A Review of Rules and Rule

InterpretationsWhat Did You See?

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Session AgendaExcellence in Officiating

The Rules – How a Bill Becomes a Law

Rule Interpretations

Observing Swims

Writing DQs

All the World’s a Stage. . .

9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012

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Excellence in Officiating

Expanding knowledge

base

Working regularly at the

job

Professionalism

9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012

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Expanding Knowledge Base

Share best practices

Work outside of your LSC (National, Grand Prix, Sectionals, other Officials Qualifying Meets)

Review Situations and Resolutions for Stroke & Turn Judges on USA Swimming site

Read and ask questions regarding new rules or interpretations

Discuss at officials meeting unusual situations that you have observed

9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012

59/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012

How to find Officials Qualifying Meets (OQM)

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Locating Situations & Resolutions

The practical application of the rules and interpretations

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Working RegularlyOfficials need practice, just as competitors do.

Working regularly builds confidence.

Read USA and Illinois Swimming Officials Committee emails and keep up with rule changes and new interpretations.

There is no substitute for experience.

9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012

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Professionalism

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Shoes for (Safe Officiating) Crews

Wondering about good-looking, affordable-priced, comfy, non-skid deck shoes????

Shoesforcrews.com

9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012

109/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012

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The Rules – How Bill Became a Law

• There are over 10,000 USA Swimming Officials• 565 in Illinois alone

• Large organizations needs clarity in organization and consistency in application of the rules

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Our Rules Mirror FINA –Federation Internationale de

Natation

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That Explains Everything Oui Oui – FINA

An international organization that oversees all water sports (swimming, diving, water polo, synchronized swimming, open water and masters)

A member Federation (i.e. country) submits a proposed rule change to the FINA Technical Swimming Committee. US representative since 1993 has been Carol Zaleski, London

Olympics Meet Referee This twelve-person committee, each from a different

Federation amends and votes Passed to the FINA Bureau of 26 members (across all water

sports) for vote Finally to the Technical Congress of 180+ members for vote Rules are adopted every 4 years at LC World Championships

following Olympics (2013 in Barcelona) Rules are translated into French Once passed by FINA, a technical rule is adopted into USA

Swimming Rules via literal translation not interpretation. Blue pages in the rule book

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Rules Interpretation

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USA Swimming Rules & Regulations

CommitteeConsists of 22 voting members, responsible for

adoption of rules and interpretation

Chaired by Dan McAllen

All pages of the rule book

Legislative changes annual deadline May 15th 50%+1 vote Bylaw Change 66% vote After May 15th 90% vote

Meets 2x each year (June review and recommend; and at convention in September to vote)

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Recent Rules Interpretations

Breaststroke (USA-S Rule 101.2.3)

FINA Interpretation issued March 7, 2012

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Rules Interpretation: FINABREASTSTROKE INTERPRETATION

SW 7.1 After the start and after each turn, the swimmer may take one arm stroke completely back to the legs during which the swimmer may be submerged. A single butterfly kick is permitted during the first arm stroke, followed by a breaststroke kick.

Interpretation

The first arm stroke begins with the separation of the hands.

SW 7.2 From the beginning of the first arm stroke after the start and after each turn, the body shall be on the breast. It is not permitted to roll onto the back at any time. From the start and throughout the race the stroke cycle must be one arm stroke and one leg kick in that order. All movements of the arms shall be simultaneous and on the same horizontal plane without alternating movement.

Interpretation

A pause after the separation of the hands is not a violation of the rule.

March 13, 20129/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012

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Rules Interpretation: USA-S

1. This interpretation is substituted for breaststroke interpretations issued on December 8, 2008 and April 14, which are hereby expressly revoked.

2. This interpretation requires “observable separation” to initiate the arm pull. No other action will initiate the arm pull.

3. This interpretation requires additional separation if the swimmer starts or leaves the wall after a turn with the hands already separated.

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Recent Rules Interpretations

BUTTERFLY INTERPRETATION

Article 101.3.2 requires that, in the butterfly stroke, “both arms” must be brought forward “over the water" and pulled back simultaneously. For purposes of Article 101.3.2, as it relates to the recovery of the arms in the butterfly stroke, it is the interpretation of the USA Swimming Rules & Regulations Committee that the “arm” is that portion of the body which extends from the shoulder to the wrist. It is also the interpretation of the Committee that "over the water" means that the arm, as defined above, must break the surface of the water during the recovery phase of each stroke.

June 7, 2010 9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012

Key: the arm, as defined, must break surface

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Other Rules Reminders

Backstroke Submerged prior to the finish of the backstrokeToes above the gutter BEFORE the start of the race

Toes above the gutter AFTER the start of the race

Surfacing by 15 meter “Situation” Once surfaced stay surfaced (until the next turn,

repeat)

ButterflyAlternating kick means moving legs in opposite

directions9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012

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Where to Find Rules and Interpretations

About> Rules & Regulations> Interpretation>Legislation & Bylaws

Additional Resources Rule Book USA Swimming>Officials>Education and Training>Education and Training

Resources The Professional . . . for each position [see your packet!] Officials Manual/Guide to Officiating

Situations and Resolutions FAQs (Rules and Regulations) USA Swimming>Officials>Education and Training

“You Make the Call” (situational examples) “On the same page” (to help us all be "on the same page" when it

comes to swim officiating. If you have a topic or question that you would like to see discussed on the USA Swimming Officials website and/or Newsletter, use link)

Illinois Swimming Officials web page

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Observing Swims: Looky-See

To accurately observe and report a stroke infraction without a doubt, we must observe the swimmers actions in the correct sequence

The judge always should maintain an observation of the motion and position of entire body.

Do not focus attention on one part of the body to the exclusion of the entirety.

Exception: _________ ?9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012

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Observing the Freestyle

9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012

Conor Dwyer, Winnetka IL

Stroke judges at 15m marks, one side to watch all lanes “outbound”, other watches all lanes “inbound”Do not observe 15m if pool is not marked on the

lane lines (cones/paint on deck is not sufficient) [103.14.2]

Do not observe the finish

All judges should observe “middle” of swim for obvious infractions or distressed swimmers.

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Observing the ButterflyStart/Swim: shoulders at/past vertical toward breast, arms recover over water simultaneously, legs kick without alternating

Turn: 1. Arms recover over the water, touch wall

with two-hands simultaneously2. Watch feet leave wall, then look at

shoulders to determine whether they are at or past vertical toward the breast

Finish: Arms recover over the water, touch wall with two-hands simultaneously

9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012

Christine Magnuson, Tinley Park IL

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Observing the Backstroke

Start/Swim Outside start end judges observe feet for toes moving

above lip of gutter after race starts. (inside judges remain seated)

Observe shoulders for at or past vertical toward back (until turn)

Turn: 1. Observe arm(s) pull to be continuous after turning to the

breast. When pull completed (or not initiated) watch body to determine whether turn has been initiated.

2. Watch feet leave wall, then look at shoulders to determine whether they are at or past vertical toward the back.

Finish: Watch shoulders to see if past vertical toward the breast,

or if the entire body submerges, →then look to see if swimmer has touched the wall.

9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012

Olivia Smoliga, Glenview IL

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Observing the Breaststroke

Start1. Watch initiation of butterfly or breaststroke kick,

then look to hands to see if there is an observable (or additional) separation of the hands.

2. Observe arms (not shoulders) for pull to move in same horizontal plane (as the water surface)

3. Watch for hands to begin to close from their widest part of the second stroke, then look to head to see if head has surfaced.

Note the need to maintain observation of entire body throughout the swim

9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012

Matt Elliott, Peoria IL

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Turn: 1. Watch hands to touch wall with both hands simultaneously

2. Watch feet leave wall, then look at shoulders to determine whether they are at or past vertical toward the breast.

3. Watch initiation of butterfly kick, then look to hands to see if there is an observable (or additional) separation of the hands.

4. If fly kick is used, watch for breaststroke kick.

5. Observe arms (not shoulders) for pull to move in same horizontal plane (as the water surface)

6. Watch for hands to begin to close from their widest part of the 2nd stroke, then look to head to see if head has surfaced.

Finish: Watch hands to touch wall with both hands simultaneously 9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012

Observing the Breaststroke

Rebecca Soni, American Sweetheart

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Observing the I.M.Fly-to-Back Turn

Watch feet leave wall, then look at shoulders to determine whether they are at or past vertical toward the back

Back-to-Breast Turn Watch to see if shoulders go past vertical toward

the breast, or if the entire body submerges, then look to see if swimmer has touched the wall.

Watch feet leave wall, then look at shoulders to determine whether they are at or past vertical toward the breast

Do not observe freestyle finish.

9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012

Tyler McGill, Champaign IL ; Ryan Lochte ; Kyler Van Swol, Frankfort IL

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Writing DQ’s The Rule: 102.13.3 Disqualifications:

On signed slips, heat, lane, event, and infraction Other key points:

Print your name, not signatureIf possible, include name of swimmer and club affiliation

(for notification purposes)Portion of the swim (start, swim, turn, finish) and

location (e.g. T2)

Officials briefings should include a clear understanding of whether a short detail of the observed infraction should be on the DQ slip (e.g. 1HT RHO) or just on the heat sheet

The DQ slip is a communication tool, especially the two part USA Swimming forms How we use it depends on the needs of the meet At Championship meets, all notes are on judge and CJ heat

sheets 9/23/2012 and 9/29/2012ISI Officials Recertification Clinics 2012

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All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely

players

Stroke & Turn – Witness

Chief Judge – Defense Attorney

Referee – Judge and Jury

Meet Referee – Court of Appeal

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Make sure the BENEFIT OF DOUBT GOES TO THE SWIMMER – ALWAYS

Adapt to meet conditions and help out wherever requested, but remain within your role

Apply and use COMMON SENSE generously

Don’t read more into the rules than is written

Observe the swims but do not scrutinize

Exhibit confidence; the competent are never imperious

Dress professionally and neatly in the designated uniform

Be willing to learn, and frequently work as Stroke and Turn Judge

Never take advantage of credentials to gain deck access when not working in an official capacity

Self evaluate after all sessions and meets. Ask yourself “What can I do better?”

Enjoy what you do and opportunity to work with coaches, officials and swimmers

In Closing….[From The Professional Stroke and Turn Judge]

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Thank You

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