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BECOMING AN OFFICIAL
Becoming an official is a great way
to learn the sport of swimming. To find out more about
becoming an official, please click on the link to access the
USA Swimming Web Site.
OFFICIAL DQ SLIPS
THE ROLE OF THE STROKE &
TURN OFFICIAL
We thought it
might be helpful, especially for new parents, to understand the
role of the stroke and turn judges. Much like other Rec sports,
some form of officiating must be in place to insure fair
competition. This is also true for
USA
swimming. For the most part these rules cover proper
stroke techniques, rules for turning, and rules for touching the
walls at the turn end or finish end of the pool.
If an official
witnesses an infraction he or she must raise his or her hand
signaling this before writing up the Disqualification slip. Judges
may write up only what they see. Not what they "think" they see.
Please remember that the benefit of the doubt always goes to the
swimmer.
Stoke and turn judges have
jurisdiction over "some" predetermined part of the pool. At most
pools this will be the 3 lanes closest to the judge. A judge who
witnesses an infraction in the other 3 lanes may not write it up.
Because those lanes are not in the judges’ jurisdiction.
During relays each judge has the same jurisdiction for stroke
infractions but also has jurisdiction over all 6 lanes at either
start/end of the pool for relay take-offs.
It is always difficult to DQ
any swimmer; especially a 6-under or 7-8 swimmer. However, if the
swimmer who finishes 3rd was legal, and the 1st and 2nd place
swimmers were not, it is only fair that the 3rd place finisher
ultimately wins the event. This is the main reason why we do what
we do. Almost every swimmer will be DQed at least once in
competition. Even older kids make mistakes from time to time. It is
just part of the sport.
What should you do if your
child is DQed? Since it is not a "horrible thing" to be DQed, be
sure to encourage them as such. Then be sure to have them ask their
coaches to explain what they didn’t do correctly. Stroke and
Turn judges must clearly mark the exact infraction on the DQ slip.
This includes the event, the details of the infraction and where
the infraction occurred (start end, turn, swim etc.). The coaches
receive these slips at the end of each meet or sometimes the
coaches will receive the slips during the meet. At some meets, some Stroke and
Turn judges will advise the swimmer of the infraction right after
the swim.
What you shouldn’t do
if you think your child has DQed. Never-ever talk to the stroke and
turn judge during the meet regarding a DQ. That’s the
"official" answer. If you have a concern, please see your
coach. Only your coach
can review the DQ slip with the judge if there are any
questions.
Our coaching staff will work
with all of the swimmers during practices in attempt to identify
and correct stroke problems. Remember it is important for our
coaching staff to see your child performance at a swim meet. This is a very important
tool for them to work with since it gives them a very good idea of
what needs to be worked on during regular practices.
Have a great
meet!
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