2015 USA Swimming Rules and Regulations

Transcription

1 THE OFFIITING TEM 2015 US Swimming Rules and Regulations When you officiate at a swim meet you will be functioning as part of a team of officials that includes at least one Referee, at least one Starter, and four or more Stroke and Turn Judges. There may also be a hief Judge. You should remember that as a member of this team you leave your club affiliation behind and enforce the rules for everyone. It may be difficult at times to hold your emotions in check, but cheering on your child or club while officiating will not make you look like a fair and impartial official. The Referee is the head official at the meet. The rule book lists ten responsibilities of the Referee, but the first responsibility listed should give you a good sense that the Referee is in charge The Referee Shall have full authority over all officials and shall assign and instruct them; shall enforce all applicable rules and shall decide all questions relating to the actual conduct of the meet, the final settlement of which is not otherwise assigned by said rules; can override any meet official on a point of rule interpretation, or on a judgment decision pertaining to an action which the Referee has personally observed. t any particular meet you might find that the Referee does many things personally or they might delegate some of their responsibilities. common practice that you might see at a meet is for the Referee to delegate some of the responsibilities to a hief Judge who is best thought of as an intermediary between the Referee and the Stroke and Turn Judges. Where you stand on deck, what your jurisdiction is, and whether or not you rotate to different positions on the deck during a meet will be determined by the Referee. The rule book doesn t specify how these things should be done, they are judgment decisions made by the Referee. How you are placed around the deck is dependent both on the configuration of the pool and the number of judges available. Usually the Referee will first attempt to make sure that the start and turn ends of the pool have adequate coverage before worrying about having Stroke Judges walking on the sides of the pool. If there are only four Stroke and Turn Judges you will most likely be assigned with two judges on each end of the pool. If there are a large number of Stroke and Turn Judges the Referee may consider having Stroke Judges walk the sides of the pool as well. Numbers don t tell the whole story though as the configuration of the pool may also be a limitation when it comes to walking the sides. Diving wells, life guard stands, and crowded decks are just some of the things that may limit your ability to judge from the side of the pool. Placement, Rotation, and Jurisdiction of Officials on Deck You will be assigned a jurisdiction. Your jurisdiction is that part of the pool in which you have been assigned to judge the swimmers. You may see a violation of the rules take place outside of your jurisdiction but if that s the case you cannot make the call. You can only make a call within your area of jurisdiction. Here are some typical jurisdictions for the start and turn end of the pool: 2 judges per end in a 6 lane pool: On each end one judge has jurisdiction of lanes 1-3, while the second judge has jurisdiction of lanes judges per end in an 8 lane pool: On each end one judge has jurisdiction of lanes 1-4, while the second judge has jurisdiction of lanes judges per end in a 6 lane pool: On each end the jurisdictions are lanes 1-2, 3-4, judges per end in an 8 lane pool: On each end the jurisdictions are lanes 1-3, 4-5, judges per end in an 8 lane pool: On each end the jurisdictions are lanes 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8. If you are officiating at a meet that only has Stroke and Turn Judges assigned to the start and turn ends of the pool your jurisdiction will extend from your end of the pool to half way towards the other end of the pool. If you are walking the sides as a Stroke Judge then your jurisdiction would typically be between the backstroke flags, while the Judges on the ends of the pool would judge between the end of the pool and the near backstroke flags. If the pool has an L configuration because of a diving well you ll find that the jurisdictions

2 are modified the Stroke Judge on the side of the pool without the diving well will walk the mirror image of what the Stroke Judge walks on the opposite side. lways remember that you should give equal attention to each lane within your jurisdiction, even if there is no swimmer in one or more of them. Yes, this means you should spend part of your time watching empty lanes. Remember, you want to treat all the swimmers equally. If you re watching three swimmers in three lanes then one-third of your attention is focused on each swimmer. If you only have one swimmer in three lanes and you focus all your attention on that swimmer, they re then getting three times as much officiating. t a meet you may find that the officials change their position on deck every so often: this is known as a rotation. For example, after each girls event is completed the Stroke and Turn Judges might rotate clockwise to the next position. Finally, if there are a sufficient number of officials on deck you might have a relief position or you might have one-half of the officials work the first half of the meet and the second one-half of the officials work the second half of the meet. When doing this you should always remember to report promptly when it is your turn to relieve another official. What to Do When You Observe n Infraction of the Rules When you observe an infraction of the rules within your jurisdiction, the rules require you to immediately raise your hand. If you don t immediately raise your hand then there can be no disqualification, no matter how many people saw the violation. When you raise your hand raise it confidently but not enthusiastically. If you look like you are hesitant in putting your hand up it conveys the message that you are unsure of the call. Once your hand is up, leave it up for several seconds so that the Referee or hief Judge has an opportunity to see it. If you raise your hand and after thinking the situation over realize that there wasn t a violation you don t have to make the call (nor should you). fter raising your hand, you should continue observing all the swimmers within your jurisdiction. Don t miss something because your attention has now shifted to writing a disqualification slip. fter observing an infraction of the rules you will need to fill out a disqualification slip. Every DQ slip must have the event #, heat #, and violation filled out. It also needs to be signed by you. Ideally, each slip will also have the swimmer s name but this can be added by the Referee if necessary. If you re at the start end of the pool you can confirm the name of the swimmer against the timing card. If you re at the turn end or walking the sides the Referee will confirm the name of the swimmer. efore going to the scoring table the DQ slip must be signed by the Referee. Each infraction that you observe should be called, even if it is the same swimmer. Don t assume that because you ve already written up one violation you can skip the next; the first might be overturned and the second might have been upheld had it been called. Likewise, don t assume that because you ve seen a hand go up at the end of the other end of the pool the swimmer has already been disqualified; it could be a different swimmer, a different violation, or a violation that is ultimately overruled. For each infraction, be prepared to answer the following three questions: 1. what was your jurisdiction; 2. what did you see; and 3. which rule was violated. If the Referee questions you please don t take it personally. The Referee is only doing their job of making sure that each disqualification is valid. Just as importantly, if you make a mistake (and we all do), admit it. Don t make the swimmer pay the price. Finally, it is important use proper terminology when describing a rules infraction. For example, it is not illegal to execute a flip turn when transitioning from butterfly to backstroke during the individual medley, but it is illegal to not finish while on the breast during that transition.

3 Relay Take-off Judging When judging relay take-offs we use what is referred to as dual confirmation. When dual confirmation is being used two independent judges must agree that the same swimmer in the same lane took off early. To use dual confirmation the Referee will first assign officials to the task. You might be asked to dual confirm for three lanes to as many six lanes. You might be stationed at the side of the pool (Side Judge) or you might be stationed between the blocks (Lane Judge). You judge take-offs by first watching the feet of the outgoing swimmer. When they leave the blocks you then look down to see if the incoming swimmer has touched the wall. If the incoming swimmer has not yet touched then it is an early take-off. Remember, you want to look from outgoing swimmer to incoming swimmer as this gives the benefit of the doubt to the relay team. If you judge by looking at the touch of the incoming swimmer first and then look to see if the outgoing swimmer is still on the blocks they might not be. ut, they might have been when the swimmer touched, you just don t know it. You do not raise your hand if you observe an early take-off. Rather, you record your observation for each swimmer in each lane on a relay take-off slip (O=okay; X=early). fter the race you compare your slip with the slip of the person who is doing dual confirmation with you. Only if both of you agree as to the same swimmer taking off early in the same lane is there a disqualification. In that case a disqualification slip should be written up and signed by both judges, and it along with the two relay take-off slips should go to the Referee. Judging Swimmers with Physical Disabilities Modifications can be made to the technical rules to allow swimmers with physical disabilities to compete. When a disabled swimmer is competing their coach will notify the Referee and appropriate accommodations will be determined. The Referee will in turn let you know how the swimmer is to be judged. In brief, you judge, in accordance with US Swimming rules, any part of the body that is used, and you do not judge a part of the body that cannot be used. Your judgment should be based on the actual rule and not on the swimmer s technique. Disputes Over alls y oaches/swimmers/parents If coaches have questions or complaints about your calls, the coaches should be directed to the Referee. If the swimmers or parents have questions or complaints about your calls, the swimmers or parents should be directed to their team coach. If you have any problems, don t hesitate to bring them to the attention of the Referee. Either the Referee or the Meet Director will deal with them. This has rarely, if ever, been a problem but if an issue should arise it is the responsibility of the Referee to deal with it. PHILOSOPHY OF OFFIITING Potential volunteers are sometimes reluctant to become involved as Stroke and Turn Officials because they feel bad about the possibility of disqualifying a swimmer. This same feeling is often felt by new officials as well. If that s the case you may find it helpful to understand that enforcing the rules is best thought of as protecting the swimmers who are swimming within the rules rather than as punishing the swimmers who are swimming in violation of the rules. The swimmer acting outside of the rules should be disqualified; as a Stroke and Turn Judge you are merely recording the violation. To be a knowledgeable and competent Stroke and Turn Judge you will need to have a thorough understanding of the technical rules of swimming. While swimming is a relatively simple sport, it is important for you to realize that different organizations (ex. US Swimming, the N, and the NFHS) have slightly different sets of rules. To officiate as a Stroke and Turn Judge you will need to know the technical rules of US Swimming as those are the standards for league competition.

4 It is also very important to understand that the rules change from time to time. Some of these changes are small while other changes are large. Just because you swam the stroke in a particular way when you competed earlier in your life doesn t mean that the stroke is still swum that way. In any given year there might be no changes or there might be two or three changes. The only way for you to know what the rules say is for you to read the rule book, and no matter how long you have been officiating or swimming you should always review and re-familiarize yourself with the rules at the beginning of each season STRTS rticle Individual Strokes and Relays.1 Equipment loudspeaker start system conforming to , with or without an underwater recall device, and an electronic strobe signal visible to all manual timers for forward and backstroke starts, shall be the preferred starting device..2 The Start D E.3 False Starts D E t the commencement of each heat, the Referee shall signal to the swimmers by a short series of whistles to remove all clothing except for swimwear, followed by a long whistle indicating that they should take and maintain their positions on the starting platform, the deck, or in the water. In backstroke and medley relay events, at the Referee s first long whistle, the swimmers shall immediately enter the water and at the second long whistle shall return without undue delay to the starting position. When the swimmers and officials are ready, the Referee shall signal with an outstretched arm to the Starter that the swimmers are under the Starter s control. On the Starter s command take your mark, the swimmers shall immediately assume their starting position, in the forward start, with at least one foot at the front of the starting platform or the deck. Swimmers starting in the water must have at least one hand in contact with the wall or starting platform. When all swimmers are stationary, the Starter shall give the starting signal. When a swimmer does not respond promptly to the command "take your mark," the Starter shall immediately release all swimmers with the command "stand up" upon which the swimmers may stand up or step off the blocks. swimmer shall not be disqualified for an illegal starting position at the start if the race is permitted to proceed. Enforcement of the correct starting position is the responsibility of the Starter. ny swimmer starting before the starting signal is given shall be disqualified if the Referee independently observes and confirms the Starter s observation that a violation occurred. Swimmers remaining on the starting blocks shall be relieved from their starting positions with the "stand up" command and may step off the blocks. If the starting signal has been given before the disqualification is declared, the race shall continue without recall. If the Referee independently observes and confirms the Starter s observation that a violation occurred, the swimmer or swimmers who have false started shall be disqualified upon completion of the race. If the recall signal is activated inadvertently, no swimmer shall be charged with a false start and the Starter shall restart the race upon signal by the Referee. swimmer who would otherwise be charged with a false start may be relieved of the charge if the false start was caused by the swimmer s reaction to the stand up command. Declared false start: swimmers reporting to the Referee prior to the start of their race and declaring their intent not to compete will be disqualified except as noted in D(1).

5 .4 Warning Signal With the exception of relays, in events 500 yards or longer, the Starter or a designee shall sound a warning signal over the water at the finish end of the lane of the leading swimmer when that swimmer has two lengths plus five yards or five meters to swim. s an alternative, a bell warning signal may be given over each lane by a lane judge or timer for that lane..5 Deliberate Delay or Misconduct The Starter shall report a swimmer to the Referee for delaying the start, for willfully disobeying an order or for any other misconduct taking place at the start, but only the Referee may disqualify a swimmer for such delay, willful disobedience or misconduct. The Referee shall disqualify a swimmer who fails to appear at the starting platform ready to swim in time for the initial start of his/her heat. Such disqualification shall not be charged as a false start RESTSTROKE.1 Start - The forward start shall be used..2 Stroke - fter the start and after each turn when the swimmer leaves the wall, the body shall be kept on the breast. It is not permitted to roll onto the back at any time except at the turn after the touch of the wall where it is permissible to turn in any manner as long as the body is on the breast when leaving the wall. Throughout the race the stroke cycle must be one arm stroke and one leg kick in that order. ll movements of the arms shall be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane without alternating movement. The hands shall be pushed forward together from the breast on, under, or over the water. The elbows shall be under water except for the final stroke before the turn, during the turn and for the final stroke at the finish. The hands shall be brought back on or under the surface of the water. The hands shall not be brought back beyond the hip line, except during the first stroke after the start and each turn. During each complete cycle, some part of the swimmer s head shall break the surface of the water. fter the start and after each turn, the swimmer may take one arm stroke completely back to the legs. The head must break the surface of the water before the hands turn inward at the widest part of the second stroke..3 Kick - fter the start and each turn, at any time prior to the first breaststroke kick a single butterfly kick is permitted. Following which, all movements of the legs shall be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane without alternating movement. The feet must be turned outwards during the propulsive part of the kick. Scissors, alternating movements or downward butterfly kicks are not permitted except as provided herein. reaking the surface of the water with the feet is allowed unless followed by a downward butterfly kick..4 Turns and Finish - t each turn and at the finish of the race, the touch shall be made with both hands separated and simultaneously at, above, or below the water level. t the last stroke before the turn and at the finish an arm stroke not followed by a leg kick is permitted. The head may be submerged after the last arm pull prior to the touch, provided it breaks the surface of the water at some point during the last complete or incomplete cycle preceding the touch UTTERFLY.1 Start - The forward start shall be used..2 Stroke fter the start and after each turn, the swimmer s shoulders must be at or past the vertical toward the breast. The swimmer is permitted one or more leg kicks, but only one arm pull under water, which must bring the swimmer to the surface. It shall be permissible for a swimmer to be completely submerged for a distance of not more than 15 meters (16.4 yards) after the start and after each turn. y that point, the head must have

6 broken the surface. The swimmer must remain on the surface until the next turn or finish. From the beginning of the first arm pull, the body shall be kept on the breast except at the turn after the touch of the wall where it is permissible to turn in any manner as long as the body is on the breast when leaving the wall. oth arms must be brought forward simultaneously over the water and pulled back simultaneously under the water throughout the race..3 Kick ll up and down movements of the legs and feet must be simultaneous. The position of the legs or the feet need not be on the same level, but they shall not alternate in relation to each other. scissors or breaststroke kicking movement is not permitted..4 Turns t each turn the body shall be on the breast. The touch shall be made with both hands separated and simultaneously at, above, or below the water surface. Once a touch has been made, the swimmer may turn in any manner desired. The shoulders must be at or past the vertical toward the breast when the swimmer leaves the wall..5 Finish - t the finish, the body shall be on the breast and the touch shall be made with both hands separated and simultaneously at, above, or below the water surface KSTROKE.1 Start - The swimmers shall line up in water facing the starting end, with both hands placed on the gutter or on the starting grips. Standing in or on the gutter, placing the toes above the lip of the gutter, or bending the toes over the lip of the gutter (before or after the start) is prohibited. When using a backstroke ledge at the start, the toes of both feet must be in contact with the end wall or face of the touchpad. ending the toes over the top of the touchpad is prohibited..2 Stroke - The swimmer shall push off on his back and continue swimming on the back throughout the race. Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the race, except it is permissible for the swimmer to be completely submerged during the turn and for a distance of not more than 15 meters (16.4 yards) after the start and after each turn. y that point, the head must have broken the surface of the water..3 Turns - Upon completion of each length, some part of the swimmer must touch the wall. During the turn the shoulders may be turned past the vertical toward the breast after which an immediate continuous single arm pull or immediate continuous simultaneous double arm pull may be used to initiate the turn. The swimmer must have returned to a position on the back upon leaving the wall..4 Finish - Upon the finish of the race, the swimmer must touch the wall while on the back FREESTYLE.1 Start - The forward start shall be used..2 Stroke - In an event designated freestyle, the swimmer may swim any style, except that in a medley relay or an individual medley event, freestyle means any style other than butterfly, breaststroke or backstroke. Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the race, except it shall be permissible for the swimmer to be completely submerged during the turn and for a distance of not more than 15 meters (16.4 yards) after the start and each turn. y that point the head must have broken the surface..3 Turns - Upon completion of each length the swimmer must touch the wall..4 Finish - The swimmer shall have finished the race when any part of his person touches the wall after completing the prescribed distance INDIVIDUL MEDLEY The swimmer shall swim the prescribed distance in the following order: the first one-fourth, butterfly; the second one-fourth, backstroke; the third one-fourth, breaststroke; and the last one-fourth, freestyle.

7 .1 Start - The forward start shall be used..2 Stroke - The stroke for each one-fourth of the designated distance shall follow the prescribed rules for that stroke..3 Turns Intermediate turns within each stroke shall conform to the turn rules for that stroke. The turns when changing from one stroke to another shall conform to the finish rules for the stroke just completed, and shall be as follows: (1) utterfly to ackstroke - The swimmer must touch as described in Once a legal touch has been made, the swimmer may turn in any manner, but the shoulders must be at or past the vertical toward the back when the swimmer leaves the wall. (2) ackstroke to reaststroke - The swimmer must touch the wall while on the back. Once a legal touch has been made, the swimmer may turn in any manner but the shoulders must be at or past the vertical toward the breast when the swimmer leaves the wall and the prescribed breaststroke form must be attained prior to the first arm stroke. (3) reaststroke to Freestyle - The swimmer must touch as described in Once a legal touch has been made, the swimmer may turn in any manner..4 Finish - The swimmer shall have finished the race when any part of his/her person touches the wall after the prescribed distance RELYS.1 Freestyle Relay - Four swimmers on each team, each to swim one-fourth of the prescribed distance using any desired stroke(s). Freestyle finish rules apply..2 Medley Relay - Four swimmers on each team, each to swim one-fourth of the prescribed distance continuously in the following order: first, backstroke; second, breaststroke; third, butterfly; and fourth, freestyle. Rules pertaining to each stroke used shall govern where applicable. t the end of each leg, the finish rule for each stroke applies in each case..3 Mixed Gender Relays must consist of two (2) males and two (2) females..4 Rules Pertaining to Relay Races D E F G No swimmer shall swim more than one leg in any relay event. When automatic relay take-off judging is used, each swimmer must touch the touchplate or pad in his/her lane at the end of the course to have finished his/her leg of the relay race. In relay races a swimmer other than the first swimmer shall not start until his/her teammate has concluded his/her leg. ny relay team member and his/her relay team shall be disqualified from a race if a team member other than the swimmer designated to swim that leg shall jump into or enter the pool in the area where the race is being conducted before all swimmers of all teams have finished the race. Each relay team member shall leave the water immediately upon finishing his/her leg, except the last member. In relay races the team of a swimmer whose feet have lost touch with the starting platform (ground or deck) before his/her preceding teammate touches the wall shall be disqualified. In relay races involving in-the-water starts, the team of a swimmer who has lost touch with the end of the course before his/her preceding teammate touches the wall shall be disqualified, unless the swimmer in default returns to the original starting point at the wall.