Becoming a Swim Official

1. Becoming a Swim Official

2. Contents • Why become an Official? • Pool Layout • Role Descriptions • “Official’s” Equipment • Don’t be put off • Your next Steps

3. Why become an Official • Swimmers can’t compete without them • The club cannot enter events without them …or may get deducted league points! • Be involved with your swimmers and learn about swimming rules. • Poolside offers the best viewing position • Many perks - free gala entry, better parking, T-Shirts, tea and cake etc • “Passes the time” • Expenses can be covered – County even pay for registration

4. Finish Stroke Turn Timekeepers Turn Turn Referee Chief Timekeeper Positions at the Pool Starter

5. Judging Levels • Judge Level 1 • You train in most poolside jobs • Timekeeping is your likely job at a Gala • Typically about 1 swimming season to qualify • Judge Level 2 • You’re doing jobs that look for infringements and write out slips to report a disqualification recommendation to the Referee • Typically about 1 swimming season to qualify • Judge Level 3 • You are the Referee • You decide who should be disqualified You have to do each level before moving on to the next level

6. Judge 1: Timekeeping At its simplest: • Check swimmers name • Press stopwatch when the “gun” goes • You may have to judge turns • Press stopwatch when swimmer finishes • Write down “swimmer times”

7. Judge 2: Stroke Judge • Watch swimmers • Walk alongside swimmers to get a good view • Check they are doing the right stroke! • Check the swimming style is legal • Report infringements

8. Judge 2: Turn Judge • Watch swimmers turn • Ensure the swimmer touches the wall • Ensure the technical aspects of the turn are legal • Report infringements • Don’t fall in

9. Judge 2: Finish Judge • Write down the order in which the swimmers complete the race • This requires practice • On long and uncompetitive races it is the easiest job • On tight/fast races it’s the toughest job

10. Judge 2AS: Starter • You stand up • Check referee happy to start the race • Check swimmers are “still” on blocks • Say “On your Marks” • Press start button • Sit down! • Helen – can do this with one leg

11. Judge 3: Referee • Check for safety • Organise officials into a team • Blow whistle • Say if you are happy • Disqualify swimmers when you’re not happy • Look important

12. Be Cool OfficialsEquipment

13. Don’t be put off • Time Commitment • You’re there at pool anyway • Difficulty • Everyone does these jobs • Responsibility • No worse than ensuring your swimmers kit bag has everything! You will be chaperoned/mentored so just come along and give it a try ...

14. Your Next Steps • Talk to a Club Official • Helen, Tony, Lawrence, Jason, Julian, Jon etc • Complete a Form • Theory Lesson • You’re walked through a series of questions and answers • You might be shown videos • Mentored at Galas • You get shown what to do and what to look for • Oral Exam • Once confident and having had enough practice, you are tested on the above questions and answers • An “Official’s Lanyard” arrives in the Post

15. You’re more than a bag packer when you’re an Official You’re part of the Sport