USRowing Referee Clinic USRowing Referee Clinic The Start Referee Commission, 2006

USRowing USRowing

Referee ClinicReferee Clinic The Start

Referee Commission, 2006

Referee Commission-2006 2

Thank You!The referee commission wishes to acknowledge the contributions of the following referees who generously donated their time and expertise to compile this presentation.

William Collins, Thousand Oaks, CaliforniaRoxanne Everetts, Alexandria, Virginia

Kristopher Grudt, Pennington, New JerseyMichael Siconolfi, Syracuse, New York Clyde Voigtlander, Bar Harbor, Maine


About This Presentation This presentation is one of a series being developed for referees. These presentations are an effort on the part of the referee

commission to expand the available training materials currently available to referees.

These presentations are developed for the purpose of referee education; They may be duplicated and distributed freely for the use of referees and any other member of the rowing community.

The referee commission hopes to continue to develop additional presentations.

We welcome your input and comments on this, as well as all other, presentations. Please contact your regional representative or your nearest clinician with your comments.


Overview of Start IOverview of Start I Goals of the competent starter Tools of the starter Before any start Two minutes before the start The polled start Post-start checklist & miscellany The quick start The countdown start


Overview of Start IIOverview of Start II

Problem: broken equipment Problem: no shows Problem: broken stake boats Epilogue


Objective

Ensure all races start under safe, fair, and timely conditions


Tools of the Starter: Skills

A calm, clear, and deliberate voice Employ a calm, natural tone Remember: less is more in giving

commands


Tools of the Starter: Materials An updated schedule An effective starter’s flag Horn or bell to stop races Radio or telephone


Tools of the Starter: Installation

A stable platform from 50-100meters behind start line and 3-5 meters high

Public address system- with lapel or stand-up microphone

A lectern or stand with a digital clock Second large clock visible to the competitors


Before Any Start: I Scan the start area: from behind the

line to 100 meters out onto the course Make sure the event board is updated Invite crews into their lane as they

approach the start Announce race number, race name,

crew name and lane numberAnnounce “Five Minutes”

Check on availability of referees Update them as needed


Before Any Start: II Check off crews as they arrive. Check for proper bow numbers and

uniforms. Assist when conditions warrant in

guiding crews into their start positions. But remember: you are not the

coxswain. Continue to announce the time up to

the two-minute mark: “four minutes”, “three minutes”


Two Minutes Before the Start Announce, “Two Minutes” Check that all crews are locked

on to their stake boats Check that course is clear of

wakes, launches, or prior races Check for quiet in the start area


Polling Start: I State the event

if this is a heat, indicate who advances Impose any penalties due to

tardiness or traffic violations announce: “Name of Crew, Infraction,

Penalty”; less is more get an acknowledgement from the

crew Check for the aligner’s white/green

flag


Polling Start: II

Make sure your red flag is hidden and unencumbered

Poll the crews from lanes 1- 6: using the crews’ name

Establish an unrushed but consistence cadence

even if hands go up, do not get hung up very long; minor pauses are ok

if there is a substantial delay, cease polling; restart the poll from lane 1 after most hands are down

At the completion of polling, go right into the start commands. No hesitation or delay unless a hand has been raised or alignment lost.


Polling Start: III Three Part Start:

CALLING CREWS TO ATTENTION RAISING THE START FLAG SAYING “GO” WHILE DROPPING

THE START FLAG


Polling Start: IV When all hands are down, calmly

and evenly say, “Attention” Wait a beat and look over to aligner Slowly and deliberately raise flag

overhead with two hands (if possible)

After a variable pause say, “Go” and simultaneously drop flag smartly and crisply to one side


Polling Start: V Do not let the first motion of the

flag be upwards, but to the side and down

If the start must be interrupted after calling “Attention”, slowly lower the flag directly in front of you (do not drop to the side) while saying “As you were”


Post Start Checklist: Check that all crews leave the line; if

not, calmly and quickly stop race Check that Judge at Start still has their

flag up for a fair start Check that officials are able to follow

race Visually track all boats out of the start

zone or for 20 seconds if boats are about to collide; take

appropriate action with PA and not start flag


Post Start Miscellany:

Notify the finish of any anomalies in lanes, bow numbers, or missing crews

Note down any anomalies about the race

Note names of referees following the race


The Quick Start: I What is it: Polling Start without

polling Is everyone here who should be here? Are they in their right lanes?

When used: conditions for normal or polled start are not practicable current or weather problems interrupted polling in normal start


The Quick Start: II When alignment is achieved,

announce “Quick Start”

With all hands down, proceed as with normal start by announcing “Attention” without audible polling Follow Post-Start Checklist as with any

normal start


The Countdown Start: I What is it: under less than ideal

circumstances, you give crews 8 - 10 seconds to get a safe and fair point polling is omitted hands may be ignored

When used: if conditions do not allow for Polled Starts or Quick Starts Use when conditions prevent all crews

from holding a stable point


The Countdown Start: II Announce that this start will be used

with less experienced crews, remind them that hands may not be recognized

similarly, you may demonstrate the start’s cadence beforehand: “This is a test. . . .”

Follow preludes as for Polled Starts Crews are not polled


The Countdown Start: III Once alignment is achieved, begin

cadenced count of 5 through 1 Then use the three part starting

sequence do not tinker with the established

cadence Be very alert to possible collisions Follow Post-Start Checklist as with

any normal start


Problem: Aborted or False Starts: I If crew remains at line, or if Judge at

Start raises red flag, stop the race in a loud and firmly controlled voice waving red flag evenly

Sound noise device Say “Stop” Determine quickly what is the

problem


Problem: Aborted or False

Starts: II

Decide promptly if shells are to back down for restart or swing out of breakage zone and off the course for reschedule

Have officials repeat your decision to crews and assist if necessary

Remind novice crews to check their rudders if they back down


Problem: Aborted or False

Starts III

Permit aligner to call you if false start repeat lane number(s) of offending

crew(s) to aligner to confirm Impose penalties as needed:

“Name,” “False Start,” “Consequence” receive acknowledgment; make note on

sheet mark the offending lane with token

Rerun the starting sequence


Problem: Broken Equipment: I

If a crew stops in breakage zone or in first 20 seconds, assist in calmly stopping the race with flag and PA system

Check to see that an official quickly inspects the situation Get a quick damage assessment from

referee Decide whether to restart at once and

have crews back down, or


Problem: Broken Equipment: II

If repair is major, consult with Control Commission about repair time-line

Announce to crews what the problem is and whether you will restart or reschedule

Announce how long the delay may be and what the new start time might be

Notify Chief Judge, Control Commission, and Chief Referee of your decision


Problem: No Shows: I At the five minute announcement,

check for any missing crews have Deputy check with Control

Commission if crew launched without delay or problems

ask officials on water to scan course Weigh needs of athletes at the line

with the problem of the missing crew Normal penalty for not being at the

line at start time of a race is exclusion


Problem: No Shows: II

Announce an estimate of delay Permit crews at line to stay warmed

up give them specific distance down the

course they may warm up instruct crews to use only their own lanes

If missing crew arrives in time for new start time, decide if any penalties apply If missing crew arrives too late, indicate

safest way for them to return to dock


Problem: Broken Stake Boats If stake boat or platform is unusable,

move crew to lane seven if available if lanes have been seeded and not merely

drawn, preserve original configuration Ask referee to hold boat in affected

lane Be especially conscientious about

spacing and orientation of shells Don’t delay once you have alignment


Epilogue You have done a good job as starter if

no one remembers you or your “style” Be clear, calm, aware, and

anticipatory Be careful that the schedule does not

prove an enemy to fairness & safety Remember: Less is more Remember: Athletes have not come

to see the Starter; they came to race!

Documents

USRowing Referee Clinic USRowing Referee Clinic The Start Referee Commission, 2006