Referee and Starter Training

Transcription

1 Referee and Starter Training Karl M. Nelson Credits: Chad Fletcher and Kevin Cooney

2 Referee and Starter Midlake Dual Meets Only Best practice is to have both a referee and a starter Referee organizes officials, signs DQ slips, interfaces with coaches, resolves issues, etc. Starter is left free to focus on starting races. Do not use the USA out-held arm method. Referee should be a USA certified official Starter may act as referee if no USA certified is available to assume this duty.

3 Referee/Starter Responsibilities You are responsible for the SAFETY and conduct of the meet. Think carefully and ask for advice. (Coaches and other officials) Arrive at the beginning of warmups. Check with the clerk of the course. Help with any issues. Request officials/referee heat sheets. Layout time-line for the announcer (when officials meeting/timers meeting/national anthem/start of meet) Meet/introduce yourself to the coaches Conduct officials meeting and make assignments. Conduct timers meeting and account for timers. Start the meet on time, but only if everyone is ready and in place Don t rush the meet BUT keep it flowing. Don t be pressured into doing something. Buy a whistle!

4 Prior to Start of Meet - Coaches No need for a coaches meeting, but at a minimum: Introduce yourself and make note of coaches names Identify yourself as the head official and request that they go to you if any issues/questions Ask if any special needs kids Warn against: No other team logos No taping other than what you ve approved Midlakes Reference: % pdf

5 Official Meeting Identify yourself as the head official, and ask the officials to go to you if any problems or issues Account for everyone. If second half officials are not in attendance - make sure they get the information they need. Organize relay exchange officials - discuss relay protocol Discuss jurisdiction (where to walk) Hand out and organize heat sheets, DQ slips and relay exchange forms Emphasize rules as needed no need to do a stroke briefing Explain how DQ slips will be collected/dispositioned. Emphasize that stroke and turn officials need to be in position together with the exchange officials 5-min prior to start.

6 Timers Meeting Ensure three timers for each lane, equipped with one watch each and a set of timer s sheets. One timer may not operate two watches. Identify the head timer to everyone Instruct Timers: 1. Check swimmer names against the timer s sheet get starter s attention if you can not resolve any issues 2. Position yourself to observe the starting signal and the touch at the end of the race. Stand directly over the lane during the touch 3. Practice starting/stopping/resetting watch prior to start of meet should be second nature to you 4. Before start -- check and make sure watch has been reset 5. Start watch on signal (sound or light) 6. Check and make sure watch has started else get backup-timer s attention 7. Stop watch when any part of swimmer touches any part of the wall or starting block 8. Record time for all three watches. 9. Write NT for no time, if you are not confident in your time. Never try to correct a bad time using intuition or estimation. 10. Prepare for next heat. 11.Remind to move promptly to the turn end of the pool (and back) for 25-yd. events

7 Midlakes Whistle Start Procedure 1. Referee/Starter signals the swimmers to get into position behind the blocks and ready to step up or in by blowing a series (more than 3) of short whistles ("chirps"). This will usually happen just after the last swimmer of the previous heat has completed their distance (or possibly even earlier). This signal needs to be timed such that you can keep the meet moving along.

8 Midlakes Whistle Start Procedure 2. Announcer (or Starter, if necessary) calls out the event, heat and instructs the swimmers to the back of the blocks. The Announcer then hands the heat over to the Referee. Note, referees should coordinate the timing of the whistles and announcements with the Announcer prior to the beginning of the meet.

9 Midlakes Whistle Start Procedure 3. Referee signals swimmers to step up onto the blocks or enter the water by blowing one long whistle blast (for backstroke, a second long whistle blast when the Referee is ready to have swimmers return to the wall and place their feet). This will be fairly quick in meets that are being run as fast as possible, and not so quick in other circumstances (such as Finals where the swimmers names are being announced, or where the Referee is waiting for something to finish or occur before getting the swimmers up/in). If the swimmers do not respond in a reasonable period of time, the Referee may indicate by arm motion to step up/in.

10 Midlakes Whistle Start Procedure 4. In most cases, we combine Starter/Ref, so we don t use this step except in prelims/a/b champs. When ready to turn swimmers over to the Starter, the Referee will signal with an out-stretched arm to the starter (the Referee should be in a position for the Starter to see the arm). This action "closes" the heat. Referees should continue to use their discretion at this point for any late arriving swimmers. If needed, have the Starter step the heat down, and find out why the swimmer was late. The out-stretched arm shall be kept there until the swimmers leave the blocks.

11 Midlakes Whistle Start Procedure 5. The Starter, upon being given control by the Referee, will check for any starting problems (toes over the starting block or toes in backstroke, swimmers or timers in the way, etc), and correct any observed problems. There will now be a pause (take a deep breath, scan the field up and down, or whatever works for you to ensure that a pause happens). When the field is ready, say "Take Your Mark". That is ALL you say. TIP: Sounds like pass the salt

12 Midlakes Whistle Start Procedure 6. Observe the field getting into position (at least one foot at the front edge of the platform). Once everyone is in position and has stopped moving, issue the start signal. Be patient for the swimmers to become still. But don't wait too long, if necessary, instruct them to "Stand" or Stand Please. When swimmers are motionless, give the start signal.

13 Midlakes Whistle Start Procedure 7. Should one or more swimmers move before the starting signal, the Starter will instruct them to Stand or Stand Please, If a swimmer starts before the starting signal and the starting signal has been given, the recall signal will be given and swimmers return to the starting area. The Starter will call the swimmers back into position and say: The first false start is charged to the field, the next false start will be charged to the lane.... and the starting procedure is repeated. If there is a second false start (by any swimmer), that swimmer is disqualified from swimming. It is the discretion of the Starter/Ref as to allowing that swimmer to compete as exhibition.

14 Midlakes Whistle Start Procedure 7. Continued... If you do not recall the swimmers, and the race is allowed to continue, there can be no false start. If you do recall the swimmers you do not have to assign a false start. You can recall for any reason. You do not have to explain the recall. Always check false-start rope is installed/functioning Note: dual meets do not require a dual-confirmation false start. The starter/referee can make the caul him/herself. However, for championship meets, dual confirmation shall be required for the disqualification. In either case, if the swimmers are not recalled no false start can be charged.

15 Midlakes Whistle Start Procedure 8. Swimmers may also be disqualified if there is significant delay in their response to the starting instructions. This is a delay of meet disqualification. Note: if a swimmer does not promptly respond to the Take Your Mark command, Stand them and reset with a second command Take Your Mark. If the swimmer is still not prompt, inquire of the swimmer why? Disqualify if the swimmer is acting in an un-sportsman like fashion, or is attempting to gain an unfair advantage against his competition.

16 Starter Video False Start Example 2:29 Worst False Start Ever 0:40 The Start Protocol (on you own) 30:30 Keep in Mind Differences Between Midlake and USA Swimming Starts

17 Meet Safety is your priority! After the start look for all the swimmers to come up! Ask for help and delegate! Practice your starting tone. Remember: Pass the salt/take your Mark. Smile at the swimmers. Acceptance of DQs is your call and responsibility. Support your officials but give swimmers the benefit of the doubt. Questions?

18 Lightning The Lifeguard has the authority regarding safety during a lightning storm. The Pool and Lifeguards should have a lightning protocol that would take precedence. However, the Referee/Starter should ensure a lightning protocol is being followed in order to ensure the safety of everyone Work with the Lifeguards to ensure everyone s safety Information is posted on the Midlakes Website (link below) 1. The guideline is to evacuate the pool and deck-area if the lighting is closer than 6-miles, and to evacuate it for a period of 30-minutes. Work with the announcer to do this. 2. The 6-miles can be measured by the time difference between the lightning flash and the thunder clap being 30 sec. (Sound travels at roughly 5-miles per sec.) 3. The pool should be re-opened 30 min. from the last time thunder is heard. 4. If you don t see the flash, assume that the lightning is closer than 6-miles and evacuate. 5. The League recommends immediately empting the pool at the first clap of thunder - no matter if the flash has been seen or not Decide together with the opposing coaches and parent reps how to proceed...whether to continue or cancel the meet have a meeting to discuss options. Midlakes Guidelines: Lightning Safety Institute

19 Contacts Karl Nelson (Clinician) Dragos Lazar (in-coming Midlakes Head Official) Phone Frank Castro (out-going Midlakes Head Official) Phone