results.

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Note: Each

Deck Referee documented differently, but both work!

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Both used abbreviations.