Officials Update #3
In this issue:
Capturing a DQ
When You are the Experienced Official on Deck
The Value of Timers
Questions
Capturing a DQ
What do you do when the DQs are coming at you fast and furious? How do you document them all while being careful with getting it done right and continue to watch the pool in your jurisdiction? While a lot of this comes from doing, and if you’re new, it can get overwhelming. Here’s a couple of tips to help you on deck:
1. Learn to take “short hand” and mark your heatsheet, then when things slow down a bit, write up a DQ slip. You’ll want to turn this around quickly so that the computer results don’t have to be redone. For example, if in butterfly, the swimmer in lane 1 touched with their right hand only, you could note this on the heatsheet as "OHT-R", and the swimmer in lane 2 did a breaststroke kick you can note this as "Br. Kick". When things slow down, then you can write up the DQ as "One Hand Touch - Right Hand Only" and "Breaststroke Kick on Fly" and note this on the forms. (NOTE: there have been a couple of requests for an Officials Cheatsheet – I’ve got one submitted for approval and as soon as it is, I’ll let you know)
2. You only have to document one DQ per swim – swimmers are only DQ’d for their first “offense” – they don’t need to have listed everything they did incorrectly on the DQ form. Usually this means writing up the DQ slip for the first thing they did incorrectly, or if you prefer, note the most blatant infraction you observed.
3. Please be assured that we're all volunteers and that we do the best that we can. Even experienced officials miss calls - our objective is to treat all competition fairly, creating a level playing field for all participants. That's why we review the rules every year – you are encouraged to seek out opportunities to be in an observers seat rather than jump immediately into a judges seat. Have you thought about attending a meet where you’re not working just to look over the shoulder of an experienced official? I’m confident that would be fine – and maybe you could offer to help write up any DQ slips!
When You are the Experienced Official on Deck
Sometimes you may find yourself in the position of being the experienced official on deck – and probably in the referee/starter role. When this occurs, you are the one looked to in ensuring that the competition is being judged fairly. And sometimes an official may miss a call that you see clearly – and you’re not sure if it was a case of doubt or a question on the rules. In cases such as this, you are encouraged to talk with the S&T Official to ask them if they saw anything. That way you can confirm the “benefit of the doubt” or you can clarify any questions about the rules or the interpretation on the part of that official. Maybe they weren’t sure of the rule – and indeed they had a valid call – so they can be better prepared next time.
You also may be asked to interpret the rules in unusual situations. For example, as it’s summertime and kids may end up breaking their arm, requiring a cast, are they allowed to swim? And what allowances must be made for that? There is no "medical disabilities" clause - only a "physical disabilities" section that discusses what to do when a swimmer has a physical disability (pages 51 and following of the rule book http://usaswimming.org/USASWeb/_Rainbow/Documents/dcd3fe76-c17c-4429-a22c-667b4f7c3235/2008%20Rulebook%20no%20cover.pdf). As long as the cast does not provide additional buoyancy, aiding of propulsion of the swimmer, or have fins or a “paddle shape”, they can be allowed to swim in and would be judged according to the regular rules. We've provided the mini-rule books so that officials (and coaches) don't have to guess at the rules, thinking that there must be allowances for such situations, so don’t hesitate to check those sources in case there's a question.
The Value of Timers
Why do we need so many timers (because sometimes it’s really tough to find them)? Is it just because “it’s always been done that way”? Determination of official times is documented in the USA Swimming Rule Book (http://usaswimming.org/USASWeb/_Rainbow/Documents/dcd3fe76-c17c-4429-a22c-667b4f7c3235/2008%20Rulebook%20no%20cover.pdf) looking specifically at Section 102.16 (on page 34 and following). Midlakes League Rules as defined in the Swim Operating Plan (http://midlakesswimleague.org/Documents/2008/2008%20Swim%20Operating%20Plan%20Revised.pdf) Section E, Paragraph 6 outlines the timing requirements as well. Some of you may remember when there was one timer per lane – but then there was a whole crew of parent volunteers whose only job was to determine order of finish for a lane across all lanes. And then their results had to be reconciled with the times and the place results from the other side of the pool. Only having one timer per lane would not be the best scenario since this leaves wide room for scoring inaccuracies based upon reliance on place order finish. Today’s method and improved stopwatches make having multiple timers a much better process.
Sometimes there is a perception of “chaos” behind the blocks with 3 timers and the next heats’ swimmer, and their friends cheering – but this can all be managed by the timers taking the opportunity to keep their area clear. Encouraging the swimmers in the following heats to stand behind the timers and wait for their events (instead of at the blocks in the mix with the timers) would go a long way to reducing the “stress” level behind the blocks.
More Questions
Q1: During a race, a swimmer jumped into the pool (backstroke) or jumped up on the blocks and took their place after the long “swimmer’s up” whistle. Is this swimmer allowed to race? If not, how is it marked?
A1: If in the judgment of the Starter/Referee, the swimmer was late and not ready to swim, a delay of meet disqualification would be called on this swimmer. However, if they were prevented from getting in the water or up on the blocks because of a timer or official (in other words, not the swimmer’s fault), then they should be allowed to swim.
Q2: After the meet has started, if there is an empty lane in a non relay event, and an eligible swimmer wanting to swim, are they allowed to be added to the event?
A2: Yes, provided they are already in the meet. However, this would be only allowed as an exhibition swim, not eligible for scoring.
Q3: I know swimmers caps and suits must be Midlakes only (no high school, college, or club teams) or the American Flag – but what about a smiley face or the Beijing Olympic Bound Panda caps I’ve been seeing this summer?
A3: As a general guide, as long as these unusual caps are not “intimidating” to other swimmers, they would be allowed. Part of the "judgment" call in this regard would be to simply ask the swimmer to change the cap or turn it inside out. Swimmers must be given a warning to correct the offending suit or cap before they are DQ'd. Only if they refuse or swim again without correcting the suit/cap, then they would be disqualified.
Only a couple of weeks left for Midlakes – and as usual, let me know if you need any clarification (or have more questions!).
Scott
Allen
Midlakes Swim League
Officials Chair
