Becoming a Swim Official

Contents

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

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

Timekeepers

Referee

Stroke

Turn

Finish

Starter

Turn

Turn

Positions at the PoolChiefTimekeeper

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

Judge 1: TimekeepingAt 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”

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

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

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

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

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

OfficialsEquipment

BeCool

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 ...

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

You’re part of the Sport

You’re more than a bag packerwhen you’re an Official