New England Swimming

1. NewEngland Swimming STARTING Philosophy & Protocol

2. Introduction • General Overview – consistent fair starts – every heat of every event • Specific Training – go to session early; observe starters; notice whistle protocol; play with equipment (or at least the mic); hear your voice, etc. Let the referee know that you are new… start backstroke events in your first session. Work often! • You must be comfortable to be good! • Recertification • Every 3 years(clinic, Re-Cert test); background check every 2 years; Athlete Protection - every 2 years? • Service – 4 Sessions per year

3. Presentation Outline • Philosophy • Pre-race Preparation / Pre-session Preparation • Awareness • Timeline – not your job… referee should have the swimmers up early enough so you will not have to rush starts • Protocol • Forward Starts • Backstroke Starts • False Starts – you go to the referee with the designation of the lane/heat • Positioning of the Starter & Referee • Disabled Starts • Final Comments • Video and Discussion

4. Starting is an art • Good Eye and instincts • Natural Reactions • Patience • Consistency • Ability to Evaluate Situations • Developed with Practice, Practice, Practice

5. Philosophy • Prior to Start of Session: • Check all Starting and Timing Equipment • Pads, Buttons, Blocks, Sound, etc. • Timer’s Briefing • Start watch on strobe; view of wall for touch; recording times; pace of session, etc. • During the Session: • Ensure a fair start • Order of Finish • Counting for distance - Bell lap • Thank the timers at end of session! • Awareness • Sense the pulse of the meet and deck • Be proactive • Timeline • Purpose - Guide to aid coaches in swimmer preparation

6. Philosophy(cont.) • Preparation • Establish relationships with officials • Assist other starters – OOF – Counting – Chief Judge • Step in for deck ref • Understand referee’s expectations • Remember that the referee’s job during a race is to watch the pool… your job during a race is to watch behind the blocks. Look for possible empty lanes, late arriving athletes, goggle or cap problems or anything else that the deck referee should know about prior to a start. • Give timers time to prepare within reason • Wait for an out-of-position official • Provide a second set of eyes for Referee • Arrive early to check equipment • Placement • Working Condition • Check and test the microphone, key, start button • Pads and Backup buttons for each lane • Back-up equipment • Starting Blocks

7. Protocol • Positioning of the Starter & Referee • Same side of pool • Rationale • Forward Starts • Watch the athletes as they approach • Series of short whistles • Introductions (Championships) • Long whistle • Check foot position • Referee extends arm • Let the swimmers settle • “Take your mark” using a conversational tone • Unusual technique considerations • Sling shot start • Grab Start • Slow responding start

8. Protocol (cont.) • Backstroke Starts • Series of short whistles • Introductions (Championships) • First long whistle (swimmers enter water) • Second long whistle (swimmers return to wall) • Check the ready position • Referee extends arm • Check for swimmers readiness • “Take your mark” • Backstroke Comments • Minimize grip time • Allow time to get set

9. Protocol (cont.) • False Starts • What is a False Start? • Movement from a stationary position prior to the start signal • Dual, independent confirmation protocol - (make notation; show deck referee) • Preventing False Starts • The “Take Your Mark” command • The “Stand” command • When to use • Protect swimmers “doing it right” • Don’t force starts – ‘rewind-start over’ • Point of no return • Committed to the start • Mentally and physically • Relief of false starts • Unsteadiness, Confusion, Distraction, Equipment failure • Multiple circumstances • Stand or recall • Allow swimmers to refocus • When to re-swim

10. Protocol (cont.) • Disabled Starts • General • Rule 105 • Coach / athlete responsibility • Hearing impaired • Strobe • Hand or arm signals • Forward Start • Short whistle - hand shoulder height wave • Long whistle - arm up • “Take your mark” - arm at shoulder height • Start signal - drop arm • Mentally or Physically impaired • Assistance to blocks, deck or in water • Use common sense • Assistance • Tappers

11. Final Comments • Ensure a fair start each and every time • Practice to get experience • Be patient • Mistakes will happen • Expect the unexpected • Adapt to changing philosophies • Be professional • Be courageous • Perform as if it is your last opportunity

12. Starting • Rule Book • Video and Discussion

13. ARTICLE 101 INDIVIDUAL STROKES AND RELAYS 101.1 STARTS .1 Equipment — A loudspeaker start system conforming to 103.16, with or without an underwater recall device, and an electronic strobe signal visible to all manual timers for forward and backstroke starts, shall be the preferred starting device. .2 The Start A. At the commencement of each heat, the Referee shall signal to the swimmers by a short series of whistles to remove all clothing except for swimwear, followed by a long whistle indicating that they should take and maintain their positions on the starting platform, the deck, or in the water. In backstroke and medley relay events, at the Referee’s first long whistle, the swimmers shall immediately enter the water and at the second long whistle shall return without undue delay to the starting position. B. When the swimmers and officials are ready, the Referee shall signal with an outstretched arm to the Starter that the swimmers are under the Starter’s control. C. On the Starter’s command “take your mark”, the swimmers shall immediately assume their starting position, in the forward start, with at least one foot at the front of the starting platform or the deck. Swimmers starting in the water must have at least one hand in contact with the wall or starting platform. When all swimmers are stationary, the Starter shall give the starting signal. D. When a swimmer does not respond promptly to the command "take your mark," the Starter shall immediately release all swimmers with the command "stand up" upon which the swimmers may stand up or step off the blocks.

14. 101.1.3 False Starts A. Any swimmer starting before the starting signal is given shall be disqualified if the Referee independently observes and confirms the Starter’s observation that a violation occurred. Swimmers remaining on the starting blocks shall be relieved from their starting positions with the "stand up" command and may step off the blocks. B. If the starting signal has been given before the disqualification is declared, the race shall continue without recall. If the Referee independently observes and confirms the Starter’s observation that a violation occurred, the swimmer or swimmers who have false started shall be disqualified upon completion of the race. C. If the recall signal is activated inadvertently, no swimmer shall be charged with a false start and the Starter shall restart the race upon signal by the Referee. D. A swimmer who would otherwise be charged with a false start may be relieved of the charge if the false start was caused by the swimmer’s reaction to the “stand up” command. E. A swimmer shall not be disqualified for an illegal starting position at the start if the race is permitted to proceed. Enforcement of the correct starting position is the responsibility of the Starter. F. Declared false start: swimmers reporting to the Referee prior to the start of their race and declaring their intent not to compete will be disqualified except as noted in 207.12.6D(1). (Finals in a Trials/Finals meet)

15. 101.1.4 Warning Signal — With the exception of relays, in events 500 yards or longer, the Starter or a designee shall sound a warning signal over the water at the finish end of the lane of the leading swimmer when that swimmer has two lengths plus five yards or five meters to swim. As an alternative, a bell warning signal may be given over each lane by a lane judge or timer for that lane. .5 Deliberate Delay or Misconduct A. The Starter shall report a swimmer to the Referee for delaying the start, for willfully disobeying an order or for any other misconduct taking place at the start, but only the Referee may disqualify a swimmer for such delay, willful disobedience or misconduct. B. The Referee shall disqualify a swimmer who fails to appear at the starting platform ready to swim in time for the initial start of his/her heat. C. Such disqualification shall not be charged as a false start.

16. 101.4 BACKSTROKE / (Medley Relay Start) .1 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. 102.12 STARTER .1 Preparation — The Starter shall stand within ten feet of the starting end of the pool and upon signal from the Referee, shall assume control of the swimmers until a fair start has been achieved. .2 Optional Instructions — The Starter may: A. Announce the event. B. Advise the heat when a swimmer will be attempting to achieve a time at an initial distance. C. For backstroke starts, give the command, "Place your feet."

17. What’s Next • Take on-line test – multiple choice and rule book reference • http://www.usaswimming.org • Email results will go to Bob: rmenck@ne.rr.com • There is no official “Apprentice” period • Let the referee know that you are a new starter • Work as often as you can • Enjoy yourself

18. Addresses Bob Menck – Official’s Chair Home: 603-357-9638 Work: 802-257-4371 ext. 6272 Fax: 802-254-2106 Bob Menck: rmenck@ne.rr.com Facilitator: Name Phone E-mail Carol Healy New England Swimming 47 May Street Needham, MA 02492 office@neswim.com

19. Web Resources New England Swimming Officials: • www.newenglandswimofficials.org New England Swimming: • www.neswim.com USA Swimming: • www.usaswimming.org USA Swimming Officials Pages: • Home/ Member Resources / Officials • Rule Book: Home / About / Rules and Regulations / USA Swimming Rulebook Google Group: new-england_swimming-officials • http://groups.google.com/group/new-england_swimming-officials • Please use your full name as your ‘nick name’