Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic Overview
This document provides an overview of the Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic, covering topics such as the role and responsibilities of a Deck Referee, practical training tips, philosophy of officiating, and requirements for advancement to Deck Referee. The Clinic emphasizes the importance of providing a safe and fair competition environment for all swimmers, setting high standards, and working collaboratively with other officials to ensure the smooth conduct of swim meets.
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USA Swimming/Colorado Swimming Deck Referee ZOOM Clinic September 27, 2020 PRESENTERS: Kathleen Scandary kscandar@psdschools.org Hello! Please sign in by sending an email titled DR CLINIC containing your Name, Email Address, and LSC to Robert. This information will be used to credit you for your participation in this clinic in OTS. Robert Scandary scantrons@yahoo.com
Clinic Outline Introduction What is a Deck Referee Training Practical tips Any questions before we get started? 2 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
Deck Referee Shall have full authority over all officials and shall assign and instruct them; shall enforce all applicable rules and shall decide all questions relating to the actual conduct of the meet, ..102.11 USA Rulebook Provide the best possible environment for maximum swimmer performance. It s your pool, you are in charge! 3 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
Deck Referee (Cont.) Philosophy of Officiating Providing safe and fair competition for ALL Officiating is an exercise in observation, NOT INSPECTION. Be a Professional Deck Referee Set High Standards For yourself and The Team Use positive re-enforcement Be pro-active But be approachable and have fun 4 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
Deck Referee (Cont.) Deck Referee works with the Meet Referee on how the meet will be conducted. Timeline, heat intervals, handling of DQs, radio protocol, etc. You set the tone for the deck. You are highly visible to everyone in the venue coaches, parents, swimmers and other officials. 5 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
Deck Referee Training Attend a clinic. You are eligible to advance to Deck Referee after being a Starter for one year and working 20 sessions over the past year. Take all 7 online USA swimming tests Admin. Ref., Starter, Deck Ref., Clerk, Timer, Admin. Official and S &T/Timer. Deck training 24 hours at a minimum of three different meets of various levels with at least 3 different senior referees; one from out of your zone. 1 session with a Certified Admin Official in that position. Recommendations from 3 senior referees and sign-off by Zone Rep and CSI Officials Chair 6 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
Junior Meet Referee Training Once certified as a Deck Referee, the referee may be approved as a Junior Meet Referee for small timed finals meets (300 swimmers or less). To be certified as a Junior Meet Referee you must shadow a Senior Meet Referee for one full meet (all sessions) and receive their recommendation on the Meet Referee Training Log. It is important to reach out to the Meet Referee you want to shadow early so that you can be involved in the meet setup. 7 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
On the Deck Three levels of Referee Deck Referee-runs the pool; oversees entire pool area Meet Referee-oversees all aspects of the meet Administrative Referee-oversees entries, times and results. Works closely with Meet Referee. Typically only used at Prelims/Finals meets. 8 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
The Deck Referee Can you multi-task? 9 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
Deck Referee Directing the playing field (pool) Relationships with Meet Referee Administrative Referee Starter Deck officials Equipment operators Announcer Swimmers Coaches Parents Levels of competition Novice/splash/qualifiers, etc. 10 & Unders State championships Regional meets-Zones, Sectionals National meets- Futures, Juniors, Pro Series, Nationals, US Open 10 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
Deck Referee Key Topics Must exude confidence and set the tone The playing field (the pool) The Officials Team The Meet procedures Handling the DQ-anticipating the call Working with coaches The Rules Swim-offs-only in Prelims/Finals meets Additional resources 11 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
Deck Referee Key Topics Other key duties: Deck set up (check blocks, flags, 15m marks, etc.) Safety of pool area & pool - eyes for the Meet Referee 1. Don t be afraid to stop the meet if you see a safety issue 2. Find the Meet Referee or ask the Announcer to call the MR to the starter s area 3. Examples: What do you do if you notice a swimmer vomit in the pool? Or you notice a swimmer has cut their foot and there is blood on the pool deck? What if a swimmer collapses on the deck after a swim? (All of these are things that have happened at CSI meets). 12 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
The Team The Deck Referee is responsible for a fair environment in which the swimmers will be competing. To accomplish that, the deck is staffed with a number of people with different jobs. The Deck Referee must be a facilitator in helping that staff get their jobs done correctly and at the same time allow them the freedom to do those jobs. While the Deck Referee needs to know all the jobs of the others on deck, it is not his or her job to do them all. The Deck Referee lets other officials perform their assigned role. 13 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
The Team (Cont.) Stroke & Turn Judges They are your observers - the most important position on deck. The official who can most affect the swimmer. Chief Judges The managers - they are your eyes, your ears and your communication link to the deck & other officials. Starters Key individual for a smooth, flowing session Strive to make every start their best start. Teammate in setting consistent, fair playing field. 14 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
The Team (Cont.) Announcer Valuable resource for facilitating communications with coaches and swimmers (e.g. re-swims and swim-offs) Need to work closely with for finals procedures Meet Referee Responsible for entire meet operations Establishes guidelines regarding protocols/procedures for a given meet that the deck referees, starters and judges need to follow Allows the Team to conduct the meet The next level to which coaches can go on an issue 15 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
Pre-Session Duties Prior to the start of competition Looking over the course Is the facility/pool safe for competition? Adequate area for Deck Referee and Starter. Location & size; don t be afraid to move the console or start stand Adequate areas for deck officials and timers. Equipment Check blocks, touch pads, lane ropes, lane markers, backstroke flags. Check recall rope and its operation, if one is being used. Check starting/timing system before the first race and after switching finish ends. Radio and headsets. Does everyone s work? Radio check is performed by Chief Judges if staffing allows. 16 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
The Procedures Communication!! The pool is yours while you are the Deck Referee! Work closely with the starter - be sure that each of you knows what the other is expecting. You are a Team. Relative positions on the deck. Who approaches who for a false start? Timing of when the short and long whistles should be blown. Keeping order of finish (generally by starter or off starter). Checking the next heat to see if there are any open lanes/missing swimmers. Watching for issues/situations that could cause a problem. When to hand the field to the starter for the next heat? With approval from Starter it is okay to touch the Starter to hand over the field. Work with starter to keep the meet going when there are distractions 17 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
The Procedures (Cont.) What are the scratch procedures for the meet? Meet specific or National Scratch rules? What are the procedures for no-shows and declared false starts? Will a swimmer who misses their race be allowed to swim in a later heat? Processed by AR, but outcome determined by the Meet Referee. Check with MR will this be a paperless meet? Other recording protocols? 18 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
Procedures The Start The Start Allow the Starter to pick his or her best spot and then position yourself appropriately. Be able to see ALL lanes clearly Deck Referee should not block the starter s field of vision Allow the Starter to see your arm out of his or her peripheral vision. Deck Referee may instruct the Starter to stand , step down , clear the pool , recall . The Starter can also stand the field or initiate a recall. Other directions to the field originate from the DR to the Starter Whistles Blow series of short whistles to advise next heat that their heat is coming up shortly ( When is set by meet pace) Blow long whistle to ask the swimmers to step on the block or step in the water when? For backstroke and medley relay blow second long whistle to call swimmers to the end of the pool this whistle is to be blown after all swimmers are in the water and all their heads have come up above the water. *Backstroke ledges Work with the Meet Referee/other DRs to establish pace of the meet. 19 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
The Start Extending the Arm Extending the arm turns the heat over to the Starter. Be prompt in turning the heat over to the Starter When all swimmers are on the blocks and getting themselves ready. Sometimes you may need to delay extending your arm due to problems behind the blocks. In USA Swimming, we don t wait until the swimmers are ready to start to turn it over to the Starter the swimmers may be waiting on the blocks too long. Communicate with Starter on timing. It is the Starters job to ensure that the swimmers are in the proper starting position, set and ready to swim, not yours. (But you may need to give the Starter feedback.) 20 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
The Start (Cont.) Suppose there are some issues behind the blocks If you need to take back control of the heat, lower your arm but also give a verbal indication to the Starter to hold up the start. If you ask the Starter to step down the field, please repeat the long whistle. If there are issues with backstroke ledges and you need to relax swimmers, use your Starter to give the directions to the field and then blow your whistle again. 21 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
The Start (Cont.) False Starts After watching swimmers until they surface and you are sure the start should not be recalled, make a notation to signify the lane number(s) of those you saw move. The Starter initiates the false start call with the Deck Referee. Confirmation is by showing each other the lanes number(s) written for the heat record that a false start has been confirmed on your heat sheet Announce a false start over the radio (identify event #,heat, and lane number) so the swimmer can be notified by Chief Judge or Turn Judge and Admin. will know you or Chief Judge need to write up DQ slip. The Starter signs the DQ slip first then the Deck Referee signs it. Declared False Start (DFS), No Show slips (Timed Finals v. Prelim/Final) Inadvertent recalls negate any false start Do not raise arm for false starts 22 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
The Start (Cont.) Unfair Starts Recall used in very, very rare situations Use start system sounder or whistles to bring back athletes Recall rope responsibilities (if used, these are generally on 50m pools) Determine when to re-swim and who re-swims Deliberate delay or misconduct. USA Rule 101.1.5 23 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
During the Race Primarily focus on the race the Chief Judges (if used) are watching the officials Consider your body language Don t hang out with the Starter Keep focus on the pool; NEVER turn your back to the pool By observing the race, you might see the same infraction as a Judge Try to anticipate what the call might be Keep the admin. table informed of DQ s, no show s, lane/heat changes, etc. Create a mental picture of what you expect to see being swum. Anticipate the stroke and distance in the upcoming event. Remember, its your pool! You also set the meet pace, precedent, and feel for the session. A calm demeanor is infectious. 24 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
Additional Procedures Avoid distractions if at all possible when they happen, keep them short or delay them until after the race. Don t turn away from water. You have a team of officials on deck. Let them help you run a great meet. Keep track of your timeline the swimmers set their preparation based on that timeline. The timeline is a guide unless the meet announcement or Meet Referee dictates specific event start times. But, do not let maintaining the timeline ruin the quality of the competition. 25 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
DQ Procedures DQ slips-use if at all possible Radio protocol Must have experience! Accept/reject; ask for clarification if unable to decide in a timely manner. Potential disqualification clarification: Garbled radio transmission, or language used in the call. A personal conversation may be needed for clarification. The CJ may suggest needs further discussion based upon the Judge s call. Record DQs, FSs, DFSs, & NSs on your heat sheet. Have a system that works for you that allows you to track the meet. Notification to swimmer- by Chief Judges or Finish Judge. 26 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
Problems and Protests DQ s Verifying the call Was swimmer in Judges jurisdiction? Was official in position to make the call? What was the observation? What rule was violated? Can the Judge describe what they observed? Did anyone else see the infraction? Stroke Judge, Turn Judge 27 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
Other Head Timer Order of Finish Computer Operator Meet Director Equipment Operator Clerk of Course Intermediate times Intermediate splits 28 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
Swimmers with Disabilities Rule 105 Governs Disabled Swimmer Officiating What/How to judge Blind or vision loss With an audible Starting system, usually no modification is required Swimmer may require assistance Can start in water if necessary Deaf or Hard of Hearing May require a visual starting signal (Strobe light and/or Arm signals) Short whistles Twist hand at chin level Long whistle Arm overhead Swimmer steps on blocks Take your mark Arm moved to shoulder level Start Arm moved quickly down to your side Physical Disabilities May take longer to start; may need assistance; may have trouble holding platform; may use modified starting position on platform, deck, or in water Referee may allow modifications to starting positions Sitting or kneeling on block or deck Unassisted or assisted in water Some part of body must contact wall. 29 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
Documents to Review The Referee & The Rules by Anneliese Eggert Philosophy of Officiating On The Deck General Ref checklist The Professional Deck Referee Timers Briefing Stroke Briefing Jurisdiction Radio Etiquette Swimmers with Disabilities 30 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
Documents to Review www.usaswimming.org Go to the Officials tab Select Officials Documents Select Situations and Resolutions Starter and Deck Referee Situations and Resolutions www.usaswimming.org Go to the Search window Search for: technical suits Select: Tech Suit Restrictions for 12-and-Under Swimmers 31 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
The Deck Referee and Starter Team: It's All About Communication Kathleen Scandary, National Officials Chair and Denice Wepasnick, 2021 Olympic Games Starter No matter the size or level of the meet, the deck referee and starter must be a team that communicates. The teamwork begins when you are assigned to one of these two roles, whether it is for the entire session or a few events within a session. Even before starting your pre-session checks, you both should have a conversation regarding potential circumstances that might come up, such as how false starts are to be handled, should SR communicate empty lanes/full heat, etc. While the athletes are in the pool for warm-ups, the SR can check the integrity of the start system as the DR inspects the blocks. While the DR is inspecting blocks, he/she can also listen to the voice of the SR projecting through the speakers, checking for clarity. The DR s feedback allows for the necessary adjustments to be made before the athletes are even on the block or in the water and possibly on the ledge. During this time, or in the minutes before the event, the SR is the first to pick their spot for the best view of all lanes. The goal for the DR in choosing their position to stand is the same: an unobstructed visual gaze over the lanes. However, the DR must also keep in mind that their outstretched arm, signifying the heat has been given to the SR, must be easily and peripherally visible. This is another example of the teamwork necessary to ensure the SR, as well as the DR, maintains sight of all athletes at the blocks before the start. 32 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
The Deck Referee and Starter Team: It's All About Communication Kathleen Scandary, National Officials Chair and Denice Wepasnick, 2021 Olympic Games Starter The SR may report to the DR when the anticipated number of athletes are all present, or only when there is an empty lane, depending on what is in established the pre-session dialogue. The short whistles are blown and as the athletes are transitioning onto the blocks, the DR hands over the heat to the SR. It is now up to the SR to decide when to give the start command and the start signal. If all is well, the two watch the swimmers break the surface before going into their distinctly different roles. The SR, who is aware of the amount of time the DR is spending processing calls, can be very helpful by providing information on which swimmer is trailing behind and anything of importance regarding athletes in the next heat. The DR can help the SR by their own demeanor and walking away to take calls. This allows the SR to calmly observe the behavior of the swimmers in the next heat. Prior to the start, an issue that has the potential to create inequity may require the DR to retract their arm and tell the SR to stand the heat. If need be, the DR may ask the SR to have the athletes step down carefully. The field has been returned to the DR, at this point. The team may spend a moment in conference, take action if needed, and bring the heat back onto the blocks with the DR blowing the long whistle. The SR is equally responsible for making sure that the athletes are settling and are not distracted. In some instances, the command to stand is used at the discretion of the SR if the starter feels that there may be the possibility of inequity at the start while the arm of the DR remains extended. Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic 33
The Deck Referee and Starter Team: It's All About Communication Kathleen Scandary, National Officials Chair and Denice Wepasnick, 2021 Olympic Games Starter Should a false start occur, both the SR and DR mark their sheet independent of one another. The SR initiates the call by approaching the DR, observing first whether radio communication is taking place. The SR uses a phrase that will get the DR s attention, like, I have a potential or Did you see anything? The two show their sheet with the markings on the lane of the swimmer who committed the false start, thus solidifying the independence of their calls. The goal of effective communication between the SR and DR is to develop a team approach to ensure the best possible outcome for the athletes we serve 34 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
Next Steps Tests required all seven initial certification tests Deck training 24 hours at minimum of three meets of various levels with at least 3 different senior referees; one from out of your zone. In addition to the 24 hours, train for one session with a Certified Admin Official in that position. Recommendations from 3 senior referees and signoff by Zone Rep and CSI Officials Chair 35 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
Questions? 36 Colorado Swimming Deck Referee Clinic
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