Clear Creek Swim League
Deck Officials Roles & Responsibilities
This page provides some basic information regarding the roles
and responsibilities for the deck officials during a CCSL meet. The
information on this page was obtained from various sources, namely the CCSL
handbook, the USA Swimming Official's page and the Connecticut Swimming
site.
Attire / Miscellaneous:
- White collared shirt and navy blue shorts (no
blue-jean shorts, please!)
- If at an outdoor meet, please make sure to wear a hat
and sunscreen
- If you need to step off the deck, alert the
Referee immediately
- Stay hydrated
Referee:
- Make sure officials are in proper position on pool
deck
- Have a good working whistle
- Keep safety in mind at all times: Swimmers, coaches,
spectators and volunteers
- Observe the on-deck officials during each heat. See
if they have a possible DQ, have questions, need help or intervention,
or are paying attention
- If you have to resolve a dispute, locate a
replacement to assume the deck referee duties so the
meet may continue and finish in a timely fashion
- Maintain calm demeanor throughout the meet
- Know all of the rules that pertain to the Clear Creek
Swim League!
Starter:
- Know the "starting" procedures
- Make sure you know how to operate the equipment prior
to the commencement of the meet
- Observe first stroke after start
- Observe turns/finishes
- Maintain calm demeanor throughout your session
- Know all of the stroke, turn and starting rules that
pertain to the Clear Creek Swim League!
- DO NOT DISCUSS DQ's with fans or coaches. Refer them
to the Referee!
Turn/Finish Judge:
- Stand in appropriate position to cover all assigned
lanes, regardless if there is a swimmer in each lane or not
- Observe all touches/turns as per the stroke rules
- If infraction observed, raise hand to signal possible
DQ
- Know all of the stroke/turn rules that pertain to the
Clear Creek Swim League!
- DO NOT DISCUSS DQ's with fans or coaches. Refer them
to the Referee!
Stroke Judge:
- Walk from flag to flag, trailing slightly behind the
slowest swimmer
- Observe all swimmers equally and equitably
- Observe all the whole stroke, not just one specific
element
- Raise hand fully if you have a disqualification
- Know all of the stroke/turn rules that pertain to the
Clear Creek Swim League!
- DO NOT DISCUSS DQ's with fans or coaches. Refer them
to the Referee!
Relay Take-off Judge:
- Watch toes of swimmer on block leave surface/deck
- Look down to incoming swimmer's hand(s)
- If good take-off, circle the lane/swimmer number on
the take-off slip
- If early take-off, X the
lane/swimmer number on the take-off slip
- If you have a possible DQ, wait until the last
swimmer in the slowest lane is on the last leg of the race
- Hand-over your relay take-off slip to the deck
referee or assigned officials responsible for take-off verification
- Know all of the stroke/turn rules that pertain to the
Clear Creek Swim League!
- DO NOT DISCUSS DQ's with fans or coaches. Refer them
to the Referee!
Whistle Starting Protocol Sequence of Events:
- Referee: 4 or
more short whistles -- Signals swimmers to get behind the blocks. This
series of whistles is given once the previous heat has finished. Also
alerts the just finished heat to exit the pool promptly!
- Starter:
Announce beginning of each event (event # and heat #)
- Referee: Long
whistle -- Signals swimmers to step up on the blocks. For backstroke
start, signals swimmers to step into the water.
- Referee: If
backstroke, additional long whistle once all are above the surface --
Signals backstrokers to place feet and get ready.
- Referee: Once
swimmers appear ready, raises one arm (outstretched and parallel to
ground) -- Closes the heat and turns the pool over to the
Starter.
- Starter: Once
swimmers are settled, requests swimmers to take their starting positions
("Take Your Mark"). No other words will be spoken. Signals swimmers to
assume the starting position promptly.
- Starter: When
swimmers are motionless, start signal is given.
- Starter & Referee:
Observe start for possible false starts
References/Links:
These guidelines will help facilitate smooth running swim
meets. There is so much more information pertaining to each position, but
this will help those learning to determine what is expected from each
official
Sincerely,
Jay Haskins / CCSL Officials Chair and Trainer |
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