SI Swimming Qualification Log for New Officials Version 1.0 SI Swimming Background Information San Diego Imperial Swimming, Inc. (SI Swimming) is one of 59 Local Swimming Committees (LSC) of USA Swimming, assigned to the Western Zone. SI Swimming territory is the San Diego and Imperial counties of the State of California. SI Swimming is a non profit corporation registered in the state of California. USA Swimming is the national governing body for swimming in the United States, and is affiliated with the Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur (FINA), the international federation for aquatics. This qualification log is intended to present an easy reference guide to competitive swimming rules and a step by step procedures to complete the official s qualification training with SI Swimming. Modifications to this document may be made by the SI Officials chairman and Officials Committee. Where any conflict appears between this qualification log and the USA Swimming Technical Rules, the latter shall always govern. Stroke & Turn Officials Role The Referee will assign each Stroke and Turn Judge an area of responsibility before the competition begins. This will include the manner and sequence in which he wants the judges to move to different areas. Stroke Judge Assigned only when officiating 50 meter pools The stroke judge is responsible for observing the swimmers from 50 meter side of the pool. The stroke judge will observe the 15 meter mark for all strokes except the breaststroke. After the start, the Stroke Judge walks the sides of the pool, preferably abreast of swimmers during all strokes except freestyle. The breaststroke and butterfly are best judged by walking slightly behind the swimmers. Judges should walk at a pace that is sufficient to stay with the swimmers. If the field spreads out, the stroke judge should maintain a position slightly ahead of the trailing swimmers while maintaining contact with the lead swimmer(s). If there are two (2) stroke judges working one side of the pool (usually in long course meets), a "lead lag" observation pattern could be utilized as the field spreads out; i.e., the leading stroke judge takes jurisdiction over the faster swimmer(s) while the following stroke judge takes jurisdiction over the slower swimmer(s). After each turn, the stroke judges switch jurisdictions as they begin to walk in the opposite direction. Teamwork and coordination are important between the two (2) stroke judges to ensure that all of the swimmers are observed on a fair and equitable basis. The stroke judge 1
must clearly be in position to watch swimmers in the backstroke, butterfly, and freestyle events who are submerged after the start or any turn to ensure that their heads surface before the 15 meter mark. Turn Judge The Turn Judges are positioned at the start and turn ends of the pool. (25 Yard and 50 Meter Pools)Turns and finishes are best judged from the ends of the pool directly over the lane if possible. If a judge must observe more than one lane (the norm for most meets at the LSC level), the official will have to adjust his position to best observe all assigned lanes. A Turn Judge at the starting end of the pool must position himself so he can step forward quickly to observe the first stroke and kick in the breaststroke, butterfly or individual medley events as soon as the starting signal is given and the swimmers leave the blocks. (NOTE: A judge position must not block the timer's' view of the strobe light, the Starter's view of the swimmers, and stay out of the peripheral vision of the swimmers on the blocks.) The Stroke and Turn Judge s responsibilities begin after the start. Any action prior to the start is the Starter's responsibility or, in the case of relay take offs, it may be the Relay Take off Judge's responsibility. Each Stroke and Turn Judge should observe the start; however, his duties commence immediately after the start. San Diego/Imperial LSC Requirements to become an Official Attend the LSC New Officials Stroke & Turn clinic Register for USA Non Athlete Registration Card Submit request for a USA Swimming Background Check Complete the USA Swimming Safe Sport online training course (Athlete Protection Training) Complete the USA Swimming Officials Stroke and Turn online test Complete six training shadow sessions (Documented in Qualification Log) Complete the Qualification Checklists Have a final review with a meet referee 2
General items before the meet starts Check in with the meet referee and sign the Official Sign Up sheet at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the official's briefing Officials briefing is usually 30 minutes prior to the start of the meet Deck assignments and jurisdictions are given out by the meet referee Deck rotation & relief is determined Stroke briefing is given by the meet referee Radio Channel for the session is given Any meet updates or changes are discussed Any questions are taken about the rules, the meet, or any other items that may pertain to USA swimming officiating Personally review the stroke rules to refresh and get in the proper mindset Verify radio is in working order and on correct channel Be on deck five minutes prior to the start of the meet General items during the meet When on deck only leave your assigned position when relieved If you need to be relieved early, contact the deck referee for a replacement Return to your assigned position on time after your break Beware of your surrounding environment for safety and safe sport issues Notify the deck referee any issues relating to the conduct of the meet, safety, or safe sport. Protocol Used for Disqualification of a Swimmer Raise a hand above the head (As soon as the infraction is identified) Listen before speaking (Wait till radio is clear from any previous disqualification call) 3 Parts to a Disqualification Call Jurisdiction ( example: Disqualification Lane #4) Infraction (example: One Hand Touch) Description (example: The left hand touched, the right hand did not touch) (NOTE: The complete call would be said like this: Disqualification Lane #4, one hand touch, the left hand touched the right hand did not touch) Acknowledgement by the Deck Referee ( example: Acknowledged, disqualification Lane #4, One Hand Touch, please write it up and inform the swimmer) Notify the swimmer of the disqualification (example: That was a good swim but you disqualified yourself by only touching with one hand. Go tell your coach and keep up the good work.) 3
Notify the deck referee that the swimmer was notified (example: Swimmer in Lane 4 was notified) 4
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Shadow Sessions History Trainee Name: Stroke and Turn Mentor Meet Referee Meet & Date 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 6
Butterfly Butterfly Rules Checklist Meet Ref. init.: Date: Forward start shall be used May start on block, deck, or in the pool Shoulders must be at or past the vertical toward the breast after the start and each turn Permitted multiple butterfly kicks at the start Allowed only one arm pull under water which must bring to the surface at the start Cannot be submerged more than 15 meters after the start and after each turn Head must break the surface at or before the 15 meter mark Must remain on the surface until the next turn or finish Permissible to turn in any manner, must be towards the breast when leaving the wall Both arms must be brought forward simultaneously over the water Both arms must be pulled back simultaneously under the water All up and down movements of the legs and feet must be simultaneous Position of the legs or the feet shall not alternate Scissor or breaststroke kicking is not permitted Touch shall be made with both hands separated and simultaneously at, above, or below the water NOTES: 7
Backstroke Backstroke Rules Checklist Meet Ref. init.: Date: Start in the water facing the wall with both hands on the gutter or starting grips Not permitted to stand in or on the gutter before or after the start Not permitted to place the toes above the lip of the gutter before or after the start Not permitted to bend the toes over the lip of the gutter before or after the start Must swim on the back throughout the race Cannot be submerged more than 15 meters after the start and after each turn Head must break the surface at or before the 15 meter mark Once on the surface, must remain on the surface throughout the race except at the start and each turn Must touch the wall with some part of the swimmer upon completion of each length During an optional back to breast turn: Shoulders may be turned towards the breast A single arm pull or simultaneous double arm pull may be used to initiate the turn Upon completion of arm pull, the swimmer must immediately initiate the turn Must have returned to a position on the back upon leaving the wall Must touch the wall while on the back at the finish NOTES: 8
Breaststroke Breaststroke Rules Checklist Meet Ref. init.: Forward start shall be used Date: May start on block, deck, or in the pool Body shall be kept on the breast after the start and after turn(s) except when on the wall to make the turn must be on (towards the) breast when leaving the wall Stroke cycle is one arm pull and one leg kick in that order Arms shall be simultaneous No alternating movement Arm movements shall in the same horizontal plane to the surface of the water Hands push forward together from breast on, under, or over the water Elbows shall be under the water except at final stroke before turn, during turn, and final stroke at finish Hands shall be brought back on or under surface of the water Hands shall not be brought back past the hips except during first stroke after start and each turn During each cycle the head shall break the surface of water Head must break the surface before hands turn inward at widest part of the second stroke after the start and each turn Optional single butterfly kick followed by a breaststroke kick is permitted during or completion of the first arm pull after the start and each turn. All legs movements shall be simultaneous and is same horizontal plane without alternating movement Feet must be turned outward during the propulsive part of the kick Scissor, alternating movement, downward butterfly kicks (except as stated above) are not permitted Feet are allowed to break the surface unless followed by a downward butterfly kick Touch shall be made with both hands separated and simultaneously at, above, or below the water Last stroke before turn and finish an arm stroke not followed by a leg kick is permitted Head may be submerged after the last arm pull prior to the touch NOTES: 9
Freestyle Freestyle Checklist Meet Ref. init.: Forward start shall be used Date: May start on block, deck, or in the pool May swim any style except during medley relay and individual medley (cannot be Back, Breast or Fly) Must be on the surface throughout the race except at the start and turn(s) not more than 15 meters Head must break surface at or before 15 meter mark Must touch the wall upon completion of each length and at finish Touch can be with any part of the person May stand on the bottom Cannot leave the pool, walk, or spring from the bottom NOTES: 10
Individual Medley Individual Medley Checklist Meet Ref. init.: Date: Order in which the Individual Medley is swam: Butterfly Backstroke Breaststroke Freestyle (cannot be Butterfly, Backstroke, or Backstroke) NOTE: On the back once the swimmers has left the wall is considered backstroke. Forward start shall be used May start on block, deck, or in the pool Rules for each stroke apply NOTES: 11
Stroke Rules with Disqualification Calls (USA Rulebook 2016) BREASTSTROKE Start The forward start shall be used. Stroke After the start and after each turn when the swimmer leaves the wall, the body shall be kept on the breast (Not towards the breast off wall). It is not permitted to roll onto the back at any time (Not towards the breast during swim) 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 (Incomplete stroke cycle). All movements of the arms shall be simultaneous (Non simultaneous arms) and in the same horizontal plane (Arms not horizontal to the surface of the water) without alternating movement (Alternating arms). 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 (Elbows recovered over the water). The hands shall be brought back on or under the surface of the water. The hands shall not be brought back beyond the hipline (Hands past hips), 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 (Head did not break surface of water during stroke cycle). After 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. (Head did not break the surface of the water before widest part of the second arm pull) Kick After the start and each turn, at any time prior to the first breaststroke kick a single butterfly kick is permitted (Multiple butterfly kicks at start/turn). Following which, all movements of the legs shall be simultaneous (Non simultaneous kick) and in the same horizontal plane (Legs not horizontal to the surface of the water) without alternating movement (Alternating kick). The feet must be turned outwards during the propulsive part of the kick (Feet not outward during kick). Scissors (Scissor kick), alternating movements (Alternating kick) or downward butterfly kick (Butterfly kick) are not permitted except as provided herein. Breaking the surface of the water with the feet is allowed unless followed by a downward butterfly kick (Butterfly kick). Turns and Finish At each turn and at the finish of the race, the touch shall be made with both hands (One hand touch) separated (Non separated hands) and simultaneously at, above, or below the water level (Non Simultaneous touch). At 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 (Head not up). 12
BUTTERFLY Start The forward start shall be used. Stroke After the start and after each turn, the swimmer s shoulders must be at or past the vertical toward the breast (Not towards breast off wall). The swimmer is permitted one or more leg kicks, but only one arm pull under water, which must bring the swimmer to the surface (Multiple underwater arm pulls at start). 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 (15 meter violation). By that point, the head must have broken the surface. The swimmer must remain on the surface until the next turn or finish (Completely submerged during the swim). From the beginning of the first arm pull, the body shall be kept on the breast (Not towards breast during swim) 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 (Not towards breast off wall). Both arms must be brought forward simultaneously over the water (Underwater recovery during swim) and pulled back simultaneously (Non simultaneous arms) under the water throughout the race. Kick All 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 (Alternating kick). A scissors (Scissor kick) or breaststroke (Breaststroke kick) kicking movement is not permitted. Turns At each turn the body shall be on the breast (Not towards breast during swim). The touch shall be made with both hands separated (Non separated hands) and simultaneously (Non simultaneous touch) 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 (Not towards breast off wall). Finish At the finish, the body shall be on the breast (Not towards breast at finish) and the touch shall be made with both hands separated (Non separated hands) and simultaneously (Non simultaneous touch) at, above, or below the water surface. 13
BACKSTROKE Start The swimmers shall line up in the 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 (Starter to insure hands and toes are in correct position prior to start. After the start the jurisdiction is the Turn Judge s). 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. Bending the toes over the top of the touchpad is prohibited. (Starter to insure toes are in the correct position prior to start) Stroke The swimmer shall push off on his back and continue swimming on the back throughout the race (Not on back during swim). Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the race (Completely submerged during swim/ at the finish), except it is permissible for the swimmer to be completely submerged during the turn and a distance of not more than 15 meters (16.4 yards) after the start and after each turn. By that point, the head must have broken the surface of the water (15 meter violation). Turns Upon completion of each length, some part of the swimmer must touch the wall (No touch). During the turn the shoulders may be turned past the vertical toward the breast after which an immediate continuous (Non continuous arm pull) single arm pull (Multiple single arm pulls) or immediate continuous simultaneous (Non continuous/non simultaneous arm pull) double arm pull may be used to initiate the turn (Delay initiating turn). The swimmer must have returned to a position on the back upon leaving the wall (Not on back off wall). Finish Upon the finish of the race, the swimmer must touch the wall while on the back ( Did not finish back on back). FREESTYLE Start The forward start shall be used. 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 (15 meter violation) (16.4 yards) after the start and each turn. By that point the head must have broken the surface. Turns Upon completion of each length the swimmer must touch the wall (No touch at turn). Finish The swimmer shall have finished the race when any part of his person touches the wall after completing the prescribed distance. 14
INDIVIDUAL 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. Start The forward start shall be used. Stroke The stroke for each one fourth of the designated distance shall follow the prescribed rules for that stroke. 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) Butterfly to Backstroke The swimmer must touch as described in 101.3.5. 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 (Not towards back of wall). (2) Backstroke to Breaststroke The swimmer must touch the wall while on the back (Not on back at finish). 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 (Not towards breast off wall) and the prescribed breaststroke form must be attained prior to the first arm stroke. (3) Breaststroke to Freestyle The swimmer must touch as described in 101.2.4. Once a legal touch has been made, the swimmer may turn in any manner. Finish The swimmer shall have finished the race when any part of his/her person touches the wall after the prescribed distance. RELAYS 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. Medley Relay Four swimmers on each team, each to swim one fourth of the prescribed distance in the following order: first, backstroke; second, breaststroke; third, butterfly; and fourth, freestyle. Rules pertaining to each stroke used shall govern where applicable. At the end of each leg, the finish rule for each stroke applies in each case. Mixed Gender Relays must consist of two (2) males and two (2) females. Relay observation order: Watch the feet leave the blocks, then look down for the touch. If you see the swimmer s feet leave the blocks and then look down and see the swimmer's hand has not touch the wall, then this is a disqualification. 15